Airhub
UPeSIM
Airhub vs UPeSIM: Which eSIM Should You Buy?
Updated October 4, 2026
The Short Answer
Pick Airhub if you want the lowest possible per-GB price and like having SMS plus a local number bundled in. Pick UPeSIM if you want an established French MVNO with 200+ destinations and don't mind a data-only plan. Both are budget picks sold in fixed data blocks rather than unlimited, so the real decision is about what's bundled in, not which one is "better data."
The Core Difference: What's Bundled With the Data
Airhub plans include SMS and, in most destinations, a local phone number alongside the data, which is unusual at this price point. UPeSIM is data-only: no SMS, no local number, calls and texts route through your home carrier's roaming rates instead. If you need to receive a verification text or hand out a number that isn't your own while traveling, Airhub covers that without an add-on; UPeSIM doesn't do it at all.
UPeSIM's edge is timing and footprint. Its plans don't start counting down until your phone actually connects to the destination network, so you can install the eSIM at home, well before you fly, with no rush at the airport. Airhub doesn't advertise the same delayed-start mechanic. UPeSIM also covers 200+ countries and territories as a Paris-based MVNO running since 2018, versus Airhub's 190+.
Price Snapshot (per GB, before any code)
| Destination | Airhub | UPeSIM |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $2.82 (3GB) | $5.55 (1GB) |
| Thailand | $0.85 (1GB) | $3.50 (1GB) |
| Japan | $1.55 (1GB) | $5.80 (1GB) |
| Europe regional | $4.50 (4GB) | $3.15 (1GB) |
Airhub sells data in multi-gigabyte blocks (3GB, 4GB) where UPeSIM mostly sells by the single GB, so these aren't always apples-to-apples. In most of the countries above, Airhub's per-GB rate still comes out cheaper once you divide it out.
Discount Codes
- Airhub: ESIMOFFER5, 5% off. Our own code (ADAMANDLINDS) isn't currently applying at checkout, so ESIMOFFER5 is the one we recommend. Full code list →
- UPeSIM: REDDIT10, 10% off all plans. It's a public code, not ours. Full code list →
UPeSIM's 10% code is the bigger percentage, but Airhub's base prices run low enough in many countries that the smaller 5% still lands cheaper in dollars. Check both against your actual destination before assuming the bigger code wins.
Is Airhub or UPeSIM the Right Pick
Go with Airhub if…
- You want SMS and a local number included, not sold separately
- You're headed somewhere Airhub prices sharply, like Thailand or Japan
- You know roughly how much data you'll use and want the lowest per-GB rate
Go with UPeSIM if…
- You want to install the eSIM weeks ahead of a trip without burning validity early
- Your destination isn't one of Airhub's cheap-rate countries
- You'd rather use an established MVNO than a reseller app
Two Things Worth Knowing Before You Decide
UPeSIM's "doesn't start until you land" mechanic has a catch. Per UPeSIM's own FAQ, an eSIM that's installed but never activated goes stale after 60 days and shows as expired. It's a real convenience for trips a few weeks out, not a reason to install one for a trip that's still months away.
Neither provider publishes a refund guarantee the way some competitors do. If that matters to you more than price, AloSIM advertises one; SimLocal's No Quibble Refunds policy is another option if you also want a real UK phone number bundled in.
For device setup and eSIM basics that apply to both providers, see our eSIM compatible devices guide.
Airhub vs UPeSIM FAQ
Which is cheaper, Airhub or UPeSIM
Usually Airhub, country by country. Its multi-gigabyte blocks price out lower per GB in most of the destinations we checked, including Thailand and Japan. UPeSIM's Europe regional rate is one spot where it comes out ahead.
Does either include calls or texts
Airhub includes SMS and, on most plans, a local number, but not voice calls. UPeSIM is data-only with no SMS or local number at all; both route voice calls through your home carrier's roaming rate.
Can I install the eSIM before I leave
With UPeSIM, yes, and it won't start the clock until your phone connects to the destination network, as long as that's within 60 days of installing. Airhub doesn't advertise the same delayed-start behavior.
Does either offer a refund if it doesn't work
Neither Airhub nor UPeSIM publicly advertises a refund guarantee. If a guaranteed refund matters to you, AloSIM or SimLocal are the options on this site that offer one.
Some codes and links on this page are affiliate codes and links, including our own (ADAMANDLINDS, where it applies). If you use one, we may earn a commission. We show our own code more prominently where we have one, not because it's automatically the best deal. See our about page for the full breakdown.