In short: Juniper Research predicts that global eSIM connections will grow from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030 (+300%), and that the travel eSIM market specifically will grow from $1.8 billion to over $8.7 billion in the same period.
What the eSIM market is really worth, according to major studies
When searching for "eSIM market size," dozens of different figures appear, and they don't always match because each consultancy measures different things: some count active connections, others the value of hardware and software, others only the travel segment. It's worth clearly separating what each source says before drawing conclusions.
Juniper Research, one of the leading telecommunications consultancies, estimates that global mobile connections with eSIM will increase from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030. This represents a growth of approximately 300% in five years, which gives an idea of the speed with which the technology is replacing physical SIMs in smartphones, tablets, watches, and other connected devices.
Counterpoint Research, specializing in the device market, looks at the problem from another angle: that of devices that come out of the factory ready for eSIM or iSIM. Their estimate is that between 2024 and 2030, more than 9 billion eSIM/iSIM compatible devices will be shipped, with an annual growth (CAGR) of 22%. And there's a figure that clearly summarizes where the smartphone market is headed: in 2030, nearly 70% of mobile phones manufactured and sold worldwide will be compatible with eSIM or iSIM, according to this same consultancy.
For its part, Fortune Business Insights puts figures on the total economic value of the eSIM market: $1.76 billion in 2025, with a projected growth to $7.62 billion in 2034. This figure includes hardware (the chips inside devices), profile management software, and associated services, so it is not directly comparable with Juniper's connection figures or Counterpoint's device figures, although they tell the same underlying story: a market that is growing strongly and sustainably.
One nuance to keep in mind before comparing studies: when a consultancy speaks of a "CAGR" (compound annual growth rate) of 22%, it doesn't mean that the market grows by that percentage linearly every year, but rather that, on average, this is the rate at which it multiplies year after year throughout the analyzed period. A 22% CAGR maintained for six years produces a much greater cumulative effect than a simple sum of percentages, which is precisely what explains why figures that at first glance seem moderate end up translating into billions of additional dollars by 2030.
| Study | What it measures | 2024/2025 Figure | Projection | Source and Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Global eSIM connections | Number of active mobile connections with eSIM | 1.2 billion (2025) | 4.9 billion (2030) | Juniper Research, 2026 |
| Compatible device shipments | eSIM/iSIM compatible devices manufactured and shipped | Accumulated 2024-2030 | Over 9 billion (22% CAGR) | Counterpoint Research, 2026 |
| Share of compatible smartphones | % of mobile phones shipped compatible with eSIM/iSIM | — | ~70% in 2030 | Counterpoint Research, 2026 |
| Total eSIM market value | Hardware + software + services | $1.76 billion (2025) | $7.62 billion (2034) | Fortune Business Insights, 2026 |
| Travel eSIM market | Only eSIM for tourism/international roaming | $1.8 billion (2025) | Over $8.7 billion (2030) | Juniper Research, 2026 |
Why it's growing so much: compatible devices are now the norm, not the exception
Behind these figures is a simple reason: it's increasingly difficult to buy a mid-range or high-end smartphone that doesn't have an integrated eSIM. Apple has been pushing the standard for years (it removed the physical SIM tray in the United States as early as 2022) and Samsung has been extending compatibility to increasingly affordable ranges. This move by manufacturers largely explains Counterpoint's data: if by 2030 seven out of ten mobile phones sold come with eSIM or iSIM from the factory, the installed base of users who can use it grows almost on its own, without the user having to actively seek it out.
This has a practical consequence for travelers: it's increasingly less likely that your next mobile phone will not be compatible, and it's increasingly rare to have to resort to a physical store to solve connectivity at your destination. If you have doubts about whether your specific device is compatible, it's advisable to check before you travel; in our guide on what an eSIM is, we explain how to verify it step by step.
Who is driving this market: the actors of the eSIM ecosystem
Talking about "main actors" in a market as distributed as this one is more useful in layers than in a closed ranking, because each layer has different protagonists and none of the cited studies break down market shares by company with enough rigor to reproduce them here. Even so, it is possible to accurately describe how the ecosystem is organized, without the need to invent any figures.
At the base is the hardware: the chip manufacturers that are physically integrated into devices. Above that, the profile management layer, governed by the technical standard defined by the GSMA (the association that brings together mobile operators worldwide), which allows an eSIM purchased from one provider to work equally well on an iPhone as on a Samsung Galaxy. The third layer is what the end user sees: on one hand, the device manufacturers themselves, with Apple and Samsung having historically been the most influential in normalizing eSIM among the general public; on the other, traditional mobile operators, who have been incorporating eSIM into their own plans; and finally, specialized travel eSIM providers, like PuraSIM, focused exclusively on solving connectivity for tourists or business travelers without needing a local operator contract.
This last category has seen the most growth in visibility in recent years, precisely because it connects with the travel eSIM segment quantified by Juniper Research: the more travelers discover they can bypass expensive roaming and activate data at their destination without a physical card, the more specialized providers appear competing for that same niche.
The segment that interests us most: travel eSIM, vs. traditional roaming
Within the general eSIM market, there is a segment that directly competes with traditional operator roaming: travel eSIM, used by tourists and business travelers to have mobile data abroad without relying on their home operator's roaming plan. According to Juniper Research, this specific segment was worth about $1.8 billion in 2025 and is projected to exceed $8.7 billion in 2030, a growth that the consultancy itself directly links to the displacement of traditional roaming.
This displacement makes sense when looking at the regulatory context: within the European Union, roaming is governed by the "Roam Like At Home" (RLAH) regulation, in force since 2017, which obliges operators not to charge extra for using data, calls, and SMS within the bloc. Outside the EU, however, users are still exposed to their home operator's roaming rates, which are usually considerably more expensive than contracting a local or regional eSIM for the specific destination. If you want to understand the difference in more detail, we have a specific comparison in eSIM vs. roaming.
This is precisely the gap that is driving the growth of the travel eSIM market: the more people discover that they can avoid expensive roaming outside the EU with an eSIM contracted in minutes from their mobile, the more demand there is for this segment. If you've never used one, in what is data roaming we explain the concept from scratch, and in how to install an eSIM, the actual technical process, which takes no more than a few minutes.
What these figures mean for you as a traveler
Beyond the millions and percentages, these data translate into very concrete things for travelers:
- Your next phone will almost certainly include it. With compatibility approaching 70% of smartphones shipped in 2030 according to Counterpoint, it's increasingly less likely you'll need to worry about whether your device is compatible, especially in the mid-to-high range.
- More competition, more options. A market that multiplies its size several times in a few years attracts more providers, which in practice means more plans to choose from for each destination.
- Traditional roaming loses meaning for long trips. If you're going to spend more than a few days outside the EU, comparing the cost of your current roaming plan with a local eSIM is usually worthwhile before you travel.
- Installation is no longer a barrier. Activating an eSIM is done from your mobile phone, without physical cards or waiting to arrive at your destination to buy a SIM at a kiosk.
At PuraSIM, we offer coverage in over 200 destinations and 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp, so if you're traveling, you can activate your data before leaving home. We have specific eSIMs for Europe and the United States, two of the destinations where the price difference compared to your home operator's roaming is most noticeable.
If you travel frequently and want to get the most out of every gigabyte, check out our tips for saving data with eSIM while traveling. And if you're concerned about privacy when connecting to public networks away from home, in eSIM, VPN, and travel privacy we explain how to combine them.
Frequently asked questions about the eSIM market
How much will the eSIM market grow by 2030?
It depends on what is being measured. Juniper Research predicts that global eSIM connections will increase from 1.2 billion in 2025 to 4.9 billion in 2030, a growth of ~300%. Counterpoint Research, looking at manufactured devices, estimates more than 9 billion eSIM/iSIM compatible units shipped between 2024 and 2030, with an annual growth of 22%.
What is the value of the eSIM market in money, not connections?
According to Fortune Business Insights, the eSIM market (hardware, software, and services) was valued at $1.76 billion in 2025, with a projection to reach $7.62 billion in 2034.
What is the difference between the general eSIM market and the travel eSIM market?
The general eSIM market includes all possible uses: everyday smartphones, tablets, wearables, IoT devices, etc. The travel eSIM market is a sub-segment specifically focused on connectivity for tourists and travelers. Juniper Research values it at about $1.8 billion in 2025, with a projection to exceed $8.7 billion in 2030.
Will the physical SIM disappear?
The underlying trend points in that direction for the mid-to-high range: Apple already eliminated the physical tray in the US in 2022, and Counterpoint estimates that nearly 70% of smartphones shipped in 2030 will be compatible with eSIM or iSIM. There is no official date for total disappearance or data confirming an exact timeline for all markets and ranges.
Why is travel eSIM growing so much compared to my operator's roaming?
Because outside the European Union, traditional roaming is usually expensive, while a travel eSIM can be contracted in minutes and is usually more economical for the same data consumption. Within the EU, however, roaming is already free thanks to the RLAH regulation in force since 2017, so the comparison is different there.
Who are the main players in the eSIM market?
The ecosystem is organized in layers: chip manufacturers at the base, the profile management infrastructure defined by the GSMA standard in the middle, and at the user-visible layer, device manufacturers (with Apple and Samsung being the most influential in popularizing eSIM), traditional mobile operators, and specialized travel eSIM providers. None of the studies cited in this article break down market shares by company, so we cannot provide specific percentages per actor.
Do these market figures mean that travel eSIMs will be cheaper in the future?
The cited studies do not provide a figure for future prices, so we cannot confirm this with data. What the growth projections (in both connections and market value) do reflect is that more and more providers are competing for the same traveler, which usually translates into a greater variety of plans and a price war, although there is no concrete figure for future savings that we can cite with rigor.
