Updated September 29, 2026 ยท NomadCue Editorial Team
BambooSIM vs co:sim
BambooSIM
co:sim
Higher score in this comparison
BambooSIM vs co:sim: the differences
| Compare | BambooSIMReviewVisitVisit | co:simReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.95 | $0.79Lower |
| Countries covered | from 200 | 200 |
| Reference plan prices | Indonesia from $4.95, Thailand from $5.99, South Korea from $5.99, France from $5.95, Europe from $5.95, US from $7.99, Japan from $8.95, UK from $17.99 (all USD, starting prices) | US from $1.99; Europe (41) from $4.99; Japan from $1.99; Thailand from $1.99; Spain from $0.99; Mexico from $2.99; Global (117) from $13.99 |
| Fair use policy | No P2P/BitTorrent, no continuous streaming or oversized file transfers, no routers or proxies for multiple devices (typical Wi-Fi hotspot allowed); all plans prepaid and unused data cannot be carried over or refunded | Daily plans throttled to 512Kbps after daily limit |
| Networks | KDDI (au), SoftBank, AT&T, Verizon, A1 Telekom, Drei, T Mobile, Orange, Vodafone, EE, TelenorCovers more | Verizon, AT&T |
| Top-ups | No | YesHas it |
| 10 GB in Europe | $11.95Lower | $12.99 |
| 10 GB in the US | $15.99Lower | $18.99 |
| 10 GB in Japan | Not confirmed | $14.99 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 days |
Same on both: Unlimited data (Yes), Hotspot sharing (Yes), 5G (Yes), Seller type (Mvno).
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Key differences
- co:sim scores higher overall: 9.3 vs 9.2.
- Price from is lower at co:sim: $0.79 vs $4.95.
- Networks: only BambooSIM offers KDDI (au), SoftBank, A1 Telekom.
- Top-ups: only co:sim.
- 10 GB in Europe is lower at BambooSIM: $11.95 vs $12.99.
- 10 GB in the US is lower at BambooSIM: $15.99 vs $18.99.
- Region: only BambooSIM offers Local.
Our verdict on each
BambooSIM
BambooSIM suits budget travellers who want broad country coverage on a prepaid plan, with prices starting at $4.95 and coverage of from 200 countries. It runs on major networks and offers unlimited data with hotspot sharing.
co:sim
co:sim suits short and long trips that need wide coverage with hotspot sharing and instant activation for data only use. Plans start at $0.79 with coverage across 200 and unlimited data subject to Daily plans throttled to 512Kbps after daily limit. Support includes email chat phone and help centre access.
Score breakdown
| Area | BambooSIM | co:sim |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.2Plans start at $4.95, Europe at $11.95 and the US at $15.99. | 9.2Plans start at $0.79 with a budget model for regional and global travel |
| Offer | 9.2 | 9.3HigherOffer spans regional and global with unlimited data, 5G and hotspot plus hotspot sharing and top ups |
| Trust | Not confirmed | 9.3Operated by Comsand Inc. based in US with support through email, chat and phone |
By the numbers
| Fact | BambooSIM | co:sim |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.95 | $0.79 |
| Countries covered | from 200 | 200 |
| 10 GB in Europe | $11.95 | $12.99 |
| 10 GB in the US | $15.99 | $18.99 |
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | BambooSIM | co:sim |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 6 of 926 | 28 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 6 of 918 | 28 of 918 |
A third option
Trip.com eSIM has price from at $0.080, against $4.95 for BambooSIM and $0.79 for co:sim.
Trip.com eSIM reviewWhat we checked
BambooSIM
- bamboosim.com: 13 facts, checked September 26, 2026
- commissionfactory.com: 6 facts, checked September 26, 2026
co:sim
- cosim.io: 18 facts, checked September 28, 2026
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BambooSIM | co:sim |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Local, Regional, GlobalCovers more | Regional, Global |
| Features | Unlimited data, 5G, Hotspot, Instant activation | Unlimited data, 5G, Hotspot, Instant activation |
| Pricing model | Budget | Budget |
| Audience | Short trip, Long trip | Short trip, Long trip |
| Legal entity | BambooSIM Pty. Ltd. | Not confirmed |
| Headquarters | Australia | Not confirmed |
| Support channels | Help centre, Email, Chat | Not confirmed |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BambooSIM | co:sim | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $4.95above the median | $0.79lowest quarter | $3.97 |
| Countries covered | from 200highest quarter | 200highest quarter | 120 |
| 10 GB in Europe | $11.95below the median | $12.99above the median | $12 |
| 10 GB in the US | $15.99above the median | $18.99highest quarter | $15 |
| 10 GB in Japan | Not confirmed | $14.99below the median | $15 |
| Money-back period | Not confirmed | 30 daysat the median | 30 days |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
BambooSIM
Pros
- Prices start at $4.95, with Europe at $11.95 and the US at $15.99
- Coverage spans from 200 countries, above the site median of 74
- Unlimited data is available, and a typical Wi-Fi hotspot is allowed under the fair use policy
Cons
- Unused data cannot be carried over or refunded, since all plans are prepaid
- Phone is not among help centre, email and chat
co:sim
Pros
- Coverage across 200 with regional and global choice through regional and global
- Plans start at $0.79, below Simsima at $1.50 for entry level comparison
- Hotspot sharing is supported and top ups are available for continued travel use
Cons
- Daily unlimited use is subject to Daily plans throttled to 512Kbps after daily limit, which limits full speed use
- Plan choice centers on regional and global options, which may suit less home market only use
- Service model is tied to mvno access rather than direct carrier billing
Who each suits
BambooSIM
Who it suits
- Travellers on short trips and longer stays who want one prepaid plan
- People wanting a single plan across from 200 countries rather than regional eSIMs
- Travellers who need 5G and hotspot sharing for maps and laptops
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who need a top-up mid-trip, since top-ups are no
- People who want unused data refunded or carried over
- Anyone who needs phone support, since phone is not among help centre, email and chat
co:sim
Who it suits
- Travelers choosing Simsima alternatives for broad eSIM coverage with hotspot sharing
- Travelers comparing USIMS for US network access through Verizon and AT&T
- Travelers comparing GlocalMe who prefer eSIM only use with instant activation
Who should look elsewhere
- Travelers wanting GlocalMe for device based connectivity rather than eSIM only data use
- Travelers wanting Simsima where a different entry price and plan mix fits better
Questions about each
BambooSIM
What does a BambooSIM plan cost?+
Plans start at $4.95. A Europe plan is $11.95 and a United States plan is $15.99. Prices vary by country, and all plans are prepaid, so the amount is set before you travel.
How many countries does BambooSIM cover?+
BambooSIM covers from 200 countries, which is well above the site median of 74. Plans come as local, regional and global options, so a single trip across several countries can sit under one plan.
co:sim
Does co:sim offer unlimited data?+
Yes, unlimited data is available alongside hotspot sharing and access on networks that support 5G use. Daily plans are subject to Daily plans throttled to 512Kbps after daily limit, so speeds reduce after the daily limit is reached. Review plan details before travel to match usage with the fair use terms.
Can data be shared through hotspot use?+
Yes, hotspot sharing is supported for sharing mobile data with laptops and tablets during travel. Availability sits alongside unlimited data, 5G and hotspot, which includes hotspot use and instant activation. Check plan terms before travel to confirm device compatibility and sharing allowances.