Quick answer
The best Airalo alternative depends on why you are switching: Holafly for unlimited data by the day and 6-month refunds, Saily for cheap fixed plans and a 4.7 rating, Nomad for long-validity plans and a free trial, Ubigi for one reusable eSIM, and eSIM.site for comparing several plans per destination.
Airalo alternatives: at a glance
| Feature | Airalo | eSIM.site | Holafly | Saily | Nomad | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Prepaid packages: fixed GB for set days, day-based unlimited, and data plus calls and texts in some countries | Pay once per plan: fixed data for a set number of days, plus unlimited and daily plans | Unlimited data priced by number of days (1 to 90 days); separate monthly subscription | Prepaid fixed-GB plans, day-based unlimited plans and an Ultra subscription | Prepaid fixed-GB plans (7 to 365 days) and day-based unlimited plans with a daily high-speed cap | One-off fixed-GB or unlimited plans, plus auto-renewing monthly and prepaid annual plans |
| Example price | US: 1 GB / 3 days $4.00, 3 GB / 7 days $9.00; Japan: 5 GB / 30 days $11.00 (Oct 2026) | Plans from $2.02; every destination page lists live prices | US: unlimited 3 days $11.90; Japan: unlimited 7 days $27.50, 30 days $73.90 (Oct 2026) | US: 1 GB / 7 days $3.99, 3 GB / 30 days $8.99; Japan: 5 GB / 30 days $10.99 (Oct 2026) | US: 1 GB / 7 days $5, 3 GB / 30 days $6; Japan: 5 GB / 30 days $10 (Oct 2026) | US: 1 GB / 7 days $4, 10 GB / 30 days $14; Japan: 5 GB / 15 days $10 (Oct 2026) |
| Destinations | 200+ locations, with local, regional and global eSIMs | 210 destinations plus 9 regional and global plans | 200+ destinations, with regional eSIMs (Europe: 33 countries) and a Global eSIM | 200+ destinations, with regional plans and a Global plan (121 countries) | 200+ destinations, with regional plans and a Global plan (123 destinations) | 200+ destinations, with local, regional and World plans |
| Unlimited data | Yes, in about 150 destinations: 3 GB per day at full speed, then 1 Mbps until the daily reset | Yes, in many destinations; each plan shows its fair-use limit before you buy | All trip plans are unlimited; an operator fair-use slowdown may apply for up to one day at a time | Yes, 5 to 30 days: 3 or 5 GB per day at full speed depending on destination, then up to 1 Mbps | Yes; most plans give 2 GB per day at full speed, then slow down | Yes, in 90+ destinations: full speed up to a threshold (US 7 days: 25 GB), then 2 Mbps |
| Calls, SMS or phone number | Some plans include local calls and texts (US: 1 GB + 10 min + 10 SMS, 3 days, $6.00) | No. Plans are data only; use WhatsApp or FaceTime for calls | Trip eSIMs are data only; the monthly subscription adds a US, UK or Canadian number | Data plans have no number; a paid US (+1) number can be added after an ID check | Mostly data only; some eSIMs include a local number (e.g. UK Voice plans) | No. Data only; calls and texts go through apps such as WhatsApp |
| How you buy and install | Website or iOS and Android app; install through the app or directly on the device | Buy on the website, no app needed; QR code plus one-tap install links for iPhone and Android | Website or Holafly app; install through the app or the emailed QR guide | Website or iOS and Android app; the eSIM installs through the Saily app (no QR code) | Website or iOS and Android app; free 1 GB trial eSIM for new users | Website (QR code by email) or iOS and Android app |
| Top-ups | Yes, on the same eSIM when a top-up package is offered; optional renewals at 10% data left | Yes, most plans can be topped up from your account | No top-ups on trip eSIMs; you buy a new eSIM for extra days | Yes, add data to the same eSIM in the app, with optional Auto Top-Up | Add-ons extend an active plan on the same eSIM; not every plan has add-ons | Yes, recharge the same eSIM in the app, even with no data left |
| Hotspot and tethering | Allowed if your device and the local network support it; uses your plan data | Usually allowed and counted against your plan data; ask support about a specific plan | Allowed but capped at 1 GB per day on trip eSIMs | Supported; unlimited-plan terms prohibit excessive tethering | Supported; it uses your plan data or daily allowance | Allowed; unlimited plans have no tethering restrictions |
| Multi-country trips | Regional eSIMs (Europe, Asia, North America and more) and Global eSIMs from $8.50 | Regional and global plans, plus a Travel Planner that issues one eSIM per country of a trip | Regional and Global eSIMs (Europe, Asia, Latin America and more); one eSIM per trip | One eSIM for all trips: add plans for new destinations; regional and Global plans | Regional and Global plans for multi-country trips | One reusable eSIM; country plans switch automatically as you cross borders |
| Refunds | 14-day withdrawal right ends at activation; change-of-plans refunds paid as Airmoney credit | Only when the eSIM cannot connect at all after troubleshooting with support | Full refund within 6 months if not activated; partial refunds can carry a $3.50 fee | Full refund within 30 days if not installed or activated; after activation only if 99%+ unused | Request within 30 days; unused plans may be fully refunded; all unlimited plans are non-refundable | Only if unused: no refund once the QR code is scanned; request within 14 business days |
| Customer support | Live chat, in-app chat and WhatsApp, advertised as available any time | Support tickets from your account and email | Chat, email, WhatsApp and in-app support, advertised as available any time | Live chat advertised as available any time, plus an email form | Live chat and email in the app and on the website, advertised as available any time | Contact form staffed any time, plus website chat and a WhatsApp AI assistant |
| Rewards | Airmoney cashback of 5% to 10% by loyalty level on eSIMs and top-ups | Gift cards; no cashback program | HolaCoins: 5% to 7% cashback by level, plus referral rewards | 3% back in Saily credits (8% on Ultra); $5 credit per referral | Nomad Membership: 5% to 15% points back by tier | UbiClub: up to 8% back in UbiCoins on in-app purchases |
| Customer rating | 4.1/5 from 46,700+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | Too new for a public Trustpilot rating | 4.7/5 from 114,000+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | 4.7/5 from 32,100+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | 4.3/5 from 45,500+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | 4.1/5 from 48,100+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) |
Prices and policies as published by each brand, checked October 10, 2026.
Airalo is one of the most popular travel eSIM brands, but it is not the best fit for everyone. Travelers look for an alternative when they want cash refunds after a change of plans, more full-speed unlimited data, a higher-rated brand or a different way to buy. Below are five Airalo alternatives, compared on the facts each brand publishes and on Trustpilot ratings, checked in October 2026.
Why look for an Airalo alternative?
Travelers usually switch from Airalo for three reasons: refunds after a change of plans are paid as Airmoney credit rather than cash, the cheapest Airalo plans last only 3 days, and Airalo's 4.1 Trustpilot score trails Holafly and Saily at 4.7 (October 2026).
What should you look for in an Airalo alternative?
Compare the price for the data you will really use, how unlimited plans slow down, the hotspot rules, whether you can top up the same eSIM, the refund policy, and whether you must install an app.
- Price per trip: look at the plan size and validity you need, not the cheapest headline price.
- Unlimited limits: check the daily full-speed allowance and the slowed speed.
- Hotspot: some unlimited plans cap or forbid tethering.
- Refunds: check what happens if your trip changes after you buy.
- Install: some brands install only through their app.
Is Holafly a good Airalo alternative?
Holafly is the best Airalo alternative for heavy data users: every Holafly plan is unlimited and priced by the day, and unactivated eSIMs can be refunded within 6 months. It costs more for light use ($11.90 for 3 days in the US) and caps hotspot at 1 GB per day.
Compare them in detail: Airalo vs Holafly.
Is Saily a good Airalo alternative?
Saily is the closest Airalo alternative on price: 1 GB for 7 days in the US costs $3.99 and 5 GB for 30 days in Japan $10.99, with top-ups and a 4.7 Trustpilot rating. Saily installs only through its app.
Compare them in detail: Airalo vs Saily.
Is Nomad a good Airalo alternative?
Nomad suits travelers who want longer validity: 3 GB for 30 days in the US costs $6, long plans run up to 365 days, and new users get a free 1 GB trial. Nomad unlimited plans cap full speed at 2 GB a day and are non-refundable.
Compare them in detail: Airalo vs Nomad.
Is Ubigi a good Airalo alternative?
Ubigi, from the French operator Transatel (NTT Group), offers one reusable eSIM whose country plans switch automatically, unlimited plans with unrestricted tethering, and monthly or annual plans. Ubigi refunds stop once the QR code is scanned.
Compare them in detail: Airalo vs Ubigi.
Is eSIM.site a good Airalo alternative?
eSIM.site suits travelers who want to compare several fixed-data, unlimited and daily plans for one destination on a single page, with no app needed, and to book multi-country trips in one checkout. eSIM.site is data only, newer, and only refunds an eSIM that cannot connect at all.
For a trip across several countries, the eSIM.site Travel Planner lets you pick every country on your itinerary and issues each eSIM on the day you need it, in one checkout. Before you buy any eSIM, check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked.
When should you stay with Airalo?
Stay with Airalo if you value its calls-and-texts plans, its 5% to 10% Airmoney cashback and its wide choice of 200+ locations, and you are confident your travel plans will not change.
Strengths and weaknesses
Airalo
Large app-based travel eSIM store selling fixed-data, unlimited and some calls-and-texts plans in 200+ locations.
- Very wide choice: 200+ locations with local, regional and global eSIMs
- Low entry prices on fixed-data plans, from $4.00 in the US and Japan
- Airmoney cashback of 5% to 10% on eSIMs and top-ups
- Top-ups, plus calls-and-texts plans in some countries
- Trustpilot score (4.1) trails Holafly and Saily (4.7)
- Wrong-purchase or change-of-plans refunds are paid as Airmoney credit, not cash
- The cheapest 1 GB plans in the US and Japan last only 3 days
- Some reviewers report activation problems and rising prices
eSIM.site
Travel eSIM marketplace that lists several prepaid data plans for each destination, with live prices.
- Lists several plans from different networks for one destination, so you pick price, data and validity
- Fixed, unlimited and daily plans in many destinations, with top-ups on most plans
- No app needed: buy on the website and install by QR code or one-tap link
- Travel Planner books an eSIM for each country of a multi-country trip in one checkout
- Newer brand without a large public review base yet
- Strict refunds: only when the eSIM cannot connect at all after troubleshooting
- Data only: no plans with a phone number, calls or SMS
- No native app; eSIMs are managed from your web account
Holafly
Unlimited-data travel eSIM sold by the day, with no fixed-GB plans and a long refund window.
- Simple unlimited data by the day, with no need to estimate gigabytes
- Up to 6 months to request a refund on an unactivated eSIM
- 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 114,000 reviews
- Always On: 1 GB of backup data every 30 days while the eSIM stays installed
- No small fixed-data plans, so light trips cost more ($11.90 for 3 days in the US)
- Hotspot sharing is limited to 1 GB per day on trip eSIMs
- No top-ups: extra days or a new trip need a new eSIM
- Trip eSIMs have no phone number for calls or SMS
Saily
Low-cost travel eSIM app from Nord Security (the company behind NordVPN) with fixed and unlimited plans and built-in security tools.
- Among the lowest entry prices: $3.99 for 1 GB for 7 days in the US
- One reusable eSIM for many destinations, with top-ups and Auto Top-Up
- Built-in ad blocker, web protection and virtual location features
- Optional US phone number add-on for calls and SMS
- Needs the Saily app to install the eSIM; there is no QR-code option
- Unlimited plans slow to 1 Mbps after 3 to 5 GB a day
- After activation, refunds only if more than 99% of the data is unused
- The phone number add-on is US-only and needs an identity check
Nomad
US-based travel eSIM brand from LotusFlare with many fixed-data sizes, long-validity plans and capped unlimited plans.
- Wide range of data sizes, including long-validity plans (100 GB for 365 days in the US)
- Competitive fixed-data prices, e.g. 5 GB for 30 days in Japan for $10
- Free 1 GB trial eSIM for new users
- Refunds can go back to your card, not only to store credit
- All unlimited plans are non-refundable
- Most unlimited plans cap full speed at 2 GB a day
- Some reviews mention weaker coverage outside big cities
- Add-ons are not available on every plan
Ubigi
Travel eSIM from French mobile operator Transatel (NTT Group) with a reusable eSIM and one-off, monthly and annual plans.
- Backed by Transatel, a mobile operator owned by NTT Group
- One reusable eSIM, and plans for several countries switch automatically
- Low fixed prices, e.g. 1 GB for 7 days in the US for $4
- Unlimited plans allow tethering and slow to 2 Mbps after a high threshold
- Strict refunds: none once the QR code is scanned
- Data only, with no phone number or SMS
- Monthly plans can only be cancelled after three months
- Rewards and referral codes work only in the app
Which should you choose?
Airalo
Stay with Airalo if you want calls-and-texts plans, Airmoney cashback and a wide choice of small plans.
eSIM.site
Choose eSIM.site if you want to compare several plans for one destination before buying, prefer not to install an app, or are booking eSIMs for a multi-country trip in one checkout.
See plansHolafly
Choose Holafly if you want unlimited data by the day and a 6-month refund window on unactivated eSIMs.
Saily
Choose Saily if you want the lowest prices, a 4.7 Trustpilot rating and one reusable eSIM, and you are happy to use its app.
Nomad
Choose Nomad if you want longer validity, long-stay plans and a free 1 GB trial.
Ubigi
Choose Ubigi if you travel often and want one reusable eSIM with unlimited plans that allow tethering.
eSIM.site prices today
Live starting prices for popular destinations. Open a destination to compare every plan.
Our verdict
There is no single best Airalo alternative. For heavy data users, Holafly is the strongest switch. For the lowest prices with top-ups, Saily is the closest match, if you accept its app. Nomad wins on validity and its free trial, and Ubigi on reusable eSIMs and tethering. If you would rather see several plans for your destination side by side without installing an app, try eSIM.site.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Airalo?
It depends on your needs: Holafly for unlimited data by the day, Saily for the lowest prices and a 4.7 Trustpilot rating, Nomad for long validity and a free trial, Ubigi for a reusable eSIM, and eSIM.site for comparing several plans per destination without an app.
Is there anything cheaper than Airalo?
Sometimes. In October 2026, Saily charged $3.99 for 1 GB for 7 days in the US and Ubigi $4 for 7 days, while Airalo charged $4.00 for 3 days. Nomad's 3 GB for 30 days in the US cost $6. Prices change often, so compare before you buy.
Which Airalo alternative has unlimited data?
Holafly sells only unlimited plans, priced by the day. Saily, Nomad, Ubigi and eSIM.site also sell unlimited plans in many destinations, each with its own daily full-speed limit.
Which Airalo alternative has the best refunds?
Holafly, which fully refunds an eSIM that has not been activated within 6 months. Saily and Nomad refund unused plans within 30 days, while Ubigi refuses refunds once the QR code is scanned.
Which Airalo alternative works without an app?
Holafly, Ubigi and eSIM.site provide a QR code, so you can install without their apps. Saily installs only through the Saily app.
Is Airalo legit?
Yes. Airalo was founded in 2019, reported 30 million customers in June 2026 and rates 4.1 out of 5 from more than 46,700 Trustpilot reviews (October 2026). People look for alternatives because of its refund rules and plan design, not its legitimacy.
Sources and methodology
We compare each brand on its own published prices, plans and policies, plus public customer ratings, and record the date every fact was checked. We do not run lab speed tests. eSIM.site sells travel eSIMs and publishes these comparisons, so we link every source for you to verify.
- Airalo: United States eSIMs
- Airalo: Japan eSIMs
- Airalo: Unlimited data fair use policy
- Airalo Help: Can I use tethering (personal hotspot)?
- Airalo Help: Wrong eSIM or change of plans
- Airalo: Terms of Use
- Airalo Help: Calls and texts with an eSIM
- Airalo Help: Airalo loyalty program
- Airalo: Contact
- Airalo on Trustpilot
- Airalo press release: 30 million customers (June 2026)
- BetaKit: Airalo raises a $220M Series C
- Holafly: eSIM USA
- Holafly: eSIM Japan
- Holafly: eSIM Europe
- Holafly: Refund policy
- Holafly FAQ: How to request a refund
- Holafly: Trip service terms and conditions
- Holafly: Plans subscription
- Holafly: Rewards (HolaCoins)
- Holafly: About us
- Holafly press release: crosses $500M (Sept 2025)
- Holafly on Trustpilot
- Saily: eSIM USA
- Saily: eSIM Japan
- Saily: Terms of Service
- Saily Help: Refund policy
- Saily Help: Can I top up an eSIM?
- Saily Help: How to set up a hotspot
- Saily Help: What is Saily?
- Saily: About us
- Saily on Trustpilot
- Nomad: USA eSIM
- Nomad: Japan eSIM
- Nomad Help: Unlimited data plans
- Nomad Help: Refund policy
- Nomad Help: How to add more data
- Nomad Help: Contact
- Nomad: About us
- Nomad: Membership program