Saily eSIM Review (2025): Pricing, plans and reviews

Built by the team behind NordVPN, Saily is an app-based eSIM service that connects you to local networks in over 200 destinations without the airport kiosk hunt. You download the app, scan a QR code, and you're online the second you touch down. 

This review breaks down everything about Saily, how it works, what it costs, where it connects, and whether it's actually worth your money or just another travel app promising the moon.

What is Saily eSIM and how does it work?

Saily's a digital SIM card service that lives inside your phone. An eSIM is embedded into modern smartphones and works exactly like a physical SIM card, minus the tiny plastic chip you'd normally slot into your device. 

Here's the process: download the Saily app, pick your destination, choose a data plan, and install the eSIM. The app walks you through activation using a QR code or manual entry. Once installed, your eSIM automatically connects when you land in your destination country.

Saily connects through 1GLOBAL, its network provider. This means your phone uses local carrier networks wherever you go instead of sticking to one roaming partner. The service supports 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G speeds, but the actual speed depends on the local network and your device’s capability.

Your phone needs to be unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Most iPhones from the 11 onward work, along with newer Samsung Galaxy models, Google Pixels, and many other devices released after 2020. Bear in mind that phones bought in mainland China often don't support eSIMs regardless of model.

Transferring eSIMs between devices isn't straightforward. Once you install a Saily eSIM on one phone, it's tied to that device. If you upgrade or switch phones, you'll need to contact Saily's support team to help transfer your plan. 

Why should you consider Saily eSIM?

Saily works best for international travelers who want predictable data costs and don't need a local phone number. Digital nomads hopping between countries, students studying abroad, and anyone taking multi-destination trips get the most value here. 

However, the setup complexity varies by user experience. Tech-comfortable travelers breeze through the installation process in minutes. Less confident users sometimes hit snags with device settings or APN configurations, though Saily's 24/7 support team can walk you through troubleshooting.

Network switching isn't a feature here. Once you're connected to a local network through 1GLOBAL, you're on that network. You can't manually switch between carriers if one has better coverage in your specific location.

Saily eSIM: data & pricing

Saily operates on a pay-as-you-go model. You buy the data you need for specific destinations, and there's no monthly subscription unless you opt for their premium Ultra plan ($64.99).

Pricing varies by region, duration, and data amount. Entry-level plans start around $3.99-$4.99 for 1GB valid for seven days in popular destinations. Larger packages scale up from there, with options ranging from 3GB to 20GB for most countries. 

Here’s what Saily costs in popular destinations:

*Prices are accurate as of November 2025. Check Saily’s website for the latest updates before you buy.

Regional plans let you buy one eSIM that works across multiple countries. Europe covers 35 nations, North America includes the US and Canada, and Asia-Oceania spans 19 countries. 

The Global plan reaches 121 destinations, useful for multi-continent trips where you don't want to buy separate plans for each stop.

Saily eSIM country availability

Saily covers over 200 destinations worldwide. That includes the entire European Union, North America, most of Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East. 

Regional plans function as optional add-ons to individual country plans. If you're touring Southeast Asia, for example, you can grab the Asia-Oceania plan instead of buying separate eSIMs for Thailand, Vietnam, and Singapore. 

This makes Saily solid for global travelers who visit diverse regions. The coverage map legitimately spans continents, and the regional plans simplify logistics for multi-country trips. 

Keep in mind that Turkey has banned eSIM providers, so neither the website nor top-ups work while you're inside the country. Make sure you purchase and activate your eSIM before crossing the border.

Saily eSIM network coverage

Saily doesn't operate its own cell towers. It partners with 1GLOBAL, a network aggregator that connects you to local carriers in each destination. When you land in France, you're using French networks. In Japan, you're on Japanese infrastructure. 

5G and LTE coverage depends entirely on local providers. In major cities across Western Europe, North America, and parts of Asia, 5G connectivity is standard. Suburban and rural zones often default to 4G or LTE. 

Real-world performance in urban environments tends to be fast. Users in London, Barcelona, and Amsterdam reported speeds around 100 Mbps. Travelers in Taiwan, Belgium, and the Netherlands praised reliable connections that matched or outperformed their home carriers' roaming services.

Rural performance varies more. Coverage follows the local network's footprint, so if you're hiking in remote Scottish highlands or driving through Australia's outback, expect the same dead zones that domestic users encounter. 

You're tied to whichever network 1GLOBAL partners with in that country. There's no option to manually switch carriers if one has stronger coverage in your specific area. That's standard for most eSIM providers, but it's worth knowing if you're used to swapping physical SIM cards.

Saily eSIM features

• Saily plans include data only. No voice calls, no SMS.That means WhatsApp calls, Skype, iMessage, and other internet-based communication work fine, but dialing an actual phone number goes through your primary SIM.
  
• Hotspot allowance is unlimited across all Saily plans. You can share your data connection with laptops, tablets, or other devices without restrictions.
  
• The app includes three built-in security features. Virtual location encrypts your traffic and masks your actual location. Ad Blocker removes tracking scripts and reduces data consumption by up to 28.6%, according to Saily. Web Protection flags malicious domains and helps you avoid phishing sites.
  
• You can turn on auto top-up in the app. When your data runs low, Saily buys more automatically. The new plan kicks in as soon as the old one runs out.
  
• Device compatibility is straightforward. iPhones from the 11 onward, iPads released in 2019 or later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixels, and most smartphones launched after 2020 support eSIMs.
  
• Dual-eSIM support isn't highlighted, though most modern devices can store multiple eSIM profiles. You just can't use two simultaneously.
  
• Data priority also isn't adjustable, once you're connected, you're getting whatever bandwidth the local network allocates.

Saily eSIM customer reviews

Trustpilot rates Saily at 4.7/5 stars based on over 13,000 reviews. That's legitimately strong for a travel service.

Positive feedback centers on setup ease, reliable connectivity, and responsive support. Multiple reviewers mentioned one-minute installation processes that worked flawlessly across countries like the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, and Spain.

Customer support gets frequent compliments. The presence of real humans instead of chatbots earned repeated praise, especially when resolving installation issues or connectivity problems.

Negative reviews exist but are less common. Some users reported weaker signals compared to their main SIM on the same network, or LTE connections while their primary SIM accessed 5G. A few reviewers noted the app's reliance on server-side data loading.

Saily eSIM customer support

Saily offers 24/7 live chat support through the app. You can also email the team at support@saily.com for more detailed inquiries. Phone support isn't listed as an option.

Responsiveness gets consistent praise in reviews. Users report quick replies through the in-app chat, often within minutes. Support agents walk customers through troubleshooting procedures with what reviewers describe as patience and clarity.

There's no indication of a specialized eSIM support tier beyond the standard team. Everyone accesses the same 24/7 chat channel regardless of their plan type. That said, Saily Ultra subscribers get priority support and faster response times, rather than a separate support team.

Saily eSIM app and ease of us

• The Saily app is available on iOS and Android. Inside the app, you can browse destinations, purchase data plans, check usage, and manage active eSIMs. The interface is clean, most users describe it as simple and uncluttered.
• Usage tracking shows how much data you've consumed and how much remains. The app sends notifications when you hit 80% of your data limit, giving you time to top up before running out completely.
• The app doesn't facilitate eSIM transfers between devices. If you switch phones, you'll need to contact support for manual transfer assistance. That's less convenient than some competitors but matches industry standard for most eSIM providers.
• Installation guidance walks you through QR code scanning or manual entry. Reviews suggest the instructions are generally clear, though some users found the distinction between "installing" the eSIM and "activating" it confusing.
• One limitation: the app relies heavily on server-side data. If you've run out of data and aren't on Wi-Fi, you can't load the app to check your balance or purchase a top-up. 

In-app browser pages for reloading also struggle with slow connections, making it difficult to buy more data when you're already running low.

Saily eSIM alternatives

Saily isn't the only eSIM game in town. Here's how it stacks up against major competitors:

• Where Saily pulls ahead: unlimited hotspot sharing on all plans, integrated security tools at no extra cost, and long validity periods (7-30 days for most plans).
  
• Where competitors win: Airalo has slightly wider coverage in niche destinations, Holafly offers unlimited data everywhere (not just select countries), and Nomad occasionally beats Saily on pure price for budget-conscious travelers.