If you are choosing connectivity for a security camera, trail camera, GPS tracker, or other IoT device in the USA, three options come up again and again: a data-only physical SIM, an eSIM, or a regular phone plan. Each works differently, and the right choice depends on your device and how you plan to use it.
Data-only SIM vs eSIM vs phone plan: the short answer
| Data-only physical SIM (RelaxedSIM) | eSIM | Regular phone plan | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device support | Any unlocked device with a SIM slot — phones, cameras, hotspots, trackers | Only eSIM-compatible devices (mostly recent phones/tablets) | Usually phones only |
| Activation | None — insert and connect | Requires an eSIM-compatible device and app/QR setup | Requires contract, SIM or eSIM, and account setup |
| Calls and SMS | No (data only) | Usually optional | Yes |
| Commitment | None — prepaid, per plan | Varies by provider | Often monthly or annual contract |
| Best for | Cameras, hotspots, GPS trackers, phones, and mixed IoT devices | Travelers with recent eSIM phones/tablets | Everyday phone use with calls |
What is an eSIM for data only?
An eSIM is a data plan that is downloaded to a compatible phone or tablet instead of being inserted as a physical card. “Data only” means the plan carries mobile data but no phone number for calls or SMS. eSIM data plans are convenient for travel on a recent iPhone or Android handset, but they cannot be used in a device that has no eSIM support — which includes almost every security camera, trail camera, GPS tracker and 4G router. Those devices need a physical data-only SIM.
Why cameras and IoT devices usually need a physical SIM
Most security cameras, trail cameras, hunting cameras, 4G routers, and GPS trackers sold today do not support eSIM. They accept a physical nano/micro/standard SIM only. If the device has no eSIM slot, an eSIM plan simply will not work — you need a data-only physical SIM like the RelaxedSIM USA SIMs.
Truphone and other eSIM alternatives: what to check
If you are comparing a Truphone (now 1GLOBAL) data plan or another eSIM provider with a physical SIM, the deciding question is the device. Check three things before you buy: does your device accept eSIM at all, will the plan roam on the US networks you need, and how do you top it up when the data runs out. A physical pre-activated SIM answers all three without an app, a QR code or a compatibility list — which is why cameras, trackers and routers are still shipped with a SIM slot.
What to check before you buy
- Does the device have a SIM slot? If yes, check the SIM size — see which SIM size fits your device (RelaxedSIM ships 3-in-1: nano, micro, standard).
- Is the device unlocked? Carrier-locked devices may reject another provider’s SIM.
- Does the plan include activation? RelaxedSIM SIMs are pre-activated — insert, power on, and they connect.
- Do you need calls or SMS? If yes, a data-only SIM is not the right product; RelaxedSIM SIMs are data-only.
What every RelaxedSIM USA plan includes
Every RelaxedSIM data SIM starts with a free 100MB/7-day trial on first connection, then runs on the AT&T, T-Mobile, or Verizon networks with no contracts. Plans range from a 100MB trial to 24GB/360 days. Data-only service keeps it simple: no activation, no credit check, no carrier lock. See our how data plans work guide for details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an eSIM in a Reolink or trail camera?
Most Reolink 4G cameras and trail cameras use a physical SIM slot and do not support eSIM. Check your model’s manual; if it has no eSIM option, use a data-only physical SIM.
Is a data-only SIM cheaper than a phone plan?
For cameras and IoT devices, yes: you pay only for data on a prepaid plan with no line fee, no contract, and no monthly commitment.
Does RelaxedSIM work in phones too?
Yes, in unlocked phones that accept a physical SIM — see our setup guides for an unlocked iPhone and for Android phones. The SIM is data-only, so it is best as a secondary data SIM for a phone, hotspot, or tablet.
Which RelaxedSIM plan should I start with?
Start with the 100MB/7-day trial SIM to test coverage and compatibility, then move up to 3GB/30 days, 6GB/90 days, 12GB/180 days, or 24GB/360 days.
Can I use a Visible SIM card, US Mobile SIM card, Consumer Cellular SIM card, or Total Wireless SIM card in a camera?
Visible SIM cards, US Mobile SIM cards, Consumer Cellular SIM cards, and Total Wireless SIM cards are phone-focused prepaid plans sold by those brands. Some work in phones or hotspots, but they are not designed as data-only SIMs for cameras and IoT devices and may not support the same APN and device profiles. For cameras and GPS trackers, use a data-only prepaid SIM card such as the RelaxedSIM USA SIMs instead.