An unlimited eSIM is a travel data plan with no fixed gigabyte allowance, but "unlimited" rarely means unlimited full speed. Store terms often allow reduced speed after a usage threshold, hotspot sharing can carry its own limit, and some stores do not refund unlimited plans at all. Read those three lines in the plan terms before you pay.
Key takeaways
- TonMobile's terms state that unlimited plans may have reduced speed after a usage threshold, which is the typical meaning of "unlimited" on a travel eSIM.
- Stores sell unlimited data by the day or by a fixed period: Holafly from 1 to 90 days, Ubigi for 8, 15 or 30 days, Yesim as a day pass.
- Hotspot rules differ: Holafly shares up to 1 GB per day on per-trip plans, while Ubigi allows tethering on all plans.
- Nomad's refund policy says unlimited plans are not refundable, so the refund question matters more on unlimited than on fixed GB.
What "unlimited" means on a travel eSIM
On a travel eSIM, "unlimited" means the plan has no hard data cap, while the store may slow the connection after you use a set amount. TonMobile's terms, checked on 2026-10-27, say it plainly: unlimited plans may have reduced speed after a usage threshold. You keep a connection for the whole validity period, but not necessarily at the speed you had on day one.
The usage threshold is the amount of data after which the slower speed can apply. Stores set it per plan, so the figure lives in the plan details or terms, not in the plan name. If the threshold is not shown on the plan page, ask support before buying. Our eSIM glossary covers related terms such as validity period and data-only plan.
Two other details often travel with unlimited plans. TonMobile's terms note that a plan may come with no phone number and no SMS, and Holafly describes its per-trip plans as data-only with no local number. Unlimited data, in other words, rarely includes calls or texts.
Validity starts at activation
TonMobile's terms say the package begins to be consumed immediately upon activation of the eSIM on a device. Install the eSIM over Wi-Fi before the trip, but switch the line on only when you need data, so the days of an unlimited plan are not spent at home.
How stores sell unlimited eSIM plans
Most stores sell unlimited data eSIM plans by time, not by volume: you pick the number of days, and the price follows the duration. The table below lists what each store's own page stated on 2026-10-27. Prices are quoted exactly as shown and only where the store published them.
| Store | How unlimited is sold | Published example (2026-10-27) |
|---|---|---|
| Holafly | By number of days, 1 to 90 days; monthly subscriptions | Turkey unlimited 3 days $11.90, 30 days $73.90; monthly subscriptions from $49.90 |
| Airalo | Fixed and unlimited options | Turkey unlimited 3 days $11.50, 30 days $69.00 |
| Saily | Fixed plans from 1 GB up to unlimited | Turkey unlimited $48.99 |
| Yesim | Unlim Day Pass, paid per day | From $2.98 per day |
| Ubigi | Unlimited for 8, 15 or 30 days | Unlimited prices not used here |
| TonMobile | Flexible and unlimited options per its store listings | See the live price page |
Day passes versus fixed periods
A day pass such as Yesim's Unlim Day Pass suits short or uncertain trips, because you pay only for the days you need. Fixed periods such as Ubigi's 8, 15 or 30 days suit trips with known dates. Holafly covers both ends with per-trip plans from 1 to 90 days and a monthly subscription.
Where TonMobile fits
TonMobile lists flexible and unlimited options in its App Store listing, alongside local, regional and global packages. The store does not publish a price list we could verify, so this site quotes no TonMobile prices; check the plan page for the current terms. TonMobile also sells through a Telegram bot, covered in our guide to buying an eSIM in Telegram.
Hotspot on unlimited eSIM plans
Hotspot on an unlimited eSIM depends on the store: some allow full tethering, while others cap how much data you can share. Hotspot rules matter most for travelers who connect a laptop or a second phone. The list below is based on each store's own page as of 2026-10-27.
- Holafly: hotspot shares up to 1 GB per day on per-trip plans.
- Ubigi: tethering is allowed on all plans.
- Yesim: hotspot is supported at no extra fee.
- Airalo: hotspot is allowed when the device and the network support it.
- Saily: the Turkey page lists no hotspot restrictions.
- TonMobile: hotspot rules are not stated on the pages we checked, so read the plan terms or ask support.
Hotspot and the speed threshold
Sharing data with a laptop uses an unlimited plan much faster than a phone alone. On a plan with reduced speed after a usage threshold, heavy hotspot use brings that threshold closer.
Refunds on unlimited plans
Refunds on unlimited plans are stricter than on fixed GB plans at some stores. Nomad's refund policy states that unlimited plans are not refundable, even though unused plans may otherwise get a full refund within 30 days. That single line can decide whether an unlimited plan is worth the risk.
Other stores write their rules around usage and activation rather than plan type. Saily gives a full refund within 30 days if the plan is not installed or activated. Airalo does not refund expired or fully used eSIMs, and refunds a wrong purchase or change of plans only as Airmoney.
| Store | Refund rule (2026-10-27) |
|---|---|
| Nomad | Unlimited plans not refundable; refunds within 30 days for other plans |
| Holafly | Refunds for incompatible devices, cancelled trips or connection issues, paid in 3 to 5 business days |
| Yesim | Unused plans and top-ups refundable within 30 days |
| Ubigi | Unused plans, incompatibility or proven technical issues; request within 14 business days |
| TonMobile | Request before the package expires and no later than 180 days after purchase, for listed cases such as an unsupported device or data not working for more than 4 hours |
TonMobile's terms also exclude profiles that the user deleted or installed incorrectly, and payment or blockchain fees are not reimbursed. A full comparison of windows and payout times is in our eSIM refund policies guide.
Unlimited vs fixed GB: when each makes sense
Unlimited suits travelers who stream, share a hotspot or cannot predict their usage, while fixed GB suits light users who mainly need maps and messaging. The right choice depends on how much data you use, how long you stay and whether you need a refund option.
Unlimited eSIM
- No data cap for the validity period
- Speed may drop after a usage threshold
- Sold by days: Holafly 1 to 90 days, Ubigi 8, 15 or 30 days
- Refunds can be excluded, as at Nomad
Fixed GB eSIM
- Known allowance, such as Saily's Turkey 1 GB for 7 days at $3.99
- Full speed until the data runs out
- Top-ups offered by stores such as TonMobile and Yesim
- Unused plans refundable at Yesim and Ubigi per their terms
Light use
Fixed GB
Maps, messaging and email on a short trip rarely need an unlimited plan. A small fixed plan with a top-up option keeps costs predictable.
Heavy use
Unlimited by period
Video calls, streaming and remote work favor unlimited plans. Check the speed threshold, because heavy use reaches it sooner.
Laptop sharing
Unlimited with open tethering
Stores that allow tethering on all plans, such as Ubigi per its own page, fit travelers who work from a laptop.
The best unlimited eSIM is the one whose threshold, hotspot rule and refund policy match your trip. Our eSIM store rating compares stores on their published terms, and the methodology page explains how the scores are built from published terms.
Checklist before buying an unlimited eSIM
Before buying an unlimited eSIM, confirm the phone, the speed terms, the hotspot rule, the refund rule and the payment method. Each item below takes a minute and prevents the most common surprises.
- Your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked; see how to check eSIM support.
- The plan terms state whether speed is reduced after a usage threshold, and at what amount.
- The hotspot rule fits how you will connect a laptop or tablet.
- The refund policy covers unlimited plans, unlike Nomad's.
- The validity start is clear: TonMobile's package is consumed from activation.
- The payment method suits you; TonMobile accepts Bitcoin and TON, explained in buying an eSIM with crypto.
- After landing, select the travel line in SettingsMobile ServiceMobile Data on iPhone.
FAQ
Is an unlimited eSIM really unlimited?
An unlimited eSIM usually has no data cap, but speed may be reduced after a usage threshold. TonMobile's terms state this directly for its unlimited plans. Check the threshold in the plan terms of any store before buying.
Can I use a hotspot on an unlimited eSIM?
Hotspot on an unlimited eSIM depends on the store. Holafly shares up to 1 GB per day on per-trip plans, Ubigi allows tethering on all plans, and Yesim supports hotspot at no extra fee.
Can I get a refund on an unlimited eSIM plan?
Refunds on unlimited eSIM plans vary by store. Nomad states that unlimited plans are not refundable. Saily refunds in full within 30 days if the plan is not installed or activated, so read the refund page before paying.
How much does an unlimited eSIM for Turkey cost?
On 2026-10-27, Airalo listed Turkey unlimited at $11.50 for 3 days and $69.00 for 30 days. Holafly listed $11.90 for 3 days and $73.90 for 30 days, and Saily listed Turkey unlimited at $48.99.
When does an unlimited eSIM start counting days?
Many stores start validity at activation. TonMobile's terms say the package begins to be consumed immediately upon activation of the eSIM on a device, so install early on Wi-Fi but switch the line on after landing.
Does an unlimited eSIM include calls and SMS?
Most unlimited travel eSIMs are data-only. Holafly per-trip plans have no local number, and TonMobile's terms note a plan may have no phone number and no SMS. Your home line can stay on for iMessage and FaceTime.