How I Test eSIMs – The TechNovice Testing Methodology

TechNovice reviews are based on personal, real-world use. When I write about an eSIM in Portugal, it is because I used that eSIM as my mobile data connection while travelling through Portugal — from Lisbon along the Alentejo coast to Lagos and Sagres. When I test an eSIM in Switzerland, I do so in my home region, where I grew up and have lived for many years. This helps me judge how local networks actually perform in everyday use.

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I do not publish reviews of products or destinations that I have not tested myself. Guest articles by external experts are clearly labelled with the author’s name and background.

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The Sagres Counterexample: When a Test Goes Badly

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Independence doesn't show in good results – it shows in bad ones. In Sagres, at the westernmost tip of the Algarve, my test failed:

On June 26, 2026, I measured 0.96 Mbps download and 0.98 Mbps upload with the Saily eSIM there, with ping ranging from 115 to 341 ms (Speedtest ID 7129814269, iPhone 15 Pro, MEO network, LTE). Unusable for video calls or streaming.

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The fair assessment: packet loss was 0% – the connection was stable, just extremely slow. This isn't a Saily problem; it's a capacity issue with the MEO network in this remote region. If you're planning to work remotely from Sagres, you should know that – which is exactly why it's published here.

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I publish findings like this the same way I publish positive ones. Every measurement on TechNovice can be verified via its public Speedtest ID.

All speed tests on TechNovice are conducted using the Ookla Speedtest app (speedtest.net). I use Ookla because each result is assigned a unique, public test ID: Anyone can look up my results on speedtest.net and verify that the numbers in my articles are accurate.

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My standard procedure for eSIM speed tests:

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1. I disable mobile data on my regular Swiss SIM card so that the test eSIM is the only active data connection.

2. I check which local network provider and which technology the eSIM is connected to (e.g., Salt 5G, Sunrise LTE, NOS, Vodafone Portugal, or TrueMove H).

3. I run the Ookla Speedtest and record the download, upload, ping, and packet loss.

4. I note the location, date, and time, and save the test ID.

Whenever possible, I repeat the test at the same location at a different time—and at multiple locations throughout the trip.

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A single speed test doesn’t tell the whole story. Mobile performance varies depending on crowd density, time of day, and signal conditions. That’s why my reviews show multiple tests across different locations and days—not just a single best result.

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Note on speed test servers: Ookla connects to the nearest available server node, which isn’t always identical to my physical test location (for example, tests in the Alpstein were run via the Gais/Buchs node). Where relevant, I’ll point this out in the article.

A typical TechNovice eSIM test includes location, local network, connection type, date, Ookla test ID, download speed, upload speed, ping, and notes from the field. Here’s a real-life example from my test in Portugal:

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• Location: Lagos, Portugal (Algarve)

• Network: MEO

• Connection: LTE

• Date: June 24, 2026, 10:28 a.m.

• Ookla Test ID: 7126788543

• Download / Upload: 137.03 Mbps / 24.28 Mbps

Ping: 111 ms

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Practical Use: Google Maps, WhatsApp, hotspot, and video calls worked reliably​

I'm testing with the devices I actually travel with:

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• iPhone 15 Pro – my primary test device for eSIM installation, speed tests and everyday use.

• MacBook Air (15″, M4, 2025) – connected via personal hotspot or tethering with the eSIM to check if the connection is suitable for remote work: video calls, screen sharing, uploads.

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A clear disclaimer: I don't own an Android device. All hands-on results on TechNovice come from the Apple ecosystem. My Android setup guides are based on the official documentation from the manufacturers and are marked accordingly – they are not hands-on tests.

Note regarding VPN usage: When traveling, I usually use NordVPN on public and hotel networks. Where a speed test was performed with an active VPN connection, this is noted in the article – because a VPN can influence the measured speeds.

Raw download numbers only matter if the connection works in practice. Depending on the trip, I also test:

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• Video calls: Google Meet (including screen sharing) and FaceTime via the eSIM connection.

• Hotspot usage: Working on your MacBook via your iPhone's hotspot – just like remote workers do.

• Streaming: Netflix and YouTube via mobile data.

• Navigation and messaging: Google Maps, WhatsApp, iMessage – what travelers really need.

• Activation behavior: How quickly the eSIM connects after landing – even before leaving the aircraft.

My own measurements are snapshots in time. To contextualize them, I use independent coverage data – for example, network coverage maps via nPerf – and clearly identify these as third-party sources with the date they were retrieved. If an eSIM performs poorly because the local network has a coverage gap (as I experienced on a German train line), I also state this: An eSIM cannot create coverage where the local network has none.

• Prices and discount codes in my listings are manually checked at checkout, and each listing displays the date of the last verification. If a code changes, expires, or is only valid for certain plans, I update the listing and the verification date. My regularly updated discount code page documents the current status of each code.

TechNovice is financed through affiliate partnerships, and I disclose this in every relevant article. Three principles apply:

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1. Commissions do not change the testing criteria. Providers are compared using the same methodology – regardless of whether a partnership exists. In my eSIM comparison, for example, Airalo is evaluated using the same criteria as Saily and Holafly, even though TechNovice does not receive a commission from Airalo.

2. Negative results are published. My reviews document connection drops, slow connections, and practical disadvantages – because a review that only shows the best results isn't a review at all.

3. Transparency regarding test conditions: Where possible, I purchase the tested eSIM plans at regular retail prices. If I receive free test credit, early access, or a special agreement from a provider, I disclose this in the corresponding article.

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Using one of my codes will never increase your price. Full details: Transparency page .

eSIM plans, prices, and networks are subject to change. I keep my reviews up to date by:

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• Double-checking prices and codes at checkout and updating the verification date,

• adding additional test locations and test IDs after new trips,

• marking each article with the date of the last update.

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If you find an error in one of my articles, please contact me via the contact page—corrections will be made transparently.

I'm Nico Dudli, founder of TechNovice and the digital agency Heyweb GmbH in St. Gallen, Switzerland. I'm Programme Lead for Digital Technologies and Marketing and a lecturer in digital technologies and AI at BVS St. Gallen, a Swiss higher vocational college (NQF Level 6, equivalent to a Bachelor's degree). My background includes a Master of Advanced Studies in Business Process Engineering, a diploma in Marketing Management, and certifications as a Professional Scrum Master (PSM I) and Product Owner (PSPO I).

I have tested eSIMs and digital tools on my own travels, including in Switzerland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates.

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→ More about me: Author page · LinkedIn profile