eSIM Cards
If you’re a frequent traveler who values flexibility, then Airlo is a better choice for its wide range of plans, global coverage, and responsive customer support. Ubigi is better suited to those on a tighter budget looking for affordable data in a single country or for longer-term stays.
Ubigi is an international mobile network operator that offers eSIMs with a free profile and local, regional, and worldwide prepaid eSIM data plans. Airalo is another organization that offers eSIMs to individuals worldwide. The marketplace allows buyers to buy, manage, and top up eSIMs across countries and regions so that individuals can stay connected while traveling.
These operators are usually compared based on price, service provided, and customer support offered. We will examine the differences between Ubigi and Airalo to help you make an informed choice.
Ubigi is an international mobile connectivity service provider that offers eSIM profiles. These free profiles work on local, regional, and global prepaid data plans. They provide instant access to the internet at an affordable price in over 200 destinations.
Airalo is another firm offering worldwide connectivity access through eSIMs for tourists. The marketplace offers users an opportunity to purchase and manage eSIMs worldwide and stay connected while on the move without recurring fees.
When it comes to Ubigi vs Airalo eSIMs, they both have global coverage, but they have some key differences. In the comparison table below, we’ll examine the main differences, with more in-depth information on each aspect found underneath.
| Provider | Ubigi | Airalo |
| Plans | One-off/Monthly/Annual | Local eSIMs/Regional eSIMs/Global eSIMs |
| Prices | From $2.90 - $89 | From $9 - $89 |
| eSIM cost | Free | Free |
| Coverage | 200 destinations in 5 continents | 130 countries |
| Speed | Supports 3G/4G/5G connections | Supports 3G/4G/LTE/5G connections |
| Compatability | Provides a list of compatible devices | Provides a list of compatible devices |
| Features | Flexible eSIM data plansFree eSIM profileLocal, regional, and international prepaid data plans | Instant connectivityGlobal coverageNo hidden fees |
| Customer support | Contact form/online chat/help center | Live chat/help center/social media DM/email |
| Top up | Any device, one-off/monthly/annual options, accepts major international payments, accessible anywhere, even with no data or Wi-Fi | Top up not available on all packages |
| App rating | Apple App Store 4.6/5Google Play Store 3.8/5 | Apple App Store 4.6/5Google Play Store 4.2/5 |
Airalo offers local plans that can be used to make phone calls. Ubigi, on the other hand, has more flexible data package options, including monthly and annual plans.
Airalo offers Local, Regional, and Global eSIM options. This allows you to limit your choice to specific countries or continents, as well as worldwide plans for maximum mobility. Data plans go from 1GB all the way to 20GB, with certain Global plans adding calls and texts to data for general use overseas.
Ubigi offers one-off, monthly, and yearly plans, providing great flexibility for long-term travel. Data plans also start at 500MB for people who don’t plan on using a lot of data and go up to Unlimited plans for heavy internet usage.
Airalo offers country-specific pricing that can be more competitive, with 1 GB available for around $5. Ubigi has mid-range plans with slightly more data available at a comparatively low price, with 3GB costing about $6.
Ubigi has plans that start at 500MB for $2.90 and cap out at $89 for unlimited data with 30 30-day validity. There are also annual plans that provide usage per month at a yearly rate.
Global data-only plans start at 1GB for $9.00, covering 138 countries. These cap out at $69 for 20GB, valid for a year, while global plans with calls and texts start at $15 for 7 days at 1GB to 20GB for $89, which is valid for a year.
Both companies offer eSIM profiles for free, eliminating the cost of a physical SIM card that many companies charge.
Airalo covers around 130 countries, while Ubigi is better covered at 200 destinations and therefore is a good international eSIM for traveling. Airalo has regional eSIMs, so they can work in many countries in a region, and this can be affordable if you travel a lot. They also provide global plans for international travel across continents.
Ubigi provides more specific regional options that can benefit travelers in certain regions, like Eastern Europe, while Airalo has broader offers, such as eSIM for Europe. The single-country passes mean they can provide competitive rates for visiting one destination. Ubigi's global map gives users an overview of which countries are covered and which aren’t.
Airalo is faster in certain regions such as the U.S., the U.K., Mexico, and Spain, while it matches Ubigi’s speeds in Italy and France. Ubigi is faster in other regions, like Japan.
Ubigi has eSIM plans with the potential for 4G and 5G speeds, depending on device and location. 5G is available in 35+ countries with Ubigi. Depending on location and network conditions, users have found that speeds can range between 5G, LTE, 4G, 3G, and 2G. The unlimited data plan also includes a fair usage policy, meaning that speeds can be reduced to 1 Mbps temporarily after reaching a certain data threshold.
Airalo offers connection speeds up to 5G, but this can depend on location, network availability, and your plan. Urban areas have decent 4G and 5G areas, but there may be slower speeds in remote or rural areas.
Both offer broad compatibility across modern smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Airalo can support a wider range of devices, but Ubigi can connect to cars, providing data plans for vehicles with built-in eSIMs.
Ubigi focuses more on affordability, offering high-speed data plans worldwide with annual plans. It also provides flexible eSIM data plans for smartphones, tablets, and vehicles. Airalo delivers a broader range of plans, including voice calls and text messaging, and a loyalty program with cashback rewards.
Both providers offer customer support services through various mediums, including online chat and help centers, but Airalo also encourages contact via social media DM and email.
Ubigi and Airalo both offer top-up options, but Ubigi has more flexibility with this feature. eSIMs allow you to top up without needing to contact your carrier, and you can instantly connect to a network again if you run out of data.
Ubigi lets you top up from any device and choose a one-off, monthly, or annual data plan. They accept major international payment methods, which can be accessed even if you’ve run out of data or don’t have Wi-Fi.
Airalo offers top-ups but only on rechargeable eSIMs. Before you purchase, check the “Additional information” tab. The “Top up” option will then be available under the “My eSIMs” tab. You can top up with as little as 1 GB for 7 days or up to 20 GB, valid for 180 days.
Both providers' apps were rated well. Ubigi and Airalo got the same score on the Apple App Store, while Airalo performed slightly better than Ubigi on the Google Play Store.
Ubigi received a 4.1 rating on Trustpilot, with many users praising the convenience and ease of use for travel data plans. However, some users reported that the app interface was hard to navigate on certain Android devices. Furthermore, some users said they had concerns about the security of the service, as there are possible privacy issues.
Airalo received a 2.9 rating on Trustpilot. While some users stated that it was convenient and easy to use for international travel, others experienced problems with activation, connectivity, and customer support.
While there are some key differences regarding Airalo vs Ubigi, they also share similarities in several areas. Explore the table below to see where the providers overlap:
| Providers | Ubigi | Airalo |
| Coverage | Available in a range of popular countries | Available in a range of popular countries |
| Ease of use | Easy to install | Easy to install |
| Global data plans | Local, regional, and global options | Local, regional, and global options |
| Affordability | Transparent pricing | Transparent pricing |
| Reliability | Consistent connectivity | Consistent connectivity |
Whether you choose Airalo or Ubigi depends on what kind of trip you’re taking, your budget, and the things you’ll want to do while traveling.
Airalo is a good choice because of its user-friendly app, extensive range of plans, and available customer support. It works well for frequent travelers. If you want to make voice calls locally, they offer this on some global plans. If you’re looking for a convenient user experience with a range of plans and accessible customer support, choose Airalo.
Ubigi has more affordable options, particularly on larger data plans, and has fast internet speeds in many regions. It’s generally cheaper for larger data plans and offers many payment options. If you’re looking to prioritize lower prices, especially on larger data plans, along with fast internet speeds in many regions, choose Ubigi.
Ubigi tends to be cheaper, particularly for larger data plans in popular destinations. Ubigi offers 1GB for 7 days in the USA at $4, while Airalo has the same plan for $4.50. Specific plans available for your destination can vary between providers, so comparing them to see which is cheaper and provides the correct data package for your needs is worth considering.
Both providers are considered trustworthy options for eSIMs. They offer similar global coverage and competitive data plans, making them reliable choices for travelers worldwide. Individual experiences can vary, but both have received positive feedback for ease of use and reliability. Some users stated they experienced unexplained data consumption even when the phone was not actively used with Ubigi.
Airalo may not be the most affordable option for larger data plans. The availability of regional plans in larger areas may not provide a cost-effective option if your travel is limited to fewer areas. Furthermore, some users have aired their opinions on unconfirmed privacy concerns relating to Airalo eSIMs and speculations regarding a data breach that the company has not confirmed or made public.
Ubigi doesn’t offer voice calls or text messages as part of its plans. Some users have found that the app interface is a little tricky to navigate, and the customer support is slightly limited, as they have an online chat, but it is not live. Pricing may also not be consistent across countries, so that Airalo can provide a more competitive rate in these regions.
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