Saily and Airalo are both well-known players in the eSIM market in 2025. Saily is a rising competitor, making a name for itself with competitive pricing and solid coverage, while Airalo remains one of the most well-established eSIM providers in the market. But which one is better for your next trip?
In this guide, we’ll break down pricing, coverage, data plans, ease of use, and additional features offered by both providers. We’ll also look at customer reviews and support quality to help determine which service is more reliable. Whether you need an eSIM for a short vacation or long-term travel, we’ll cover everything you need to know.
Whether you prefer Airalo’s global reputation or Saily’s affordability, this guide ensures you get the most out of your eSIM plan.
Both Saily and Airalo offer global eSIM solutions, but they vary in terms of their coverage, pricing, customer support, and features. It generally comes down to the fact that Saily is a newer provider with a strong focus on affordability and flexibility, while Airalo is a proven name in the market.
Here’s what you need to know:
| Feature | Saily | Airalo |
| Rating (TrustPilot) | 4.0/5 stars (2100+ reviews) | 2.6/5 (2900+ reviews) |
| Price | From $3.99 | From $4.50 |
| Cellular network | Multiple regional partners | Multiple regional partners |
| Services covered | Data only | Data, calls, and texts depending on the plan |
| Countries/Regions | 180+ destinations | 200+ destinations |
| Customer support | App-only live chat | Live chat via app, website, and WhatsApp |
| Hotspot support | Yes | Yes |
Saily is gaining popularity for its affordable pricing and flexible refund policy. Covering 180+ countries, it offers competitive rates, making it an excellent choice for budget travelers. Unless you’re going to a small, rural destination, Saily will likely give you coverage.
The network supports hotpot sharing and works with multiple regional carriers to ensure reliable connectivity.
One of Saily’s biggest advantages is its flexible refund policy, which is uncommon in the eSIM market. However, customer support is only available through the app, which may be limiting for some users.
Airalo is a well-established esIM provider, covering over 200 countries. It offers various local, regional, and global eSIM plans, making it ideal for travelers who need broad coverage. Airalo also supports hotspot sharing and partners with local carriers for strong connectivity.
A major advantage here is the range of customer support options. However, its refund policy is strict, and its low TrustPilot rating of 2.6/5 comes down to mixed experiences using the service.
Choosing the right eSIM provider can make a huge difference in cost, coverage, and overall experience. Saily and Airalo are two huge names, but it’s worth comparing them on the key areas to see which one really comes out on top.
That way, you can choose the best eSIM for your personal travel internet needs.
Both Saily and Airalo offer a variety of eSIM plans, including local and regional options. The main difference is:
If you prioritize price, Saily is your best bet. A Japan eSIM from Saily starts at $3.39, whereas the same plan from Airalo costs $4.50. However, if you travel a lot, Airalo offers the Discover+ Global eSIM, which provides worldwide coverage with a phone number attached to the line.
It all comes down to whether you prioritize price or coverage.
Speaking of coverage Airalo has a slightly larger reach. That said, Saily covers most of the popular destinations, so it’s not generally a problem.
| Region | Airalo | Saily |
| Europe | 42 countries | 35 countries |
| Asia | 18 countries | 19 countries |
| North America | 3 countries | 2 countries |
| Latin America | 17 countries | 12 countries |
| Caribbean Islands | 28 countries | 17 countries |
| Middle East & North Africa | 13 countries | 19 countries |
| Africa | 36 countries | 28 countries |
| Oceania | 8 countries | No regional plan |
If you’re traveling to popular destinations like Europe or the USA, you’ll get strong coverage with both providers. However, destinations like the Solomon Islands are
Saily and Airalo both offer 5G coverage on most of their plans, ensuring high-speed internet that’s suitable for streaming videos, making FaceTime calls, or using your apps. Keep in mind, though, that 5G coverage isn’t available everywhere, so eSIM providers can only offer 5G where the infrastructure allows.
While both providers offer solid performance in urban areas, high speeds are not guaranteed everywhere. Connections often drop to 4G LTE or even 3G depending on local infrastructure. So, in countries like Japan, you’re looking at maximum speeds of 550 Mbps with Saily and 520 Mbps with Airalo. However, more remote locations may be much slower.
The cost of eSIM plans varies based on the destination, data amount, and plan duration. Some countries have more expensive plans due to higher mobile network costs. Generally, local eSIM plans are cheaper than regional global plans.
For a full price comparison, it’s worth looking up your destination on the Saily and Airalo websites. But here’s a quick comparison of their popular plans:
| Destination | Data | Saily | Airalo |
| Japan | 1 GB | $3.99 (7 days) | $4.50 (7 days) |
| 5 GB | $10.99 (30 days) | $11.50 (30 days) | |
| 10 GB | $17.99 (30 days) | $18.00 (30 days) | |
| 20 GB | $24.99 (30 days) | $26.00 (30 days) | |
| UK | 1 GB | $4.49 (7 days) | $5.00 (30 days) |
| 5 GB | $12.99 (30 days) | $15.00 (30 days) | |
| 10 GB | $19.99 (30 days) | $22.50 (30 days) | |
| 20 GB | $31.99 (30 days) | $36.00 (30 days) | |
| USA | 1 GB | $3.99 (7 days) | $4.50 (7 days) |
| 5 GB | $13.99 (30 days) | $16.00 (30 days) | |
| 10 GB | $22.99 (30 days) | $26.00 (30 days) | |
| 20 GB | $36.99 (30 days) | $42.00 (30 days) | |
| Canada | 1 GB | $5.29 (7 days) | $6.00 (7 days) |
| 5 GB | $17.99 (30 days) | $18.00 (30 days) | |
| 10 GB | $30.99 (30 days) | $35.00 (30 days) | |
| 20 GB | $43.99 (30 days) | $49.00 (30 days) | |
| Thailand | 20 GB | $19.99 (30 days) | 50 GB for $9.90 (10 days) |
| Australia | 5 GB | $10.99 (30 days) | $12.50 (30 days) |
| Indonesia | 5 GB | $13.99 (30 days) | $16.50 (30 days) |
| Turkey | 5 GB | $9.99 (30 days) | $12.00 (30 days) |
Saily tends to be the more affordable option, but it’s not always the case. For example, Airalo’s Thailand offerings are exceptionally cheap.
It’s worth considering the available payment options, too. Both providers accept major credit and debit cards, PayPal, and Google Pay, but Airalo goes a little further. These extra payment methods may be more convenient for users in specific regions.
| Payment Method | Saily | Airalo |
| Credit/Debit Cards | Yes | Yes |
| PayPal | Yes | Yes |
| Apple Pay | No | Yes |
| Google Pay | Yes | Yes |
| AirMoney | No | Yes (in-app reward currency) |
| Alipay | No | Yes (available in-app) |
When it comes to eSIM services, convenience and ease of use are both crucial. Both of these providers have user-friendly apps and websites, but there are subtle differences in their design and functionality.
Both providers have great websites that are easy to navigate, with clearly laid out sections for browsing eSIM plans, managing accounts, and providing support. However, when it comes to apps, Airalo’s app is a little more straightforward. The store is readily accessible from the home screen, making purchases quick and easy.
On the other hand, Saily’s app includes additional features like credits, which, while helpful, could be better integrated into the user’s profile instead of being a standalone section. Additionally, accessing the eSIM store takes one extra step compared to Airalo.
Both apps are intuitive, offering a simple layout with your owned eSIMs, profile details, and the store. However, Airalo stands out for being a bit more simplistic and quicker to navigate. But, at the end of the day, both are fine.
Dependable customer support can make a world of difference when you’re in a foreign country, and both Saily and Airalo offer solid support systems to ensure users can resolve any issues. Both providers have comprehensive knowledge bases, which are great for addressing frequently asked questions and troubleshooting common issues.
Saily offers 24/7 customer support, but you can only access live chat through the app. This can be limiting for users who don’t want to install the app or who need help before making a purchase. If you don’t have the app, the only option is to reach out via email, which might result in slower response times.
On the other hand, Airalo makes it much easier to reach customer support. Live chat is available on the app, website, and even through WhatsApp, giving you multiple ways to get in touch with a support agent. This accessibility allows for a quicker resolution of issues.
Overall, both providers offer decent support, but Airalo’s multiple channels make it the more convenient choice for users seeking immediate assistance.
When it comes to extra features, both Saily and Airalo have some interesting perks, but the latter has more to offer due to its established market presence. Let’s take a closer look at what each provider brings to the table beyond their basic eSIM offerings:
While Airalo offers more features, Saily is still a relatively new platform, and it’s likely that the provider will continue to expand over time. For now, Airalo certainly has the edge when it comes to extra functionalities. However, Saily remains a strong contender, especially for users who want an easy-to-use, affordable eSIM solution.
Customer experience plays a huge role in deciding which provider to go with. Both Saily and Airalo have thousands of reviews, but feedback is mixed.
Saily has garnered positive feedback for its affordability and easy-to-use app. Many users appreciate how straightforward it is to purchase and use the eSIM, and how budget-friendly the option are. The seamless activation process is often highlighted, as well as the decent country coverage.
However, since Saily is a newer platform, some customers have reported that customer support can be slow or harder to reach, especially if you're not using the app. Common disadvantages reported by users include:
On the other hand, Airalo is widely regarded as an established provider. Customers praise its wide coverage and variety of plans. However, where Airalo falls short is its customer service. Many of the negative reviews cite the fact that Airalo uses an AI chatbot, which makes it difficult to resolve complex issues. Coupled with the high prices, some users feel that Airalo just isn’t worth it.
The most commonly cited disadvantages are:
In 2025, the demand for good eSIM technology is growing rapidly, and Saily and Airalo are two major players. The decision on which one is best for you depends on a variety of factors, such as your destination and budget.
Both can provide reliable coverage and great plans, so the choice largely comes down to your specific needs. If you plan on hotspotting and want a budget-friendly option, choose Saily. If you want larger, unlimited data plans in more remote areas, choose Airalo.
Yes, Airalo is a trusted and reliable eSIM provider. It has been in the market for several years and has built a solid reputation for offering affordable global data plans. Airalo is known for its wide coverage of 200+ destinations and has numerous positive customer reviews. However, like any service, there are occasional complaints, particularly when it comes to customer support.
Saily is a newer player in the eSIM market but has already made a positive impression with its affordable pricing and user-friendly platform. The company is still growing, but its customer support and service reliability have been generally well-received. Though it may not have as many features as Airalo, Saily provides a great eSIM experience, especially for those seeking budget-friendly options.
Overall, Saily is a cheaper option than Airalo. For instance, Saily offers 1 GB plans starting at $3.99 in countries like Japan, while Airalo’s price for the same plan is around $4.50. However, it varies by destination.
For high amounts of data, Airalo is generally the better choice. Airalo offers unlimited data plans in certain regions, making it ideal for heavy data users who need continuous, high-speed internet access. However, if you’re looking for affordable options and your data needs are moderate, Saily still offers good value with plans catering to light or average data usage.
Our mission is simple: to make sure you never have to ask, “What’s the WiFi password?” again. All our tips come straight from personal experience — because we’d never recommend something we haven’t put to the test ourselves.
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