In short: in the PuraSim vs Ubigi comparison, Ubigi wins in veteran operator coverage and recurring plans for the non-stop traveler; PuraSim wins in simple pricing, one-minute activation, and Spanish support when the eSIM fails right after landing. For a one-time trip of a few weeks, PuraSim usually fits better.
If you're looking for information on Ubigi eSIM and are torn between Ubigi and PuraSim for your next trip, this comparison will clear things up. Ubigi is a veteran brand with great coverage and recurring plans; PuraSim focuses on simple pricing and real support in Spanish. Let's look at it point by point.
What is Ubigi and where does it come from?
Ubigi is an eSIM operated by Transatel (NTT group), a connectivity operator with years of experience in machine-to-machine and connected car connectivity. This makes it one of the most veteran and technically robust options on the market.
Its industrial origin is evident: Ubigi started by providing connectivity to Windows laptops, tablets, and cars before becoming popular for travelers. That's why its catalog includes one-time plans by country, regional packages, and recurring monthly plans designed for those who travel frequently or work remotely. It has its own comprehensive app and the ability to top up credit without changing profiles, which is convenient if you visit the same destinations repeatedly. On the other hand, its interface might be a bit too technical for a user who just wants data for a week in Italy. If you're still unclear about the concept, reading what an eSIM is will help you before comparing brands. Overall, Ubigi is a serious bet, backed by a real operator and not just a reseller.
What PuraSim offers
PuraSim is a travel eSIM designed for the Spanish traveler who wants the essentials without complications: buy, scan a QR code, and have data upon landing. Its proposal revolves around clear prices with no hidden clauses and customer service in Spanish.
Where Ubigi offers a wide and sometimes overwhelming catalog, PuraSim simplifies: plans by destination and zone with easy-to-understand data sizes, no hidden fees or automatic renewals you forget to cancel. Activation takes about 1 minute from the moment you scan the code. For the average Spanish traveler going to Thailand, the United States, or Morocco a couple of weeks a year, this simplicity is invaluable. You can see all available plans in the PuraSim eSIM store and choose your destination directly. And if you have questions about how a travel eSIM compares to directly using a local physical SIM, our guide on eSIM vs. local SIM will also be useful.
Compared prices and plans
In terms of price, neither is "always the cheapest": it depends on the destination and the gigabytes. As a general reference in 2026, the travel plans of both brands move in similar ranges, with Ubigi being slightly more expensive for small plans and PuraSim more competitive for short-term packages. These are typical indicative ranges, not official prices.
| Aspect | Ubigi | PuraSim |
|---|---|---|
| Small country plan (1-3 GB) | ~€5-15 | ~€4-12 |
| Regional plan (5-10 GB) | ~€18-35 | ~€15-30 |
| Recurring monthly plans | Yes, several | Trip-focused |
| Automatic renewal | Optional | No, one-time payment |
| Support in Spanish | Limited | Yes, native |
Exact amounts change by destination and promotions, so check the operator's official website for the precise data before purchasing. If what you're interested in is understanding how these plans are structured before comparing prices, review our guide on regional eSIM vs. country-specific eSIM.
Traveler's tip: don't always buy the biggest plan "just in case." Offline maps, WhatsApp, and navigation consume little; 1 GB per week covers most city trips.
Coverage and network quality
Here Ubigi has a historical advantage: as an operator with direct agreements through Transatel, it usually offers very stable coverage in Europe, North America, and a good part of Asia. PuraSim relies on top-tier local partners, prioritizing the most demanded destinations by Spanish travelers.
In practice, in large cities and common tourist routes, both work very well and you'll notice little difference. Distinctions appear in exotic destinations or rural areas, where Ubigi sometimes connects with more local fallback operators. It's always advisable to check, in the plan details, which operators each eSIM supports in your specific country and if it includes 5G, because not all plans activate it. A useful detail: both usually allow you to continue using your Spanish number for WhatsApp and data calls, as the eSIM provides the data and your physical SIM maintains your line. For very specific destinations, look at recent reviews in traveler forums before deciding.
Support and language
This is one of the points where they differ the most. Ubigi, due to its international scale, offers support primarily in English and French, with correct response times but not always in Spanish. PuraSim is based in Spain and offers native, one-on-one support in Spanish.
Why does it matter so much? Because problems with an eSIM almost always appear at the worst time: you've just landed, it's 11:00 PM local time, and the eSIM isn't connecting. Being able to explain your problem in your own language, without technical misunderstandings, makes the difference between solving it in minutes or spending the night without data. For many Spanish travelers, that close support outweighs any minor price difference. If you particularly value this factor, you might also be interested in comparing other ways to get data in your language without relying on a third-party eSIM: here's our guide on tourist SIM card vs. eSIM.
Installation and ease of use
For both brands, the process is essentially the same: you buy, receive a QR code, scan it from your mobile settings, and activate data upon arrival. Activation takes around 1 minute. The difference lies in the intuitiveness of the flow for a first-time user.
Ubigi pushes you towards its app, which is powerful but has more options and menus; perfect if you want to manage top-ups and recurring plans, but a bit more dense if you just want quick data. PuraSim opts for a minimalist flow: short instructions in Spanish, step-by-step, with no mandatory downloads. Basic steps common to both:
- Purchase your destination plan and check the confirmation email.
- Before traveling, with Wi-Fi, scan the QR in Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
- Upon landing, activate the eSIM and deactivate roaming on your physical SIM.
- Check that the local operator appears and test the connection.
Requirements to consider before buying either one:
- That your mobile is eSIM compatible (most from iPhone XS or recent mid-to-high-end Android).
- That it is unlocked, without carrier lock.
- Have the QR saved or captured in case you lose the email.
Which one suits you based on your trip
There isn't an absolute winner: there's a winner for each profile. The key is to be honest about how you travel. In general, Ubigi shines for the frequent international traveler, and PuraSim for those who want something simple and in their language without surprises.
Choose Ubigi if you travel constantly, want recurring monthly plans, are comfortable in English, and value the coverage of a veteran operator in unusual destinations. Its app and top-ups are a real advantage for digital nomads. Choose PuraSim if you are a Spanish traveler who goes a few times a year, prefer to pay once without renewals, want clear prices, and, above all, feel reassured having support in Spanish when something goes wrong. For getaways to Europe, Asia, or America with classic tourist destinations, the network difference will be minimal, and you will gain in convenience. If you're unsure between several other brands, our general comparison will help you finalize your decision.
Myths and what almost no one tells you
Before buying either of them, it's worth debunking a few ideas that are repeated in traveler forums without anyone checking them. These are the details that make the difference between arriving connected or spending the first day of your trip fighting with your phone settings.
"Ubigi, being a real operator, always provides higher speed." It's not that simple. Speed depends on the agreement that Ubigi or PuraSim has with the local operator in your specific country, not on who owns the brand. In Japan or South Korea, for example, you'll notice very high speeds with almost any serious eSIM because the local infrastructure is excellent; in rural areas of Morocco or Southeast Asia, the difference between brands comes down to which fallback operator each one has, and you only know that by looking at the plan details for that specific country, not the brand's general reputation.
"The more GB I buy, the more relaxed I travel." This is the most common trap, and both brands benefit if you fall into it. A map with Google Maps, WhatsApp, and email consume little; what drives up consumption is video streaming or uploading high-resolution photos to social media. Before overpaying for a 20 GB plan for ten days in a city, calculate what you actually spend at home on a normal weekend: you usually need less than you think.
When NOT to buy either Ubigi or PuraSim: If you are traveling within the European Union and your Spanish plan includes EU roaming (most include it for years due to the "roam like at home" regulation), don't spend a single euro on a travel eSIM for that destination. Save your purchase for outside the EU, where your Spanish operator's roaming charges will skyrocket. You can review how this included roaming works exactly in our guide on eSIM vs. roaming before overspending. However, if your next destination is outside the EU, for example, a trip to the United States, then it's worth looking at a plan like the eSIM for the United States from PuraSim beforehand.
The detail that almost no one tells you about Ubigi's recurring plans: if you activate a monthly plan and then don't travel that month, the automatic renewal can continue to charge you until you manually cancel it from their app, just like any subscription. If you only travel two or three times a year, a one-time payment like PuraSim's avoids that oversight, which is one of the most common reasons for complaints with any subscription product, not just eSIMs.
Another classic mistake: installing the eSIM on the airport's Wi-Fi just before boarding. Public Wi-Fi in terminals like Istanbul or Bangkok is usually crowded and disconnects mid-installation, leaving the profile incomplete and causing strange errors upon landing. Install the QR at home, calmly, and activate it only upon arrival: it's the step fewest people follow and the one that prevents the most headaches. If you've never installed one, it's advisable to review the step-by-step instructions on how to install an eSIM beforehand.
Finally, if you're wondering whether an eSIM is better than buying a physical chip at your destination airport, keep in mind that queuing at a store after a long flight is exactly what an eSIM avoids. Compare the two options calmly in our guide on buying an eSIM at the destination or before traveling, and if what's holding you back is not being clear on the concept of data roaming, start with what data roaming is.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ubigi or PuraSim better for a trip to Europe?
For a standard tourist trip to Europe, both work very well and you'll notice little network difference in large cities. PuraSim is usually more convenient for the Spanish traveler due to its simple pricing and Spanish support, while Ubigi is more appealing if you want a recurring monthly plan.
Does Ubigi have Spanish support?
Ubigi offers support primarily in English and French, with correct response times, but not always native Spanish support. If it's important for you to resolve issues in your language without technical misunderstandings, PuraSim offers support in Spanish, which is very useful when a problem arises right after landing.
Can I keep my Spanish number using these eSIMs?
Yes. The travel eSIM only provides data, while your physical Spanish SIM keeps your number for WhatsApp, SMS, and data calls. It is recommended to deactivate roaming on your Spanish line to avoid charges and use the eSIM as your primary data connection during the trip.
How long do they take to activate?
In both cases, installation is very quick: after scanning the QR code, the eSIM is ready in about 1 minute. Ideally, install it with Wi-Fi before leaving home and activate the data only upon landing, to be connected without relying on airport Wi-Fi.
Do I need a special mobile phone?
You need an eSIM-compatible mobile phone that is unlocked. Most iPhones from XS and many recent mid-to-high-end Android phones support it. You can confirm this in your phone settings by looking for the option to add an eSIM or by checking the manufacturer's website.
Which one is actually cheaper?
It depends on the destination and the gigabytes. PuraSim tends to be more competitive for short-term packages, and Ubigi might be better for recurring plans for frequent travelers. Since prices change by country and promotions, check the operator's official website for the exact data before purchasing.
Conclusion
Ubigi is a veteran and robust option, ideal for frequent travelers who want recurring plans and maximum coverage. PuraSim wins in simplicity, clear pricing, and Spanish support, perfect for those who travel a few times a year. If you want hassle-free data and support in your language, check out PuraSim's plans for your next destination and travel connected from the moment you land.
