Saily vs. Airalo: what’s the best travel eSIM in 2025?

eSIMs — or embedded SIM cards — allow travelers to access mobile data without needing to physically swap SIM cards. This means no airport kiosk visits or fiddling with ejector tools, making international connectivity as simple as downloading an app.

According to user discussions on platforms like Reddit and TripAdvisor, Saily and Airalo have become two of the most popular travel eSIM providers in the market. While both services focus on improving connectivity during international travel, they take different approaches to pricing, coverage, and user experience.

Pricing and plan options

Saily and Airalo both offer local, regional, and global plans, but their pricing approaches and data options cater to different types of users. 

Apple Store reviews frequently highlight Saily’s flat-rate pricing and minimalistic approach, positioning it as a convenient option for travelers seeking simplicity over granular control.

Conversely, Airalo’s extensive plan variety and country-specific options are praised by users who appreciate having detailed control over their connectivity choices, making it appealing to travelers who want to optimize costs and coverage for specific destinations rather than accept one-size-fits-all solutions.

Regional pricing comparison

To understand the real-world cost differences, we analyzed pricing across popular travel destinations for equivalent 7-day, 1GB plans:

Note: The prices listed are in USD and were verified on May 28, 2025. Please be advised that pricing is subject to change due to currency fluctuations or limited-time offers.

These numbers show Saily’s consistent slight price advantage across major destinations, though the differences are fairly small. More important are the plan duration options each provider offers:

Plan duration flexibility:

• Saily: 7, 15, 30, or 365 days
• Airalo: 1 to 180 days with more granular options

For short-term travelers staying a week or less, both services provide adequate coverage at competitive rates. However, Saily’s unique 365-day global plan stands out for digital nomads or frequent travelers who need year-round coverage without the hassle of constant renewals.

Payment methods and flexibility

The way you pay for your eSIM might seem like a small detail, but payment method support can matter depending on your preferred financial tools and security preferences.

Airalo’s PayPal support provides an extra layer of buyer protection that some users appreciate, especially when making larger purchases for extended travel periods. This payment flexibility can be helpful for travelers who prefer not to expose their primary credit cards to international transactions.

Refund policies and customer protection

Understanding what happens when things go wrong is important when buying travel services. Both providers offer refund policies, but the execution varies significantly:

• Saily provides refunds when eSIMs fail to work properly, provided customers contact support promptly. However, they emphasize that refunds become more complicated once data usage begins, which is standard industry practice. Users report positive refund experiences, with one Reddit reviewer noting quick resolution and full refund when their eSIM didn’t activate properly;
• Airalo also offers refunds for non-functional eSIMs, but user experiences suggest a more complex process. According to Reddit users and reviews on platforms like TravelMassive, some customers report needing multiple follow-ups with Airalo support to resolve refund requests, creating potential frustration during travel.

For risk-averse travelers, starting with smaller data packages lets you test service quality before committing to larger plans, regardless of which provider you choose.

Data management and plan renewal options

A slow or convoluted renewal process can negatively impact your experience with a service, especially when disrupting your travel.

• Saily currently doesn’t offer auto-renewing plans but makes up for this with the ability to reuse the same eSIM profile for new plan purchases — a feature that makes things easier for frequent travelers who prefer manual control over their spending;
• Airalo takes a different approach by supporting top-ups for some plans, especially their regional and global offerings. This means you can add more data to your existing plan without installing a new eSIM profile, which can be more convenient during travel when you need quick data boosts.

Coverage, speed, and real-life performance

An affordable eSIM only delivers value if it provides reliable performance in your destination country. Coverage quality and connection speed ultimately determine your travel experience.

Geographic coverage scope

The breadth of coverage shows one of the biggest differences between these providers:

• Saily operates in over 150 countries with a focus on popular travel destinations;
• Airalo claims coverage in over 200 countries and regions, including many remote and less common destinations.

For travelers visiting popular destinations like the United States, Europe, Southeast Asia, or Australia, both services provide good coverage. However, Airalo’s broader geographic reach becomes relevant for travelers exploring off-the-beaten-path locations where Saily may not yet offer service.

Plan structure and approach to coverage 

The two providers take different approaches to plan organization, reflecting their different target markets:

• Saily emphasizes global and regional plans designed for seamless multi-country use. This approach allows travelers to reuse the same eSIM profile across multiple countries without reinstalling, offering exceptional convenience for continuous travel across regions;
• Airalo offers a wide selection of country-specific local plans, often providing slightly lower per-GB costs but requiring new eSIM installations when switching regions. This detailed approach appeals to travelers who prefer optimized pricing for specific destinations, even if it means more complex management.

Network performance and compatibility 

Modern travelers expect more than basic connectivity — they need speeds that support video calls, streaming, and work applications. Both providers deliver solid performance but with different technical specs.

5G capabilities:

• Saily provides 4G/LTE in most locations, with 5G availability in select countries. Performance reports indicate reliable speeds for browsing, navigation, streaming, and voice-over-IP calls across their coverage areas;
• Airalo advertises 5G availability in all 50 US states and Puerto Rico, providing high-speed connections for users in supported regions.

It’s important to note that actual speeds depend not only on the eSIM provider but also on your device’s compatibility and local network quality.

Hotspot and tethering: 
Both services support using your mobile data for hotspot functionality without requiring special settings or workarounds. This feature is essential for remote workers or travelers who need to connect laptops, tablets, or other devices while abroad.

Voice and SMS:

• Saily operates as a data-only eSIM service, requiring users to rely on applications like WhatsApp, Signal, Skype, or Zoom for voice calls and messaging.
• Airalo primarily focuses on data services but includes traditional voice and SMS support in select regional plans, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.

Voice and SMS capabilities represent one of the clearest differences between the services. For travelers who need local phone numbers for business purposes or prefer traditional calling and texting, Airalo’s voice and SMS inclusion in certain markets provides a clear advantage.

App experience and setup

A good eSIM service means little if the app creates frustration during setup or daily use. Both Saily and Airalo design their applications with everyday travelers in mind, but they use different approaches to user experience and functionality.

Installation and initial setup 

Installing an eSIM might sound technical, but both providers have made the process simple, though their methods differ slightly:

• Saily’s setup approach follows a straightforward path: download the app (available for both iOS and Android), select your destination and preferred plan, tap the Install eSIM button, and follow your device’s prompts for either automatic or manual configuration. According to App Store reviews and travel blog testimonials, Saily’s setup typically completes within minutes, thanks to clear step-by-step instructions. Since Saily often uses a single reusable eSIM profile, future purchases don’t require repeating the installation process;
• Airalo’s setup involves installing the app, choosing your country or region and plan, adding the eSIM manually or via QR code, and waiting for activation. While video reviews and travel site analyses describe it as user-friendly, some Airalo plans require installing new eSIM profiles when traveling between different regions. This approach works well for single-destination trips but can become cumbersome for multi-country itineraries.

App experience and usability

An effective eSIM app should provide easy navigation, clear data monitoring, and simple plan management. Here’s how each platform performs in day-to-day use:

• Saily’s app is praised by users for its clean, minimal design that provides quick access to active plans and remaining data allowances. The interface supports one-tap plan activation and top-up functionality, keeping navigation smooth even for users who aren’t technically inclined. Backed by Nord Security, Saily emphasizes privacy and usability — ideas reflected in its ad-free design and straightforward interface;
• Airalo app experience offers a more comprehensive plan variety but requires navigating through more menus to access specific functions. The app excels at country and region-specific plan searches, clearly displays data usage and expiration information, and provides quick options for top-ups or new eSIM installations. However, Airalo provides more detailed country-specific plans, giving users greater control over pricing and data amounts for each destination. Some first-time users report that Airalo’s extensive plan options can feel overwhelming initially, particularly when choosing between local and regional alternatives.

Privacy and security

When traveling internationally, it’s easy to focus on convenience over security. However, using unprotected networks abroad can increase risks of man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized data collection, making security features an important factor in eSIM selection.

Saily’s security-first approach

Saily’s connection with Nord Security — the company behind NordVPN and NordPass — provides users with a foundation built on privacy-first ideas. While Saily doesn’t include a built-in VPN service, its infrastructure benefits from Nord Security’s privacy engineering standards.

The service keeps a clean, ad-free application that avoids collecting unnecessary user data, builds strong infrastructure partnerships with reputable telecommunications providers, and uses secure eSIM delivery and activation processes. While travelers should still use VPN services (especially on public Wi-Fi networks), Saily’s cybersecurity background provides extra peace of mind for privacy-conscious users.

Airalo’s security approach

Unlike Saily, Airalo operates as an independent company without backing from a major cybersecurity provider. While this doesn’t inherently make the service unsafe, some security evaluations warn against Airalo’s limited transparency around data collection and storage practices within its privacy policy. Some users also report slower or unresponsive support when security issues arise.

Airalo remains trusted by many travelers and maintains industry-standard security practices, but users who prioritize robust privacy protections might find Saily’s security-focused background more reassuring.

Best practices for eSIM security

Regardless of your chosen provider, implementing these security practices will help protect your data while traveling internationally:

• Use a reliable VPN service when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks in cafes, hotels, or airports;
• Avoid logging into sensitive accounts (such as banking or financial services) over unknown networks without additional protection;
• Download and configure your eSIM before departure to avoid relying on potentially unsecured public Wi-Fi networks for initial setup.

If you’re already using privacy tools like Surfshark VPN or similar services, pairing them with either eSIM provider creates a comprehensive approach to both convenience and protection during international travel.

Customer support

Customer support becomes especially important during travel when facing activation issues in unfamiliar locations or time zones. When problems arise, or questions need immediate answers, responsive customer service can make the difference between a minor inconvenience and a travel disaster.

Support channels and response methods

Both companies provide multiple contact methods, but their approaches to customer service differ in both availability and effectiveness:

• Saily’s support infrastructure includes live chat through the app (available 24/7), email support for non-urgent inquiries, and a comprehensive in-app help center featuring step-by-step troubleshooting guides. Independent tech reviews and user testimonials show Saily provides accessible live chat support through its app, with human agents available around the clock. Users familiar with other Nord Security products will recognize the same high-quality support experience. Users familiar with other Nord Security products will recognize the same high-quality support experience;
• Airalo’s support structure relies on a support ticket system accessible through the app, a help center containing FAQs and troubleshooting guides, but notably lacks live chat support. While Airalo’s help center addresses common issues well, users needing personalized assistance must wait for email responses, which can create frustration during time-sensitive travel situations.

Response times and support quality

The practical differences in support quality become most clear during actual problem resolution:

• Saily’s support performance includes 24/7 availability — important for travelers operating across different time zones — and consistently receives positive user feedback regarding helpfulness and friendliness, especially for refunds and technical troubleshooting. An overwhelming majority of Saily’s user reviews on Trustpilot report quick resolution times and good outcomes;
• Airalo’s support experience varies more significantly. While generally responsive, according to user reviews, the service doesn’t always provide fast resolutions. Some users report response delays of up to 24 hours or more when contacting Airalo support, especially for billing or activation issues. According to TravelMassive’s review, complex problems like refunds or failed activations often need multiple follow-ups to reach a good resolution.

What the users are saying

Understanding real user experiences provides valuable insight beyond marketing materials and feature comparisons. Based on app store reviews, Reddit discussions, and travel community feedback, both services show different patterns of user satisfaction and criticism.

Saily user feedback

Saily consistently receives positive user reviews, especially regarding ease of use, connection reliability, and responsive customer support. The most frequently praised aspects include:

• Ease of use excellence: many reviewers on Reddit and Tripadvisor praise Saily for its easy setup process and clean app interface, making it especially appealing to first-time eSIM users.
• Reliable connectivity: travelers consistently report stable internet speeds across various countries, with minimal connectivity drops or speed changes during normal use.
• Customer support quality: users frequently mention responsive and helpful customer service interactions, especially appreciating the availability of immediate assistance through live chat.

However, user feedback also shows Saily’s limitations: several users note the lack of voice call and SMS support as a drawback for travelers who need traditional communication methods, and some users have reported connectivity issues in specific regions, such as parts of Mexico, suggesting coverage gaps in certain markets.

Airalo user feedback

Airalo gets more mixed user reviews, with good praise for plan variety and broad coverage but notable criticism regarding support responsiveness and service reliability:

• Positive user feedback centers on wide coverage availability — Airalo’s eSIM availability in over 200 countries provides convenience for international travel that users value highly;
• The variety of local, regional, and global plans offers flexibility that appeals to different travel styles and budgets;
• Critical user experiences show more concerning patterns: several travelers on ProductHunt and Reddit describe inconsistent connectivity needing frequent troubleshooting, creating frustration during travel when reliable internet access is important.

Customer support challenges represent a recurring theme, with reports indicating difficulties getting timely and effective support responses, especially problematic when users encounter technical issues while traveling.

Also, many Airalo plans remain data-only, which users identify as a limitation when traditional voice and SMS functionality is needed.

Saily vs. Airalo — which one should you choose?

Selecting between Saily and Airalo requires understanding how each service aligns with your specific travel patterns, priorities, and preferences. Rather than declaring one universally superior, the optimal choice depends on your individual circumstances and requirements.

Coverage and plan variety

Saily provides local and global plans with a particular strength in its 365-day global option, though its regional plan selection remains more limited compared to Airalo. This approach works well for travelers who prefer simplicity and long-term coverage over granular regional options.

Airalo provides comprehensive local, regional, and global eSIM plans with coverage spanning more than 190 countries. This extensive selection appeals to travelers who want optimized pricing and coverage for specific destinations, even if it requires more complex plan management.

Pricing and value 

Saily’s pricing strategy proves generally more affordable than Airalo for single-country plans. For example, a 10GB plan in Italy costs just $22.99, representing excellent value for data-heavy travelers.

Airalo’s pricing structure varies significantly by region and plan type. While several users on Reddit and ProductHunt have noted that Airalo’s regional and global plans can cost more than alternatives like Saily, country-specific local plans sometimes offer competitive rates that can provide good value for single-destination travelers.

App experience and usability

Saily receives consistent praise for its clean design and ease of use, making it particularly suitable for first-time eSIM users who value straightforward functionality over extensive options.

Airalo provides a more comprehensive plan variety but requires navigating through more complex menu structures. While offering greater control over destination-specific options, some users find the interface less intuitive, with occasional setup complications.

Customer support quality

Saily offers 24/7 live chat support, with reviewers frequently noting the responsiveness of its customer service team. This immediate availability proves particularly valuable for travelers dealing with time-sensitive connectivity issues.

Airalo provides support through email and in-app systems, but some users report delayed responses and less effective assistance, creating potential frustration during travel emergencies.

Security and privacy

Saily benefits from Nord Security’s backing, including features like enhanced privacy protections that appeal to security-conscious travelers who prioritize data protection during international travel.

Airalo maintains standard industry security practices but doesn’t currently advertise advanced privacy protections. Some privacy evaluations have warned about Airalo’s data transparency and account security practices, though the service remains widely trusted.

Specific use case recommendations

Both services effectively solve the core problem of expensive international roaming, but they ultimately serve different traveler profiles.

Choose Saily if you prioritize:

• Straightforward setup and competitive pricing for single-country travel;
• A privacy-conscious provider backed by Nord Security with a strong focus on secure infrastructure;
• Immediate customer support availability through live chat;
• Long-term coverage options with the 365-day global plan;
• Budget-conscious travel with consistently affordable pricing.

Choose Airalo if you need:

• Extensive coverage in remote or specialized destinations;
• Granular control over country-specific plan options;
• Traditional voice and SMS capabilities in supported regions.
• Regional plan flexibility for complex multi-country itineraries.
• Maximum geographic coverage with 200+ supported countries.

Conclusion: different picks for different trips

Both Saily and Airalo offer modern alternatives to traditional SIM cards and expensive roaming charges, helping travelers stay connected without airport kiosk visits. Their different approaches to pricing, coverage, and user experience serve different traveler needs.

For users who value simplicity, competitive pricing, and enhanced security, Saily’s reusable eSIM design and Nord Security backing create a strong package. For travelers needing extensive geographic coverage and detailed plan control, Airalo’s 200+ country portfolio and diverse regional plans provide better flexibility. 

Regardless of your choice, always consider pairing your eSIM with a reliable VPN service. This combination protects your data on public networks, helps you access home content when abroad, and ensures your online activity stays private across the board.