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India eSIM Cost per GB at Each Data Size (Oct 2026)
HelloRoam is the top pick for India at $2.42 per GB on a 20 GB plan, though Nomad sold 20 GB for $33.00 against $48.35 on 30 Oct 2026. HelloRoam sells India data at 1 GB from $4.74, 5 GB from $15.89, 10 GB from $27.31, 20 GB from $48.35. Airalo covers 200+ destinations, against the 185 that HelloRoam sells.
Plan snapshot
- Lowest cost per GB: 20 GB, 30 days, $48.35 ($2.42/GB).
- A rival sold for less on 30 Oct 2026: 1 GB, 7 days (Saily, $3.99); 3 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $8.50); 5 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $13.00); 10 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $21.00); 20 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $33.00); 50 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $43.00); all 3 unlimited stays.
- All 6 India plans allow hotspot and top-ups, per the plan list of 7 Sep 2026.
- A HelloRoam eSIM in India attaches to AirTel and Jio, 2 host operators in all.
AirTel 5G · hotspot and top-ups (plan list, 7 Sep 2026)
What does each India data size cost?
HelloRoam 20 GB for 30 days at $2.42 per GB, read 29 Oct 2026. Rival plans keep their own row, and a rival that sold for less prints both prices.
| Provider | 1 GB | 3 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | 20 GB | 50 GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam 1 GB: $4.74, 7 days; 3 GB: $10.88, 30 days; 5 GB: $15.89, 30 days; 10 GB: $27.31, 30 days; 20 GB: $48.35, 30 days; 50 GB: $144.66, 30 days | $4.747 days | $10.8830 days | $15.8930 days | $27.3130 days | $48.3530 days | $144.6630 days |
| Holafly unlimited only, no fixed plans | Unlimited only, no fixed plans | |||||
| Nomad 1 GB: $4.00, 7 days, against $4.74; 3 GB: $8.50, 30 days, against $10.88; 5 GB: $13.00, 30 days, against $15.89; 10 GB: $21.00, 30 days, against $27.31; 20 GB: $33.00, 30 days, against $48.35; 50 GB: $43.00, 30 days, against $144.66 | $4.007 days, against $4.74 | $8.5030 days, against $10.88 | $13.0030 days, against $15.89 | $21.0030 days, against $27.31 | $33.0030 days, against $48.35 | $43.0030 days, against $144.66 |
| Airalo 1 GB: $4.00, 3 days, against $4.74; 3 GB: $9.50, 7 days, against $10.88; 5 GB: $14.00, 30 days, against $15.89; 10 GB: $24.00, 30 days, against $27.31; 20 GB: $38.00, 30 days, against $48.35; 50 GB: No 50 GB plan | $4.003 days, against $4.74 | $9.507 days, against $10.88 | $14.0030 days, against $15.89 | $24.0030 days, against $27.31 | $38.0030 days, against $48.35 | No 50 GB plan |
| Saily 1 GB: $3.99, 7 days, against $4.74; 3 GB: $9.99, 30 days, against $10.88; 5 GB: $13.99, 30 days, against $15.89; 10 GB: $23.99, 30 days, against $27.31; 20 GB: $38.99, 30 days, against $48.35; 50 GB: No 50 GB plan | $3.997 days, against $4.74 | $9.9930 days, against $10.88 | $13.9930 days, against $15.89 | $23.9930 days, against $27.31 | $38.9930 days, against $48.35 | No 50 GB plan |
Which India plans have the lowest cost per GB?
Top 5 plans by cost per GB
| # | $/GB ↑ | Plan | Total | Network | Days | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $2.42Lowest $/GB | 20GB | $48.35 | AirTel | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 2 | $2.73 | 10GB | $27.31 | AirTel | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 3 | $2.89 | 50GB | $144.66 | AirTel | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 4 | $3.18 | 5GB | $15.89 | AirTel | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 5 | $3.63 | 3GB | $10.88 | AirTel | 30d | Get this plan → |
How do the five providers compare in India?
The first row has the top rubric score, 9.0 out of 10 on the method of 30 Oct 2026. 4 of the five have a India rate here, and Nomad lists the lowest at $0.86/GB.
| Provider | Score | Lowest $/GB here | Cheaper plans here | Destinations | Min-max GB | Min-max validity | Hotspot | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. HelloRoam Cheapest in the most price cells | 9.0/10 | $2.42 20 GB / 30 days at $48.35 | Rows below list any rival plan sold for less | 185 | 1-50 GB | 7-30 days | Yes, all plans | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
2. Holafly Joint longest refund window | 6.3/10 | Unlimited only from $39.50 for 7 days, read 30 Oct 2026 | None found | 200+ | Not published | Not published | Limited, some countries | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
3. Nomad Second on price cells won | 5.9/10 | $0.86 50 GB / 30 days at $43.00, read 30 Oct 2026 |
| 200 | 1-50 GB | 7-30 days | Not on all plans | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
4. Airalo Joint first on the coverage score | 5.5/10 | $1.90 20 GB / 30 days at $38.00, read 30 Oct 2026 | None found | 200+ | 1-20 GB | 3-30 days | Yes, metered plans only | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
5. Saily Joint second-widest plan mix | 4.0/10 | $1.95 20 GB / 30 days at $38.99, read 30 Oct 2026 |
| Not stated | 1-20 GB | 7-30 days | Yes, most plans | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
First-row rates come from that provider's catalogue, read 29 Oct 2026. Rival rates read on each provider's own site on 30 Oct 2026.
- HelloRoam · Cheapest in the most price cells · Cheapest of all five in 207 of 367 price cells read 30 Oct 2026.
- Holafly · Joint longest refund window · 180 days on an unactivated eSIM, level with the top pick.
- Nomad · Second on price cells won · Cheapest of all five in 95 of 367 price cells read 30 Oct 2026.
- Airalo · Joint first on the coverage score · 200+ destinations, level with Holafly.
- Saily · Joint second-widest plan mix · Fixed plans in 42 and unlimited plans in 40 of the 42 destinations checked, level with Airalo.
The order is the rubric on the research method page, not a price sort. Nomad and Saily sold at least one plan for less here on 30 Oct 2026, and the Cheaper plans column names each one with both prices. Not published means no price for India was read for that provider. No coverage means the provider does not sell that destination. No cell is filled with an estimate.
Every plan in this index is data only, with no local phone number. All of them need an eSIM-capable handset, which means iPhone XR or newer and most Android phones from 2020.
Per-GB rates ranked, lowest first
Provider-by-Provider $/GB Rates
Only one provider (HelloRoam) covers India. The lowest plan is 1GB at $4.74/GB.
Price Spread Analysis
India has 6 eSIM plans from 1 provider, ranging from $2.42/GB to $4.74/GB. Median per-GB across all 6 plans is $3.04/GB. The per-GB spread is $2.32, meaning the priciest plan costs 96% more per gigabyte than the cheapest.
Which India plan costs the least per day?
Value Per Day Breakdown
| Plan | Total | Days | $/Day |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | $4.74 | 7 | $0.68 |
Airport SIM vs eSIM Savings
Airport SIM kiosks at India charge $10-20 for 1-2GB/day / 28 days for tourist data plans. Airtel and Jio and Vi operate the airport kiosks. Local prepaid SIMs are available for $3-7 for 1.5GB/day / 28 days — requiring a physical store visit and, in some cases, passport registration. An eSIM from $4.74 activates before you land and skips the queue.
Use-Case Value Picks
Plans by trip length for India: Weekend (2-3 days): 3 GB at $10.88 for 30 days. Week trip (7 days): 5 GB at $15.89 for 30 days. Two-week vacation: 10 GB at $27.31 for 30 days. Digital nomad (30 days): 20 GB at $48.35 for 30 days.
Which India plan of 3 GB or more has the lowest cost per GB?
HelloRoam's 20GB plan at $48.35 delivers the strongest price-to-data ratio for India. At $2.42/GB for 20GB over 30 days, the daily cost is $1.61. On 30 Oct 2026, Nomad sold 20 GB for $33.00, below HelloRoam's $48.35. HelloRoam's plan includes tethering included and top-up available at no extra cost. This plan connects through AirTel in India. 1 provider competes for India across 6 plans. The per-GB spread from cheapest to most expensive is $2.42 to $4.74.
Value Rankings
| # | Plan | Score | $/GB | $/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20GB | 95 | $2.42 | $1.61 |
| 2 | 10GB | 87 | $2.73 | $0.91 |
| 3 | 50GB | 83 | $2.89 | $4.82 |
| 4 | 5GB | 75 | $3.18 | $0.53 |
| 5 | 3GB | 59 | $3.63 | $0.36 |
How does India pricing change by data size?
India eSIM pricing varies significantly by data tier. The right plan depends on trip length and daily usage intensity. 1GB: HelloRoam leads at $4.74 ($4.74/GB, 1GB, 7 days). This tier suits maps, messaging, and basic browsing for 2-3 days. On 30 Oct 2026, Saily sold 1 GB for $3.99. Top-up is available if you underestimate your needs. 3GB: HelloRoam leads at $10.88 ($3.63/GB, 3GB, 30 days). This tier suits maps, social media, and messaging for a 5-7 day trip. On 30 Oct 2026, Nomad sold 3 GB for $8.50. Top-up is available if you underestimate your needs. 5GB: HelloRoam leads at $15.89 ($3.18/GB, 5GB, 30 days). This tier suits active social media use and photo uploads for a week. On 30 Oct 2026, Nomad sold 5 GB for $13.00. 10GB: HelloRoam leads at $27.31 ($2.73/GB, 10GB, 30 days). This tier suits streaming, video calls, and heavy browsing for 7-14 days. On 30 Oct 2026, Nomad sold 10 GB for $21.00. 20GB: HelloRoam leads at $48.35 ($2.42/GB, 20GB, 30 days). This tier suits digital nomad work, daily streaming, and tethering for 2-4 weeks. On 30 Oct 2026, Nomad sold 20 GB for $33.00. Per-GB rates drop with plan size: $4.74/GB at 1GB vs $2.73/GB at 10GB. Buying larger saves 42% per gigabyte.
How do I pay the least for India?
HelloRoam's 20GB plan at $48.35, the lowest cost per GB for India, saves $35.65 against a week on AT&T's International Day Pass at $12 a day. An airport SIM at $10-20 for 1-2GB/day / 28 days costs less up front. HelloRoam starts at $4.74 for 1GB. Either way there is no kiosk queue, no passport scan and no wait to activate. Read 29 Oct 2026.
How to Get the Lowest Price
Buy the smallest plan that covers your trip length and data needs. HelloRoam's 20GB plan at $48.35 is the lowest-cost entry point for India. 6 of 6 plans support top-up if you run out.
WiFi Strategy for India
WiFi availability in India is limited. Free WiFi at some airports and railway stations; inconsistent in restaurants and cafes Use WiFi for large downloads and video calls to stretch your eSIM data further.
Peak Season Pricing
Peak travel season for India: Oct-Mar. Cool dry season October-March is ideal for most regions; avoid monsoon June-September eSIM prices generally remain stable during peak season, unlike airport SIM kiosks which may charge more.
Hidden Costs to Watch
Watch for: (1) Tethering restrictions — 6 of 6 plans include hotspot. (2) Tax and checkout fees — some providers add VAT at checkout. (3) Data cap overages — plans stop or slow down once the cap is spent, and no provider tracked here publishes the speed it applies. (4) Activation timing — some plans start counting validity from purchase, not first use. Always check the provider's terms before buying.
Which networks cover India?
Carrier Infrastructure
India's primary carriers are Jio and Airtel and Vi (Vodafone Idea) and BSNL.
5G Status
5G coverage in India: urban-only.
How much is an unlimited eSIM for India?
| Duration | Per day | Total | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
1 day | $8.61/day | $8.61 | none |
3 days | $8.18/day | $24.54 | 5% off |
7 days | $7.58/day | $53.04 | 12% off |
15 days | $6.89/day | $103.32 | 20% off |
30 days | $5.85/day | $175.64 | 32% off |
Pakistan
Bangladesh
Sri Lanka
Nepal
Bhutan
Afghanistan