Quick answer
Airalo and Nomad both sell fixed and unlimited travel eSIMs in 200+ destinations at similar prices. Airalo has more plan types and calls-and-texts options; Nomad offers long-validity plans, a free 1 GB trial and card refunds, but no refunds on unlimited plans. eSIM.site compares several plans per destination.
Airalo vs Nomad: at a glance
| Feature | Airalo | Nomad | eSIM.site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Prepaid packages: fixed GB for set days, day-based unlimited, and data plus calls and texts in some countries | Prepaid fixed-GB plans (7 to 365 days) and day-based unlimited plans with a daily high-speed cap | Pay once per plan: fixed data for a set number of days, plus unlimited and daily 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) | US: 1 GB / 7 days $5, 3 GB / 30 days $6; Japan: 5 GB / 30 days $10 (Oct 2026) | Plans from $2.02; every destination page lists live prices |
| Destinations | 200+ locations, with local, regional and global eSIMs | 200+ destinations, with regional plans and a Global plan (123 destinations) | 210 destinations plus 9 regional and global plans |
| Unlimited data | Yes, in about 150 destinations: 3 GB per day at full speed, then 1 Mbps until the daily reset | Yes; most plans give 2 GB per day at full speed, then slow down | Yes, in many destinations; each plan shows its fair-use limit before you buy |
| Calls, SMS or phone number | Some plans include local calls and texts (US: 1 GB + 10 min + 10 SMS, 3 days, $6.00) | Mostly data only; some eSIMs include a local number (e.g. UK Voice plans) | No. Plans are data only; use WhatsApp or FaceTime for calls |
| How you buy and install | Website or iOS and Android app; install through the app or directly on the device | Website or iOS and Android app; free 1 GB trial eSIM for new users | Buy on the website, no app needed; QR code plus one-tap install links for iPhone and Android |
| Top-ups | Yes, on the same eSIM when a top-up package is offered; optional renewals at 10% data left | Add-ons extend an active plan on the same eSIM; not every plan has add-ons | Yes, most plans can be topped up from your account |
| Hotspot and tethering | Allowed if your device and the local network support it; uses your plan data | Supported; it uses your plan data or daily allowance | Usually allowed and counted against your plan data; ask support about a specific plan |
| Multi-country trips | Regional eSIMs (Europe, Asia, North America and more) and Global eSIMs from $8.50 | Regional and Global plans for multi-country trips | Regional and global plans, plus a Travel Planner that issues one eSIM per country of a trip |
| Refunds | 14-day withdrawal right ends at activation; change-of-plans refunds paid as Airmoney credit | Request within 30 days; unused plans may be fully refunded; all unlimited plans are non-refundable | Only when the eSIM cannot connect at all after troubleshooting with support |
| Customer support | Live chat, in-app chat and WhatsApp, advertised as available any time | Live chat and email in the app and on the website, advertised as available any time | Support tickets from your account and email |
| Rewards | Airmoney cashback of 5% to 10% by loyalty level on eSIMs and top-ups | Nomad Membership: 5% to 15% points back by tier | Gift cards; no cashback program |
| Customer rating | 4.1/5 from 46,700+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | 4.3/5 from 45,500+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | Too new for a public Trustpilot rating |
Prices and policies as published by each brand, checked October 10, 2026.
Airalo and Nomad target the same traveler: someone who wants a prepaid eSIM with a fixed amount of data at a fair price. Nomad, a business line of LotusFlare in California, stands out for long-validity plans and a free trial; Airalo for its range of plan types and cashback. Prices, policies and ratings were checked on each brand's own pages and Trustpilot in October 2026.
Which is cheaper, Airalo or Nomad?
Prices are similar. In October 2026, 5 GB for 30 days in Japan cost $11.00 with Airalo and $10 with Nomad. In the US, Airalo charged $4.00 for 1 GB for 3 days and Nomad $5 for 1 GB for 7 days, while Nomad's 3 GB for 30 days cost $6.
Nomad's longer validity makes its small plans better value for stays of a week or more. Nomad also sells long-validity plans, such as 100 GB for 365 days in the US, which suit repeat visitors.
How do Airalo and Nomad unlimited plans compare?
Airalo unlimited plans give 3 GB per day at full speed, then 1 Mbps. Most Nomad unlimited plans give 2 GB per day at full speed and then slow down; Nomad's help center says to about 1 to 2 Mbps, while its product pages say 512 kbps.
Heavy users get more full-speed data per day from Airalo. Note that all Nomad unlimited plans are non-refundable.
Which has better refunds, Airalo or Nomad?
Nomad can refund unused or unactivated plans within 30 days, to your card or as Nomad Points, but all Nomad unlimited plans are non-refundable. Airalo's withdrawal right ends at activation, and change-of-plans refunds are paid as Airmoney credit.
Can you try Nomad or Airalo for free?
Nomad offers new users a free 1 GB trial eSIM, a low-risk way to test eSIM on your phone. Airalo does not list a free trial, but its cheapest plans start at $4.00.
Do Airalo or Nomad include a phone number?
Airalo sells calls-and-texts plans in some countries, such as 1 GB with 10 minutes and 10 SMS for 3 days in the US for $6.00. Nomad is mostly data only, though it says some eSIMs include a local number, such as its UK Voice plans.
Which has better reviews and rewards, Airalo or Nomad?
Nomad rates 4.3 out of 5 from more than 45,500 Trustpilot reviews and Airalo 4.1 out of 5 from more than 46,700 (October 2026). Nomad Membership gives 5% to 15% points back by tier; Airalo's Airmoney gives 5% to 10% cashback.
Where does eSIM.site fit?
eSIM.site lists several fixed-data, unlimited and daily plans for each destination on one page, with no app needed and top-ups on most plans. It is data only, newer than Airalo and Nomad, 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.
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
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
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
Which should you choose?
Airalo
Choose Airalo if you want more plan types, calls-and-texts plans or more full-speed data per day on unlimited plans.
Nomad
Choose Nomad if you want longer validity on small plans, long-stay plans, a free trial or refunds to your card on unused fixed-data 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 planseSIM.site prices today
Live starting prices for popular destinations. Open a destination to compare every plan.
Our verdict
Nomad is slightly better value for stays of a week or longer, thanks to longer validity on small plans, and its free trial and card refunds lower the risk for first-timers. Airalo is the better choice for heavy users on unlimited plans and for travelers who want calls-and-texts plans. Avoid Nomad unlimited plans if there is any chance you will cancel, because they are non-refundable.
Frequently asked questions
Is Nomad better than Airalo?
It depends on your trip. Nomad offers longer validity on small plans, a free 1 GB trial and card refunds on unused fixed-data plans. Airalo offers more full-speed data on unlimited plans and calls-and-texts plans in some countries.
Is Nomad eSIM legit?
Yes. Nomad is a business line of LotusFlare, Inc., based in Santa Clara, California, and launched in 2020 according to its About page. Nomad says it has more than 3 million registered users and rates 4.3 out of 5 from more than 45,500 Trustpilot reviews (October 2026).
Does Nomad have a free trial?
Yes. Nomad offers new users a free 1 GB trial eSIM. Airalo does not list a free trial.
Can I top up a Nomad eSIM?
Nomad add-ons extend an active plan on the same eSIM and start when it runs out, but not every Nomad plan has add-ons. Airalo lets you top up when a top-up package is offered.
Which is better for a long stay, Airalo or Nomad?
Nomad, usually. Its fixed-data plans run from 7 to 365 days, including 100 GB for 365 days in the US, which suits long stays and repeat visits.
Do Airalo and Nomad allow hotspot use?
Yes. Both brands support hotspot or tethering, and the shared data counts against your plan or daily allowance.
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
- 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
- Nomad on Trustpilot