Quick answer
Airalo and Saily are both low-cost travel eSIMs with fixed and unlimited plans and top-ups. Saily is slightly cheaper on many plans and rates higher on Trustpilot; Airalo offers more plan types, calls-and-texts plans and installs without an app. eSIM.site lets you compare several plans for each destination.
Airalo vs Saily: at a glance
| Feature | Airalo | Saily | 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, day-based unlimited plans and an Ultra subscription | 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 $3.99, 3 GB / 30 days $8.99; Japan: 5 GB / 30 days $10.99 (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 (121 countries) | 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, 5 to 30 days: 3 or 5 GB per day at full speed depending on destination, then up to 1 Mbps | 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) | Data plans have no number; a paid US (+1) number can be added after an ID check | 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; the eSIM installs through the Saily app (no QR code) | 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 | Yes, add data to the same eSIM in the app, with optional Auto Top-Up | 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; unlimited-plan terms prohibit excessive tethering | 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 | One eSIM for all trips: add plans for new destinations; regional and Global plans | 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 | Full refund within 30 days if not installed or activated; after activation only if 99%+ unused | 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 advertised as available any time, plus an email form | Support tickets from your account and email |
| Rewards | Airmoney cashback of 5% to 10% by loyalty level on eSIMs and top-ups | 3% back in Saily credits (8% on Ultra); $5 credit per referral | Gift cards; no cashback program |
| Customer rating | 4.1/5 from 46,700+ reviews (Trustpilot, Oct 2026) | 4.7/5 from 32,100+ 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 Saily are close rivals: both sell cheap fixed-data eSIMs, unlimited plans and top-ups for 200+ destinations. The differences are in validity, refunds, rewards and how you install. Prices, policies and ratings below were checked on each brand's own pages and on Trustpilot in October 2026.
Which is cheaper, Airalo or Saily?
Prices are close. In October 2026, Saily charged $3.99 for 1 GB for 7 days in the US and $10.99 for 5 GB for 30 days in Japan; Airalo charged $4.00 for 1 GB for 3 days in the US and $11.00 for 5 GB for 30 days in Japan.
For the same data, Saily's entry plans often last longer: its 1 GB US plan runs 7 days, while Airalo's cheapest US plan lasts 3 days. Airalo's 3 GB for 7 days in the US costs $9.00, and Saily's 3 GB for 30 days costs $8.99. Prices change often, so check both before you buy.
How do Airalo and Saily unlimited plans compare?
Airalo unlimited plans give 3 GB per day at full speed, then 1 Mbps until the daily reset, in about 150 destinations. Saily unlimited plans give 3 or 5 GB per day at full speed depending on the destination (5 GB in the US), then up to 1 Mbps.
Do you need the app for Airalo or Saily?
Saily installs its eSIM only through the Saily app, with no QR code. Airalo can be bought on its website or in its app and installed through the app or directly on the device.
The Saily app includes an ad blocker, web protection and virtual location features. If you would rather not install another app, Airalo is the more flexible choice.
Do Airalo or Saily include a phone number?
Airalo sells data, 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. Saily data plans have no number, but a paid US (+1) number can be added after an identity check.
Which has better refunds, Airalo or Saily?
Saily refunds in full within 30 days if the eSIM was not installed or activated. Airalo's withdrawal right ends at activation, and refunds for a wrong purchase or a change of plans are paid as Airmoney credit rather than cash.
Which has better reviews and rewards, Airalo or Saily?
Saily rates 4.7 out of 5 from more than 32,100 Trustpilot reviews and Airalo 4.1 out of 5 from more than 46,700 (October 2026). Airalo's Airmoney gives 5% to 10% cashback, while Saily gives 3% back in credits (8% on its Ultra plan).
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 Saily, 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
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
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, higher cashback or an install without an app.
Saily
Choose Saily if you want slightly lower prices with longer validity, a higher Trustpilot rating and built-in privacy tools, and you are happy to use its app.
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
Saily edges ahead for short trips on price, validity and ratings, if you are happy to install its app. Airalo is the better fit if you want more plan types, calls-and-texts plans, higher cashback or an install without an app. Both offer top-ups and regional plans, so either works well for most travelers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Saily better than Airalo?
For many short trips, yes: Saily's entry plans cost about the same as Airalo's but last longer, and Saily rates 4.7 on Trustpilot against Airalo's 4.1 (October 2026). Airalo is better if you want calls-and-texts plans, higher cashback or no app.
Is Saily cheaper than Airalo?
Slightly, on many plans. In October 2026, 1 GB in the US cost $3.99 for 7 days with Saily and $4.00 for 3 days with Airalo, while 5 GB for 30 days in Japan cost $10.99 with Saily and $11.00 with Airalo.
Can I use Saily without the app?
No. Saily installs the eSIM through its app and does not offer a QR code. Airalo can be installed through its app or directly on the device.
Which is better for Japan, Airalo or Saily?
Price is not the deciding factor: 5 GB for 30 days in Japan cost $11.00 with Airalo and $10.99 with Saily in October 2026. Choose Saily for its higher Trustpilot rating, or Airalo if you want to install without an app.
Do Airalo and Saily allow hotspot use?
Yes. Airalo allows tethering when your device and the local network support it. Saily supports hotspot use, but its unlimited-plan terms prohibit excessive tethering beyond occasional personal use.
Is Airalo legit?
Yes. Airalo was founded in 2019, reported 30 million customers in June 2026, raised a $220 million Series C in July 2025 and rates 4.1 out of 5 from more than 46,700 Trustpilot reviews (October 2026).
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
- 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