South Africa
South Africa eSIM
Stay online in South Africa with a prepaid data eSIM: 13 plans from 1GB to 20GB, valid for up to 30 days, from $2.24.
- Starting price
- $2.24
- Plans
- 13
- Networks
- Vodacom
- Data only
- No phone number; WhatsApp and FaceTime work over data
South Africa eSIM plans and prices
Plans for your whole trip
Use the data whenever you like within the validity period. A plan ends when its days run out or its data is used up, whichever comes first.
Day passes
A one-day plan with a daily allowance, for a short stop or a day when you need more data.
Plans marked FUP keep working at reduced speed (up to the speed shown) once their high-speed data is used.
How our South Africa prices compare
Plans with the same amount of data at four eSIM providers; the number of days can differ. Prices were checked on September 27, 2026 and change often, so check a provider’s own site before buying there.
| Provider | Price |
|---|---|
| Computatus eSIM Our price | $5.94 Lowest price |
| Nomad | $8.00 |
| Airalo | $9.00 |
| Saily | $9.99 |
| Provider | Price |
|---|---|
| Saily | $36.99 Lowest price |
| Computatus eSIM Our price | $37.18 |
| Airalo | $40.00 |
Which networks does the South Africa eSIM use?
Plans for South Africa connect to Vodacom. 5G is available on Vodacom where the network offers it; elsewhere the plans use 4G/LTE. Speed depends on local coverage and network conditions.
- Vodacom 5G
Travelling through more than one country?
These regional plans also cover South Africa, so one eSIM works for the whole trip.
- Africa Covers 29 countries · from $10.20
- Global (120+ areas) Covers 118 countries · from $7.97
- Global139 Covers 128 countries · from $13.60
How to set up your South Africa eSIM
-
Choose a plan and pay
Pick the plan that fits your trip and pay with Stripe. Your card details go straight to Stripe and are never stored by us.
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Install the eSIM from your phone
Open the activation link on your phone and the iPhone or Android installer starts by itself. Scanning the QR code works too, and we can email it to you.
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Switch it on in South Africa
When you arrive, turn on the eSIM line and data roaming for it, and choose it for mobile data.
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Keep an eye on your data
My eSIMs shows how much data is left at any time.
South Africa eSIM: questions and answers
How much does an eSIM for South Africa cost?
Plans for South Africa start at $2.24 for 1GB · 7 days. There are 13 plans in total, up to 20GB · 30 days for $37.18.
Which mobile networks will I use in South Africa?
Plans for South Africa connect to Vodacom. 5G is available on Vodacom where the network offers it; elsewhere the plans use 4G/LTE. Speed depends on local coverage and network conditions.
Does the South Africa eSIM include a phone number?
No. It is a data-only eSIM, so it has no phone number for calls or SMS. Your own number stays on your usual SIM, and apps such as WhatsApp and FaceTime work over the eSIM's data.
Can I keep my own SIM in my phone?
Yes. Most eSIM phones support dual SIM, so your usual SIM and the eSIM work side by side and you choose which one is used for data.
How long does a South Africa eSIM plan last?
Each plan lasts for its validity period, up to 30 days for South Africa, or until its data is used up, whichever comes first.
What if I run out of data?
Buy another plan from this page and install it the same way as the first. My eSIMs lists all your eSIMs and the data each one has left.
When should I install the eSIM?
Install it before you leave, while you are on Wi-Fi, and switch the line on when you arrive in South Africa. The first connection to a network can take a few minutes.