Saily, backed by NordSecurity (of NordVPN fame), is a privacy-first option aiming to win over digital nomads and privacy-conscious travelers. Airalo, meanwhile, has become a go-to name for frequent flyers, offering region-specific plans and broad global coverage.
So which one should you trust with your data—and your travel plans? In this head-to-head comparison, we’re talking about coverage, pricing, speed, and ease of use. Whether you're looking for the most convenient option or the most secure one, we’ll help you decide which eSIM is truly built for your journey.
Pricing remains one of the most critical factors when choosing an eSIM provider. Both Saily and Airalo offer competitive rates, but they take distinctly different approaches to their pricing strategies.
| Destination | Saily 7-day plan | Airalo 7-day plan |
| 🇬🇧UK | $4.49 for 1 GB | $5 for 1 GB |
| 🇨🇦Canada | $5.29 for 1 GB | $6 for 1 GB |
| 🇫🇷France | $3.99 for 1 GB | $4.50 for 1 GB |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | $2.99 for 1 GB | $4.50 for 1 GB |
| 🇮🇩Indonesia | $4.79 for 1 GB | $5.50 for 1 GB |
Across five common destinations, Saily is cheaper every time—often by a decent margin. For example, in Thailand, Saily’s plan is $1.50 less than Airalo's, which adds up quickly if you're traveling across multiple countries or need frequent top-ups.
If cost is your top concern—and you're comparing similar short-term data needs—Saily is the better value overall. Its consistently lower pricing gives budget-conscious travelers more flexibility, especially for quick trips or light data use.
However, keep in mind that Airalo may still offer broader global coverage and more plan options, which could tip the scales depending on your itinerary.
When it comes to international travel, flexibility and value are key—and both Saily and Airalo offer 30-day data plans tailored to different traveler needs. But dig a little deeper, and Saily consistently edges ahead on price across multiple destinations, without compromising on data volume.
| Destination | Saily data plans (30 days) | Airalo data plans (30 days) |
| 🇬🇧UK | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB |
| 🇨🇦Canada | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB |
| 🇫🇷France | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB |
| 🇮🇩Indonesia | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB | 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB |
From the UK to Thailand, Saily often delivers more gigabytes for less—making it a smarter pick for budget-conscious travelers and digital nomads alike. In high-usage tiers like 10 GB and 20 GB, the savings become even more noticeable, especially in countries like Canada and France.
In the UK and Canada, Saily helps you save up to 40% on larger data plans. For mobile internet in Europe, France is another strong win, with Saily offering lower prices at every data level. Even in Thailand, where prices are fairly close, Saily still comes out ahead on bigger plans.
Saily continues its lead in Indonesia, offering better rates on 10 GB and 20 GB plans. For travelers seeking strong value without compromising coverage, it remains the smarter choice across most destinations.
When choosing an eSIM, global coverage is just as important as pricing—especially if you're a frequent traveler or planning a multi-country trip. Both Saily and Airalo offer access to over 200 destinations, the way that coverage is distributed across regions can make a significant difference.
Before choosing an eSIM provider, it’s essential to know whether your device supports eSIM technology. Both Saily and Airalo offer broad compatibility across smartphones, tablets, laptops, and even a few smartwatches—but there are a few differences worth noting.
Saily & Airalo:
iPhone XR to iPhone 16 Pro Max (excluding most models sold in mainland China and some in Hong Kong/Macao)
Samsung:
Saily:
Airalo:
Xiaomi:
Saily:
Airalo:
Google Pixel:
Saily:
Airalo:
Saily:
iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular, newer generations), select Android tablets
Airalo:
iPad Pro, iPad Air, iPad Mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular, newer generations)
Saily & Airalo:
Select eSIM-enabled Windows laptops including Surface, Dell Latitude, Lenovo Yoga, and others
Both Saily and Airalo cover the essentials, but Saily takes the lead with broader Android support, more niche brand coverage, and compatibility across more device types, including rugged phones and lesser-known models.
Note: The list of compatible devices comes from each providers’ compatible devices page. To see the full list of additional devices for Airalo and Saily, explore their respective compatible devices’ page.
Customer feedback is one of the most useful ways to understand how each eSIM service performs in real-world travel scenarios. Saily and Airalo both have thousands of reviews on Trustpilot, but the tone and experiences shared by users differ in notable ways.
With a solid Trustpilot score of 4.2/5 from over 3,500 reviews, Saily stands out for its strong customer service and user-friendly experience. Many travelers praise the quick setup, reliable support, and responsive live chat agents who go above and beyond to resolve issues.
That said, not every experience is perfect. Some users report inconsistent coverage in certain regions, particularly outside major cities. There are also occasional delays in refund processing, though these seem to be the exception rather than the rule.
Key positives:
✅70% 5-star reviews
✅Fast, human customer support
✅Smooth installation and setup
✅High reliability in popular travel destinations
Source: Trustpilot
Key concerns:
✖️Some isolated reports of spotty coverage in certain areas
✖️A few users mention device-specific setup issues
Source: Trustpilot
Airalo holds a Trustpilot score of 2.6/5 from over 3,400 reviews, reflecting a more mixed customer experience. While some users report smooth installation and reliable data coverage in regions like Europe and Asia, others have flagged billing issues, inactive eSIMs, and slow or ineffective customer support.
Reviews are split—for every traveler who found the service quick and convenient, there's another who ran into technical glitches, poor connectivity, or trouble getting timely help. And for those purchasing larger plans or traveling to less-covered regions, inconsistent service quality has been a recurring concern.
Key positives:
✅35% of reviews are 5 stars
✅Wide selection of affordable regional and global plans
✅Simple eSIM installation for many users
✅Useful app interface for tracking data and managing plans
Source: Trustpilot
Key concerns:
✖️50% of reviews are 1 star
✖️Frequent complaints about poor connection in some countries
✖️Customer support delays and refund issues
✖️Inconsistent service depending on the region
When it comes to paying for your eSIM, both Saily and Airalo offer a wide range of convenient options—but there are a few key differences that may matter depending on how (and where) you like to pay.
| Payment method | Saily | Airalo |
| VISA | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Mastercard | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Union Pay | ❌ | ✔️ |
| American Express | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| PayPal | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Apple Pay | ✔️ | selected countries |
| Google Pay | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Alipay | ❌ | only via the mobile app |
Saily covers all the major payment methods like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay—making checkout quick and seamless. However, Airalo takes the lead in flexibility by supporting Union Pay and Alipay.
If you value straightforward, widely accepted options, Saily has you covered. But if you need regional alternatives like Union Pay or Alipay, Airalo may be the better fit.
Travel doesn’t always go according to plan—and when it doesn’t, a clear, fair refund policy can make all the difference. Whether your trip changes last-minute or your eSIM just doesn’t work as expected, knowing what to expect from your provider is key.
Saily and Airalo both offer refund options, but their flexibility, responsiveness, and criteria vary. Here’s how each one handles refund requests—and what you need to know before you buy.
Saily offers refunds in specific situations, depending on how much of the plan was used and whether the issue was caused by the service itself. Below is a breakdown of when you're eligible—and when you're not—as well as how to request a refund.
✅ Eligible for a refund
❌ Not eligible for a refund
How to request a refund
Refund decisions are typically made within five business days, and approved refunds are processed within 30 calendar days to your original payment method.
Airalo’s refund policy is more limited and applies only under specific conditions, typically involving service issues caused by Airalo itself. Here’s what to expect if you're thinking about requesting a refund.
✅ Eligible for a refund
❌ Not eligible for a refund
How to request a refund
If approved, refunds are processed to your original payment method or as Airmoney (store credit) within 30 business days.
Both providers offer refunds in limited situations, but Saily is notably more flexible—allowing partial refunds for minimal data use—while Airalo takes a stricter approach, requiring unresolved service issues and full cooperation during troubleshooting.
If your focus is on privacy, affordability, and support you can count on, Saily is hard to beat. With built-in features like a VPN and adblock—plus consistently lower prices across most regions—it’s especially well-suited for travelers who want extra peace of mind while staying connected abroad.
Airalo, by contrast, shines when it comes to coverage breadth and plan variety. With support for more payment options like Union Pay and Alipay, and stronger availability in most regions, it's a better fit for those who value flexibility and don't mind managing things a bit more independently.
Ultimately, both providers will get you online in over 200 destinations. The question is: do you want an eSIM that’s simple, secure, and cost-effective—or one that offers more variety and reach?
Choose Saily for smart savings and built-in security. Choose Airalo for maximum coverage and flexibility.
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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