Wanderly vs GigSky: Travel eSIM Comparison (2026)
These two solve different problems, and it is worth saying so plainly. GigSky's real advantage is coverage at sea and in the air, where most travel eSIMs have none at all. Wanderly's is finding the cheapest plan for a country once you have landed.
Competitor details may change — check their site for current pricing.
When to choose Wanderly
- ✓Your trip is on land and you want the lowest price for that country
- ✓You want to compare several carriers' plans side by side before buying
- ✓You want plans from $1.99 with no app to install
- ✓You want to pay with card, crypto, or a reloadable wallet balance
When GigSky might fit
- •You're taking a cruise and need data on board, not just in port
- •You want inflight data on one of the airlines GigSky covers
- •You're on an older cellular iPad where GigSky was the built-in option
GigSky is one of the oldest names in the category — it was Apple's first eSIM partner, offered on cellular iPads through Apple SIM from 2015. Its distinctive coverage is maritime and inflight: plans work on more than 200 cruise ships, and an AeroMobile partnership adds inflight data on 19 airlines including Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines and Cathay Pacific.
Related GigSky guides
- Travel connectivity on cruise ships
What actually works at sea, and what the ship's own Wi-Fi really costs.
- Is my phone eSIM compatible?
Check your exact model before booking anything.
- Browse plans by destination
Port-by-port data for the countries on your itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
Does Wanderly work on a cruise ship?
No. Wanderly plans use land-based mobile networks, so they connect in port but not at sea. For onboard data you need a provider with maritime roaming agreements, which is exactly what GigSky specialises in.
What's the best GigSky alternative?
For ordinary country travel, most travel eSIMs will undercut GigSky on price, and a marketplace like Wanderly lets you check several at once. For cruise or inflight coverage there is no straightforward alternative — that is genuinely GigSky's niche.
Is GigSky still connected to Apple?
GigSky was Apple's first eSIM partner and was offered on cellular iPads via Apple SIM. Apple has since moved away from Apple SIM, so on current devices GigSky is a normal third-party eSIM you install yourself.
Can I use both on one trip?
Yes, and for a cruise it's a sensible combination: GigSky for the sea days, a cheaper country plan for the ports. Most recent iPhones and Pixels store multiple eSIM profiles and keep two active at once.
Ready to try Wanderly?
Instant eSIM activation in 200+ countries. Plans from $1.99.