Knowroaming
KnowRoaming is a Toronto-based private eSIM provider selling prepaid international mobile data plans across 200+ destinations via its website and mobile apps, serving individual travelers alongside telecom operator white-label partners such as MTN.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Knowroaming does
KnowRoaming is a private eSIM service provider headquartered in Toronto, Canada, founded in 2009, that delivers prepaid international mobile data connectivity to travelers across 200+ destinations through partnerships with 800+ mobile networks. The company operates a digital self-serve platform accessible via its website and native iOS/Android applications, offering both fixed-data plans (1GB–100GB, 1–180 day durations) and unlimited plans with daily high-speed caps — a dual product structure not all major competitors (Airalo, Holafly) match. Its technology stack includes proprietary one-tap "Auto Install" eSIM provisioning, QR-code activation, dual-SIM retention of the user's home number, automatic strongest-network switching, mobile hotspot sharing, and real-time usage monitoring with in-app top-up.
The company generates revenue primarily through one-time prepaid eSIM data plan purchases, supplemented by in-app data top-ups and ancillary revenue from a B2B/white-label channel. Distribution is exclusively digital: its own e-commerce storefront, native mobile apps, an SEO/content-led acquisition engine (eSIM Knowledge Hub blog), an affiliate program (up to 20% commission), a Kreds customer referral/cashback loyalty program, and co-branded distribution through telecom operator partnerships (notably the MTN Travel eSIM launched October 2025) and a Visa cardholder benefits arrangement. Customer segments span frequent international travelers, digital nomads, vacation travelers, and multi-country travelers, with enterprise/B2B demand emerging from telecom operators seeking turnkey eSIM infrastructure.
KnowRoaming carries 15+ years of operating history in travel connectivity, having transitioned from physical SIM-sticker products to current-generation eSIM technology. The firm has 51–100 employees, no disclosed institutional funding rounds, and was bootstrapped into profitability through consumer demand for cheaper alternatives to carrier roaming. Media recognition includes coverage in Business Insider, AP, PCMag, TechRadar, and The Points Guy, alongside a 4.7 customer rating on Trustpilot and Reviews.io. Operationally constrained by local regulations in markets including the UAE (purchase restrictions) and Turkey (access restrictions).
Knowroaming firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Knowroaming
- Legal name
- KnowRoaming
- Website
- https://knowroaming.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- KnowRoaming is a Toronto-based private eSIM provider selling prepaid international mobile data plans across 200+ destinations via its website and mobile apps, serving individual travelers alongside telecom operator white-label partners such as MTN.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Knowroaming industry classification
Industry- Product category
- International Travel eSIM Data Services
- NAICS
- Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services (51712)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SIM/eSIM, Mobile Connectivity & Student Tech Setup (EDAIANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Last-Minute Travel & Hotel Deal Apps (THAKAAAF)
Keywords
Where Knowroaming is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
Knowroaming business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- eSIM Data Plans: KnowRoaming generates revenue primarily through one-time purchase transactions of eSIM data plans. Customers pay upfront for data packages (fixed data allowances or unlimited data) valid for specified durations (1 to 180 days). Plans are prepaid, with no recurring subscription required. Additional revenue comes from data top-ups purchased within the app.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Fixed Data Plans - Pay per unit of data (1GB to 100GB) |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Unlimited Plans - Unlimited data with daily high-speed cap |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Kreds Loyalty Program - 3% to 15% cashback |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
Knowroaming product offering
Product offeringCore offering
KnowRoaming sells prepaid eSIM data plans for international travelers, providing affordable mobile data connectivity across 200+ destinations and 800+ networks without traditional roaming charges. The company offers both fixed data plans (1GB to 100GB) and unlimited plans (with daily high-speed caps), ranging from 1-day to 180-day durations, sold through its website and iOS/Android apps with one-tap auto-install activation. It also enables white-label eSIM distribution for telecom operators such as MTN.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kreds: Loyalty rewards program offering travel credits for referrals and purchases
Products and services
- Country-Specific eSIM Data Plans
Quantifiable outcome
- Save up to 90% on roaming expenses compared to traditional carrier roaming charges
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Knowroaming
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Knowroaming technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Knowroaming partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MTNcoreMTN, a major international telecommunications company, partnered with KnowRoaming to launch the MTN Travel eSIM, providing KnowRoaming-powered instant, borderless mobile connectivity in over 200 destinations worldwide. The service eliminates the need for physical SIM cards and offers flexible, affordable data plans for travelers. This partnership extends KnowRoaming's reach through MTN's existing subscriber base.
- VisaminorKnowRoaming offers exclusive travel eSIM benefits and discounts for Visa cardholders, including special rewards and promotional offers. Visa cardholders also retain access to social apps even when their data runs out through this partnership arrangement.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Knowroaming competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Airalo: Largest direct competitor in the travel eSIM space; offers prepaid data eSIMs across 200+ countries via a self-serve app. Same target customer (international travelers), same prepaid data plan model, and same network-aggregation approach — explicitly named in KnowRoaming's competitive comparisons.
- Saily: eSIM service launched by NordVPN (Nord Security) targeting international travelers with data plans across 150+ destinations. Directly comparable business model, target audience, and self-serve app distribution approach.
- Holafly: Direct eSIM competitor focused on unlimited-data plans for international travelers. Targets the same frequent-traveler and digital-nomad segments and is explicitly cited by KnowRoaming as the unlimited-only counterpart to its own unlimited offerings.
- GigSky: Early-mover eSIM/MVNO provider serving international travelers with mobile data plans. Comparable in target customer (frequent international travelers) and product (data-only eSIM profiles) but with broader enterprise/IoT exposure.
- Airhub: eSIM provider for travelers offering prepaid data plans across 200+ countries with a self-serve mobile app. Same product category, same target segment, and same core value proposition of affordable roaming avoidance.
- Ubigi: Mobile data eSIM provider offering pay-as-you-go and subscription plans for international travelers across 200+ destinations. Operates a similar global aggregator model with carrier partnerships and self-serve activation.
- RedteaGO: eSIM-as-a-service provider offering consumer travel eSIMs alongside a B2B platform for carriers and resellers. Directly comparable technology stack and business model, and explicitly named as a competitor in some market comparisons.
Broad incumbents
- Truphone: Established mobile network operator and eSIM platform provider serving enterprise IoT, consumer travelers, and carrier wholesale customers. Overlapping eSIM/travel connectivity offering but as part of a broader portfolio of telecom services.
- Google Fi Wireless: Google's MVNO offering international data roaming across 200+ destinations as a feature of its mobile plan. Targets the same international-traveler pain point but as part of a full mobile subscription, representing a carrier-style threat to third-party eSIM providers.
Emerging players
- Maya Mobile: Emerging eSIM data provider targeting North American and European travelers with prepaid regional plans. Same prepaid data-only model and traveler focus but at smaller scale than KnowRoaming.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Knowroaming social profiles
Digital presenceKnowroaming financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Knowroaming leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Knowroaming funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Knowroaming M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Knowroaming
What does Knowroaming do?
KnowRoaming sells prepaid eSIM data plans for international travelers, providing affordable mobile data connectivity across 200+ destinations and 800+ networks without traditional roaming charges. The company offers both fixed data plans (1GB to 100GB) and unlimited plans (with daily high-speed caps), ranging from 1-day to 180-day durations, sold through its website and iOS/Android apps with one-tap auto-install activation. It also enables white-label eSIM distribution for telecom operators such as MTN.
Is Knowroaming a public or private company?
Knowroaming is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Knowroaming founded?
Knowroaming was founded in 2009. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Knowroaming based?
Knowroaming is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Knowroaming make money?
One revenue line is on record: eSIM Data Plans.
Who are Knowroaming's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Airalo, Saily, Holafly, GigSky, Airhub, Ubigi and RedteaGO. Broad incumbents are Truphone and Google Fi Wireless. Maya Mobile is listed as an emerging player.
Does Knowroaming have an API?
No public API is recorded for Knowroaming.
What industry is Knowroaming in?
Knowroaming's product category is International Travel eSIM Data Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIANAG, SIM/eSIM, Mobile Connectivity & Student Tech Setup, with a secondary code of THAKAAAF, Last-Minute Travel & Hotel Deal Apps. Its NAICS code is 51712 and its SIC code is 7372.