Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Astound vs BambooSIM
What sets them apart
| Compare |  Astound |  BambooSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Reseller | Mvno |
| Price from | $19.95 | $4.95Lower |
| Reference plan prices | 150 Mbps: $19.95/mo, 150 Mbps, no contract; 1 Gig WiFi: $40/mo, 1000 Mbps, no contract; 1.5 Gig WiFi: $60/mo, 1500 Mbps, no contract | 90d plans · eSIM: 30.00 USD for 90 days (0.33 USD/day), 30GB, prepaid, no contract; Unlimited · eSIM (au KDDI, 10 Mbps): 8.95 USD for 3 days (2.98 USD/day), unlimited data, prepaid, no contract; One-time bundle · eSIM: 10.60 USD for 4 days (2.65 USD/day), 12GB, prepaid, no contract |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | $8.95Lower |
| Wi-Fi calling | YesHas it | No |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price for Life rate locked while service kept; other promos valid 12 mos then regular rates | Pricing may be adjusted with 30 days' notice for existing plans or immediately for new purchases |
| Host network | Not confirmed | Local partner networks, e.g. KDDI (au) and SoftBank in Japan |
| EU roaming | Paid | Not confirmed |
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 200 |
| Credit check required | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Multi-line discount | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Markets | US | Not confirmed |
Same on both: SIM-only (Yes), 5G (Yes), eSIM (Yes), Data rollover (No), Hotspot sharing (Yes).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings.
Key differences
- Astound scores higher overall: 9.5 vs 9.0.
- Price from is lower at BambooSIM: $4.95 vs $19.95.
- Unlimited plan price is lower at BambooSIM: $8.95 vs $30.
- Wi-Fi calling: only Astound.
- Support channels: only Astound offers Phone.
- Support channels: only BambooSIM offers Email.
- Billing: only Astound offers Rolling.
- Billing: only BambooSIM offers Prepaid.
Our verdict on each
Astound
Astound suits US households that want matching download and upload speeds, a low entry price and no contract to be tied into, and the same account can carry mobile lines. Entry pricing starts at $19.95 a month, Gig tiers arrive with Whole Home WiFi included, and the setup fee is $0.
BambooSIM
BambooSIM suits travellers who want a prepaid eSIM on a local network and no contract. Entry pricing starts at $4.95, the Unlimited eSIM plan is priced at $8.95, and every plan runs on local partner networks, so you pay for the trip and nothing renews.
Score breakdown
| Area | Astound | BambooSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherEntry price of $19.95 a month and a setup fee of $0 put cost near the top of the range. | 9.0Entry pricing starts at $4.95, unlimited data sits at $8.95, and every plan is prepaid with no contract. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherNo cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime, and Whole Home WiFi arrives included with Gig plans. | 9.1Prepaid eSIM plans on Local partner networks, e.g. KDDI (au) and SoftBank in Japan, with 5G, eSIM and hotspot sharing available and no contract term. |
Choosing between them
Pick Astound if cost and wi-fi calling matter most.
Pick BambooSIM if price from and unlimited plan price matter most.
Positions in our rankings
| Ranking | Astound | BambooSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Phone plans with eSIM | 15 of 389 | 5 of 389 |
By the numbers
| Fact | Astound | BambooSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19.95 | $4.95 |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | $8.95 |
Also worth a look
ESIMZON has price from at $1, against $19.95 for Astound and $4.95 for BambooSIM.
ESIMZON reviewEvery fact side by side
| Fact | Astound | BambooSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Rolling | Prepaid |
| Contract length | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband | BambooSIM Pty. Ltd. (ABN 29 682 015 489) |
| Headquarters | United States | Australia |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Help centre, Email, Chat |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Astound | BambooSIM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19.95above the median | $4.95below the median | $5 |
| Unlimited plan price | $30above the median | $8.95lowest quarter | $25 |
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 200highest quarter | 100 |
Median across 176 listed providers.
Pros and cons
Astound
Pros
- Download of 5,000 Mbps matches upload of 5,000 Mbps, so sending a large file is as quick as downloading one.
- The setup fee is $0, and it ranks 1 of 86 on that measure, ahead of every other brand compared.
- Service runs on cable and fttp, so one provider can cover a cable street or a fibre to the home street.
Cons
- EU roaming is paid, so European travel is billed separately.
- Data rollover is no, so unused mobile allowance does not carry into the next cycle.
- A credit check is required on the mobile side, which adds a step before a line is active.
BambooSIM
Pros
- Runs on Local partner networks, e.g. KDDI (au) and SoftBank in Japan, so your phone joins a local carrier instead of roaming on a home network
- eSIM is available across the plans, so there is no plastic SIM to collect and no store visit
- 5G is supported and hotspot sharing is available, so a phone can tether a laptop while travelling
Cons
- Data rollover is not available, so unused data is lost when a plan ends
- Wifi calling is not available, which matters where a local partner network has patchy indoor coverage
- Support runs on help centre, email and chat only, with no voice line listed
Who each suits
Astound
Who it suits
- Households in US whose street already has cable or fibre to the home and who want equal download and upload speeds.
- Families adding mobile lines to the same account, where a multi line discount and rolling billing apply.
- Renters and short-stay households, since No cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime.
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers who want a fibre to the home provider and nothing else, because cable and fttp includes cable while Abissnet and Kinetic list fibre to the home alone.
- Homes a wired network does not reach, where EarthLink adds fttp, 5G and satellite options.
- Travellers who expect European roaming to come included, since EU roaming is paid.
BambooSIM
Who it suits
- Travellers buying data before arrival rather than shoppers for a local contract
- People who want an eSIM on a local network instead of roaming on a home SIM
- Readers who prefer prepaid plans with no contract term
Who should look elsewhere
- Anyone who would rather buy from a reseller than an MVNO, since ESIMZON and KnowRoaming are both listed as resellers
- Travellers who need wifi calling, since it is not available here and the alternatives on the shortlist carry a different seller type
- Anyone who expects a quoted rate to stay put, since prices can be adjusted on notice for current subscribers
Current offers
BambooSIM
Current offer
Discount code
Student Beans 15% off a new travel eSIM: 15% off a new travel eSIM purchase
Verified students enrolled in Australia or Singapore, code via Student Beans verification; applies to a new eSIM purchase, not top-ups or replacements; cannot be combined with NEW10 or another discount; one discount per order.
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Astound | BambooSIM |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Yes | No |
Questions about each
Astound
How much does Astound broadband cost a month?+
Plans start at $19.95 a month on the entry tier. The listed lineup then steps up through Gig and multi-Gig WiFi plans, and every plan shown is on no-contract terms, so the monthly figure is the whole commitment. Whole Home WiFi is included with Gig plans rather than sold as an extra.
Is there a setup or installation fee with Astound broadband?+
Setup costs $0 to add, and in this comparison the brand ranks 1 of 86 for setup fee, ahead of every other brand measured on that point. Equipment also counts: Whole Home WiFi is supplied with Gig plans, with the top tier hardware paired to the quickest speeds.
BambooSIM
What does a BambooSIM plan cost at the start?+
Entry pricing starts at $4.95, and the Unlimited eSIM plan is priced at $8.95. Every plan is prepaid with no contract, so there is no introductory rate that quietly renews higher later. What you pay at purchase covers the plan you chose, with the reference plans offered at set data or speed limits.
Is there a contract or an early cancellation fee?+
There is no contract. Billing is prepaid, and the reference plans are all sold as prepaid eSIM plans with no contract term, so there is nothing to cancel and no notice period to serve. You are tied only to the plan you buy, though prices can be adjusted on notice for current subscribers.
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