In short: according to Juniper Research, global eSIM connections will grow from 1.200 billion in 2025 to 4.900 billion in 2030 (+300% in five years), while Fortune Business Insights puts the global market at 1.760 billion dollars in 2025 with a trajectory through 2034. Travel eSIM, according to the same Juniper Research, already moved around 1.800 billion dollars in 2025.
A market that several consultancies agree is unstoppable
When several independent analysis firms — each with its own methodology, its own clients, and its own interests — reach the same conclusion, it's worth paying attention. That's what's happening with eSIM: Juniper Research, Counterpoint Research, and Fortune Business Insights have all published projections in recent months that differ in exact figures but are identical in direction. They all point to the same thing: eSIM has gone from being a technical curiosity to becoming the standard way to connect a mobile device, and that shift still has a long way to go.
We're not going to make up a story here with more numbers than actually exist. This article exclusively gathers the data these consultancies have made public, with their source cited in each case, and puts it in context so you can understand what it means if you're a regular person who travels and wants to know if using an eSIM on your next trip is worth it.
eSIM connections: from 1.200 billion to 4.900 billion in five years
The most cited figure in the industry right now comes from Juniper Research: active eSIM connections worldwide will grow from 1.200 billion in 2025 to 4.900 billion in 2030. That's quadrupling the connection base in five years, which the consultancy itself sums up as growth close to 300% in five years.
It's worth pausing to consider what an "eSIM connection" means in this type of study: it's not just talking about consumer mobile phones. The count includes tablets, smartwatches, laptops with connectivity, and above all a growing volume of industrial and automotive devices that have an integrated eSIM chip without the end user perceiving it as such. That broad base is precisely what explains such a steep growth projection: it doesn't depend on a single manufacturer or a single product category.
Compatible devices: the underlying wave driving growth
Behind every active connection is, first, a device manufactured with eSIM or iSIM capability. This is where Counterpoint Research's data comes in, which has calculated that more than 9.000 billion eSIM or iSIM compatible devices will be shipped between 2024 and 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%.
This figure is interesting because it measures something different from Juniper's: not how many connections are active at a given moment, but how many devices with that capability leave the factory. The difference matters. A phone, a watch, or a car can have an eSIM chip installed for years before its owner actually activates an eSIM profile on it. That's why the number of compatible devices always runs ahead of the number of active connections, and why a figure as high as 9,000 million units gives an idea of where the industry is heading: eSIM is no longer a premium option reserved for a handful of models, but an increasingly standard component in the hardware being manufactured.
The market size in dollars: two sources, one direction
When it comes to putting an economic figure on the eSIM market as a whole, Fortune Business Insights has estimated a value of 1,760 million dollars in 2025, with a projected growth to 7,620 million dollars in 2034. That's a longer horizon than Juniper Research's (which looks to 2030), and a different starting figure because each consultancy defines what falls within the "eSIM market" somewhat differently — whether it includes only connectivity services, or also hardware, profile management software, etc.
That methodological difference is normal in this type of report and does not invalidate either one: the important thing is not to memorize the exact dollar figure, but to understand that two consultancies working with different data and clients agree that the market will multiply several times in less than a decade.
| Source | Data | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper Research | Global eSIM connections: from 1.200 M to 4.900 M (~300%) | 2025 → 2030 |
| Counterpoint Research | Over 9.000 M eSIM/iSIM devices shipped (CAGR 22%) | 2024 - 2030 |
| Fortune Business Insights | Global eSIM market: from 1.760 M$ to 7.620 M$ | 2025 → 2034 |
| Juniper Research | Travel eSIM market: from ~1.800 M$ to over 8.700 M$ | 2025 → 2030 |
The special case of travel eSIM
If there is one segment within eSIM that directly affects the everyday traveler, it's travel eSIMs: those profiles you buy for a specific destination or region and replace traditional roaming or buying a physical SIM when you land at the airport. Here, again according to Juniper Research, travel eSIM reached close to ⸤1,800⸥ million dollars in ⸤2025⸥ and is projected to exceed ⸤8,700⸥ million dollars by ⸤2030⸥.
This positions travel eSIM as one of the fastest-growing subsegments within the overall eSIM market, outpacing the market's overall growth rate according to the same consultancy. It makes sense: more and more people have used an eSIM at some point —even without knowing it, activated by their regular carrier— and when it comes time to plan a trip, searching for "eSIM" instead of resigning yourself to roaming rates is an increasingly natural decision.
It's a good time to remember a regulatory fact that doesn't change no matter how much the market grows: within the ⸤27⸥ countries of the European Union, "roam like at home" (RLAH) has been in effect since ⸤2017⸥, so if your travel destination is within the EU, your local plan should no longer charge you extra for using data. Travel eSIM comes into play mainly outside that umbrella: the UK, the US, Latin America, Asia, or any destination where roaming from your regular carrier does have a cost, and where comparing a travel eSIM against carrier roaming can make a noticeable difference on your bill.
Why it's growing so much: the underlying factors
None of the studies cited break down a single cause, but it is possible to describe in qualitative terms —without inventing figures that are not in the reports— what is driving this growth:
- More manufacturers integrating eSIM as standard. It is no longer a feature exclusive to the high end: more and more mid-range models now include the technology, expanding the base of compatible devices as Counterpoint Research reflects.
- Operators simplifying activation. Installing an eSIM profile has gone from requiring several technical steps to being done by scanning a QR code or tapping a button in an app, reducing friction for the end user.
- The rise of international travel. The more people travel, the more they consider alternatives to expensive roaming, and travel eSIM captures part of that demand —hence the growth that Juniper Research reflects in that specific segment—.
- Expansion into non-consumer sectors. Connected cars, industrial devices, smart meters: all add connections to the total that Juniper Research measures, even if they are not visible to the home user.
It is important not to confuse "the market is growing" with "everyone already uses eSIM." Both facts coexist: the market has huge growth potential precisely because adoption, although accelerating, is still far from complete.
What this means for you if you're traveling
Beyond the big picture, these figures have a fairly direct practical takeaway for anyone planning a trip:
- You have more options, not fewer. A market growing at this pace attracts more providers and more plans, which in practice means more variety in pricing and available destinations for travelers.
- Check if your phone is compatible before you travel. eSIM is still not in 100% of devices, so before assuming you can use it, it's worth checking your phone's settings or the provider's list of compatible models.
- Intra-European roaming is usually covered by your carrier. Thanks to RLAH, for destinations within the EU you typically don't need anything extra. Travel eSIM makes more economic sense outside the European Union.
- Activate before you leave to avoid surprises. One of the advantages that has driven travel eSIM adoption is being able to have it installed and activate it right when you land, without relying on finding a counter or store at the destination airport.
At PuraSIM we work with over 200 destinations and offer 24/7 support by email and WhatsApp, so if you have a question about installation or activation during your trip, there's someone on the other end in any time zone. If you've never used one, this guide on what is an eSIM and this one on how to install an eSIM step by step are a good starting point before buying yours.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM market growth
How much will the eSIM market grow by 2030?
According to Juniper Research, active eSIM connections worldwide will grow from 1.200 billion in 2025 to 4.900 billion in 2030, a growth of nearly 300% over five years.
How many eSIM-compatible devices will be manufactured?
Counterpoint Research estimates that more than 9.000 billion eSIM or iSIM-compatible devices will be shipped between 2024 and 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 22%.
What is the eSIM market worth in dollars?
Fortune Business Insights values it at 1.760 billion dollars in 2025, with projected growth to 7.620 billion dollars in 2034.
What about the travel eSIM market specifically?
Juniper Research calculates that travel eSIM reached approximately 1.800 billion dollars in 2025 and forecasts it will exceed 8.700 billion dollars in 2030, one of the fastest-growing subsegments within the eSIM market.
Why is eSIM demand growing so much among travellers?
Because more and more devices now come with it built in, activation has been simplified to scanning a QR code, and international tourism continues to grow, which expands the number of people looking for alternatives to traditional roaming. You can compare both options in more detail in this guide on eSIM versus roaming.
Do I need a travel eSIM if I'm going to a European Union country?
In most cases, no: within the 27 EU countries, "roaming like at home" has been in effect since 2017, so your local plan usually works without extra cost. Travel eSIM makes more sense especially for destinations outside the EU, where your carrier's roaming typically does come with a surcharge. You can find more context on how travellers from your region handle this situation in our roaming statistics for travellers abroad.
How do I know if my next trip is worth doing with an eSIM?
It depends on your destination and your usual carrier. If you're flying outside the EU, comparing your company's roaming cost with a travel eSIM for that country is usually worthwhile; if you also tend to use a lot of data, here are tips for saving data with eSIM on a trip. You might also want to compare against the classic option of physical international SIM card versus eSIM if you prefer to weigh both alternatives before deciding.
Conclusion
The figures from Juniper Research, Counterpoint Research and Fortune Business Insights leave little room for doubt about the direction of the eSIM market: more connections, more compatible devices, more economic value, and within all that, a travel segment that's growing with real momentum. What you do with that data is what really matters: if your next trip takes you outside the European Union, it's worth comparing prices before you leave. You can start with plans like eSIM for Europe or eSIM for the United States and see if they fit your itinerary.
