HelloRoam review

HelloRoam lists plans from $1.03, and top ups mean you do not have to buy a large allowance up front. Reference pack prices differ by country: $12.74 in Germany, $15.99 in Japan and $16.41 in the US.

Unlimited data is offered, but a fair use policy applies: full speed up to a daily threshold, then reduced speeds after that. Hotspot sharing is included too, so a laptop can share the connection. Unlimited plans are common in this category, at 57.2%.

Coverage runs across 185 countries, offered as regional and global plans. The network list is broad, spanning names such as Verizon, AT&T, NTT docomo, Rakuten Mobile, O2, Vodafone and T-Mobile, so most major carriers appear on at least one destination page.

HelloRoam runs as a marketplace seller, and instant activation sits among the plan features. The company behind the service is Future Syncs Limited, based in the United Kingdom, and you manage the plan and top ups in the same place.

Support runs through email, chat and help centre. That covers email, chat and a help centre, which handles most questions about plans, top ups and activation, though the connection itself is delivered by the network partner.

It suits travellers on long trips and multi country routes, since short trip and long trip covers both short and long trips. Budget buyers are a good fit too, given the budget model and available top ups, and hotspot sharing works on the same plan you use on the phone.

HelloRoam starts at $1.03, which puts it near the top of the field on entry price at rank 10 of 313. On price per GB the site median is €1.50, so compare carefully if the data allowance is what you are buying.