Saily vs. Airalo: Which eSIM provider offers better service in 2026?

Disclaimer: The trademarks shown are for illustrative purposes only. NordVPN and Saily are developed by related entities, both part of the same corporate group.

Saily vs. Airalo: Full overview

At first glance, Saily and Airalo share quite a few similarities: both services are easy to use, provide reliable eSIM data connections (including 5G coverage), and cover more than 200 destinations worldwide. However, after a closer look, some differences emerge.

The information about eSIM features in this comparison was last verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites on September 4, 2025. The Trustpilot ratings were also checked on their respective Trustpilot pages on the same date. This information is subject to change.

*According to the information collected from the official Saily website on September 4, 2025, Saily’s US$1.99 price applies to the 1 GB plan for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic (Czechia), and Mayotte only. 

**According to the information collected from the official Airalo website on September 4, 2025, Airalo’s US$4.50 price applies to the 1 GB plan in countries such as Italy, Turkey, and Lithuania.

While both Saily and Airalo are easy to use, offer similar coverage, and support mobile hotspot setup, Saily provides greater flexibility with its reusable eSIM feature. This feature allows users to switch between plans or countries without purchasing a new eSIM. Additionally, the Saily eSIM app stands out for its added security benefits.

Saily vs. Airalo: Pricing and data plans

When comparing pricing, Saily typically offers lower starting prices, particularly for short-term, single-country plans, which makes it a more budget-friendly solution for very light data users. For example, Saily’s 1 GB plan for Japan costs just US$3.99, compared to Airalo’s US$4.50 for the same plan.

And while Saily is indeed cheaper in some instances, that’s not always true. The pricing differences often reflect the added value Saily brings, such as its reusable eSIM feature and extra security benefits like an ad blocker. These features ensure safer and more flexible connectivity, which might justify the slightly higher cost in certain regions.

However, if you need more data, Airalo typically offers cheaper options or plans that are only slightly more expensive than Saily’s. Its larger data plans, such as 5 GB, 10 GB, and 20 GB, are often more affordable, making it a better choice for travelers with higher data needs.

Here’s the breakdown of some of the most popular plans and pricing from both eSIM service providers.

This data was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

*** The Saily unlimited plan offers 5GB per day at full speed, followed by unlimited data at speeds of up to 1 Mbps.

Discounts and special offers

Special offers and seasonal deals are always on the table for any Saily or Airalo user. You can save some money by using some of the options, such as:

• Referral programs. Regardless of whether you use Saily or Airalo, referring a friend will earn you some money (which you can use for future purchases). A successful referral will earn you US$5 in Saily credits and US$3 in Airmoney on Airalo.^ Referred users will receive the same amount of credits for their first purchase.
• Discount codes. Both Saily and Airalo use seasonal and other discount codes for their eSIM data plans. For example, you can get the latest Saily discount code (if one is available) by visiting Saily’s online homepage. If you’re looking for an Airalo discount code, you might need to keep checking its website for new upcoming offers.
• Special offers. When it comes to special offers, both providers bring unique advantages to the table. For example, Airalo offers an attractive cashback program, where users earn a small amount of Airmoney — an in-app reward currency — for every mobile data plan they purchase. Customers can use Airmoney to buy more eSIM data. Saily, on the other hand, stands out with its Saily Ultra plan, which offers an unlimited Global data plan, 8% cashback in Saily credits, and exclusive perks such as a NordVPN subscription and premium customer support. This all-inclusive plan is priced at US$59.99 per month^^.

^The data was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

^^The price was retrieved from the official Saily website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

Payment methods

Both service providers cover the most common payment methods, including online payment platforms. However, contrary to Saily, Airalo also offers payments via AliPay (in the mobile app only).

The data in this comparison was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

Saily vs. Airalo: Data coverage and connectivity

Both Saily and Airalo offer wide coverage and reliable connectivity, but how do they compare? Let’s review their coverage, speed, and reliability to help you decide which one is the better choice for your trip.

Coverage of destinations

These eSIM services are on par in terms of coverage. Saily and Airalo both cover over 200 destinations worldwide, which makes them strong contenders in the eSIM market. However, their regional strengths set them apart:

• Saily provides broader coverage in the Caribbean islands, the Middle East, and North Africa, which makes it an excellent option for travelers visiting these areas.
• Airalo offers broader coverage in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Africa, and even Oceania, with regional eSIM packages covering multiple countries in larger areas.

For instance, Airalo’s "Hello Africa" and "Asialink" plans provide coverage across entire continents, while Saily targets more specific regions, such as its Middle East and North Africa plans.

The data in this comparison was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

Speed and reliability

Saily and Airalo both offer the speed and reliability you need while traveling. Whether you're posting photos, video-calling family back home, or using maps to find your way, both providers will have you covered in most places around the world.

Saily stands out in some regions with faster speeds and great overall performance. Plus, it supports 5G in areas where the network is available, which means quicker downloads, faster image uploads, and smoother browsing. However, Airalo isn’t far behind.

It delivers solid 4G LTE speeds that are more than enough for your daily tasks. On top of that, many Airalo plans include 5G, though it depends on where you're traveling and which plan you're using.

Both providers are reliable options, and the right choice often comes down to where you’re headed. Whichever one you choose, you’ll stay connected with competitive speeds that make traveling easier and more enjoyable.

Saily vs. Airalo: Ease of use

For travelers, an easy-to-use eSIM is a must. When you're on the move, the last thing you want is to struggle with activation or setup. Both Saily and Airalo prioritize simplicity, offering user-friendly apps to get you connected fast. But how do they stack up in terms of activation and user experience?

Activation process

Activating an eSIM on your phone shouldn’t be a herculean task. Saily and Airalo both recognize and stand by that. Each service provides a user-friendly activation process, which allows you to install and start using your eSIM with just a few clicks or taps.

The biggest difference between the two eSIM competitors is Saily’s 30-day activation window. Saily automatically activates your eSIM plan when you arrive at your destination, or immediately if you purchase it while already in the destination country. You can also manually activate the service at any time within 30 days of buying the data plan.

Airalo, on the other hand, offers a more immediate activation. Its eSIM data plans activate instantly after purchase or when you connect to the local network at your travel destination.

User experience and interface

Both Saily and Airalo provide a simple app interface, with Saily focusing on making it easy for travelers to manage their eSIM plans. Airalo, meanwhile, seems to put more focus on simple navigation and easy plan activation. Both apps are easy to use. However, Saily seems to be a bit more friendly on the eyes and fluid.

One thing that stands out with Saily is how easily users can switch between local and regional plans by swiping. Plus, Saily shows the price of the cheapest data plan right on the country list, so you don’t have to click into each country — a feature Airalo doesn’t have.

Saily vs. Airalo: Additional features

Some might argue that Saily outshines Airalo when it comes to extra features, and they wouldn’t be wrong. The Saily app stands out by offering added security features, something most eSIM services don’t provide.

Meanwhile, Airalo keeps things simple. It’s a reliable eSIM service with access to plans in over 200 destinations, but it doesn’t include extras like Saily’s ad blocker, which helps save your data. Airalo focuses purely on keeping you connected — nothing more, nothing less.

The data in this comparison was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

Security features

While both service providers use base security features (such as data encryption, privacy protection, and user verification), Saily, made by the creators of NordVPN, offers additional safety benefits, particularly the ad blocker, web protection, and virtual location features.

Saily’s ad blocker, powered by NordVPN’s Threat Protection, provides users with a less distracting browsing experience, while the web protection feature blocks malicious sites and limits online trackers.

Homesick travelers may also enjoy using Saily’s virtual location feature that allows users to browse with more privacy and access their home content in seconds. Travelers can choose from more than 115 virtual locations around the world, including the US, Japan, France, and Australia.

Business profiles

For business travelers, both Saily and Airalo offer a business profile feature. These business profiles allow companies to allocate data plans to their employees, purchase eSIMs in bulk, and manage them under one corporate account.

Saily’s business profiles offer several convenient features:

• Bulk purchases. Businesses can easily purchase eSIMs in bulk, such as 100 eSIMs at a time, to meet the needs of their team.
• Simple eSIM distribution. Companies can easily assign Saily eSIMs to employees using a code or QR code for quick setup.
• Invoices. Saily issues invoices under the company’s name, which simplifies business expense tracking.

Some of the features that Airalo’s business profiles include are:

• Flexible billing. You can choose between two billing methods — postpaid invoices or prepaid Airalo credits.
• Simple onboarding. Single sign-on (SSO) allows you to onboard employees and assign eSIMs directly through the app.
• Bulk purchases. Like Saily, Airalo lets businesses buy eSIMs in bulk. However, Airalo also allows employees to purchase eSIMs directly through the app, with the costs billed to the company.

While both platforms offer strong solutions for managing eSIMs, Saily focuses on affordability and simplicity, while Airalo provides more advanced tools for billing and onboarding processes.

This information was obtained from the Airalo Partners website and Saily’s business profile representatives on September 3, 2025, and is subject to change.

Saily vs. Airalo: Customer support and refund policy

The final round of the Saily vs. Airalo bout is all about their customer support and refund policies. Here, while still somewhat of a rookie, Saily manages to stand its ground against the eSIM market heavyweight. Here’s how they match up.

Customer support options

If you’re looking for help with your eSIM app, both Saily and Airalo will provide quick and reliable assistance. Each provider has an in-app chat, where you can get the answers to all your eSIM-related questions.

^^^To evaluate response times, we contacted their customer support channels on September 2, 2025. We used the in-app live chat on both platforms with the same query and sent identical emails to measure the speed of their email responses. We measured the response time from the moment we sent the inquiry to when a live customer support representative began interacting with us, or from the time we requested the chatbot to connect us with a representative and received a reply — whichever occurred first.

The quality and responsiveness of the customer service team can be a key factor for users when choosing the right eSIM app. In this case, both services provide reliable and efficient support with multiple channels for assistance, making them strong options for travelers.

Refund process

The return policy for Saily and Airalo is somewhat similar. Both service providers offer a full refund within 30 days of the purchase (although Airalo does that for unused data plans only). However, some exceptions may apply, particularly in cases of terms of service violations.

This data was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on September 4, 2025, and is subject to change.

Customer reviews

Both Saily and Airalo have received positive reviews from travelers, but Saily holds a higher rating on Trustpilot. Each service caters to different needs and strengths.

Saily has an impressive 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot, with users praising its easy installation, clear instructions, and responsive support team. Customers love the affordable plan options, including ultra-cheap deals, and commend its strong performance in tourist areas. However, there are occasional complaints about data connectivity issues in less-developed regions.

Airalo (3.8/5) is praised for its straightforward setup and reasonable pricing compared to roaming charges. Travelers find it reliable in regions like Europe and Asia, but some report inconsistent coverage, activation issues, and unexpected data usage. Despite these drawbacks, Airalo remains a popular choice for staying connected abroad.

The Trustpilot ratings and user reviews were verified on each eSIM provider's respective Trustpilot page on September 4, 2025. Please note that these ratings and reviews are subject to change.

Which one should you choose: Saily or Airalo?

Choosing between Saily and Airalo often depends on your specific travel needs. Both apps offer reliable and convenient eSIM services, but have distinct advantages that appeal to different types of users.

Consider Saily if..

• You want cheap eSIM data for international travel, especially for light data use like browsing, messaging, or checking maps.
• You value security features like web protection to shield your device from malware and phishing.
• You want a reliable service backed by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN.
• You need an ad blocker that blocks malicious domains and ads while saving data.
• You prefer an app that’s easy to use with a sleek and intuitive design.
• You’re traveling to one region or country and need focused data coverage.
• You want access to Nord Security tools like NordVPN, NordPass, and Incogni through Saily’s Ultra plan.

For more details about Saily, check out our in-depth Saily review.

Consider Airalo if..

• You need eSIM plans that support calls and SMS (available on select plans).
• You’re traveling to two or more countries and need a regional or global plan.
• You need more options for low-data usage plans, which are great for casual browsing or short trips.
• You’re a business user looking for centralized billing and an easy onboarding process for your team.

If you’re curious to learn more about Airalo, check out our Airalo review.