Let’s face it.
eSIMs have changed the game for travelers.
No more airport kiosks.
No more fumbling with paper clips to swap SIM cards.
No more paying $15 for a single gigabyte of data just because you’re too tired to argue with a sim card store clerk after a red-eye flight.
But even with all that progress, there’s still one scenario that still drives me iffy.
Your eSIM plan expires the night before your flight home, and now you’re wondering if it’s worth buying another full-day pass just to check in and order an Uber.
Or worse, you’ve got a short layover in a different country, and your only options are either go offline or pay full price for a 5-hour stopover.
That’s where Firsty comes in.
It’s Dutch startup that figured out a clever workaround: give people free global data in over 160 countries, supported by short ads.
Yes, you heard that right. FREE data, globally.
It’s a freemium eSIM that actually makes sense—especially for moments when you just need something to get online, not a full-blown data plan.
Let’s dive into how it works, and why it might be your new favorite travel hack.
What Is Firsty?
Firsty is a global eSIM that gives you access to mobile data in 160+ countries. (view full list of countries here)
At its core, it’s a freemium service.
- Firsty Free gives you basic data at no cost, in exchange for watching a short ad.
- Comfort+ and First Class are paid tiers that unlock faster speeds and premium features, like hotspot tethering and high-speed streaming.
Once installed, the Firsty eSIM stays active across borders.
Whether you’re bouncing between Bali, Bangkok, and Berlin, it’s there when you need it.
No top-ups at 7-eleven.
No language barrier.
No nonsense.
Firsty Free: Free Internet, No Strings (Well, Just Some Ads)
This is where Firsty sets itself apart.
Firsty Free gives you basic internet access in over 160 countries—completely free, just by watching a short ad. That’s it.
Open the app, watch a 15–60 second video, and you’ll unlock about 30 minutes of connection.
But here’s the best part:
You can now stack up to 6 hours of free data in advance.
No more watching an ad every 30 minutes like some digital hamster.
Just binge watch some ads, and you’re good for quarter of the day.
You’re not getting blazing speeds here (think 0.08 Mbps download, 0.07 Mbps upload), but it’s more than enough for:
- Sending messages on instant messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram
- Checking emails
- Using Google Maps (minus real-time traffic info)
- Making voice calls
- Ordering an Uber (which, fun fact, gets premium speed access even on the free plan thanks to Firsty’s partnership)
I tested it out myself.
Slow? Yes. Functional? Also yes.
I could message friends, navigate on Google Maps, and even stream a bit of Spotify (with some buffering).
Just don’t expect to scroll Tiktok or stream YouTube.
If you’re trying to watch Netflix shows, you’ll be watching loading screens instead.
One feature I appreciated?
It sends you a reminder before your free time runs out, so you’re not suddenly disconnected mid-conversation or while navigating a new city.
For those short layovers, arrival days, or moments when you’re stranded without Wi-Fi, Firsty Free is a lifesaver.
While this speed may not be enough for most travelers,
It can be ideal for elderly people, travelers in transit, or even for kids whose parents don’t want to give them a full cell phone plan yet.
Comfort+ vs. First Class: When Free Isn’t Enough
If you’ve got real stuff to do or just want to avoid throttled speeds,
Firsty offers two paid plans: Comfort+ and First Class.
Both give you fast, unlimited data, with a few key differences in speed, price, and perks.
Let’s break it down.
Comfort+: Unlimited Data for Casual Travelers
REGULAR:
- €1/day
- 512MB/day of faster speed
ULTRA:
- €2.50/day
- 2GB/day of faster speed
The speed was quite decent, at about 115 Mbps download and 17.7 Mbps upload.
While this is a great option to have in case you need faster speed,
I personally don’t find this compelling.
I might consider purchasing it for a day or two for convenience, but if I’m traveling for a week or longer, I’m confident I can find a better plan.
For example, Lycamobile in the UK offers a 30 day plan for 5GBP only, which even supports calls and texts.
One suggestion I’d personally like to offer them, since they can already control the speed, is to consider adding a feature to toggle on/off faster speed.
This way, your faster speed data minutes would only be deducted while you have the faster speed toggled on.
And you’d toggle off faster speed while you’re in Wi-Fi connected environment or while sleeping at night.
Final Thoughts: Is Firsty eSim the Real Deal?
In my opinion, Firsty eSim is a GREAT back up eSim to have.
This one SIM works in over 70 countries, so you don’t have to go through the hassle of installing a new SIM in every country.
The free plan offers enough speed to check emails, send messages, make voice calls, and navigate on Google Maps.
It gives me peace of mind knowing I will always have some sort of connection at NO COST, with the option to pay for faster speeds in case of an emergency.
I sincerely appreciate Firsty for bringing this idea to the table and I highly recommend giving it a try.
Written by
Jason
Jason is a Toronto-based points-and-miles writer who sleeps in hostels and redeems for suites — honest, frugal, lightly funny.
