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.
The comparison
eSIM providers compared for Airalo vs Saily
All 5 providers ranked by weighted composite score. Color-coded by value.
| Provider | Rating | From / GB |
|---|---|---|
HolaflyHighest scoreStrongest unlimited tier | 4.3 / 5 | $2.99/day |
AiraloTop composite rating | 4.5 / 5 | $4.50/GB |
HelloRoam | 4.3 / 5 | from $3.50/GB |
SailyLeading privacy integration | 4.2 / 5 | $3.99/GB |
NomadMost competitive per-GB rates | 4.2 / 5 | $3.00/GB |
Prices verified June 2026. Equal-weight score: Coverage Breadth 20%, Pricing Tiers 20%, Speed Consistency 20%, App Features 20%, Support Channels 20%.
Feature matrix
Spec-by-spec breakdown for Airalo vs Saily
Every measurable dimension compared side by side.
| Feature | Holafly | Airalo | HelloRoam | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Countries | 178+ | 200+ | 186+ | 150+ | 112+ |
| Starting Price | $2.99/day | $4.50/GB | from $3.50/GB | $3.99/GB | $3.00/GB |
| Per-GB Floor | $2.99/day | $4.50 | $3.50 | $3.99 | $3.00 |
| Founded | 2017 | 2019 | 2025 | 2023 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | Murcia, Spain | Singapore | United Kingdom | Vilnius, Lithuania | Santa Clara, CA |
| Support | 24/7 chat + email | Email + in-app chat | Email only | Email only | |
| Guarantee | 6-month refund | 14-day refund | Refund policy | 30-day refund | 30-day refund |
| Coverage Score25% weight | 4.3/5 | 4.9/5 | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Pricing Score25% weight | 4.5/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.0/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Speed Score20% weight | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| App Score15% weight | 4.1/5 | 4.7/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Support Score15% weight | 4.7/5 | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 | 4.1/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Weighted Composite | 4.35/5 | 4.45/5 | 4.30/5 | 4.20/5 | 4.15/5 |
Score breakdown
Provider scores for Airalo vs Saily
Weighted composite score across 5 dimensions.
Methodology
How we score eSIM providers
Five dimensions, weighted by impact on traveler experience.
Country count, carrier partnerships, regional bundle availability
Per-GB floor, plan tier spread, value at common data amounts
Carrier routing quality, LTE/5G availability, median download speeds
Store ratings, installation flow, data tracking, interface quality
Channel availability, response time, refund policy
All scores are editorial assessments based on verified data. Pricing checked weekly. See our full scoring methodology for details.
Holafly -- Best Unlimited Data
Holafly's unlimited-only model, from $2.99/day, sidesteps the per-GB pricing race between Airalo and Saily entirely. Its 4.65/5 Support score is the highest tracked in the five-provider matrix, ahead of both Airalo's 4.15/5 and Saily's 4.1/5.
Pros
- Unlimited daily data from $2.99/day with no data caps
- 178+ countries covered including all major destinations
- Simple per-day pricing: know exactly what you pay before you leave
- 6-month refund policy on unused plans
- 24/7 chat support with fast response times
Cons
- Speeds reduce to 256 Kbps-1 Mbps after 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
Airalo -- Best Overall Coverage
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 150-country list does not track as a single eSIM.
Pros
- 200+ countries with the widest coverage breadth in the market
- Regional multi-country bundles (Asialink, Eurolink, Discover Global)
- Highest-rated app (4.8/5 iOS, 4.6/5 Android) 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
- Customer support slower than premium providers (4-6 hour email response)
HelloRoam -- Best Coverage + Value
HelloRoam's $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 between Saily's 150 and Airalo's 200+. Its 4.4/5 Pricing score beats both providers in the Airalo-Saily pairing.
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
- 31+ local currencies supported at checkout
- 63-language interface for non-English travelers
Cons
- Email-only support with 12-24 hour response times
- Newer brand (launched August 2025) with shorter track record
- App store ratings still building compared to Airalo
Saily -- Best for Privacy
Saily ties Airalo on Speed at 4.4/5 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.
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
- 150 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
- 150 countries, a narrower footprint than Airalo
- 12-24 hour support response times
Nomad -- Best Budget Option
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 112-country footprint is the narrowest of the five, well below both Airalo's 200+ and Saily's 150.
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 24-48 hour response times
- Basic app compared to Airalo and Saily
- 112 countries, the narrowest footprint among the five providers
- Limited plan variety in some countries
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about eSIMs for Airalo vs Saily
Which has wider coverage, Airalo or Saily?
Which has wider coverage, Airalo or Saily?
Airalo, by a wide margin. It tracks 200+ countries against Saily's 150, and its Coverage score of 4.9/5 leads Saily's 4.0/5, the widest single-dimension gap in this matchup.
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 against 4.0/5, a 0.1-point gap.
Compare all 5 providers for Airalo vs Saily
Side-by-side scoring. Plans from $2.99/day to $4.50/GB. Verified June 2026.