Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
Astound vs Strong eSIM
Astound vs Strong eSIM: the differences
| Compare |  Astound |  Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Reseller | Mvno |
| Price from | $19.95 | $3.50Lower |
| 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 | 1) Cheapest 30 GB+ 12-month SIM-only: not offered, all plans are prepaid with 7 or 30 day validity and no contract. 2) Cheapest unlimited: Global Unlimited, $14.90 per travel day, unlimited data (2 GB/day at full speed then reduced), per-day prepaid. 3) Cheapest overall: local/regional starter, $3.50, 1 GB, 7 days prepaid. |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | $14.90Lower |
| Host network | Not confirmed | local partner carriers |
| Wi-Fi calling | Yes | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Paid | Not confirmed |
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 197 |
| Mid-contract price rises | Price for Life rate locked while service kept; other promos valid 12 mos then regular rates | Not confirmed |
| 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 8.9.
- Price from is lower at Strong eSIM: $3.50 vs $19.95.
- Unlimited plan price is lower at Strong eSIM: $14.90 vs $30.
- Support channels: only Astound offers Phone.
- Support channels: only Strong eSIM offers Email.
- Billing: only Astound offers Rolling.
- Billing: only Strong eSIM 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.
Strong eSIM
Strong eSIM sells prepaid travel data rather than a monthly phone plan, and it suits anyone who wants a short, pay-as-you-go SIM for one trip instead of a contract. Entry pricing starts at $3.50 for a local or regional starter plan, bought in the destination and used for a fixed stretch of days.
Score breakdown
| Area | Astound | Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.6HigherEntry price of $19.95 a month and a setup fee of $0 put cost near the top of the range. | 8.8Entry at $3.50 and a per travel day unlimited plan at $14.90 cover both short and long trips. |
| Offer | 9.3HigherNo cancellation penalty; change or cancel anytime, and Whole Home WiFi arrives included with Gig plans. | 9.1Prepaid terms throughout, eSIM, fifth generation data, hotspot sharing and 197 countries in one catalogue. |
Availability and regulation
| Country | Astound | Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
By the numbers
| Fact | Astound | Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19.95 | $3.50 |
| Unlimited plan price | $30 | $14.90 |
How they place
| Ranking | Astound | Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Phone plans with eSIM | 15 of 389 | 10 of 389 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Astound | Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Rolling | Prepaid |
| Contract length | 1 | Not confirmed |
| Legal entity | Radiate HoldCo, LLC d/b/a Astound Broadband | StrongeSIM LLC |
| Headquarters | United States | United States |
| Support channels | Phone, Chat, Help centre | Email, Chat, Help centre |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Astound | Strong eSIM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price from | $19.95above the median | $3.50below the median | $5 |
| Unlimited plan price | $30above the median | $14.90below the median | $25 |
| Roaming countries | Not confirmed | 197highest 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.
Strong eSIM
Pros
- Entry at $3.50 buys a prepaid starter plan with no contract term, so a short trip costs little and ends cleanly.
- Coverage runs on local partner carriers across 197 countries, so one eSIM can carry a multi-country itinerary.
- Hotspot sharing and fifth generation data come with the same prepaid plans, so tethering and faster speeds need no add-on.
Cons
- Data rollover is listed as no, so an allowance left unused is gone when a prepaid plan runs out.
- Every plan is prepaid on a short validity, so there is no long contract over which to spread the cost of steady use.
- Support runs on email, chat and help centre, with no phone line listed for problems that need a voice.
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.
Strong eSIM
Who it suits
- Backpackers and short-break travellers who want a prepaid eSIM live in the destination, starting at $3.50.
- Anyone crossing several countries on one trip, with service on local partner carriers across 197 countries.
- People with eSIM-capable handsets who need data and hotspot sharing without signing up to a contract.
Who should look elsewhere
- Travellers who prefer a reseller's own package list can look at ESIMZON, a reseller, rather than an mvno catalogue.
- Long stays with heavy usage are better weighed against KnowRoaming, a reseller, before committing, since Global Unlimited bills $14.90 for each travel day.
- Shoppers who want help by phone, since support runs on email, chat and help centre only.
Current offers
Strong eSIM
Current offer
Discount code
10% off your first plan with code STRONG10: 10% off first plan
Use code STRONG10 when buying the first eSIM plan
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Bonus
New members: 3GB Global Package for $2.99: $2.99 for 3 GB
Exclusive for New Members, store widget, global package
Source, checked September 30, 2026
Country by country
| Country | Astound | Strong eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| 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.
Strong eSIM
What does Strong eSIM cost at the start?+
Entry sits at $3.50 on a prepaid local or regional starter plan with a small data allowance and a short validity. Global Unlimited is $14.90 for each travel day and is also prepaid by the day. Nothing renews on its own, so the cost of a trip is worked out before you buy rather than at renewal.
Is there a monthly or contract plan?+
Every plan is prepaid on a short validity, so there is no monthly bill, no contract term and nothing to cancel. You buy the days you expect to need, and the plan ends when the validity does. Longer stays are handled by taking a fresh plan rather than by setting up a recurring one.
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