Saily vs Airalo: the best eSIM app for global travelers 2025

Torn between Saily and Airalo for your next trip? You’re definitely not alone. Both are popular eSIM providers that make staying connected abroad a whole lot easier—but they go about it in slightly different ways. Whether you’re after the best pricing, widest coverage, or a setup so smooth it barely feels like a task, this comparison breaks down everything you need to know to choose the best eSIM app for your travels in 2025.

We’ll compare Saily vs Airalo on the things that matter: how much they cost, how well they work, how easy they are to use, and what kinds of features you get beyond just data. By the end of this guide, you should have a clear idea of which provider fits your travel style—and your budget.

Mariam Volobueva

Saily vs Airalo: overview

Saily and Airalo are two of the biggest names in the eSIM world right now. Saily is a newer player. It was launched by Nord Security in 2024 but has already earned the attention of travelers who want flexible, affordable plans without overthinking the details. Airalo, on the other hand, has been around longer and has built a reputation as the go-to eSIM option.

Both platforms let you install and activate your eSIM instantly, so you can get online the moment you land. And both cater to global travelers looking to avoid expensive roaming fees. But if you’re trying to decide between the two, there are some notable differences worth pointing out.

For starters, Saily tends to be a bit cheaper than Airalo, especially when it comes to longer-term plans or higher data limits. If you’re planning a longer trip or just want to hotspot your laptop without worrying about blowing through your data in a day, Saily’s unlimited data plans might make more sense.

Another area where Saily stands out is privacy and security. It includes built-in features like ad-blocking and web protection—small touches, but nice to have, especially when you’re traveling and relying on public Wi-Fi. Airalo doesn’t offer anything like that at the moment.

Here’s a quick breakdown to help you compare:

Coverage

When it comes to global coverage, both Saily and Airalo are seriously competitive. You’ll be able to get online in pretty much any corner of the world—whether you’re city-hopping through Europe, backpacking across Southeast Asia, or heading somewhere a bit more off the beaten path.

Saily covers over 200 destinations and 7 regions, while Airalo is available in over 200 destinations and 8 regions. It looks like Airalo has a bit of an edge here in the number of regions it covers, but the difference is only on paper. Saily includes Asia and Oceania as one region, whereas Airalo lists them as two separate regions. In fact, the coverage is pretty much the same. 

Both eSIMs also offer global plans. So if your planning a tour across multiple regions, both Saily and Airalo have you covered. 

In short, if you’ve got wanderlust and are looking for the eSIM that works in the most destinations, either one will do the job. 

Additional features

This is one area where Saily really pulls ahead—because while Airalo sticks to the basics, Saily packs in some additional eSIM security features that can make a real difference when you’re on the move.

Here’s what you get with Saily that you won’t find with Airalo:

• Virtual location – Allows you to select your virtual location and encrypt traffic. 
• Ad blocker – Blocks ads, making browsing faster and saving you around 28.6% of your data, on average. 
• Web protection – Blocks malicious URLs and suspicious links, protecting your device security. 

These features go beyond just staying connected—they make traveling smoother and a bit more secure. For example, virtual location can come in handy if you need to access content or services from your home country while abroad (like checking your work schedule or using region-locked apps). The ad blocker and web protection are great to have too, especially when you’re hopping between public Wi-Fi networks or scanning QR codes at restaurants, hotels, or tourist spots.

Pricing and plans

One of the biggest perks of using an eSIM provider like Saily or Airalo is being able to skip those brutal roaming charges. Whether you’re gone for a weekend or a few months, that alone can save you a ton.

If you’re looking strictly at price, Saily tends to be cheaper in a lot of popular destinations. For example, 1GB of data in Thailand costs just $2.54 with Saily, compared to Airalo’s starting price of $4.50. In the UK, Saily charges $3.82, which still beats out Airalo for that same amount of data.

But it’s not just about being cheaper. Saily is more consistent in the plans it offers—you’ll almost always see options for 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB, and unlimited plans. With Airalo, it’s a bit more of a mixed bag. Some countries have a ton of choices—up to 50GB or even unlimited. Others? You might only get one or two smaller packages, like GB or 5GB max.

You also save a little more with Saily thanks to the built-in ad blocker. 28.6% of your data can add up to a lot, especially over time. So if you travel frequently or plan on taking a longer trip, this brings down the costs significantly. 

Speed

Both Saily and Airalo support high-speed networks, including up to 5G where it’s available—so in theory, you can expect fast data wherever you go. That said, real-world speeds can be a bit of a mixed bag.

Airalo tends to edge out Saily slightly where it partners with high-performing local carriers. But that difference isn’t always noticeable, and it really depends on where you are. Remote areas, weak signal zones, or just being tied to a less reliable local provider can slow things down for either service.

On the other hand, Saily’s built-in ad blocker speeds up browsing pretty much regardless of where you are. 

At the end of the day, both providers deliver reliable enough speeds for things like streaming, navigation, and video calls—but your actual experience will vary depending on your destination and local network quality.

Customer support

Both Saily and Airalo offer solid customer support, with 24/7 availability and multiple ways to get help. Whether you’re trying to troubleshoot a connection or just need help picking a plan, you’ll have someone to talk to.

That said, Saily typically responds faster, usually within 1 to 2 hours, while Airalo may take a bit longer, around 2 to 3 hours on average. 

Here’s a quick comparison:

Choosing between Saily and Airalo

Deciding between eSIM providers really comes down to your travel style and priorities. Are you a frequent flyer? A digital nomad hopping between countries? Or maybe you’re just heading out for a short vacation? Either way, a few key factors—like pricing, plan flexibility, refund policies, and extra features—can help you figure out which eSIM is the better fit.

If you’re someone who travels often or to multiple countries in one trip, Saily has a serious advantage. Its single eSIM works across multiple destinations, so you don’t need to keep swapping out or reinstalling new ones for every country. That means less hassle and more seamless connectivity.

Saily vs Airalo FAQ