Comparison

Simnova vs ElloSim

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Simnova

Features
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Prepaid travel eSIMs for 200+ destinations. Land connected - no roaming bills, no SIM kiosks, no sketchy airport Wi-Fi. Simnova is a travel eSIM app with instant prepaid mobile data for destinations worldwide. Buy a data plan, install it in a couple of taps, and connect to fast 4G/5G local networks minutes after you land. NEW TO eSIM? IT'S EASIER THAN YOU THINK An eSIM is a digital SIM already built into your phone - no plastic card, no swapping, nothing to lose. You buy a data plan in the Simnova app, install it in about 2 minutes, and switch it on when you land. Your regular SIM stays right where it is. A PLAN FOR EVERY TRIP - Country eSIMs: affordable local rates for single destinations - Regional eSIMs: one install for your whole Europe, Asia, or Americas itinerary - Flexible data sizes: from a light weekend trip to heavy-use monthly packages Popular destinations: Japan, Thailand, Bali, Italy, France, Spain, Turkey, USA, UK, Vietnam, and many more worldwide. EARN ON EVERY TRIP Every purchase earns Nova credit, shown in your own currency. Apply it at checkout with one tap and watch the price drop - your next eSIM could even be free. HOW IT WORKS 1. Check your phone compatibility in the app 2. Pick your destination and travel data plan 3. Pay securely in the app 4. Install your eSIM instantly - do it at home before you fly 5. Turn it on when you land. That's it - you're online. Check your data balance anytime, top up in two taps, and keep every trip's eSIM organized in one place. TRAVEL WITHOUT SURPRISE BILLS Simnova eSIMs are data-only, and that's by design: your regular SIM stays in your phone and stays active - calls, texts, and banking 2FA codes keep working as normal - while all your internet runs through Simnova at transparent prepaid rates. Important tip: Set Mobile Data and Data Roaming to your Simnova eSIM only, so your home carrier can never sneak a roaming charge onto your bill. The app walks you through this setup step-by-step. WHY TRAVELERS CHOOSE SIMNOVA - Instant delivery: your eSIM arrives in seconds, 24/7 - Fast connections: 4G/5G local networks where available - Transparent prices: clear prepaid rates with zero hidden fees - Prepaid only: impossible to overspend - Automated device check: confirms phone compatibility before checkout WORKS ON YOUR PHONE? Simnova supports all eSIM-compatible, carrier-unlocked devices, including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and most Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer. Note: Your device must be network-unlocked by your home carrier to use any travel eSIM. The app automatically verifies your device compatibility before purchase. QUICK ANSWERS Q: Can I use my normal SIM at the same time? A: Yes - most modern phones run dual SIMs simultaneously. Keep your home line active for calls and 2FA codes, and use Simnova for data. Q: Can I call and text with a Simnova eSIM? A: Simnova eSIMs are data-only - they don't include a phone number or traditional calls/SMS. WhatsApp, FaceTime, Messenger, Google Maps, and every app you use daily run seamlessly on data, while your home number stays active on your primary SIM. Q: When should I install my eSIM? A: Before you fly, while connected to Wi-Fi at home. Then simply switch the line on when you land. Whether you're a digital nomad, a family on holiday, a student abroad, or traveling on business - Simnova keeps you connected without the roaming bill. Travel internet made simple: download the Simnova eSIM app, choose a prepaid international data plan, install your travel eSIM in minutes, and stay online from the moment you land.

About

ElloSim

Features
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Stay connected the moment you land. ElloSim gives you mobile data in 200+ countries without roaming charges, without hunting for a local SIM shop, and without swapping the SIM card that holds your normal number. Buy a plan, install it in seconds, and switch it on when you arrive. HOW IT WORKS 1. Choose your destination and the plan you need 2. Pay securely by card, Apple Pay or ElloCredit 3. Install your eSIM — one tap on iPhone, or scan the QR code 4. Turn it on when you land Your normal number stays active, so WhatsApp, iMessage and FaceTime keep working exactly as they do at home. EARN WHILE YOU TRAVEL - Cashback. Earn ElloCredit back on every eSIM you buy and spend it on your next trip. - Deposit bonus. Top up your ElloCredit wallet and get extra credit added on top. - Refer a friend. Share your link — when a friend makes their first purchase, you both earn ElloCredit. WHY TRAVELLERS CHOOSE ELLOSIM - No roaming bills. Know what you're paying before you travel, with plans from $1.99. - Nothing to collect or return. No airport counters, no pocket WiFi to charge every night and hand back on departure day. - No paperwork. Many countries require passport or ID registration for a local SIM. An eSIM skips that entirely. - Keep your number. Your physical SIM stays in place. Calls and texts to your usual number still arrive. - Share your connection. Plans support hotspot, so your laptop or a travelling companion can use it too. - Top up without reinstalling. Running low? Add more data to the same eSIM from My eSIMs. WHERE IT WORKS 200+ individual countries, plus 20 regional and global plans covering Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, the Americas and multi-country travel. Popular destinations include Japan, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy, Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam. PLANS TO SUIT THE TRIP - Fixed data from 1 GB for a short city break up to 100 GB for a long stay or remote work. - Unlimited daily data plans for when you don't want to count gigabytes. - Europe and Global plans that include calls and SMS as well as data. - Durations from 1 day to 6 months. Pick what fits and pay once — no subscription, no auto-renewal, no surprise charges. MANAGE EVERYTHING IN THE APP - See all your eSIMs in one place with status and data remaining - View your QR codes and installation details - Top up an existing plan or buy it again - Check your ElloCredit balance, cashback and referral earnings - Access your order history and receipts BEFORE YOU BUY Your iPhone must be eSIM compatible and carrier unlocked. Most iPhone models from XR and XS onwards support eSIM. The app checks your device for you. Most plans are data only and do not include a local phone number — your existing number continues to handle calls and texts. Plans that include calls and SMS say so on the plan. SUPPORT Questions before or during your trip? Chat with us from Help & support in the app, or email support@ellosim.com — a person will answer. ElloSim is operated by EMAM MEDIA LTD, registered in England and Wales.

Screenshots

Simnova4 screens
ElloSim4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: Simnova at every 6 days against ElloSim's fortnightly. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Simnova ships an update every 6 days, ElloSim fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on October 24, 2026 and October 14, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard1 real difference · 5 level
Simnova versus ElloSim: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterSimnovaElloSim
PriceFreeFree
Update frequencyEvery 6 days — betterFortnightly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
DevicesiPhoneiPhone, iPod — better
Requires iOS16.015.1 — better
Further details — not scored
Size81 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperVenture Bytes LimitedEMAM MEDIA LTD

In-app purchases

None

Simnova

No in-app purchases

None

ElloSim

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Simnova free?
Simnova is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is ElloSim free?
ElloSim is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Simnova or ElloSim have ads?
Neither Simnova nor ElloSim shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Simnova or ElloSim?
Simnova ships an update every 6 days, and ElloSim fortnightly. Most recently, Simnova was updated on October 24, 2026 and ElloSim on October 14, 2026.

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