Kolet VS UPeSIM: Which is the Best Travel eSIM Provider?

Virtual SIM cards, or eSIMs, enable instant activation of a mobile plan on your smartphone. They allow you to change plans anytime and even combine multiple SIMs for versatile usage. This makes them the perfect solution for temporary connectivity needs, such as traveling abroad!

With travel eSIM plans, you can now subscribe to a data package for a defined period, enabling you to connect to local mobile internet networks without incurring roaming fees. This is precisely what Kolet and UPeSIM, two French providers of international eSIMs, offer.

Kolet VS UPeSIM: Who Offers the Best eSIM Plans?

Destinations, validity, and included data—here’s what you need to know about Kolet and UPeSIM's offers.

Kolet’s eSIM Offerings

Kolet provides a range of eSIM plans available in 190 destinations. All plans come with a 30-day validity, though the operator recommends an ideal usage period for each plan based on the average data consumption of users.

Depending on the destination, Kolet offers up to 5 plans, with prices varying according to the included data. Typically, the data options are 1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, or 20 GB, and the price differs by location.

For example, in China, Kolet offers the following plans:

• 1 GB: €4.99
• 3 GB: €11.99
• 5 GB: €17.99
• 10 GB: €29.99
• 20 GB: €49.99

Notably, Kolet does not offer multi-destination plans, except for a Europe plan covering the EU roaming zone.

UPeSIM’s eSIM Offerings

UPeSIM’s eSIM plans are valid in over 200 destinations worldwide. For most destinations, you can choose between three data plans with specific validity durations and data quantities:

• 7 days, 1 GB
• 10 days, 5 GB
• 30 days, 10 GB

Prices vary depending on agreements with local operators and differ by country. For China, the plans include:

• 7 days, 1 GB: €4.99
• 10 days, 5 GB: €9.99
• 30 days, 10 GB: €19.99

UPeSIM also offers regional eSIM plans for Europe, Africa, Asia, and Latin America, enabling connectivity across multiple countries during trips of 7–30 days.

Conclusion

UPeSIM provides a more comprehensive catalog than Kolet, with more destinations and regional eSIM plans. Kolet's plans tend to be slightly pricier on average, but this varies by destination.

Kolet VS UPeSIM: Which is Easier to Use?

Beyond the variety of their catalogs, the key differentiator between travel eSIM providers is usability. Here’s how Kolet and UPeSIM's eSIMs work.

Kolet eSIM Installation and Activation

Kolet eSIMs can be purchased through their website or their iOS and Android mobile app. The installation method varies by platform:

Website purchases: After confirming the order, you’ll receive a confirmation email containing a QR code. Simply scan it with your device to install the eSIM.

App purchases: Follow the app instructions to install the eSIM directly on your compatible device.

Note: Activation is not automatic. You need to activate the plan later, ideally the day before or on your travel date. Data usage begins upon arrival at your destination.

UPeSIM eSIM Installation and Activation

You can purchase UPeSIM plans through their website or mobile app for iOS and Android. In both cases, installation is straightforward:

Website purchases: After confirmation and payment, you’ll receive an email with a QR code. Scan it with your device to install the eSIM.

App purchases: The app directly guides you through the eSIM setup process.

In both cases, activation is automatic: it occurs immediately after installation. No data will be consumed until you reach your destination.

Conclusion

Both Kolet and UPeSIM offer easy installation methods, with options for QR code scanning or app-based setup. However, UPeSIM’s automatic activation ensures you won’t forget to activate your plan before travel.

Kolet VS UPeSIM: Which is More Reliable?

Connectivity issues are frustrating, especially when traveling abroad! Here’s how Kolet and UPeSIM perform in terms of network quality and customer support.

Kolet’s Support and Customer Reviews

Kolet’s customer service is accessible via their website and app through a chat feature, initially operated by a chatbot. If necessary, the chatbot redirects you to a representative after collecting your email address.

With around 220 reviews, Kolet receives an average rating of 4.9, and customers generally appreciate its network quality during trips.

UPeSIM’s Support and Customer Reviews

UPeSIM offers customer support through their website and app via live chat and a contact form. If representatives are unavailable, users can fill out a form and receive a response within 15 minutes.

With over 450 reviews, UPeSIM has an average rating of 4.8, with nearly 400 five-star ratings. Customers praise the quality of both the network and the responsive customer service.

Conclusion

Both Kolet and UPeSIM provide reliable network services. However, UPeSIM’s established presence since 2019 and its high volume of positive reviews highlight its superior customer service.

Final Summary: Kolet or UPeSIM? Pros and Cons of Each eSIM Provider

	Kolet	UPeSIM
Countries Covered	190	200+
Plan Types	30-day plans with variable data	7, 10, or 30-day plans
Multi-Destination	Europe only	Regional plans
Data Included	Up to 20 GB	1 GB, 5 GB, or 10 GB
Example Price (China)	30 days, 10 GB: €29.99	30 days, 10 GB: €19.99
Purchase Method	Website or app	Website or app
Usability	Manual activation required	Automatic activation
Customer Support	Chatbot + online support	Live chat + email support
App Store Rating	4.9 (220 reviews)	4.8 (450 reviews)
Customer Feedback	Good network in most countries	Good network + excellent support

In terms of offerings, UPeSIM provides a more varied catalog than Kolet, with a greater number of destinations and regional plans that are valid across multiple countries. Pricing varies between the two operators depending on the country and is generally similar.

Both UPeSIM and Kolet allow users to subscribe to their travel eSIMs via a website or mobile app, with the option to use a QR code or direct installation. However, UPeSIM’s plans activate automatically, while Kolet’s plans require manual activation after installation.

As a relatively new operator, Kolet has received positive reviews, though the limited number of reviews makes it hard to assess its customer service comprehensively. On the other hand, UPeSIM, with its years of experience on the market, has garnered many positive reviews, highlighting the quality of its app, network, and customer support provided exclusively by human advisors.

At the end of this comparison, it’s clear that UPeSIM offers the most comprehensive range of eSIM plans, along with the most responsive and efficient customer support. This success is a result of its several years of experience in the eSIM market!