travel eSIM comparisons
Two providers, one answer. We line up the travel eSIMs travellers actually shortlist against each other on price per gigabyte and coverage.
Set any two eSIMs against each other
Select the two eSIMs on your shortlist. Whenever we have already judged that exact pair, the tool sends you straight to the verdict.
| Feature | Airalo | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.6 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Price | $19.50 | $19.49 |
| Renews at | not stated | not stated |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Plans offered | not stated | not stated |
| Best for | First-time and frequent travelers | Value hunters who want polish |
| Category | Data bundles | Data bundles |
| Provider | Airalo | Nord Security |
Head-to-head record
How many of the duels below each provider takes part in, and in how many of those we side with it. These are judgement calls rather than measurements, and only providers with two or more duels make the table.
What a first plan costs
Paid plans start at $15 for a month of data and top out at $29. 1 of the 15 providers also offer a free tier.
Every matchup, and our pick in each
| Comparison | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Airalo vs GigSky | Airalo |
| aloSIM vs Airalo | Airalo |
| Jetpac vs Airalo | Airalo |
| Yesim vs Airalo | Airalo |
| Maya Mobile vs Airalo | Airalo |
| Airalo vs Holafly | Airalo |
| Airalo vs Saily | Saily |
| Airalo vs Nomad | Nomad |
| Holafly vs Saily | Saily |
| Saily vs Nomad | Saily |
| Holafly vs Maya Mobile | Maya Mobile |
| Airalo vs Ubigi | Airalo |
| Firsty vs Airalo | Depends on use |
| Roamless vs Airalo | Roamless |
| Ubigi vs GigSky | Depends on use |
| Nomad vs aloSIM | Nomad |
| BNESIM vs Airalo | Airalo |
How to read these comparisons
Jump to the duel for the pair you are deciding between. The verdict comes first on every page, because that is where we spell out what you give up either way.
Our comparison rests on the price you pay per gigabyte and the limits you hit in practice, such as fair-use throttling, not on feature lists. Most eSIMs do the same basic job; what sets them apart is how they behave at the edges: a weak network, a top-up, a second country.
Airalo vs GigSky
The biggest eSIM store against the one that works at sea and in the air. The typical pack costs $9.50 less at Airalo.
aloSIM vs Airalo
Two names that look almost the same and are not related. One is the market leader, the other is $1.50 cheaper and answers the phone.
Jetpac vs Airalo
An Asia specialist against the global default. For one continent the cheaper one is also the better one.
Yesim vs Airalo
One of the few travel eSIMs that can send a text message, against the biggest catalogue in the category. Fifty cents apart.
Maya Mobile vs Airalo
Unlimited plans with fine print against metered plans without surprises. The word unlimited is doing a lot of work here.
Airalo vs Holafly
The two biggest names in travel eSIMs sell opposite philosophies. Fixed gigabytes at fair prices against unlimited data by the day.
Airalo vs Saily
The market leader against the challenger from the NordVPN stable. The products look similar. The prices usually are not.
Airalo vs Nomad
The premium-feeling market leader against the discounter. At 10 GB the price gap becomes impossible to ignore.
Holafly vs Saily
Unlimited days against sharply priced gigabytes. The comparison travelers make when they distrust their own data discipline.
Saily vs Nomad
The two value champions head-to-head. Nord Security’s polished newcomer against the relentless discounter.
Holafly vs Maya Mobile
The unlimited duel. The category’s biggest name against the rival that publishes its fine print.
Airalo vs Ubigi
The marketplace giant against the brand of an actual network operator. Polish versus pedigree.
Firsty vs Airalo
Free-with-ads against the market standard. Is zero euros ever good enough abroad?
Roamless vs Airalo
Pay-as-you-go credit against fixed bundles. Two pricing models for two kinds of travelers.
Ubigi vs GigSky
The specialists’ duel. Network-operator stability against cruise-ship and inflight coverage.
Nomad vs aloSIM
The discounter against the support champion. A dollar saved versus a question answered.
BNESIM vs Airalo
The frequent flyer’s calculation. Data that never expires against bundles you buy fresh every trip.