In the market for an eSIM and wondering if Saily is the right choice for your next trip abroad? Well, wonder no more.
This in-depth Saily review explains what Saily is, weighs its pros and cons, and compares it to other eSIM providers.
Whether you’re a casual tourist or a full-fledged digital nomad, this guide will help you decide if Saily is the best eSIM for your international adventures.
What is Saily?
Saily is a local eSIM (embedded SIM) provider that lets you download a mobile data plan directly onto your device without a physical SIM card. You can use Saily to get a hassle-free internet connection while traveling. With an eSIM, there’s no need to get any new hardware or hunt for local plans in a foreign country.
Saily stands apart from other eSIMs thanks to the following key features:
- Auto-activation: Saily’s eSIM plans activate automatically when you reach your destination or after 30 days of purchase, whichever comes first. There’s no need to dig through menus or alter any settings — just a few taps, and you’ve got mobile data;
- Virtual location: Saily lets you re-route your traffic through a remote server, so it looks like you’re connecting from a different location. As a result, you get more online privacy;
- Ad blocker: the ad blocking feature prevents unwanted or malicious ads from loading, reducing data usage and improving the browsing experience;
- Web protection: shields your devices from various threats by blocking suspicious links. Turn it on, and your risk of phishing, data theft, and malware infections will go way down.
How does Saily work?
Saily takes the idea of an eSIM one step further by offering a user-friendly interface for managing your whole data plan.
When you get the Saily app and activate a plan, your phone or tablet securely downloads a digital SIM profile from a special remote server managed by your mobile carrier. This profile is sent over the internet and installed directly into your device’s built-in eSIM chip. Once that’s done, your device connects to the mobile network like it would with a traditional SIM card.
Not only are eSIMs like Saily fast and simple, but they can also store multiple mobile profiles at once and be updated remotely.
Saily pros and cons
Below is a quick overview of Saily’s key advantages and drawbacks:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offers eSIMs in over 200 countries | Only provides mobile data (texts and calls aren’t supported) |
| Includes fully prepaid data plans without a contract or hidden fees | Wipes any leftover data after your plan expires |
| Requires only one eSIM for all destinations included in the app | Lacks cost-effective plans for long-term use (most plans are valid for 30 days or fewer) |
| Activates in seconds | |
| Has unlimited plans for popular destinations | |
| Comes with security features like ad blocking, virtual locations, and web protection | |
| Grants you unlimited hotspot usage | |
| Boasts 24/7 customer support via email and a help center | |
| Lets users request refunds |
Overall, Saily shines for short trips and multi-country itineraries, and it’s a smart choice for anyone seeking a convenient and reliable app.
Saily plans
Saily’s eSIM plans vary by destination and data amount, but they’re all fully prepaid. Choose the country you’re heading to, and you’ll instantly see all available plans and the price for each.
Plans start at 1 GB for most destinations. These basic packages are valid for seven days, but larger data plans stay active for longer. Larger plans go up to 20 GB and last for 30 days. Unlimited plans are also available for several top destinations.
Thinking about traveling to more than one country? Saily also offers regional packages. Choose one of these, and you won’t have to buy or activate a new plan whenever you enter other countries. A global option is even available.
Saily pricing
Saily’s prices don’t have any hidden fees or automatic renewals attached to them — the price you see in the app is what you pay.
Introductory 1 GB plans start at $1.99 for destinations such as Bulgaria, Czechia, and Mayotte. More exotic locales like Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have more expensive plans starting at $59.99. For most locations, however, you’ll see starting prices around $3.99. This includes the United States, Australia, Japan, Brazil, and most EU countries.
Saily is generally priced competitively compared to other eSIM providers like Airalo and Holafly.
Depending on your destination and data needs, Saily may be the cheapest eSIM for your trip.
Saily coverage
Saily offers data plans for over 200 destinations, just like most other eSIM apps.
Not sure if the countries you plan on visiting are covered? You can leave the guesswork at home and quickly search through all Saily destinations on the Saily app or website.
Saily also makes switching destinations within the app easy, so you don’t need to reinstall a new eSIM whenever you change locations.
Saily speed
For most users, choosing an eSIM comes down to speed.
Users expect to get the same fast internet connection they’re used to at home. Does Saily provide this? In most cases, yes.
Third-party reviews found that Saily consistently offers reliable connections and fast data speeds in most regions. However, remember that Saily (or any other eSIM) doesn’t manage your cell network, so things like your local carrier or signal strength can also impact your connection quality wherever you go.
Setting up Saily
One of Saily’s biggest advantages is its simple setup. Here’s how to get the Saily eSIM app up and running:
- Download the Saily app
Head to the App Store or Google Play, install the free Saily app, and sign up.
- Choose your destination and plan
With the Saily app open, tap Add data and choose your destination country/region and data plan. Navigate through checkout and finalize your payment. You’ll get a confirmation email with a QR code.
- Install your eSIM
Return to the Saily app on your device and follow the on-screen instructions to install your eSIM.
- Activate your eSIM data plan
Your plan automatically activates once you reach your destination or 30 days after purchase.
Saily customer support
Tech experts often point to Saily’s 24/7 live chat support as one of its biggest assets.
Not only is Saily’s customer service responsive, but it can also be easily accessed inside the Saily app. Just tap the Help icon, choose the type of issue you’re having, and tap Contact support to get in touch with their support team.
For self-service, a comprehensive help center is also available.
How does Saily compare with other eSIM providers?
Here’s a look at how Saily eSIM stacks up to other leading providers:
How do leading eSIM apps compare in terms of price? As an example, you can see their starting data plans for the United States below:
As you can see, if you’re looking to get a full gigabyte of data to use over the course of a week, Saily is the most affordable option.
Verdict: Is Saily worth it?
Saily is a convenient, user-friendly eSIM provider whose plans offer a great value for most users. If you’re looking for a tool with easy setup, widespread coverage, and added security features, Saily is worth checking out.
Whether you’re living the digital nomad life, attending a business conference, or just exploring a new country, Saily offers an attractive alternative to traditional mobile data plans.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saily eSIM legit?
Yes, Saily is a legitimate eSIM provider built by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. It offers secure, reliable, and user-friendly mobile data services for individuals traveling to different countries. In particular, users have praised its affordability, ease of setup, and consistent coverage across multiple countries.
Is Saily better than Airalo?
Saily and Airalo are both reputable eSIM providers with their own distinct advantages. While Saily is generally more cost-effective than Airalo, Airalo provides a wider range of plans, including some that offer phone calls and texting. Both boast coverage in over 200 countries, so finding the better choice for you depends on your needs and preferences.
Does Saily allow phone calls?
No, Saily’s doesn’t support phone calls like traditional cellular service — its eSIM plans are data-only. However, you can use internet-based communication apps like WhatsApp or FaceTime on Saily to access services similar to traditional phone calls and text messaging.
Does Saily offer unlimited data?
Yes, Saily has unlimited data plans available in 37 destinations, including the USA, France, Italy, Japan, and Thailand. An unlimited data plan for most of Europe is offered as well.
What devices is Saily compatible with?
Saily is compatible with most smartphones along with a number of tablets, smartwatches, and even laptops. Compatibility usually has nothing to do with Saily itself — it’s more a question of whether or not a given device is eSIM-compatible.
Don’t worry about researching eSIM support — you can check your eSIM compatibility directly from Saily.
