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India Prepaid eSIM Plans, Sorted by Cost per GB (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 publishes 6 India prepaid plans here, from $4.74 to $144.66. 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.
- HelloRoam names AirTel and Jio as the 2 host networks behind the India plans.
AirTel 5G · hotspot and top-ups (plan list, 7 Sep 2026)
Which India plans does this site hold?
Complete Plan Table
| # | $/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 → |
| 6 | $4.74 | 1GB | $4.74 | AirTel | 7d | Get this plan → |
Catalogue rows read 29 Oct 2026.
What the spread looks like
India rates span $2.42 to $4.74/GB across 6 tracked plans, a 96% gap between the cheapest and the dearest. The lowest tracked plan is HelloRoam at $2.42/GB ($48.35 for 20GB, 30 days). Bigger bundles carry the lower rate here: 20GB works out at $2.42/GB against $3.63/GB on 3GB.
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.
Whose India plans are these?
HelloRoam (6 plans)
HelloRoam offers 6 plans for India, starting at $48.35 ($2.42/GB, 20GB, 30 days).
| # | $/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 → |
| 6 | $4.74 | 1GB | $4.74 | AirTel | 7d | Get this plan → |
Which India plan terms should you check?
Tethering and Hotspot Restrictions
All 6 tracked plans for India 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 India plan has the lowest cost per GB?
Our pick for India
HelloRoam's 20GB plan delivers the lowest cost per gigabyte for India at $2.42/GB. 20GB over 30 days for $48.35 total. Includes tethering. Top-up supported.
Get this plan →For heavy users
For heavy data users, HelloRoam's 10GB offers 10GB for $27.31 ($2.73/GB). Good for streaming, video calls, and hotspot use over 30 days.
Unlimited option
Unlimited data starts at $8.61 for 1 day ($8.61/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 | $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 |
How do India providers differ per GB?
1 provider competes for India with 6 plans in total. Each has distinct strengths. HelloRoam: 6 plans, from $4.74 for 1GB, and $2.42/GB at the lowest rate. Largest plan: 50GB. Strengths: cheapest per-GB at $2.42/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 India table at $2.42/GB. In the 30 Oct 2026 price check, a rival sold 6 sizes for less: 1 GB (Saily $3.99), 3 GB (Nomad $8.50), 5 GB (Nomad $13.00), 10 GB (Nomad $21.00), 20 GB (Nomad $33.00), 50 GB (Nomad $43.00).
How does the India eSIM market look?
India is a Tier 3 eSIM destination: limited provider coverage with constrained plan options. 6 plans from 1 provider are tracked, starting at $2.42/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 India. Without competition, prices are set by that provider's wholesale costs and margins. Monitor this page for new providers entering the market. India has the world's cheapest local mobile data but the most complex tourist activation process — eSIM eliminates the friction.
How wide is the India price spread?
India rates span $2.42 to $4.74/GB across 6 tracked plans. Choosing the right row saves more than timing the purchase. Only 1 provider cover India, limiting price competition. Rates are less likely to drop compared to high-competition destinations with 4-5 providers. India is a Tier 3 destination with lower demand. Prices in Tier 3 markets move less frequently. The current cheapest rate is $2.42/GB from HelloRoam. The cheapest tracked plan is $48.35 from HelloRoam ($2.42/GB, 20GB, 30 days). Confirm it on the provider's own checkout page before you buy.
Prepaid SIM vs eSIM price in India?
An eSIM for India starts at $4.74 from HelloRoam (1GB, $4.74/GB). Airport SIM cards typically cost $10-20 for 1-2GB/day / 28 days, so buying the eSIM saves about $5.26 (111%). Local prepaid SIM cards cost $3-7 for 1.5GB/day / 28 days. eSIM plans connect to Jio and Airtel networks. The eSIM installs before you fly. Read 29 Oct 2026.
Which networks do India plans use?
Local Networks
India's primary carriers are Jio and Airtel and Vi (Vodafone Idea) and BSNL.
Network Coverage
5G coverage: urban-only.
Practical Tips
India blocked Airalo and Holafly from Google Play in January 2024 — travel eSIMs must be activated before arrival. Local SIM activation requires passport, visa copy, passport-size photo, and 24-48 hour waiting period.
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