In summary: according to Juniper Research, global eSIM connections will increase from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030 (+300% in five years), while Fortune Business Insights places the global market at $1.76 billion in 2025 with growth projected through 2034. Travel eSIMs, according to the same Juniper Research, were already generating approximately $1.8 billion in 2025.
A market that several consulting firms agree is unstoppable
When several independent analysis firms—each with its own methodology, clients, and interests—arrive at the same conclusion, it's worth paying attention. This is what is happening with eSIM: Juniper Research, Counterpoint Research, and Fortune Business Insights have published projections in recent months that differ in exact figures but are identical in direction. They all point to the same thing: eSIM has ceased to be a technical curiosity and has become the standard way to connect a mobile device, and that shift still has a long way to go.
We won't invent a story here with more figures than actually exist. This article exclusively compiles data that these consulting firms have made public, with their sources cited in each case, and contextualizes them so you can understand what they mean if you are a regular person who travels and wants to know if it's worth using an eSIM on your next trip.
eSIM connections: from 1.2 billion to 4.9 billion in five years
The most cited data in the industry right now comes from Juniper Research: active global eSIM connections will grow from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030. That's a fourfold increase in connections in five years, which the consultancy itself summarizes as nearly 300% growth in five years.
It's worth pausing to consider what an "eSIM connection" means in these types of studies: it doesn't just refer to consumer mobile phones. The count includes tablets, smartwatches, laptops with connectivity, and especially a growing volume of industrial and automotive devices that have an integrated eSIM chip without the end-user perceiving it as such. This broad base is precisely what explains such a sharp growth projection: it does not depend on a single manufacturer or a single product category.
Compatible devices: the underlying wave sustaining growth
Behind every active connection, there is, first, a device manufactured with eSIM or iSIM capability. This is where Counterpoint Research's data comes in, which has estimated that more than 9 billion eSIM or iSIM compatible devices will be shipped between 2024 and 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22%.
This data 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 are leaving factories. The difference matters. A phone, watch, or 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 is always ahead of the number of active connections, and why a figure as high as 9 billion units gives an idea of where the industry is headed: eSIM is no longer a premium option reserved for a handful of models, but an increasingly standard component in manufactured hardware.
Market size in dollars: two sources, one direction
When it comes to putting an economic figure on the overall eSIM market, Fortune Business Insights has estimated a value of $1.76 billion in 2025, with growth projected to $7.62 billion in 2034. This is a longer horizon than Juniper Research (which looks until 2030), and a different starting figure because each consulting firm defines somewhat differently what falls within the "eSIM market"—whether it includes only connectivity services, or also hardware, profile management software, etc.—.
This methodological difference is normal in these types of reports and does not invalidate either of them: the important thing is not to memorize the exact dollar figure, but to understand that two consulting firms working with different data and clients agree that the market will multiply several times in less than a decade.
| Source | Data Point | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Juniper Research | Global eSIM Connections: from 1.2B to 4.9B (~300%) | 2025 → 2030 |
| Counterpoint Research | Over 9B eSIM/iSIM devices shipped (22% CAGR) | 2024 - 2030 |
| Fortune Business Insights | Global eSIM Market: from $1.76B to $7.62B | 2025 → 2034 |
| Juniper Research | Travel eSIM Market: from ~$1.8B to over $8.7B | 2025 → 2030 |
The special case of travel eSIM
If there's one segment within eSIM that directly affects the average traveler, it's travel eSIMs: those profiles purchased for a specific destination or region that replace traditional roaming or buying a physical SIM upon arrival at the airport. Here, again according to Juniper Research, the travel eSIM market reached nearly $1.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed $8.7 billion in 2030.
This positions the travel eSIM as one of the fastest-growing sub-segments within the overall eSIM market, exceeding the pace of the market as a whole, according to the consulting firm itself. This makes sense: more and more people have used an eSIM at some point—even if unknowingly, activated by their regular operator—and when it comes time to plan a trip, searching for "eSIM" instead of resigning themselves to roaming charges 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 Spanish operator should no longer charge you extra for using data. Travel eSIM primarily comes into play outside of that umbrella: the UK, United States, Latin America, Asia, or any destination where your usual operator's roaming does have a cost, and where comparing a travel eSIM to your operator's roaming can result in a significant difference in your bill.
Why such strong growth: the underlying factors
None of the cited studies break down a single cause, but it is possible to qualitatively describe—without inventing figures that are not in the reports—what is driving this growth:
- More manufacturers integrating eSIM as standard. It is no longer an exclusive feature of high-end devices: more and more mid-range models are incorporating the technology, which expands the base of compatible devices reflected by Counterpoint Research.
- Operators simplifying activation. Installing an eSIM profile has gone from requiring several technical steps to being resolved by scanning a QR code or pressing a button in an app, which reduces friction for the end-user.
- The rise of international tourism. The more people travel, the more people consider alternatives to expensive roaming, and travel eSIM captures some of that demand—hence the growth reflected by Juniper Research in that specific segment.
- Expansion into non-consumer sectors. Connected automotive, industrial devices, smart meters: all of them add connections to the total measured by Juniper Research even if they are not visible to the home user.
It's important not to confuse "the market is growing" with "everyone already uses eSIM." Both data coexist: the market has enormous growth potential precisely because adoption, although accelerated, is still far from complete.
What this means for you if you are traveling
Beyond the macro picture, this data has a rather direct practical translation for anyone planning a trip:
- There are more options than ever. A market growing at this rate attracts more providers and more plans, which in practice translates into more variety of prices and destinations available for travelers.
- Check if your mobile is compatible before traveling. eSIM is still not in 100% of devices, so before assuming you can use it, it's advisable to check your phone settings or the provider's list of compatible models.
- Intra-European roaming is usually already covered by your operator. Thanks to RLAH, for destinations within the EU, it's most common that you won't need anything additional. Travel eSIM makes more economic sense outside the European Union.
- Activating before you leave avoids surprises. One of the advantages that has driven the adoption of travel eSIM is being able to install it and activate it just upon landing, without having to find a counter or store at the destination airport.
At PuraSIM, we work with over 200 destinations and offer 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp, so if you have a question about installation or activation during your trip, you'll have someone on the other end at any time zone. If you've never used one, this guide on what an eSIM is and this one on how to install an eSIM step-by-step are a good starting point before purchasing yours.
Frequently asked questions about eSIM market growth
How much will the eSIM market grow by 2030?
According to Juniper Research, active global eSIM connections will increase from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030, a growth of nearly 300% in five years.
How many eSIM devices will be manufactured?
Counterpoint Research estimates that more than 9 billion eSIM or iSIM compatible devices will be shipped between 2024 and 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 22%.
What is the value of the eSIM market in dollars?
Fortune Business Insights places it at $1.76 billion in 2025, with projected growth to $7.62 billion in 2034.
What about the specific market for travel eSIMs?
Juniper Research estimates that the travel eSIM market reached nearly $1.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed $8.7 billion in 2030, making it one of the fastest-growing sub-segments within the eSIM market.
Why is the demand for eSIMs among travelers growing so much?
Because more and more devices include it as standard, 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 vs. 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, "roam like at home" has been in effect since 2017, so your Spanish plan usually works without extra cost. Travel eSIM makes more sense mainly for destinations outside the EU, where operator roaming usually incurs surcharges. You can find more context on how Spaniards behave in this situation in our roaming statistics for Spaniards abroad.
How do I know if using an eSIM is worth it for my next trip?
It depends on the destination and your usual operator. If you're flying outside the EU, comparing the cost of your company's roaming with that of a travel eSIM for that country is usually cost-effective; if you also tend to use a lot of data, here are tricks to save data with an eSIM on a trip. You might also be interested in comparing it to the classic option of physical international chip vs. eSIM if you prefer to weigh both alternatives before deciding.
Conclusion
The numbers from Juniper Research, Counterpoint Research, and Fortune Business Insights leave little doubt about the direction of the eSIM market: more connections, more compatible devices, more economic value, and, within all that, a travel segment that is growing strongly on its own. What you do with that information is what truly matters: if your next trip is 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.
