Harley Maranan / Android Authority
Although switching carriers isn’t a hard process, it’s one many of us are reluctant to take. Maybe you’ve been with the same carrier for years and are afraid of jumping ship. It’s also possible you could be facing carrier fees or will have to pay off devices before making a move. Either way, you want to be sure what you switch to is better than what you came from. That’s where an eSIM free trial comes in handy.
There are actually quite a few carriers that allow you to try their networks for free, though the length of the trial will vary significantly. Even better, eSIM technology means all you really have to do is download an app and go through a few steps to get started. Let’s jump right in and discuss all the eSIM free trial options available to you. Don’t have eSIM support on your phone? A few of these carriers will send you a physical SIM card instead. Can you test-drive one of the big three carriers for free? Verizon and T-Mobile both offer eSIM free trials to everyday consumers, though sadly, AT&T does not.
If you want to try out AT&T’s network, the easiest way to do it is through a Cricket eSIM trial. Just be aware Cricket won’t have the roaming agreements or the data prioritization you’d get with AT&T directly. In other words, it’ll help give you a rough idea if AT&T works for you, but it won’t be a 100% accurate picture.
As for T-Mobile and Verizon? We’ll run you through how to get started with their free trials next.
T-Mobile free trial: Get three whole months on the T-Mobile network for free
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
T-Mobile’s Network Pass gives you three whole months on T-Mobile’s network with 50GB of data a month. Signing up is super easy; all you need is the T-Mobile app and a phone with eSIM support. Just be aware there are no phone numbers provided for this trial, it’s a data-only experience.
Verizon free trial: 100GB of data and 30 days of access
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Verizon’s offer isn’t quite as generous as T-Mobile’s offer, but you still get 30 days of service with access to the 5G Ultra Wideband network. The trial might be shorter, but you get a bit more. First, there’s 100GB of data. Second, you’ll actually get a temporary phone number you can use to test out calling as well.
Prepaid carriers offer free trials as well
US Mobile free trial: 100 days, but several hoops are required
Thought Verizon was generous? US Mobile gives you 100 days free and uses Verizon’s network. You’ll get 50GB of data and unlimited talk and text during the trial. The only catch with US Mobile is that you have to transfer your number. That is a pretty big catch. Don’t want to deal with that? US Mobile also offers 30 days for 50% off with a new number. That means you can get started for $10 and get 15GB of data.
Google Fi eSIM trial: Try it out for a week and see if you like it
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
The Google Fi eSIM trial is pretty skimpy compared to everything else we’ve seen on this list so far. The trial gives you seven days of unlimited calls, texts, and data (up to 10GB at full speed), as well as hotspot tethering and Fi Wireless’ built-in VPN features. Just be aware a credit card is required for this trial, and you have to be a truly new customer. You are ineligible if you’ve used Fi Wireless in the last eighteen months.
Mint eSIM trial: Get 7-days access, though in very limited form
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
Mint is the most miserly of the free eSIM trials. There are only seven days of access like Fi, but you also get a pretty insignificant amount of access during those seven days: 250MB of data, 250 texts, and 250 minutes. Still, it’s enough to see at least if Mint Mobile is a good match for you and it’s just another way to try out T-Mobile’s network. Need more time to decide? Mint Mobile offers a one-time trial of 3-months of unlimited talk, text, and data for $15.
Cricket Wireless free trial: Try out AT&T’s network for 2 weeks
Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority
There might not be an official AT&T free trial, but the AT&T-owned Cricket is a good way to experience the AT&T network, as we mentioned briefly before. Cricket Wireless gives would-be users 14 days with the service, providing unlimited talk, text, and 3GB of data. This includes access to the LTE and 5G networks.