The Internet of Things (IoT) continues to revolutionize industries by enabling smart, connected devices across borders. However, one of the major challenges for developers and makers is the logistics of embedding connectivity—particularly the complexity of sourcing, managing, and swapping local physical SIM cards in global deployments. That’s where eSIM (Embedded SIM) technology steps in as a powerful enabler, especially for prototyping and scaling IoT products. With remote provisioning and global coverage, eSIMs solve a critical piece of the puzzle for modern IoT initiatives.
TLDR: eSIMs are rapidly becoming the go-to solution for IoT makers who want to avoid the hassle of dealing with local SIM cards when deploying products globally. These embedded solutions allow remote SIM provisioning and switchable networks, making global-scale prototyping and deployment much easier. In this guide, we explore seven of the most trusted eSIM tools used by makers. These platforms support fast prototyping, remote management, and seamless global connectivity.
Top 7 eSIM Tools For IoT Prototypes That Makers Use
1. Hologram
Hologram is one of the most widely adopted eSIM platforms that caters specifically to IoT development. The company provides global cellular connectivity and supports eSIM provisioning through its core platform—offering developers a simplified connectivity experience for devices deployed worldwide.
- Coverage: Over 200 countries and 550+ networks.
- Developer-friendly API: Easily manage SIM states, data usage, and automate deployments.
- Flexible pricing: Supports pay-as-you-go and custom plans for scaling OEMs.
- SIM type: Physical SIM or eUICC-based eSIM.
Hologram also provides a user-friendly dashboard where developers can control each device’s data plan and monitor real-time usage, making it ideal for iterative prototyping and scaling.
2. Truphone for Things
Truphone is a pioneer in eSIM technology and has extensive partnerships with hardware vendors, which adds to its appeal among IoT makers. Their platform offers programmatic access to eSIM profiling, connectivity controls, and cloud integrations.
- eSIM provisioning: Utilizes GSMA-compliant remote SIM provisioning architecture.
- Real-time diagnostics: Excellent analytics and SIM health monitoring tools.
- Developer SDK: Embedded in Raspberry Pi OS and Arduino integrations.
- Modular plans: Pricing that scales with prototype volume and device number.
This platform is a favorite among developers who need a balance of deep control and turnkey cloud-based provisioning.
3. Twilio Super SIM
Twilio’s Super SIM is part of its broader IoT platform, giving developers granular control of network behavior and access to a global pool of Tier-1 mobile networks. Designed with developers in mind, the Super SIM integrates easily into coding workflows and offers robust data delivery standards.
- Global access: 400+ networks in 180+ countries.
- Twilio Console: Enables simple activation and diagnostics interface.
- Built-in redundancy: Multi-carrier roaming for reliability.
- eUICC enabled: Perfect for embedded prototypes needing long-term flexibility.
For developers already using Twilio’s communication APIs or cloud functions, Super SIM offers tight integration and a smooth workflow from test to deployment.
4. 1NCE
1NCE is known for its affordable, flat-rate IoT data plan. This makes it incredibly attractive for startups and makers working on budget-sensitive prototypes. The platform includes an eSIM option and is tailored to serve low-bandwidth IoT devices.
- One-time fee: €10 for 10 years of 500MB data and 250 SMS.
- NB-IoT and LTE-M support: Ideal for low-power, wide-area networks.
- eSIM support: Compatible with many MCU-based dev boards.
- Management platform: Monitor and control every SIM from a central dashboard.
This economical yet powerful offering is excellent for early-stage product validations that need persistent yet low-cost connectivity.
5. Airalo for Developers
While widely used for travel and personal mobile data use, Airalo has introduced a new eSIM management system for developers looking to explore lightweight IoT applications. Although not as robust as industrial-grade platforms, it allows quick local testing on real-world mobile networks.
- Simple interface: Instant access to eSIM plans by region or country.
- Flexible deployments: Choose plans that match test locations.
- Quick provisioning: eSIM QR activation within minutes.
This platform is excellent for developers trying to validate connectivity scenarios across various countries without bulky contracts or hardware swaps.
6. Kigen
Kigen is a specialist in eSIM and iSIM provisioning, offering deep integration compatibility with secure elements and microcontrollers. Backed by Arm, Kigen supports more advanced security requirements and is often chosen for industrial IoT deployments and mission-critical prototypes.
- GSMA SAS certifications: High trust and security compliance.
- iSIM support: Embedded directly into device silicon, eliminating separate chips.
- Ecosystem partnerships: Compatible with STMicroelectronics, MediaTek, and more.
For complex or highly regulated prototypes such as in automotive or medical IoT, Kigen offers the robust provisioning infrastructure needed for secure and scalable deployments.
7. Soracom
Soracom provides full-edge-to-cloud IoT connectivity services, and its eSIM solutions are backed by developer-first tools and global roaming. Its cellular network virtualization platform allows you to manage private routing and even control sessions at a packet level.
- Over-the-air provisioning: Activate devices remotely across regions.
- Developer console: View logs, sessions, and bandwidth usage.
- Amazon Web Services integration: Built-in support for AWS IoT Core.
Soracom shines for developers who need deep network control as part of a larger systems engineering solution, especially for connecting fleets of devices in smart city applications or remote sensing nodes.
Key Benefits of Using eSIM for IoT Prototypes
Switching from traditional SIM cards to eSIM brings several advantages for IoT makers and startups:
- Remote provisioning: No need to physically change SIM cards when moving between countries or operators.
- Smaller IoT designs: Remove the physical SIM tray to produce more compact hardware.
- Global coverage: Access to multiple mobile operators in one SIM profile.
- Scalability: Easier management of thousands of IoT devices through web dashboards and APIs.
Conclusion
eSIM technology is reshaping how IoT prototypes are built and deployed across the globe. Developers and makers no longer need to worry about the logistics of managing local SIM cards or complex MNO contracts. The tools outlined above not only simplify global connectivity but also empower innovators to launch, iterate, and scale their products with unprecedented speed and security. Whether you’re just starting or preparing for large-scale deployment, choosing the right eSIM platform is a critical step in your IoT journey.
FAQ
Q: What is an eSIM, and how is it different from a regular SIM?
A: An eSIM (Embedded SIM) is a rewritable digital SIM embedded into a device, allowing remote provisioning of mobile network profiles without needing a physical SIM card.
Q: Can I use eSIMs in low-power IoT devices?
A: Yes, many platforms support low-power protocols like NB-IoT and LTE-M that work well with constrained devices using eSIMs.
Q: Are eSIMs compatible with all IoT hardware?
A: eSIM compatibility depends on whether the device supports eUICC (embedded Universal Integrated Circuit Card) and remote provisioning. Many modern dev boards and modules now include this capability.
Q: How does provisioning work with eSIMs
