Airalo is an eSIM marketplace that provides affordable prepaid data plans for over 190 countries and regions worldwide. 

Founded in 2019, Airalo claims to have served more than 5 million customers to date. It offers eSIM plans that can be easily purchased and installed through its mobile app or website.

It’s an eSIM provider powered by a user-friendly platform and wide network coverage. Users often praise its helpful customer support, competitively priced plans, and reasonable connection speeds across multiple continents. But, a key disadvantage is that most plans are data-only with no voice minutes. That means you need to be online to make calls, using apps like WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, etc.

Airalo: Plans and pricing

Airalo offers a wide range of eSIM plans with competitive pricing that varies based on the destination, data allowance, and validity period. The plans are categorized into local, regional, and global options to cater to different travel needs. Here’s a summary of the most popular ones: 

Airalo's pricing structure is straightforward and transparent, with no hidden fees or contracts. However, purchasing a local SIM can sometimes be a cheaper option in some regions than Airalo. 

Airalo: Features

We were impressed with some of the features that Airalo provides over its competitors, especially the usage-based rewards program. Here’s a look at some things that set it apart:

Airmoney Rewards

Airalo's loyalty program, Airmoney, rewards users with cashback on every new purchase. You can earn up to 5% Airmoney on each transaction, which can be applied to future purchases. This is a great way to save money on data plans, especially for frequent travelers.

Tethering Capabilities

Airalo eSIMs support tethering, allowing you to share your data connection with other devices via hotspots. This can be a lifesaver when you need to connect a device that doesn't have its own cellular data capabilities.

Global Plans

In addition to country-specific eSIMs, Airalo offers regional and global data plans that cover multiple countries. These are perfect for travelers visiting several destinations in a single trip, providing a seamless connectivity solution across borders.

Airalo: Installation

Airalo makes purchasing and activating an eSIM a breeze. The onboarding process is straightforward and user-friendly, with plenty of resources guiding first-time users through the steps.

To get started, simply visit the Airalo website or app, select your destination, and choose a data plan that suits your needs. After creating an account and completing the purchase, you'll receive a QR code for your eSIM.

Installing the eSIM is a snap. Just scan the QR code using your phone's camera and the eSIM will be automatically added to your device.

However, you should check the specific activation policy for the plan that you’re purchasing from Airalo. While some plans activate immediately upon installation, others only start once you arrive at your destination and connect to a supported network.

Airalo: Coverage and speed

Airalo offers extensive coverage in over 190 countries and regions worldwide, partnering with reputable local networks to ensure reliable connectivity for travelers. It provides consistent coverage and good data speeds across various destinations, from popular tourist hubs to more remote areas. Key regions include:

United States

Canada

United Kingdom

Germany

Spain

Saudi Arabia

Oman

Japan

China

Thailand

South Africa

Nigeria

Airalo primarily provides 3G/4G LTE data, with 5G access available in select locations like the US and Europe. While generally sufficient for typical travel needs like navigation and messaging, speeds may not always support high-bandwidth activities like streaming. Some users have also experienced issues with throttling, particularly after exhausting their data allowances on certain plans. 

Compared to other eSIM providers, Airalo's coverage is among the most comprehensive. Its data speeds are competitive, with plans striking a good balance between global coverage and reliable performance.

Airalo: Support

Airalo offers several support channels, including email, in-app chat, and social media. However, they do not provide phone support.

While generally helpful and knowledgeable, the responsiveness of customer support is a mixed bag based on user reviews. Some customers praise the support team for resolving issues quickly via chat or email. But a few others complain about the lack of real-time support options causing wait times of up to 24 hours.

It's also important to note that Airalo's support is available exclusively in English, which could be a limitation for some international users.

Airalo: Final verdict

With its extensive coverage, competitive pricing, and user-friendly platform, Airalo is a strong contender in the eSIM market. It particularly shines for those who frequently visit multiple countries, thanks to its coverage spanning across borders. 

However, those who require a lot of data for streaming or heavy internet usage might find the data allowances on some plans to be insufficient. Additionally, travelers who need reliable voice calling and texting facilities should consider other options.

Overall, if you’re a budget-conscious traveler who prioritizes affordable data connectivity and ease of use, Airalo is a good choice for you. 

Airalo: FAQs

Saily is a new eSIM service launched in 2024 by Nord Security, the company behind the popular NordVPN. It provides affordable mobile data plans for international travelers on both iPhone and Android devices, with coverage in over 150 countries.

As a product backed by the reputable NordVPN brand, Saily benefits from the company's focus on security and privacy. Users praise its easy installation process, affordable pricing, and reliable coverage across the world.

However, limitations exist, such as the lack of regional data plans and the need to use the mobile app for installation and management. As a new player in the eSIM market, Saily doesn’t offer the same breadth of features and country-specific options as more established providers.

Saily: Plans and pricing

Saily offers a straightforward pricing structure for its eSIM plans, with options for both short-term and long-term use. Plans are priced based on the amount of data and the duration of the package, ranging from 1GB to 20GB and 7 to 30 days. Here’s an overview of a few popular plans: 

While some competitors may offer unlimited data plans at higher prices, Saily’s pay-for-what-you-need approach is an attractive choice for budget-conscious travelers. 

Saily: Features

While it doesn’t offer many distinguishing features, Saily always makes it a point to get the basics right. Here are some things that stood out to us during our experience with the eSIM service from NordVPN:

Minimalistic UI

One of Saily's most notable features is the clean UI that makes it easy for first-time eSIM users to navigate the app interface. The app provides straightforward on-screen instructions for purchasing plans and activating the network, ensuring a smooth user experience.

From NordVPN

As a product of Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, Saily benefits from the brand's strong association with privacy and security. However, our review didn’t find any particular security features or add-ons worth talking about.

Local Partnerships

Being a new eSIM provider, Saily is still behind more established players like Airalo or Nomad in terms of country coverage. But, it has built a network of quality partnerships with local telecom networks to provide excellent performance in the countries where it does business. 

Saily: Installation

Saily makes purchasing and activating an eSIM a breeze. The app-driven experience automates the process, allowing users to select a data plan for their destination and complete the transaction within minutes. The onboarding flow is intuitive and user-friendly, even for first-time eSIM users.

After purchasing a plan, Saily provides on-screen instructions for eSIM installation directly within the app. Users simply need to navigate to their device settings, scan the provided QR, and wait a few moments for activation.

One key aspect of Saily's onboarding is the ability to set up the eSIM before departing, ensuring connectivity upon arrival at the destination. This is especially important since Saily requires an active internet connection for eSIM activation. 

Saily: Coverage and speed

Saily offers eSIM coverage in over 150 countries across Europe, America, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. While the company partners with local providers to enhance network availability, the quality of coverage may vary depending on the telecommunications infrastructure in each country. Destinations include:

United States

Thailand

Japan

Malaysia

India

However, users can expect faster data speeds in North American, European, and Asian countries compared to Latin American and African regions. There aren’t any significant network problems, plus Saily offers 3G, 4G, and LTE browsing speeds in most nations.

Compared to other eSIM providers, Saily's coverage is slightly more limited, as competitors like Airalo boast coverage in up to 200 countries. However, Saily's partnerships with local providers help ensure a dependable connection.

Saily: Support

Apart from a detailed knowledge base for customer self-service, Saily offers 24/7 support through its app via live chat. It also provides an email address (support@saily.com) for general inquiries.

While we couldn’t find much information on Saily’s customer support through online reviews, our personal experience with the platform has been positive. It’s also worth noting that since Saily is from the same team that manages NordVPN, users can expect a similar standard for handling customer inquiries.

Saily: Final verdict

With its straightforward pricing structure, extensive coverage in over 150 countries, and commitment to security and privacy, Saily offers a compelling package for budget-conscious globetrotters.

However, it's important to note that Saily may not be the best fit for those seeking the most comprehensive coverage or unlimited data plans. As a new player in the market, Saily's country-specific options and features aren’t as extensive as some more established competitors. Still, it’s a viable option for those who prize simplicity and affordability over the most extensive feature set.

Saily: FAQs