Updated September 30, 2026 · TariffCue Editorial Team
BambooSIM vs Simbye
Where BambooSIM and Simbye differ
| Compare |  BambooSIM |  Simbye |
|---|---|---|
| Seller type | Mvno | Reseller |
| Host network | Local partner networks, e.g. KDDI (au) and SoftBank in Japan | NTT Docomo, KDDI/au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile (Japan); Orange Holiday Europe (Europe); 700+ partner networks worldwide |
| Price from | $4.95 | €1.95 |
| Reference plan prices | 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 | Japan 1 GB: EUR 1.95, 1 GB, 7 days, prepaid no contract (cheapest plan overall) | Japan Unlimited: EUR 18.95, unlimited, 7 days, prepaid no contract (cheapest unlimited) | Build Your Own eSIM, app only: 5-50 GB, 30-365 days validity, up to 10 countries (12-month, 30 GB+ line, price set in app) |
| Unlimited plan price | $8.95 | €18.95 |
| Roaming countries | 200Higher | 190 |
| Wi-Fi calling | No | Not confirmed |
| EU roaming | Not confirmed | Included |
| Mid-contract price rises | Pricing may be adjusted with 30 days' notice for existing plans or immediately for new purchases | Not confirmed |
| Markets | Not confirmed | CH, GB, PL, TR, US |
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
- BambooSIM scores higher overall: 9.0 vs 8.8.
- Roaming countries is higher at BambooSIM: 200 vs 190.
- Support channels: only BambooSIM offers Help centre.
Our verdict on each
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.
Simbye
Simbye is a prepaid eSIM reseller that suits travellers who want a short single-market data plan instead of a long mobile contract. Its entry plan starts at €1.95, Japan eSIMs run on the major Japanese carriers, and help arrives by chat and email.
Score breakdown
| Area | BambooSIM | Simbye |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 9.0HigherEntry pricing starts at $4.95, unlimited data sits at $8.95, and every plan is prepaid with no contract. | 8.7The entry plan is €1.95 and the unlimited plan is €18.95, with EU roaming included across 190 countries. |
| Offer | 9.1HigherPrepaid 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. | 8.9Entry plan starts at €1.95, close to KnowRoaming at $1.75, while unlimited sits higher at €18.95. |
What we checked
BambooSIM
- bamboosim.com: 17 facts, checked September 30, 2026
Simbye
- simbye.com: 18 facts, checked September 30, 2026
How they place
| Ranking | BambooSIM | Simbye |
|---|---|---|
| Phone plans with eSIM | 5 of 389 | 3 of 389 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | BambooSIM | Simbye |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Prepaid | Prepaid |
| Contract length | Not confirmed | 1, 12 |
| Legal entity | BambooSIM Pty. Ltd. (ABN 29 682 015 489) | Simbye Ltd |
| Headquarters | Australia | United Kingdom |
| Support channels | Help centre, Email, ChatCovers more | Chat, Email |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | BambooSIM | Simbye | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roaming countries | 200highest quarter | 190highest quarter | 100 |
Median across 176 listed providers.
Pros and cons
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
Simbye
Pros
- The entry Japan plan starts at €1.95, close to KnowRoaming at $1.75.
- Roaming reaches 190 countries and EU roaming is included, so a multi-country trip needs no extra regional pack.
- Japan eSIMs ride NTT Docomo, KDDI/au, SoftBank and Rakuten Mobile, with hotspot sharing available on the same plans.
Cons
- Data rollover is not offered, so an unused allowance expires with the plan it was bought for.
- Support runs on chat and email, with no phone line among the listed channels, so a failed install has no voice route.
- Simbye is a reseller, and the carrier you connect to in Japan belongs to a partner rather than to Simbye itself.
Who each suits
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
Simbye
Who it suits
- Travellers landing in Japan who want data on a major Japanese carrier without taking a handset contract.
- People who want to buy and install an eSIM in the app before departure.
- Readers who want a small prepaid top-up for a single market rather than a monthly allowance.
Who should look elsewhere
- co:sim suits anyone who would rather buy from an MVNO, as co:sim is mvno, than from a reseller working on partner networks.
- KnowRoaming fits a reader whose budget is set in dollars, with an entry price of $1.75.
- ESIMZON suits anyone who wants its named partner set, from AT&T and T-Mobile to Verizon, rather than a Japanese carrier mix.
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
Questions about each
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.
Simbye
What does the cheapest Simbye plan cost?+
The entry Japan plan starts at €1.95 as a prepaid plan with no contract, so you buy a set amount of data for a fixed trip rather than a monthly allowance. Unlimited data on the same Japanese coverage comes from the Japan Unlimited plan at €18.95. A Build Your Own eSIM can also be set in the app across several markets.
Is there an unlimited data option and what does it cost?+
The Japan Unlimited plan costs €18.95 and carries uncapped data for a short validity window, on 5G networks with hotspot sharing available. Compared with the entry plan at €1.95, the jump is large, so unlimited makes sense for a stretch of heavy use in Japan and less sense for a brief visit.