By Lisa Salter
Montreal travel advisor · Updated June 26, 2026
Nomad is one of the better-value travel eSIMs — and the one heavy hotspot users keep recommending. But it isn't flawless. Here's an honest review for Canadian travellers.
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See eSIM plansWhat is Nomad, and how does it work?
Nomad is a data-pack eSIM covering 200+ destinations across six continents. You buy a plan online, install it by QR code or the app, and connect on arrival. Most plans are a set amount of data with validity that starts on first use, so you can install in advance. There's a 1 GB free trial in some locations, and a "Nomad Pass" subscription (about US$3/month for 1 GB across 35+ European countries) for frequent Europe travellers. You keep your Canadian number; the eSIM carries data.
What Nomad does well
Best per-GB at 5–10 GB
Often the cheapest cost-per-gigabyte of the major eSIMs at mid and larger sizes — below Holafly across plans.
Uncapped hotspot
Tethering is allowed on all plans with no separate cap — a real edge over Holafly, which limits hotspot to about 500 MB/day.
Validity from first use
The clock starts when you arrive, not when you buy — install early without wasting days.
Great app + free trial
A highly rated app, a 1 GB free trial in some places, and Nomad Pass for regular Europe trips.
Where Nomad falls short
Region-specific reports
Some 2026 reviews flag outages or weak connections in certain places (Japan/Tokyo came up) — check recent reports for your destination.
Can be slow
Support skews toward chat and tickets and can take a while to reach a person; there's no phone hotline.
Plan-exceeded quirk
Some users report the eSIM deactivating once a plan is used up, rather than letting you simply top up the same one.
Sometimes below Airalo
A few independent tests show slightly slower speeds than Airalo in the same conditions.
Nomad vs Airalo vs Holafly — the quick take
Choose Nomad for the best value on bigger data plans and for uncapped tethering. Choose Airalo for the widest coverage and the cheapest light plan. Choose Holafly if you want truly unlimited data on one phone and don't mind paying for it. For most Canadian leisure trips, value and tethering make Nomad a strong contender — just sanity-check recent coverage for your specific destination.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nomad eSIM good value?
Yes — at 5 GB and 10 GB it often has the best cost-per-gigabyte of the major eSIMs, and it undercuts Holafly across plan sizes.
Can I use Nomad as a hotspot?
Yes — tethering is allowed on all Nomad plans with no separate cap, which makes it a strong choice if you share data to a laptop or tablet.
Is Nomad reliable?
Generally yes, but some 2026 reviews report connection issues in specific regions (such as parts of Japan). Check recent reports for your destination before buying.
Does Nomad have unlimited data?
Most plans are a set amount of data rather than unlimited. If you want true unlimited on one phone, Holafly is the better-known option.
Can I get a refund?
Yes — refund requests within 30 days are accepted, and uninstalled or unactivated plans can be fully refunded.
Value, unlimited or tethering — which matters for your trip? Lisa Salter, a Montréal travel advisor, matches the right eSIM to how you travel and sets it up before you fly — in French or English. Ask Lisa →
