Airalo eSIM review: What you should know before buying

What is Airalo?

Airalo is a global eSIM store offering digital SIM cards that allow travellers to access mobile data without the need for traditional physical SIM cards. Users can purchase and install eSIMs directly to their compatible devices, giving them instant data connectivity in over 200 countries and regions around the world. 

Ahmet Bahadir Özdemir, Duran Akçaylier, and Abraham Burak launched Airalo in 2019. It is headquartered in Delaware and has an operational base in Singapore. As of May 2024, the platform has grown to over 10 million users worldwide, so it’s obvious that Airalo is a trusted favourite for globe-trotters everywhere.

Pros and cons of Airalo

Before you commit, let’s weigh the good and the not-so-good of using an Airalo eSIM card on the road. 

Pros

Airalo has a lot going for it, and it’s not hard to see why so many travellers are using it. Here are some of the perks that make it stand out:

• Plans available for 200+ countries and regions

• Access to 5G network speeds (depending on location and plan)

• International phone number for calling and texting with select global plans

• Auto-renewal and top-up options on some of the plans

Cons

While Airalo has a lot to offer, it’s not without its limitations. Here are a few things to keep in mind before using it:

• Limited availability of unlimited data plans

• Need to install a new eSIM card for each destination (unless using global and regional plans)

• Lack of built-in security features

• Immediate activation upon installation for some eSIMs

Airalo eSIM review

Airalo offers a reliable service with flexible data plans in over 200 countries and regions. Here's a quick breakdown of its core features and how they compare to Saily, made by the creators of NordVPN:

The information provided in this table on Airalo’s features was taken from the provider’s website on April 24, 2025, and is subject to change.

The information on Saily features presented in this comparison was last verified on the service provider’s official website on April 29, 2025. This information is subject to change.

¹ As of April 24, 2025, Airalo offers unlimited data plans for these destinations: Algeria, Australia, Belgium, the Canary Islands, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Finland, Guam, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, the Isle of Man, Jersey, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malaysia, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan.

² As of April 24, 2025, Airalo’s US$4.50 price applies to the 1 GB plan for these destinations: Albania, Algeria, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, the Canary Islands, Colombia, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, Malaysia, Marie-Galante, Martinique, Mayotte, Mexico, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Northern Cyprus, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Réunion, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, Uzbekistan, the Vatican, Vietnam, and the Virgin Islands (U.S.).

³ According to the information collected from the official Saily website on April 29, 2025, the US$1.99 price for Saily is limited to the 1 GB plan in Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, and Mayotte.

⁴ As of April 29, 2025, Saily’s unlimited data plans are only available for these destinations: France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

If we were to compare Airalo and Saily, both eSIM service providers seem to fall in the same ballpark, both offering coverage in over 200 destinations and a similar range of data plans. But digging a little deeper, you can notice that they differ in a few key areas. Saily tends to have more affordable options in some locations and includes additional security features. Airalo, meanwhile, rewards loyal users with a solid cashback program that can add real value over time. You can check our Saily vs. Airalo comparison article to see how these two providers stack up against each other in more detail.

Plans

Airalo offers a wide variety of prepaid data plans suited to just about every kind of traveller — from those country-hopping across Europe to those staying in one place for a week. The plans are organized into three main categories: local, regional, and global.

• Local plans are created for specific countries and regions and are available in over 200 destinations. This type of plan is the perfect choice if your trip is focused on just one place — say, a week in Japan or a weekend in France.
• Regional plans cover entire continents and other broader areas. You can choose from 8 available options: Africa, Asia, Caribbean Islands, Europe, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, North America, and Oceania. These plans are perfect if your trip involves several countries in a single region, so you don’t have to switch between eSIM cards every time you cross the border.
• Global plans are designed for those travelling across different parts of the world. They cover 138 countries and regions. It’s not quite all 200+ that Airalo serves, but still a strong offering compared to many other providers.

One feature that really makes Airalo stand out from its competitors, like Saily, is the premium version of the “Discover” global plans — “Discover+.” In addition to data, these premium plans, as well as some local ones, also include call and text services, though with a few limitations. You get a U.S.-based number, but only a portion of your call balance is allocated to international calls, and features like call forwarding and voicemail aren't supported.

Data packages range from 1 GB to 100 GB and unlimited data options, and plan durations vary from 7 days up to a whole year, though the duration and amount of data vary depending on the destination and type of plan. One thing you should keep in mind is that not all destinations offer unlimited data plans, and if you’re visiting multiple countries, you might have to install a new eSIM for each one, unlike Saily. Still, the range and flexibility of Airalo’s plans make it a solid option for casual as well as frequent travellers.

Pricing

For many travellers, price is often the deciding factor when choosing an eSIM data plan provider. Airalo’s pricing is generally pretty friendly, especially for light data users or short trips. You can get started with as little as US$4.50 for 1 GB valid for 7 days, which is enough if all you need is access to maps, emails, and a bit of social media. 

However, keep in mind that prices vary depending on the country or region you need the plan for. Here are some examples of pricing for popular destinations as well as some regional and global plans, currently offered by Airalo, with a comparison to Saily:

These prices were taken from both service providers' websites on April 24, 2025, and are subject to change.

The more data and longer validity you need, the more you'll pay. So if you're a heavy user or stream a lot on the go, it can get expensive fast. In comparison, Saily seems to be the more affordable choice of the two overall. However, the range and pricing options of Airalo’s plans are not that far off — for some destinations, like Mexico, even cheaper.

Network speed

Similar to other eSIM service providers, including Saily, Airalo offers speeds of up to 5G, but not all destinations or plans support it — some only provide 4G or LTE. Another thing you have to keep in mind is that just because the coverage for your plan can get up to 5G network speed, it doesn’t mean you’ll get it. Your actual connection depends on your location, the local network partner, and the specific plan you choose. In most urban areas, you’ll get decent 4G or even 5G speeds that are more than enough for streaming, video calls, and browsing. But if you’re off the beaten path or deep in rural areas, don't be surprised if your connection drops to a crawl or becomes a bit unstable.

Customer support

Customer support is an important aspect of choosing a provider. While it’s not too hard to install and activate an eSIM, a user error or technical hiccup can happen. And if something goes wrong, like your data plan not activating or connection issues abroad, you want quick, reliable help to get back online.

Airalo provides 24/7 customer support via live chat, which is accessible through both the app and the website. It also provides the option to chat through WhatsApp or reach out by email. 

Response times are quick, and in our test, answers were provided within a few minutes. It’s important to note that you’ll initially connect with an AI chatbot. However, the chatbot gives detailed responses, and you can ask to be transferred to a human representative if needed. Many users praise Airalo’s support for being responsive and helpful, though some have reported occasional delays in getting a reply.

To its credit, Airalo has a very extensive help center and blog with plenty of detailed guides, how-tos, and troubleshooting steps. In many cases, you might find the answers you need there without having to contact support at all.

Additional features

Beyond the basics, Airalo is more focused on its core eSIM data plans, but it does have a few nice perks.

Airalo’s loyalty program, for one, gives you cashback in the form of “Airmoney” (in-app currency) for every eSIM purchase. You start at a 5% cashback rate, and if you keep using the service, you can level up to earn as much as 10%. It also has a referral program. You can share your referral code, and when someone uses it to make their first purchase, both of you receive €3 in credit you can use for your next purchase.

Aside from these perks and the call and text services mentioned before, most Airalo eSIM data plans also support personal hotspot use, as long as your device and network support it. This aspect might be important to you if you plan on using your laptop during your trip and want to avoid unsecured public Wi-Fi. 

Speaking of security, Airalo doesn’t currently offer built-in security features, which Saily provides. If you’re someone who’s conscious about security, you might want to consider other options.

User experience

Using Airalo feels very much like using any other eSIM. You buy a plan, download the eSIM, install it, and activate it. The set-up process is beginner friendly, and you are supported with detailed instructions every step of the way. Installation can be done via QR code, manual entry, or directly by following step-by-step prompts through the app.

One catch is that if you’re travelling to several countries and using local plans, you’ll need to install a new digital SIM card for each country. Also, some of the plans activate immediately upon purchase, so you have to be cautious about that.

A pleasant surprise is that Airalo also offers a free trial eSIM in select countries⁵ — handy if you want to test the waters before committing.

⁵ As of April 24, 2025, Airalo offers the free eSIM in China, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

How to set up an Airalo eSIM on your phone

Setting up an Airalo eSIM is surprisingly easy, even if it’s your first time using one. You can do everything through the app, and Airalo guides you every step of the way. 

How to install an Airalo eSIM

Before you begin, make sure your phone is carrier unlocked and supports eSIM cards. Most newer iPhones and Androids do, but it’s worth double-checking if you’re unsure. You’ll also need to purchase a plan via the Airalo app or website — pick your destination, choose a data package that fits your trip, and make your payment.

Once you’ve bought your plan, you can install it manually, via QR code, or directly through the app. We’ll focus on the direct method, which is the quickest and most user-friendly. But if you decide to choose other methods, the app provides you with detailed step-by-step instructions.

The steps for direct installation are nearly the same whether you're using an iPhone or an Android phone:

1. 1.Open the Airalo app. Go to the “My eSIMs” section.
   
2. 2.Select the eSIM you want to install, and tap on “Details.”
   
3. 3.Tap “View instructions,” then “Direct,” and “Install eSIM.” A pop-up will appear asking to allow the activation process.
   
4. 4.Tap “Next” and “Continue” in the next few steps as prompted. Wait a minute or two for the eSIM to install.
   

If you’re using an iPhone, you’ll also be asked to give your eSIM a label (something like “Travel” or “Airalo” works just fine as long as you can understand it). You’ll also have to choose your primary line for calls and texts (usually your regular physical SIM card) and select the Airalo eSIM as your cellular data line. Be sure to turn off "Allow mobile data switching" so your phone doesn’t automatically switch between lines.

After completing these steps, you’ll see a confirmation that your eSIM is successfully installed.

How to activate an Airalo data plan

After installing your eSIM, it needs to be activated before you can start using data. Depending on the eSIM, your data plan will activate as soon as you install it or once you connect to a new network at your destination. You can check your eSIM’s activation policy in the app under “Additional information” > “Validity policy.”

To enable your eSIM and connect to data once you’ve arrived:

• On an iPhone, go to “Settings” > “Cellular” or “Mobile service” > Select your eSIM > Toggle “Turn on this line” > Enable data roaming.
• On an Android, head to “Settings” > “Network & internet” > “Mobile network > Select your eSIM and turn it on > Toggle the switch on “Mobile data” and “Data roaming.”

Is Airalo actually worth using?

If you’re a traveller who values convenience, flexibility, and affordable prices, Airalo is absolutely worth considering. The app is user friendly, plans are fairly priced, and coverage is extensive.

That said, if you’re someone who is conscious about security or prefers not to install a new eSIM every time, other alternatives like Saily might be worth a look. If you want to learn more about this provider, check out our Saily review.