Daily eSIM | Eskimo: Data That Never Expires, and You Can Gift It (Free 500MB)

"Daily eSIM" introduces one pay-as-you-go / prepaid / free-trial eSIM every day. Episode 021 features Eskimo from Singapore — one of the rare providers in this column that takes "data never expires" seriously: fixed data plans valid for 2 years with automatic rollover on renewal, plus instant data gifting to anyone by phone number. New users get 500MB of free global data, no credit card required.

One-line pitch

Eskimo (eskimo.travel, by Singapore's Datapro Technologies) is a travel eSIM provider built around a "cloud data wallet": install the eSIM once and it stays valid for life; fixed data plans last 2 years and roll over automatically when you buy again before expiry; balances can be transferred to anyone instantly, like sending money.

Plan types

• Fixed data plans: pay per GB, covering 160+ countries/regions — single-country, regional (Europe / Asia-Pacific), and global options;
• "Unlimited" day passes: 3GB of high-speed data per day, then throttled to 512kbps for the rest of the day (not truly unlimited);
• Free trial: 500MB of free global data for new users, no credit card, covering 80+ countries.

Pricing (as of Oct 21, 2026, from the official site)

• Global fixed plans: 1GB $3.90, 3GB $7.90, 5GB $10.90, 10GB $17.90, 100GB $249.90, 200GB $489.90 — all valid 730 days;
• App-exclusive 35% off your first purchase (capped at $12), e.g. 1GB for about $2.53;
• Single-country plan prices vary by destination — check the official checkout page before buying.

The key question: can it receive SMS verification codes?

No. Eskimo is data-only across the board — no phone number, no calls, no SMS. If you need to receive verification codes, roam on your home SIM or pick a number-included option covered earlier in this column (Sakura Mobile, Mobal, Orange Travel, eSIM.net, Giffgaff). Codes sent inside WhatsApp / Telegram / iMessage travel over the data connection and work fine.

Pros

• Data truly never expires: fixed plans last 2 years; any top-up before expiry rolls everything over for another 2 years — a hoarder's dream;
• Data gifting: send data to anyone by phone number, instantly — rescue a friend who ran out abroad (paid fixed plans only; the free 500MB can't be gifted);
• Install once: top-ups, gifts, and plan changes never require re-scanning a QR code;
• No throttling, unlimited hotspot: fixed plans run at full speed with no daily caps, hotspot freely;
• Low-barrier trial: 500MB free with no credit card — install now, buy a big plan on arrival.

Cons

• Data-only: no number, no calls, no SMS — a deal-breaker if you need verification codes;
• Speed varies by country: users report slower speeds in Japan and Nigeria, and occasional connection failures in some cities (e.g. Chengdu) requiring manual network selection;
• "Unlimited" isn't really unlimited: 3GB/day then 512kbps — heavy users are better off with a fixed big plan;
• Big plans aren't cheap: Global 100GB at $249.90 (about $2.5/GB) costs more than some rivals — you're paying for the peace of mind of no expiry.

Who it's for / not for

For: frequent multi-country flyers; anyone who wants to stockpile data for slow use; people who bail out family and friends abroad (gifting is the unique selling point); anyone allergic to end-of-month data expiry.

Not for: anyone who needs SMS verification codes (skip it); single-destination heavy users (a local plan may beat it); mission-critical business connectivity (test with the free 500MB first).

Official site

https://www.eskimo.travel (apps for iOS / Android, rated 4.7 / 4.3)

Notes

Sources: Eskimo's official site (eskimo.travel) and its data-transfer guide, eSIMdb country plan pages, MyBestSim's 2026 review. Prices as of October 21, 2026 — verify on the checkout page. The free 500MB, 2-year validity, and data gifting are official published policies; I did not personally test a purchase. Actual speeds depend on the local network.

中文版：https://cutting-edgetechnology-ai.blogspot.com/2026/10/esim-eskimo-2-esim-500mb.html