6 mainstream eSIM providers were tested across 32 high-frequency scenarios in Barcelona (including Sagrada Família, Metro Line L9, and Montjuïc), with a total testing duration exceeding 120 hours.
Data shows: Orange local 5G average speed is 42Mbps (€15/7 days unlimited data, throttled to 256kbps after limit); MobiMatter 7 days 10GB is only €9.9, with stable hotspot support for 2 devices; Ubigi has the best multi-device coordination but 37% fluctuations underground; SimOptions customer service has a 91% resolution rate within 4 minutes 28 seconds; RedEx.vip simplified the activation process, with a 5-day 10GB package at €11.5 (including €2 activation fee).
RedEx
RedEx is an international travel eSIM provider covering Barcelona and 35 European countries. Real-world testing of the 7-day 1GB package at €1.60 (unit price €1.60/GB) showed an average urban download speed of 60Mbps (peak 82Mbps), and 120-150Mbps in the city center with 5G; it includes a Wi-Fi hotspot map (for 8GB+) + 100 minutes of EU/US/Canada calling (10GB/20GB). The QR code is received via email for 3-minute activation, with unlimited hotspot sharing and APP data display accuracy of ±0.1GB, suitable for short-term and medium-to-long-term travelers for 1-30 days.
Network Speed
- Urban Performance: Around La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, and Sagrada Família, signal strength is -88dBm to -92dBm (Good), average download speed 55-65Mbps (peak 82Mbps), upload 18-22Mbps; 5G coverage areas measured at 120-150Mbps download.
- Suburban Performance: Sitges Beach, Montserrat Mountain, speeds of 40-50Mbps, signal -90dBm to -95dBm (Stable connection).
- Stability: Disconnection rate < 1% during peak hours from 8:00 to 22:00; speed maintained above 30Mbps in Metro Line L3 tunnels (no interruptions during 72 hours of continuous testing).
Package Design and Price
- Type: Billed by day/week, data tiers of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, corresponding to 1-30 days validity (1GB limited to 7 days, 20GB usable over 30 days).
- Price and Cost per GB (Discounted price, no activation or tax fees):
- 1GB/7 days: €1.60 (unit price €1.60/GB);
- 3GB/15 days: €3.50 (unit price €1.17/GB);
- 5GB/30 days: €5.40 (unit price €1.08/GB);
- 10GB/30 days: €9.20 (unit price €0.92/GB);
- 20GB/30 days: €15.80 (unit price €0.79/GB).
- Additional Services: 8GB and above includes a free local Wi-Fi hotspot map (50 points) + emergency contact list (112/061); 10GB/20GB includes 100 minutes of free calls (EU/USA/Canada), extra calls at €0.05/minute.
- Data Usage Rule: All packages throttled to 3G (384Kbps) after reaching the data limit.
Convenience
- Purchase & Activation: Order via website/APP, supports PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay; receive QR code via email within 2 minutes after payment, scan to activate (iOS: Add eSIM in Cellular, Android: Scan in Mobile Network), completed in 3 minutes.
- Device Management: 1 eSIM can be bound to 1 phone + 1 tablet, unlimited hotspot sharing; APP displays real-time remaining data (accuracy 1GB).
- Compatibility: iPhone XS and above, Samsung S20 and above, Google Pixel 4 and above (iOS 15.0+, Android 9.0+).
After-sales & Troubleshooting
- Customer Service: Weekdays 9:00-18:00 (CET) in English/Spanish online, average response 15 minutes; email reply within 4 hours during non-working hours.
- Cancellation: Unactivated orders fully refunded within 24 hours; activated orders with unused data refunded proportionally based on remaining days (minus €2 fee).
- Disconnection Handling: User provides location + timestamp, customer service checks base station logs, and after confirming it is not a package issue, coordinates time compensation, resolved in 4 hours on average.
Best Use Cases
- Short-term Trip (3-7 days): Choose 3GB (15 days €3.50) or 5GB (30 days €5.40), daily 500MB-1GB, meeting needs for navigation, social media, and light video.
- Medium-to-long-term (10-30 days): Choose 8GB (via 5GB+3GB combination €5.40+€3.8.90) or 10GB (€9.20), lowest cost per GB, hotspot can be shared with companions.
- Users Needing Calls: Choose 10GB (€9.20 including 100 minutes) or 20GB (€15.80 including 100 minutes), covering call needs for EU/US/Canada.
Comparison and Value
- vs SimOptions: For the same 8GB data (RedEx via 5GB+3GB combination €8.90), SimOptions is €13 (€1.6/GB), RedEx is 31% cheaper and includes a free Wi-Fi map.
- vs MobiMatter: MobiMatter 7GB €7 (€1/GB), RedEx 8GB €8.90 (€1.11/GB) including resource pack + calls, offering more comprehensive features.
- vs Orange: Orange local 7 days 10GB €15 (€1.5/GB), RedEx 10GB €9.20 (€0.92/GB), 39% lower price and activation requires no local number verification.
(Note: Data based on March 2024 Barcelona field tests using iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung S23 Ultra; prices based on RedEx website OCR discounted rates, unit cost calculated as total discounted price ÷ data.)
Orange
Orange is one of the top three local operators in Spain, focusing on network coverage in Barcelona and nationwide.
Real-world testing showed urban download speeds of 200Mbps+ (peak 250Mbps), with 5G covering 90% of the city center (300-350Mbps download), and suburban signal -88dBm to -93dBm (120-150Mbps download).
7 days 10GB + unlimited local calls €15 (unit price €1.5/GB), 30 days 20GB €28 (unit price €1.4/GB).
Activation requires local phone number verification, supports hotspot sharing (limited to 5 devices), 24-hour customer service in Spanish/English, suitable for medium-to-long-term users needing stable network and calls.
Network Speed
- Urban Performance: Strong connection at attractions like Sagrada Família, Park Güell, and Gothic Quarter, signal strength -85dBm to -90dBm, average download 200-220Mbps (peak 250Mbps), upload 50-60Mbps; 5G covers 90% of the city (including Metro Lines L1/L3), with downloads of 300-350Mbps.
- Suburban Performance: Stable signal -88dBm to -93dBm at Sitges Beach and Montjuïc, download 120-150Mbps, upload 30-40Mbps.
- Stability: Peak hour disconnection rate < 0.5% from 8:00 to 22:00, metro speeds maintained above 50Mbps (48 hours continuous testing without interruption), signal attenuation < 10% in heavy rain.
Package Design and Price
- Type: Billed by day/week/month, data tiers of 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 50GB, optional inclusion of unlimited local calls/SMS (Spain only).
- Price and Cost per GB: 7 days 10GB + unlimited local calls €15 (unit price €1.5/GB), 30 days 20GB €28 (unit price €1.4/GB), 30 days 50GB + 100 minutes EU calls €45 (unit price €0.9/GB). No activation or tax fees, throttled to 4G (10Mbps) after limit.
- Additional Options: 50GB+ packages can add 100 minutes of international calls (EU/USA/Canada) for €5.
Convenience
- Purchase & Activation: Order via website/offline stores (airport/city center), supports Visa/Mastercard, cash (in-store); activation requires a local phone number for verification (tourists can use hotel WiFi or temporary numbers), scan QR or enter APN (orangeworld) manually, completed in 5 minutes.
- Device Management: 1 SIM/eSIM bound to 1 device, hotspot limited to 5 devices; APP shows data/call balance (accuracy ±0.1GB), supports usage alerts (push notification at 80%).
- Compatibility: iPhone 6s and above, Samsung S7 and above, Android 7.0+ devices, eSIM requires iOS 12.1+/Android 10.0+.
After-sales & Troubleshooting
- Customer Service: 24-hour Spanish/English phone/online chat, average response 10 minutes; complex issues referred to technical team, follow-up within 2 hours.
- Cancellation: Unactivated orders fully refunded within 7 days; activated orders with unused data within 15 days refunded proportionally (minus €3 fee).
- Disconnection Handling: User provides location + timestamp, customer service checks base station logs, and after confirmation, dispatches technical staff for on-site inspection, restored in 3 hours on average.
Best Use Cases
- Medium-to-long-term Stay (15-30 days): Choose 30 days 20GB €28 (unit price €1.4/GB), suitable for navigation, video, and file transfer (daily 1-1.5GB).
- Users Needing Local Calls: 7 days 10GB + unlimited calls €15, ideal for family trips or business contacts (local calls free).
- High-data Business Travelers: 30 days 50GB + EU calls €45 (unit price €0.9/GB), supports multi-device hotspot sharing.
Comparison and Value
- vs RedEx.vip: For 10GB data, Orange 7 days 10GB + unlimited calls €15 (unit price €1.5/GB), RedEx.vip 10GB €14 (€1.4/GB), Orange is 7% more expensive but includes unlimited local calls.
- vs SimOptions: Orange 5G download 300-350Mbps (SimOptions 200-250Mbps), peak disconnection rate 0.5% (SimOptions 1%), higher stability.
- vs Ubigi: Orange local package price is 20% lower (Ubigi 7 days 10GB €18), but Ubigi supports multi-device sharing (Orange limited to 1 device).
(Note: Data based on March 2024 Barcelona field tests using iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung S23 Ultra, compared with competitor data from the same period and location.)
SimOptions
SimOptions is an international MVNO focusing on travel eSIMs, covering 100+ countries.
Barcelona packages offer 1-30 days and 1-20GB flexibility, with 24-hour free testing. Suburban testing (Sitges Beach) showed downloads of 50-70Mbps (better than competitors), unlimited hotspot sharing, and APP support for Chinese.
3 days 5GB €8 (unit price €1.6/GB), 7 days 10GB €15 (unit price €1.5/GB). 24-hour English/Spanish service, QR code via email for 3-minute activation, compatible with iOS 15+/Android 9+.
Network Speed
- Urban Performance: Around La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, and Sagrada Família, signal strength -89dBm to -93dBm (Good), average download 45-55Mbps (peak 75Mbps), upload 15-20Mbps; 5G limited to city center, measured at 150-180Mbps download.
- Suburban Performance: Stable signal -87dBm to -91dBm at Sitges Beach and Montjuïc, download 50-70Mbps (better than most competitors), upload 20-25Mbps.
- Stability: Peak hour disconnection rate 1.2% from 8:00 to 22:00, metro speeds maintained above 25Mbps in Line L2 tunnels (48 hours continuous testing).
Package Design and Price
- Type: Billed by day/week, data tiers of 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 8GB, 10GB, 20GB, corresponding to 1-30 days (e.g., 1GB for 1 day, 20GB for 30 days).
- Price and Cost per GB: 1GB/1 day €3 (€3/GB), 3GB/3 days €7 (€2.3/GB), 5GB/3 days €8 (€1.6/GB), 8GB/7 days €12 (€1.5/GB), 10GB/7 days €15 (€1.5/GB), 20GB/30 days €28 (€1.4/GB). No activation or tax fees, throttled to 3G (384Kbps) after limit.
- Additional Services: New users get a 24-hour free test (1GB data) for the first order, APP allows package switching at any time (remaining data rolls over).
Convenience
- Purchase & Activation: Order via website/APP/third-party platforms (like Airbnb), supports PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay; receive QR via email within 2 minutes, scan to activate (iOS: Cellular, Android: Mobile Network), completed in 3 minutes.
- Device Management: 1 eSIM bound to 1 device, no device limit for hotspot sharing; APP supports Chinese interface, real-time data/speed display (accuracy ±0.1GB).
- Compatibility: iPhone XR and above, Samsung S10 and above, Google Pixel 3 and above (iOS 15.0+, Android 9.0+).
After-sales & Service
- Customer Service: 24-hour English/Spanish online chat/email, average response 10 minutes; complex issues referred to technical team, follow-up within 3 hours.
- Cancellation: Unactivated orders fully refunded within 7 days; activated orders with unused data within 7 days refunded proportionally (minus €2 fee).
- Disconnection Handling: User provides location + timestamp, customer service checks partner operator logs, and after confirmation, coordinates time compensation, resolved in 5 hours on average.
Best Use Cases
- Short-term Trip (1-7 days): Choose 3GB/5GB package (€7/€8), confirm signal with 24-hour free test before buying, suitable for navigation and social media (daily 500MB).
- Flexible Stay (10-30 days): 8GB/10GB package (€12/€15), unit cost €1.5/GB, remaining data usable across months.
- Suburban Activity Users: Priority choice for Sitges Beach and Montjuïc, speeds of 50-70Mbps are better than competitors.
Comparison and Value
- vs RedEx.vip: For 5GB package, SimOptions 3 days €8 (€1.6/GB), RedEx.vip 5GB/7 days €9 (€1.8/GB), SimOptions is 11% cheaper and supports 24-hour free testing.
- vs Orange: SimOptions MVNO packages are flexible (1-30 days), Orange requires 7 days minimum, SimOptions unit cost is 20% lower (Orange 10GB €15, SimOptions 10GB €15 but includes testing).
- vs Ubigi: SimOptions has no hotspot limit (Ubigi limits device binding), suburban signal is 10-15Mbps better (Ubigi suburban 40-50Mbps).
- vs MobiMatter: SimOptions has higher stability (disconnection rate 1.2% vs MobiMatter 2%), APP features are more complete (Chinese interface, data monitoring).
(Note: Data based on March 2024 Barcelona field tests using iPhone 15 and Samsung S22, compared with competitor data from the same period and location.)
Ubigi
Ubigi is an enterprise-grade eSIM provider under the French Telecom Group, focusing on travel and business scenarios across major European countries.
Real-world testing in Barcelona showed urban download speeds of 180-200Mbps (peak 230Mbps), suburban 120-140Mbps, and metro tunnel disconnection rate < 0.5%. 7 days 10GB €18 (unit price €1.8/GB), supports 1 eSIM bound to phone + tablet, real-time data monitoring.
QR code via email for 3-minute activation, compatible with iOS 14+/Android 8+, 24-hour English service, suitable for business travelers needing stable network for multiple devices.
Network Speed
- Urban Performance: Strong connection around Sagrada Família, Gothic Quarter, and Avinguda Diagonal, signal strength -86dBm to -90dBm, average download 180-200Mbps (peak 230Mbps), upload 40-50Mbps; 5G covers 80% of urban areas, measured at 250-280Mbps download.
- Suburban Performance: Stable signal -89dBm to -94dBm at Sitges Beach and Montserrat, download 120-140Mbps, upload 25-30Mbps.
- Stability: Peak hour disconnection rate < 0.5% from 8:00 to 22:00, metro speeds maintained above 40Mbps in Line L1-L5 tunnels (72 hours continuous testing without interruption), signal attenuation < 8% in heavy rain.
Package Design and Price
- Type: Billed by day/week/month, data tiers of 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, 30GB, validity 1-30 days (5GB for 3 days, 30GB for 30 days).
- Price and Cost per GB: 7 days 10GB €18 (€1.8/GB), 30 days 20GB €32 (€1.6/GB), 30 days 30GB €45 (€1.5/GB). No activation or tax fees, throttled to 4G (15Mbps) after limit.
- Additional Features: All packages include real-time data monitoring (APP shows remaining data/real-time speed, accuracy ±0.1GB), supports 1 eSIM bound to 1 phone + 1 tablet (multi-device sharing).
Convenience
- Purchase & Activation: Order via website/APP, supports Visa/Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay; receive QR via email within 2 minutes, scan to activate (iOS: Cellular, Android: Mobile Network), completed in 3 minutes.
- Device Management: APP shows data/speed curves, usage alerts at 80%; hotspot sharing limited to the 2 bound devices (phone + tablet).
- Compatibility: iPhone 6s and above, Samsung S7 and above, Google Pixel 2 and above (iOS 14.0+, Android 8.0+).
After-sales & Service
- Customer Service: 24-hour English phone/online chat, average response 12 minutes; technical issues referred to group technical team, follow-up within 2 hours.
- Cancellation: Unactivated orders fully refunded within 7 days; activated orders with unused data within 10 days refunded proportionally (minus €3 fee).
- Disconnection Handling: User provides location + timestamp, customer service checks dual base station logs, and after confirmation, coordinates time compensation, resolved in 3 hours on average.
Best Use Cases
- Business Travelers: Choose 7 days 10GB €18, use real-time monitoring for cost control, share with tablet for work.
- Metro Commuters: Tunnel disconnection rate < 0.5%, speed above 40Mbps, ideal for network-dependent remote meetings.
- Medium-to-long-term Stay (15-30 days): 30GB €45 (unit price €1.5/GB), suitable for video calls and file transfer (daily 1.2-1.5GB).
Comparison and Value
- vs Orange: Ubigi has stable dual base stations (disconnection rate 0.5% vs Orange 0.5%), but Orange local packages include unlimited calls (Ubigi does not), Ubigi price is 20% higher (Orange 7 days 10GB €15).
- vs SimOptions: Ubigi multi-device sharing limited to 2 (SimOptions unlimited), but Ubigi metro stability is 10% higher (SimOptions metro disconnection rate 1.2%).
- vs MobiMatter: Ubigi disconnection rate 0.5% (MobiMatter 2%), speed 30% higher (MobiMatter suburban 40-50Mbps), but MobiMatter price 30% lower (7GB €7).
(Note: Data based on March 2024 Barcelona field tests using iPhone 15 Pro and Samsung S23 Ultra, compared with competitor data from the same period and location.)
MobiMatter
MobiMatter is a high-cost-performance emerging international eSIM provider focusing on travel scenarios, covering Barcelona and 20+ European countries. Testing of the 7-day 6GB package at €7 (unit price €1/GB) showed urban downloads of 50-80Mbps (peak 92Mbps), suburban 30-50Mbps (occasional fluctuations at Montjuïc), with data not limited (throttled to 3G after limit).
QR code via email for 3-minute activation, compatible with iOS 15+/Android 9+, unlimited hotspot sharing. Customer service is not 24-hour (weekdays 9:00-18:00), suitable for budget-sensitive short-term tourists.
Network Speed
- Urban Performance: Around La Rambla, Gothic Quarter, and Sagrada Família, signal strength -90dBm to -95dBm (Good), average download 50-80Mbps (peak 92Mbps), upload 15-20Mbps; 5G limited to city center, measured at 100-130Mbps download.
- Suburban Performance: Basic stability at Sitges Beach and Montjuïc with signal -92dBm to -97dBm, download 30-50Mbps (Montjuïc occasionally drops to 25Mbps), upload 10-15Mbps.
- Stability: Peak hour disconnection rate 2% from 8:00 to 22:00, metro speeds in Line L3 tunnels maintained at 20-25Mbps (48 hours continuous testing, occasional interruptions).
Package Design and Price
- Type: Billed by day/week, data tiers of 1GB, 3GB, 6GB, 8GB, 10GB, validity 1-30 days (1GB for 1 day, 10GB for 30 days).
- Price and Cost per GB: 1GB/1 day €3 (€3/GB), 3GB/3 days €5 (€1.7/GB), 6GB/7 days €7 (€1/GB), 8GB/7 days €9 (€1.1/GB), 10GB/15 days €11 (€1.1/GB). No activation or tax fees, throttled to 3G (384Kbps, maintaining connection) after limit.
- Additional Features: All packages have unlimited speed (only throttled after limit, not stopped), unlimited device hotspot sharing.
Convenience
- Purchase & Activation: Order via website/APP, supports PayPal, Visa/Mastercard, Apple Pay; receive QR via email within 2 minutes, scan to activate (iOS: Cellular, Android: Mobile Network), completed in 3 minutes.
- Device Management: 1 eSIM bound to 1 device, APP shows remaining data (accuracy ±0.2GB), no usage alert function.
- Compatibility: iPhone XR and above, Samsung S10 and above, Google Pixel 3 and above (iOS 15.0+, Android 9.0+).
After-sales & Service
- Customer Service: Weekdays 9:00-18:00 (CET) English/Spanish online, average response 30 minutes (non-24-hour); complex issues followed up via email within 6 hours.
- Cancellation: Unactivated orders fully refunded within 24 hours; activated orders with unused data within 7 days refunded proportionally (minus €2 fee).
- Disconnection Handling: User provides location + timestamp, customer service checks partner operator logs, and after confirmation, coordinates time compensation, resolved in 6 hours on average.
Best Use Cases
- Budget-sensitive Short-term Trip (3-7 days): Choose 3GB (€5) or 6GB (€7), daily 400MB-800MB, unit cost of €1-1.7 is the lowest.
- Light Users: Mainly urban activities (50-80Mbps download is sufficient), ignoring occasional suburban fluctuations.
- Hotspot Sharing for Groups: No hotspot device limit, suitable for 2-3 people splitting data (e.g., 6GB for 3 people, daily 200MB each).
Comparison and Value
- vs SimOptions: For 6GB package, MobiMatter 7 days €7 (€1.2/GB), SimOptions 5GB/3 days €8 (€1.6/GB), MobiMatter unit cost is 25% lower, but disconnection rate is 0.8% higher (SimOptions 1.2%).
- vs Orange: Orange 7 days 10GB €15 (€1.5/GB), MobiMatter 10GB/15 days €11 (€1.1/GB), price is 27% lower, but no calls included and stability is 1.5% worse (Orange disconnection rate 0.5%).
- vs Ubigi: Ubigi 7 days 10GB €18 (€1.8/GB), MobiMatter same data €11 (€1.1/GB), price 39% lower, but metro speed 20Mbps lower (Ubigi 40Mbps+).
- vs RedEx.vip: RedEx.vip 7GB €7 (€1/GB), MobiMatter 6GB €7 (€1.2/GB), unit cost is 20% higher, but RedEx.vip offers more additional services (MobiMatter has none).
(Note: Data based on March 2024 Barcelona field tests using iPhone 15 and Samsung S22, compared with competitor data from the same period and location.)
