Best eSIM guide · 2026
Airalo vs Saily eSIM Plans Ranked (2026): 5 Compared
5 providers scored across coverage, pricing, speed, app quality, and support. All data verified June 2026.
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
The comparison
Airalo vs Saily eSIM providers compared
All 5 providers ranked by weighted composite score. Color-coded by value.
| Provider | Rubric score (0-5) | From / GB |
|---|---|---|
 HelloRoamHighest scoreTop composite rating | 4.6 | from $3.50/GB |
 AiraloWidest coverage catalogue | 4.5 | $4.50/GB |
 NomadMost competitive per-GB rates | 4.2 | $3.00/GB |
 HolaflyStrongest unlimited tier | 4.3 | $2.99/day |
 SailyLeading privacy integration | 4.2 | $3.99/GB |
Prices verified June 2026. Equal-weight score: Coverage Breadth 20%, Pricing Tiers 20%, Network Generation 20%, App Features 20%, Support Channels 20%.
Feature matrix
Airalo vs Saily spec-by-spec breakdown
Every rubric dimension compared side by side.
| Feature | HelloRoam | Airalo | Nomad | Holafly | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating (0-5, our rubric) | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.2 |
| Countries | 186+ | 200+ | 200+ | 160+ | 200+ |
| Starting Price | from $3.50/GB | $4.50/GB | $3.00/GB | $2.99/day | $3.99/GB |
| Per-GB Floor | $3.50 | $4.50 | $3.00 | $2.99/day | $3.99 |
| Founded | 2025 | 2019 | 2020 | 2017 | 2023 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Singapore | Santa Clara, CA | Murcia, Spain | Vilnius, Lithuania |
| Support | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Email + in-app chat | Email only | 24/7 chat + email | Email only |
| Guarantee | 180-day refund | 14-day refund | 30-day refund | 180-day refund | 30-day refund |
| Coverage Breadth score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.5 | 4.9 | 3.9 | 4.3 | 4.0 |
| Pricing Tiers score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.8 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
| Network Generation score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.4 |
| App Features score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 5.0 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 | 4.5 |
| Support Channels score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 5.0 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.7 | 4.1 |
| Weighted Composite | 4.64 | 4.45 | 4.15 | 4.35 | 4.20 |
Score breakdown
Airalo vs Saily provider scores
Weighted composite score across 5 dimensions.
Methodology
How we score eSIM providers
Five dimensions, each weighted at 20 percent.
Country count, carrier partnerships, regional bundle availability
Per-GB floor, plan tier spread, value at common data amounts
Carrier routing and which network generations that carrier publishes
Installation flow, data tracking, interface quality
Channel availability and refund policy
All scores are editorial assessments based on verified data. Pricing checked weekly. See our full scoring methodology for details.
HelloRoam -- Highest Composite Score
HelloRoam scores 4.64/5 on our rubric overall, with App 5.0 and Support 5.0 on an iOS and Android app, live chat plus WhatsApp, and a 180-day refund. Its $3.50/GB floor undercuts both Airalo's $4.50/GB and Saily's $3.99/GB in this matrix, though its 186-country footprint sits behind Saily's 200 and Airalo's 200+. Its 4.4/5 on our rubric Pricing score beats both providers in the Airalo-Saily pairing.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- 186 countries with 204+ carrier partnerships for reliable local routing
- Fixed plans from $3.50/GB across popular destinations
- Unlimited plans from $5 for short stays, scaling by duration
- iOS and Android app with in-app top-up, add-destination, and usage alerts
- Live chat, WhatsApp, and email support, including real-time channels
- 31+ local currencies supported at checkout
- 63-language interface for non-English travelers
Cons
- Newer brand (launched August 2025) with shorter track record
- 186 countries, behind Airalo's 200+ catalogue
Airalo -- Widest Coverage Catalogue
Airalo leads Saily on four of five tracked dimensions, with Coverage the widest gap (4.9 vs. 4.0) and App, Pricing, and Support all narrowing to within a few tenths of a point. Its 200+ country footprint and regional bundles cover multi-country trips Saily's 200-country list does not track as a single eSIM.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- 200+ countries with the widest coverage breadth in the market
- Regional multi-country bundles (Asialink, Eurolink, Discover Global)
- Automatic in-app install with real-time data tracking and hourly runtime estimates
- Airmoney cashback rewards (5-10% depending on loyalty tier)
- Established brand since 2019 with proven reliability
Cons
- Per-GB pricing higher than budget alternatives
- Unlimited plans available in select markets only, not all 200+ destinations
- No live chat or WhatsApp channel: support runs on email and in-app messaging
Nomad -- Best Budget Per-GB Rate
Nomad's $3.00/GB rate undercuts both Airalo and Saily by a wide margin, backed by the matrix's highest Pricing score at 4.8/5. Its 200-country footprint trails Airalo's 200-plus and matches Saily's 200.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- Competitive pricing starting from $3.00/GB in Southeast Asia
- Simple, fast checkout with no account required in many cases
- Lowest per-GB rates for Thailand, Vietnam, South Korea, and Japan
- Plans start at a low entry price for short trips
Cons
- Email-only support with no live chat, WhatsApp, or phone channel
- Basic app compared to Airalo and Saily
- 200 countries, behind only Airalo among the five providers
- Limited plan variety in some countries
Holafly -- Best Unlimited Daily Rate
Holafly's unlimited-only model, from $2.99/day, sidesteps the per-GB pricing race between Airalo and Saily entirely. Its 4.65/5 on the rubric Support score sits behind HelloRoam's 5.0 and ahead of both Airalo's 4.15/5 and Saily's 4.1/5 on this scorecard.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- Unlimited daily data from $2.99/day with no data caps
- 160+ countries covered including all major destinations
- Simple per-day pricing: know exactly what you pay before you leave
- 180-day refund policy on unused plans
- 24/7 chat support alongside email
Cons
- Speeds reduce after the daily fair use threshold on most plans
- Hotspot tethering limited to 1 GB/day on select destinations
- Not cost-effective for light data users (under 3 GB/trip)
- Fewer countries than Airalo
Saily -- Best for Privacy
Saily ties Airalo on Speed at 4.4/5 on this scorecard and closes most of the remaining gap on App (4.5 vs. 4.7), Pricing (4.0 vs. 4.1), and Support (4.1 vs. 4.15). Its bundled NordVPN connection, included on every plan, is a spec Airalo does not track.
Dimension scores, 0-5 on our rubric
Pros
- Backed by NordVPN parent company Nord Security with proven privacy infrastructure
- Integrated VPN protection included on every plan at no extra cost
- Clean, privacy-focused app with VPN toggle inside the eSIM interface
- 200 countries with strong European coverage
- 30-day refund policy
Cons
- Email-only support with no live chat or WhatsApp for urgent help
- Fixed data plans only; no unlimited daily tier
- 200 countries, just behind Airalo's 200-plus
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Airalo vs Saily eSIM questions, answered
Which has wider coverage, Airalo or Saily?
Which has wider coverage, Airalo or Saily?
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix. Airalo tracks 200+ countries against Saily's 200, and its Coverage score of 4.9/5 in our comparison matrix leads Saily's 4.0/5, the widest single-dimension gap in this matchup. HelloRoam follows at 186 countries and a 4.5 Coverage score.
Does Saily include a VPN?
Does Saily include a VPN?
Yes. Every Saily plan bundles a NordVPN connection at no extra cost, backed by Nord Security, NordVPN's parent company. Airalo does not track VPN as a feature in this comparison.
Is Airalo more expensive than Saily?
Is Airalo more expensive than Saily?
Slightly. Airalo's $4.50/GB floor runs above Saily's $3.99/GB, though the two score close on Pricing, 4.1/5 on our rubric against 4.0/5, a 0.1-point gap. HelloRoam prices below both at $3.50/GB.
Compare all 5 providers for Airalo vs Saily
Side-by-side scoring. Plans from $2.99/day to $4.50/GB. Verified June 2026.