The question every family trip runs into
If you are travelling as a family or group, the maths around connectivity changes completely from what works for a solo traveller. A single eSIM data plan makes genuine sense for one person — but if everyone in your party has a phone, and someone also has a tablet for the kids, the cost of buying individual eSIMs for each device adds up considerably faster than most people expect before they actually price it out.
Where portable WiFi genuinely wins
A portable WiFi device (sometimes called a MiFi) creates a single WiFi hotspot that multiple devices connect to simultaneously — typically 5 to 10 devices depending on the specific model you rent. For a family of four, this usually works out meaningfully cheaper than four separate eSIM plans, since you are paying for one shared data allowance rather than several individual ones stacked together.
It also sidesteps any eSIM compatibility questions entirely, which is a genuine practical advantage. It does not matter whether grandad's older phone or the kids' hand-me-down tablet supports eSIM at all — if it can connect to WiFi, which almost every device manufactured in the last decade can, it works with a portable WiFi hotspot without any further checking needed.
Where eSIM still wins
If you are travelling solo, or your group only has one or two devices that actually need data, individual eSIMs are usually simpler and just as cost-effective as a shared WiFi device, without the added step of managing a physical rental item.
eSIM also has a genuine edge if you specifically need a working phone number abroad — some eSIM and physical SIM plans include this as standard, whereas portable WiFi is data-only. With portable WiFi, calls would need to go through WiFi calling or a messaging app like WhatsApp instead, which works well for most people but is worth knowing about in advance rather than discovering once you've landed.
The logistics difference worth knowing about upfront
There is also a genuine logistics difference between the two options that's easy to overlook when comparing purely on price. A portable WiFi device is a physical item that needs to be delivered before your trip and posted back afterwards, requiring you to plan ahead by at least a few days and remember to return it on schedule to avoid additional charges.
An eSIM, in contrast, simply activates digitally via QR code and expires on its own at the end of your plan period — no returns needed, no physical item to keep track of or lose during your trip, and no risk of a late-return fee if your travel plans shift.
Battery and charging considerations
One practical detail worth factoring in: a portable WiFi device needs its own charge throughout your trip, adding one more thing to remember to charge overnight alongside your phones. Most modern devices offer a full day or more of battery life on a single charge, but this is a genuine additional consideration compared to an eSIM, which draws only on your phone's own battery.
A simple way to decide
Travelling alone or as a pair, and you need a number for calls: an eSIM is the simpler, more self-contained choice for your trip.
Travelling as a family or group of three or more, and you mainly need data: portable WiFi is very likely the more cost-effective option, and it removes any worry about whether every single device in your group actually supports eSIM before you leave.
Comparing eSIM providers too?
If an eSIM ends up being the better fit for your trip, see our KnowRoaming vs WorldSIM comparison — and check our eSIM compatibility guide first if you are not sure every device in your group actually supports it.
Compare eSIM and WiFi rental options →
Frequently asked questions
Heading abroad soon?
Compare travel SIMs now →