Best eSIM guide · 2026
Best eSIM for Airalo vs Ubigi (2026): 5 Providers Compared
5 providers scored across coverage, pricing, speed, app quality, and support. All data verified June 2026.
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
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The comparison
Airalo vs Ubigi 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 |
 HolaflyStrongest unlimited tier | 4.3 | $2.99/day |
 SailyLeading privacy integration | 4.2 | $3.99/GB |
 NomadMost competitive per-GB rates | 4.2 | $3.00/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 Ubigi spec-by-spec breakdown
Every rubric dimension compared side by side.
| Feature | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall rating (0-5, our rubric) | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.3 | 4.2 | 4.2 |
| Countries | 186+ | 200+ | 160+ | 200+ | 200+ |
| Starting Price | from $3.50/GB | $4.50/GB | $2.99/day | $3.99/GB | $3.00/GB |
| Per-GB Floor | $3.50 | $4.50 | $2.99/day | $3.99 | $3.00 |
| Founded | 2025 | 2019 | 2017 | 2023 | 2020 |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom | Singapore | Murcia, Spain | Vilnius, Lithuania | Santa Clara, CA |
| Support | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Email + in-app chat | 24/7 chat + email | Email only | Email only |
| Guarantee | 180-day refund | 14-day refund | 180-day refund | 30-day refund | 30-day refund |
| Coverage Breadth score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 4.0 | 3.9 |
| Pricing Tiers score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.8 |
| Network Generation score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.4 | 4.3 |
| App Features score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 3.9 |
| Support Channels score20% weight, 0-5 on our rubric | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 |
| Weighted Composite | 4.64 | 4.45 | 4.35 | 4.20 | 4.15 |
Score breakdown
Airalo vs Ubigi 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. It tracks a $3.50/GB floor and 186 countries, both figures scored under the same methodology applied to Airalo. Ubigi's data-only, pay-as-you-go model sits outside that scoring system entirely.
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's 4.45/5 on this scorecard composite is the second-highest tracked in this five-provider matrix, behind HelloRoam's 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix, led by the widest Coverage (4.9/5) of the group. Ubigi is not one of the five providers scored on this matrix's methodology, so no head-to-head dimension score exists between the two here.
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
Holafly -- Best Unlimited Daily Rate
Holafly tracks at 4.35/5 on our rubric, built on an unlimited-only model from $2.99/day. Like the other three tracked providers besides Airalo, its scores are directly comparable to Airalo's; Ubigi's are not, since Ubigi falls outside this comparison's five-provider methodology.
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 tracks at 4.2/5 with a bundled NordVPN connection on every plan, a spec scored under this matrix's methodology alongside Airalo's regional bundles. Ubigi's own feature set, data-only packages with no subscription commitment, is not scored on the same scale here.
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
Nomad -- Best Budget Per-GB Rate
Nomad tracks at 4.15/5, the lowest composite among the five scored providers, led by the matrix's highest Pricing score at 4.8/5. Ubigi is not part of that five-provider set, so its pricing is not directly scored against Nomad's $3.00/GB floor here.
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
From the matrix
HelloRoam — Top composite rating
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
FAQ
Airalo vs Ubigi eSIM questions, answered
Is Ubigi one of the providers scored in this eSIM comparison matrix?
Is Ubigi one of the providers scored in this eSIM comparison matrix?
No. This comparison scores five providers, HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, and Nomad, across Coverage, Speed, App, Pricing, and Support. Ubigi is not part of that scored set, so no dimension score exists for it in this matrix.
What kind of eSIM plans does Ubigi sell?
What kind of eSIM plans does Ubigi sell?
Ubigi, operated by Transatel, sells data-only eSIM packages, no voice or SMS included, on a pay-as-you-go basis with no subscription commitment, according to its own public listings. That differs from Airalo's tiered per-country and regional bundle plans, which are scored in this matrix.
How does Airalo's coverage compare to the other tracked providers?
How does Airalo's coverage compare to the other tracked providers?
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix. Airalo tracks 200+ countries with a Coverage score of 4.9/5, the highest of the five providers scored in this matrix, ahead of Saily's and Nomad's 200 each, HelloRoam's 186, and Holafly's 160. Ubigi's own destination count is not scored on this comparison's methodology.
Compare all 5 providers for Airalo vs Ubigi
Side-by-side scoring. Plans from $2.99/day to $4.50/GB. Verified June 2026.