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China Prepaid eSIM Plans, Sorted by Cost per GB (Oct 2026)
HelloRoam is the top pick for China at $1.08 per GB on a 50 GB plan, though Nomad sold 50 GB for $37.00 over 45 days against $53.99 on 30 Oct 2026. HelloRoam publishes 6 China prepaid plans here, from $3.49 to $53.99. Airalo covers 200+ destinations, against the 185 that HelloRoam sells.
Plan snapshot
- Lowest cost per GB: 50 GB, 30 days, $53.99 ($1.08/GB).
- Cheapest of all five on 30 Oct 2026: 3 and 5 GB for 30 days; 1 GB for 7 days.
- Cheapest unlimited of those selling on 30 Oct 2026: 7 days, $21.44, with 2 GB a day at full speed.
- A rival sold for less on 30 Oct 2026: 10 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $19.00); 20 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $22.00); 50 GB, 30 days (Nomad, $37.00 for 45 days); unlimited 15 days (Nomad, $39.00); unlimited 30 days (Airalo, $69.00).
- All 6 China plans allow hotspot and top-ups, per the plan list of 7 Sep 2026.
- HelloRoam names China Telecom and China Unicom as the 2 host networks behind the China plans.
China Unicom 5G, China Telecom 4G · hotspot and top-ups (plan list, 7 Sep 2026)
Which China plans does this site hold?
Complete Plan Table
| # | $/GB ↑ | Plan | Total | Network | Days | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.08Lowest $/GB | 50GB | $53.99 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 2 | $1.80 | 20GB | $35.99 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 3 | $2.35 | 10GB | $23.49 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 4 | $2.80 | 5GB | $13.99 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 5 | $3.16 | 3GB | $9.49 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 6 | $3.49 | 1GB | $3.49 | China Unicom | 7d | Get this plan → |
Catalogue rows read 29 Oct 2026.
What the spread looks like
China rates span $1.08 to $3.49/GB across 6 tracked plans, a 223% gap between the cheapest and the dearest. The lowest tracked plan is HelloRoam at $1.08/GB ($53.99 for 50GB, 30 days). Bigger bundles carry the lower rate here: 50GB works out at $1.08/GB against $3.16/GB on 3GB.
How do the five providers compare in China?
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 China rate here, and Nomad lists the lowest at $0.74/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 | $1.08 50 GB / 30 days at $53.99 | 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 $27.50 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 | $0.74 50 GB / 45 days at $37.00, read 30 Oct 2026 |
| 200 | 1-50 GB | 7-45 days | Not on all plans | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
4. Airalo Joint first on the coverage score | 5.5/10 | $0.98 50 GB / 30 days at $49.00, read 30 Oct 2026 |
| 200+ | 1-50 GB | 3-30 days | Yes, metered plans only | iPhone XR+, Android 2020+ |
5. Saily Joint second-widest plan mix | 4.0/10 | $2.00 20 GB / 30 days at $39.99, read 30 Oct 2026 | None found | 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 Airalo 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 China 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.
Whose China plans are these?
HelloRoam (6 plans)
HelloRoam offers 6 plans for China, starting at $53.99 ($1.08/GB, 50GB, 30 days).
| # | $/GB ↑ | Plan | Total | Network | Days | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1.08Lowest $/GB | 50GB | $53.99 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 2 | $1.80 | 20GB | $35.99 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 3 | $2.35 | 10GB | $23.49 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 4 | $2.80 | 5GB | $13.99 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 5 | $3.16 | 3GB | $9.49 | China Unicom | 30d | Get this plan → |
| 6 | $3.49 | 1GB | $3.49 | China Unicom | 7d | Get this plan → |
Which China plan terms should you check?
Tethering and Hotspot Restrictions
All 6 tracked plans for China include tethering at no extra cost. Share your data connection with a laptop or travel companion.
Top-Up Pricing
All 6 plans support data top-up. If you run out of data, purchase additional data through the provider app without buying a new plan.
Tax and Checkout Surprises
Prices shown are what providers display at checkout. Some providers include VAT in the listed price, others add it at checkout. Always review the final amount before completing your purchase. Currency conversion fees may apply depending on your payment method.
Which China plan has the lowest cost per GB?
Our pick for China
HelloRoam's 50GB plan delivers the lowest cost per gigabyte for China at $1.08/GB. 50GB over 30 days for $53.99 total. Includes tethering. Top-up supported.
Get this plan →For heavy users
For heavy data users, HelloRoam's 10GB offers 10GB for $23.49 ($2.35/GB). Good for streaming, video calls, and hotspot use over 30 days.
Unlimited option
Unlimited data starts at $3.48 for 1 day ($3.48/day). High-speed data capped at 2GB/day, then throttled. Best for travelers who stream daily or need hotspot for a laptop.
| Duration | Per day | Total | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|
1 day | $3.48/day | $3.48 | none |
3 days | $3.31/day | $9.92 | 5% off |
7 days | $3.06/day | $21.44 | 12% off |
15 days | $2.78/day | $41.76 | 20% off |
30 days | $2.37/day | $70.99 | 32% off |
How do China providers differ per GB?
1 provider competes for China with 6 plans in total. Each has distinct strengths. HelloRoam: 6 plans, from $3.49 for 1GB, and $1.08/GB at the lowest rate. Largest plan: 50GB. Strengths: cheapest per-GB at $1.08/GB, tethering on all plans, top-up support, 6 plan options, plans up to 30 days. HelloRoam holds the lowest per-GB rate in this China table at $1.08/GB. In the 30 Oct 2026 price check, a rival sold 3 sizes for less: 10 GB (Nomad $19.00), 20 GB (Nomad $22.00), 50 GB (Nomad $37.00).
How does the China eSIM market look?
China is a Tier 3 eSIM destination: limited provider coverage with constrained plan options. 6 plans from 1 provider are tracked, starting at $1.08/GB. Tier 3 markets have fewer plans, less provider competition, and higher per-GB rates. If only 1-2 providers cover this destination, pricing is less competitive. The available options may still offer strong value compared to local SIM or roaming costs. Only one provider covers China. Without competition, prices are set by that provider's wholesale costs and margins. Monitor this page for new providers entering the market. China eSIM prices are mid-range but include the invaluable benefit of firewall bypass — worth the premium over local SIMs.
How wide is the China price spread?
China rates span $1.08 to $3.49/GB across 6 tracked plans. Choosing the right row saves more than timing the purchase. Only 1 provider cover China, limiting price competition. Rates are less likely to drop compared to high-competition destinations with 4-5 providers. China is a Tier 3 destination with lower demand. Prices in Tier 3 markets move less frequently. The current cheapest rate is $1.08/GB from HelloRoam. The cheapest tracked plan is $53.99 from HelloRoam ($1.08/GB, 50GB, 30 days). Confirm it on the provider's own checkout page before you buy.
Prepaid SIM vs eSIM price in China?
An eSIM for China starts at $3.49 from HelloRoam (1GB, $3.49/GB). Airport SIM cards typically cost $15-30 for 3-10GB / 7-30 days, so buying the eSIM saves about $11.51 (330%). Local prepaid SIM cards cost $8-15 for 5-20GB / 30 days. eSIM plans connect to China Mobile and China Unicom networks. The eSIM installs before you fly. Read 29 Oct 2026.
Which networks do China plans use?
Local Networks
China's primary carriers are China Mobile and China Unicom and China Telecom.
Network Coverage
5G coverage in China is widespread across major cities.
Practical Tips
VPN status in China: blocked. Google, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and most Western apps are blocked by the Great Firewall. WeChat and Alipay are essential for payments — but foreign card linking is now easier since 2024 reforms.
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