Wise eSIM Review (Australia): Handy, But Is It the Cheapest?
Wise has started selling eSIMs. If you already use Wise for travel money, you can now buy your mobile data in the same app, in a few taps, without downloading anything new.
That’s handy. But handy usually costs something, so I priced the Wise global plan against the two eSIMs I use, Airalo and Yesim. Same idea for all three: one plan, lots of countries, a full year.
Short version: on the sticker price, Wise sits in the middle. Once you add a discount code, it’s the most expensive of the three, and Yesim gives you roughly double the data for the same money.
Wise eSIM vs Airalo vs Yesim: the global plan in AUD
I compared the year-long global plans because they’re the closest like-for-like. All prices are in Australian dollars, taken in October 2026.
| Provider | Plan | List price | With our code | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wise | Global, 20GB, 365 days | A$91.30 | No code | A$4.57 |
| Airalo | Discover Global, 20GB, 365 days | A$97.00 | A$82.45 | A$4.12 |
| Yesim | Global, 40GB, 365 days | A$117.30 | A$93.84 | A$2.35 |
Per GB uses the price after code where one exists. Airalo price uses DREWDEALNEW (15% off, new customers). Yesim price is from my own checkout with DREWDEAL (20% off).
Two things stand out. First, on list price Wise is a little cheaper than Airalo for 20GB. Wise has no discount code, though, and once you use ours Airalo drops to A$82.45, about A$9 less than Wise.
That’s the second thing. Double the data for roughly the same spend, and it’s a price I paid myself.
Why the Wise eSIM costs more
Wise isn’t a mobile company. It’s selling convenience: your money, your card and now your data, all in one app you probably already have on your phone. You’re paying a little extra not to install anything else.
The plan itself is fine. It covers more than 150 destinations, the year only starts when you first use data somewhere covered, and you can hotspot to share with whoever you’re travelling with. Wise also says it will refund verified unused data, which is a nice touch.
When the Wise eSIM makes sense
If you’re already a Wise customer, you travel a lot, and you’d rather keep everything in one app, the extra cost buys you simplicity. Some people will happily pay that, and I get it.
If you’re not a Wise user, it’s harder to justify. You’d be signing up to a money app to buy an eSIM that costs more than the dedicated ones. If the card is what you’re weighing up, here’s my Wise card review.
What I’d buy instead
For a year of travel across several countries, the Yesim global plan is the best value of the three on these numbers. If you’re already happy with Airalo, our code makes it cheaper than Wise as well.
Yesim: code DREWDEAL takes 20% off all plans. You add it at checkout. See the Yesim deal →
Airalo: code DREWDEALNEW for 15% off your first eSIM, or DREWDEAL for 10% off if you’re an existing customer. See the Airalo deal →
(Small referral our way if you use our link — doesn’t change your price.)
Not sure how much data you need? Here’s a simple guide by trip length. For the full rundown, see the best eSIM for Australians, or how I keep my Australian number working overseas for bank codes.
Wise eSIM FAQs
Is the Wise eSIM cheaper than Airalo or Yesim?
Not once you use a discount code. On list price, Wise’s 20GB global plan (A$91.30) is a little cheaper than Airalo’s (A$97). With code DREWDEALNEW, Airalo drops to A$82.45, and Yesim with DREWDEAL gives you 40GB for A$93.84, roughly double the data for the same money as Wise.
Do I need a Wise account to buy the Wise eSIM?
It’s sold inside Wise, so you’ll need to be a Wise customer. If you aren’t already, a dedicated eSIM provider is simpler and cheaper.
How many countries does the Wise eSIM cover?
The global plan covers more than 150 destinations. Check the list in the app before you buy if you’re heading somewhere less common.
When does the Wise global eSIM plan start?
The 365 days start when you first use data in a covered destination, not when you buy it.
Can I share Wise eSIM data with my partner?
Yes. You install it on one phone and can use your hotspot to share the data.
Is there a Wise eSIM discount code?
Not that I’ve found. Airalo (DREWDEALNEW, 15% off) and Yesim (DREWDEAL, 20% off) both have codes, and that’s what makes them cheaper than Wise.
