The ultimate eSIM solution for travelers. Global coverage, unlimited data and even free mobile internet.
You’re going on a trip and don’t want high costs for using mobile internet, but you still want to use Uber, Google Maps and other handy apps. Fortunately, there are now solutions for that in the form of smart apps — and in this article, we’ll look at Firsty.
Firsty lets you access mobile internet worldwide. Choose the free plan — with occasional ads — or one of the paid options for faster, ad-free browsing.
What is an eSIM and why is it useful?
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you download through an app. So you no longer have to put a plastic SIM card in your phone. You simply activate a data plan for the country you’re in and you’re online. No local stores, no overpriced plans, no SIM swaps, and no bill shock.
Well-known names such as Airalo and Saily offer eSIM data worldwide. These services usually work on the basis of bundles by country or region. For example, you buy 5 GB for Thailand or a 10 GB Europe bundle.
That’s handy if you’re staying in one country for a short time and use little data. But if you visit multiple countries, quickly run out of data or don’t feel like calculating and choosing bundles, it quickly becomes cluttered or pricey.
Why choose Firsty?
Firsty takes a different approach. You install the free app once, install and activate the universal eSIM — and you’re good to go. From then on, you have an eSIM that you can use in more than 120 countries. Firsty works with three simple plans:
- Free: free mobile internet with low speed. Perfect for WhatsApp or calling an Uber.
- Comfort+: from 1 euro per day you get unlimited Internet at relatively high speed.
- First Class: starting at 2.50 per day, you get unlimited Internet at 5G speed. That’s fast enough to stream videos.
You pay per day of internet use and you can pause whenever you want. Don’t need internet? Then you pay nothing. What is good to know is that the price gets lower the longer you need internet.
For example: in Indonesia, I pay €1.70 per day. After 26 days, the rate drops to €1 per day. In between, the price gets lower and lower.
Global coverage
With Firsty, you have global coverage. You have one eSIM and can use it in more than 120 countries.
Free or affordable
You can use Firsty for free. This means you can book an Uber without using up data or spending money. The paid package can be as little as $1 per day.
Easy to use
Firsty is very easy to use. You install the app and it then guides you through the steps to activate the eSIM.
My experience with Firsty
My experiences with Firsty have been good. There are a few things to keep in mind, though, to make it as easy as possible for yourself.
- Only activate your eSIM after landing in your destination country. You can do this with the free version (you will watch a short commercial) or via wifi at the airport
- Install and set up Firsty while still at home. Then you can already try the Dutch – free – version in the Netherlands and see if setting up the app went well.
I have only once experienced that my connection abroad was not established. You can then reach customer service through the app and they respond quickly. You do need wifi to chat with customer service.
eSIM providers
Firsty is not the only provider of eSIMs. You can also use Airalo or Saily. I have had good experiences with Airalo, although Airalo is more expensive and you are tied to a fixed period. The big advantage of Firsty is that you can get internet for a day or several days.
The table below shows the differences between Firsty, Airalo and Saily.
| Firsty | Airalo | Saily | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 120+ countries | 200+ countries (via individual bundles) | ~150 countries |
| eSIM installation | 1 universal eSIM | Per country/region new eSIM | Per region/country new eSIM |
| Free option | Yes | No | No |
| Price model | As little as 1 day (€0-€2.50) | Per bundle (e.g., 5 GB/€15) | Per bundle (e.g., 5 GB/€10) |
| Unlimited data | Yes, with fair use per day | No | No |
| Pausing bundle | Yes | No | No |
| Tethering/hotspot | From Comfort+ | Yes | Yes |
| Ease of use app | Very simple | Good | Good |
| Speed | Up to 5G | Up to 5G | Up to 5G |
Firsty in use
The video below shows how to install the app
Conclusion mobile internet abroad
I myself am very enthusiastic about Firsty. After years of using Airalo, I found the convenience of one eSIM and the ability to purchase internet decisive to switch.
Is Firsty the best app? Hard to say. Both Airalo and Saily are also good alternatives, and it depends on the country you are going to if there is coverage, since coverage with Firsty is slightly more limited than with the other two.
