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Destination · Asia

Best eSIM for India from Australia

56 plans from 4 providers, priced in Australian dollars and ranked by cost per GB.

The cheapest India eSIM we list is Ubigi's 3 GB plan for 30 days at A$12.00 (A$4.00/GB). The most data for the money is Ubigi's 50 GB plan for 30 days at A$85.00 (A$1.70/GB), and our best-network pick is Ubigi's 25 GB plan for 30 days at A$43.00 (A$1.72/GB). The plans we list name Jio, Airtel or Vi; we rank Jio and Airtel first using published network information, not our own tests.

How much data will I need?

As a rough guide from Telstra's figures, an hour a day of browsing and email uses about 0.1–0.5 GB over 7 days and 0.2–1.1 GB over 14 days, and an hour a day of standard-definition video adds about 4.9 GB and 9.8 GB. Source: Telstra

Prices checked 1 Nov 2026 · Page updated 2 Nov 2026
Best for

Our picks for India

Each pick follows the rule shown, applied to the table below.

01 · CheapestUbigi
3 GB · 30 daysA$12.00
Jio · Hotspot · 4G onlyA$4.00/GB

Rule: lowest price with at least 3 GB and 7 days.

Get Ubigi plan
02 · Most dataUbigi
50 GB · 30 daysA$85.00
Jio · Hotspot · 4G onlyA$1.70/GB

Rule: lowest cost per GB with at least 20 GB; ties go to more data, then more days.

Get Ubigi plan
03 · UnlimitedJetpac
Unlimited · 10 daysA$53.50
Jio · Hotspot · 4G onlyA$5.35/day

Rule: lowest price per day, comparing each provider's 10-day plan or its nearest from 7 days (compared at 10 days).

Get Jetpac plan
04 · Best networkUbigi
25 GB · 30 daysA$43.00
Jio · Hotspot · 4G onlyA$1.72/GB

Rule: best published network (Jio or Airtel first), then 5G, then hotspot; lowest cost per GB with at least 5 GB and 7 days. Based on published network, not yet speed-tested.

Get Ubigi plan
All plans

Compare 56 India plans

Showing 15 of 56 · prices in AUD, checked 1 Nov 2026 · fixed-data plans by cost per GB, then unlimited by price per day. Sorted by cost per gb, low to high.

  • UbigiMost data
    A$85.00
    50 GB · 30 daysA$1.70/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • UbigiBest network
    A$43.00
    25 GB · 30 daysA$1.72/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$20.00
    10 GB · 1 dayA$2.00/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$60.00
    30 GB · 30 daysA$2.00/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$22.00
    10 GB · 7 daysA$2.20/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$33.00
    15 GB · 7 daysA$2.20/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$12.00
    5 GB · 1 dayA$2.40/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$25.50
    10 GB · 4 daysA$2.55/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Ubigi
    A$26.00
    10 GB · 30 daysA$2.60/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$53.50
    20 GB · 15 daysA$2.68/GB
    Vi · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Airalo
    A$55.50
    20 GB · 30 daysA$2.78/GB
    Vi · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$28.50
    10 GB · 7 daysA$2.85/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$14.50
    5 GB · 4 daysA$2.90/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$43.50
    15 GB · 30 daysA$2.90/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan
  • Jetpac
    A$9.50
    3 GB · 1 dayA$3.17/GB
    Jio · Hotspot: Yes · 4G onlyGet plan

Cost per GB is price ÷ data; unlimited plans show price per day. Airalo unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days): slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. Holafly unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days): may slow speeds for up to a day under its fair-use policy; no threshold or speed is stated. Jetpac unlimited (3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 21 and 30 days): slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. Ubigi unlimited (7 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 25 GB. Ubigi unlimited (15 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 30 GB. Ubigi unlimited (30 days): slows to 2 Mbps after 60 GB.

The table lists plans of 30 days or less. Holafly also sells longer India plans.

Providers

Who sells India eSIMs

Listed A to Z. Each phone screen points out one fact from that provider's details or plans. Screens are illustrative.

Airalo logo

Networks
Vi
Plans from
A$6.00 · 17 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · No (4G)
Unlimited
Yes
Visit AiraloReview
Needs its app to install

Holafly logo

Networks
Airtel, Jio
Plans from
A$32.00 · 6 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Limited · Yes
Unlimited
Yes
Visit HolaflyReview
All plans unlimited, fair use applies

Jetpac logo

Networks
Jio
Plans from
A$9.50 · 24 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · No (4G)
Unlimited
Yes
Visit JetpacReview
4G only on these plans

Ubigi

Networks
Jio
Plans from
A$6.00 · 9 plans
Hotspot · 5G
Yes · No (4G)
Unlimited
Yes
Visit UbigiReview
From A$6.00, 9 plans
Destination notes · updated 2 Nov 2026

Using an eSIM in India

Jio, Airtel and Vi

The plans we list connect to Jio, Airtel or Vi, which is the brand of Vodafone Idea. The plan page names which, and the network shown for each plan in the table is the one the provider names, under the operator's current brand name (for example, Ubigi writes Reliance Jio, which we show as Jio). We rank Jio and Airtel first using published network information, not our own tests (how we pick).

Plans show 5G only where the provider states it. Check the 5G column in the table, and check the coverage map of the network your plan names for the cities and regions you are visiting.

Local connections and visas

Local operators sell connections to foreign visitors on documented terms that tie the service to the visa. Jio's consumer charter says a foreign tourist's service is valid for a maximum of three months or until the visa expires, whichever comes first. Airtel says a foreign national's number is valid until the visa validity date.

The Department of Telecommunications set the same principle in a 2 Aug 2016 letter to BSNL on SIMs for visitors arriving on an e-Visa: the validity of such SIMs shall not exceed the validity of the e-Visa. That letter covers BSNL's airport counters and dates from 2016, so treat it as background; we have not confirmed it is still in force.

Those are rules for a local connection, which is a different product from the travel eSIMs in our table. We have not found an official instruction on whether a travel eSIM bought from an overseas provider needs a registration step. Check the plan page for any step before you buy, and buy and install the eSIM before you leave.

Sources

FAQ

Questions about eSIMs for India

What is the best eSIM for India from Australia?

It depends on how long you are away and how much data you use. The picks at the top of this page show the cheapest India eSIM, the most data for the money and the best-network option, each with the rule that chose it. The table ranks every plan by cost per GB. To see two providers side by side, try Airalo vs Holafly.

Do I need to register or give ID for an India eSIM?

A local connection from an Indian operator comes with ID and visa rules. Jio's consumer charter says a foreign tourist's service is valid for up to three months or until the visa expires, whichever comes first, and Airtel says a foreign national's number stays valid until the visa validity date (Jio, Airtel). We have not found an official instruction on whether a travel eSIM bought from an overseas provider needs a registration step, and the provider pages we read do not mention one. Check the plan page before you buy.

Does an India eSIM work on 5G?

Only where the provider says so. The 5G column in the table shows which plans state 5G support, and the rest connect on 4G. Check it before you buy if 5G matters to you.

Can I get an India eSIM with a phone number?

Every plan in our India table is data only, with no Indian phone number for calls. Local operators sell connections to foreign visitors on their own terms (see the registration question above). For calls on a travel eSIM, use apps such as WhatsApp over the data connection.

Which network should I pick: Jio, Airtel or Vi?

The table shows the network each plan's provider names, under the operator's current brand name. We rank Jio and Airtel first using published network information, not our own tests (how we pick). That ranking is not a coverage guarantee for your route, so check the coverage map of the network your plan names for the cities and regions you are visiting.

Is an eSIM cheaper than roaming in India?

It depends on your carrier and how many days you are away. Compare the cost per day in the table with your Australian carrier's international roaming price for India. Our roaming calculator covers the destinations where we have recorded day-pass prices.

Can I keep my Australian phone number with an eSIM?

Most phones with eSIM can use two lines at once, so the travel eSIM can handle data while your Australian line stays on for texts. Your Australian line can still start roaming charges, so set it up carefully. Our guide covers the settings: how to keep your Australian number.

Do I turn off data roaming when using an eSIM?

Turn data roaming on for the travel eSIM, because most travel eSIMs are roaming eSIMs, and turn it off for your Australian line so it cannot use data abroad. The steps are in how to set up a travel eSIM.

Can I use my phone as a hotspot with an India eSIM?

Hotspot rules are set by each provider and can differ by plan. The Hotspot column in the table shows the rule for each plan, so check it before you rely on the eSIM to share data with a laptop.

When does an eSIM's validity period start?

Each provider sets its own rule. On many plans the clock starts when the eSIM first connects at your destination, but on some it starts when you install it. Check the plan page before you buy, and see how to set up a travel eSIM.

What is the disadvantage of an eSIM?

A travel eSIM needs a phone that supports eSIM and is unlocked (how to check). You need an internet connection to download it, so install it at home over Wi-Fi, and many eSIMs cannot be reinstalled once removed. Every plan in our India table is data only, with no Indian phone number for calls.

Method · updated 1 Nov 2026

How we compare India eSIMs

  1. We take each plan's price from the provider's site and convert it to Australian dollars on the check date.
  2. Cost per GB is price divided by data. Unlimited plans are compared by price per day.
  3. Network is the Indian carrier the eSIM connects to. Hotspot and 5G are as the provider states them.
  4. Each pick follows the rule printed with it, and each is a different plan. Remaining ties go to the lower total price.
  5. We recheck prices at least every 30 days and show the check date on every plan.

How we make money

eSIM Mate is free to use. No link on the site earns a commission yet. Once a provider approves us, its links will: the provider pays us, never you. That will never change your price or the order of plans, and we list providers whether or not they pay us.

Read our full disclosure
Best network · Ubigi25 GB · 30 days · A$43.00
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