aloSIM

aloSIM, built by the Canadian company AffinityClick, covers more than 200 destinations with app-based setup that keeps the whole process, buying, installing, checking usage, in one place. Standard plans start around $4.50 for 1GB, competitive with the cheaper end of the market, and a number of its packages come bundled with a Hushed phone number, giving you a working number for apps and services that need one, on top of the data.

Unlimited plans are available for popular destinations like Europe and India, but the tradeoff is flexibility: rather than choosing any validity length, you're generally limited to a 10 or 15-day unlimited window, so it doesn't suit an odd-length trip as neatly as a fixed-GB plan would. A 3-day unlimited plan for Europe runs about $11.50, scaling up to roughly $72.50 for 30 days. The core eSIM is data-only aside from the optional Hushed number. It's a solid pick for budget travelers on a short, defined trip who like the idea of a bundled number without paying extra for a separate service.