Best eSIM guide · 2026
Saily vs Nomad 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
Saily vs Nomad 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
Saily vs Nomad 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
Saily vs Nomad 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 sits between Nomad's $3.00/GB and Saily's $3.99/GB, and its 186-country footprint trails both Saily's 200 and Nomad's 200. Its 4.4/5 on our 2026 rubric Pricing score beats Saily's 4.0/5 but trails Nomad's 4.8/5.
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 sits behind HelloRoam's 4.64/5 and ahead of both Saily and Nomad, led by the highest tracked Coverage (4.9/5) in the matrix. Its $4.50/GB floor runs above both Saily's $3.99/GB and Nomad's $3.00/GB.
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 one lead over Saily is Pricing, and it is the widest single-dimension gap in the pairing: 4.8/5 on the rubric against 4.0/5, backed by a $3.00/GB floor that runs cheapest in Southeast Asia and East Asia. The two otherwise post the closest composite gap in this matrix, 4.15/5 against Saily's 4.2/5.
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 fixed per-GB race between Saily and Nomad entirely. Its 4.65/5 on this scorecard Support score sits behind HelloRoam's 5.0 and well ahead of Nomad's 3.85/5 and Saily's 4.1/5 on the rubric.
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 leads Nomad on four of five tracked dimensions; among those, App shows the widest gap (4.5 vs. 3.9), though Nomad's own Pricing lead (4.8 vs. 4.0) is the single widest gap in the pairing overall. Saily's bundled NordVPN connection is a spec Nomad 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
Saily vs Nomad eSIM questions, answered
Is Nomad cheaper than Saily?
Is Nomad cheaper than Saily?
Yes, on the tracked per-GB floor. Nomad starts at $3.00/GB against Saily's $3.99/GB, and Nomad's 4.8/5 in our comparison matrix Pricing score is the widest single-dimension lead in this pairing. Saily leads on every other tracked dimension.
Does Nomad include a VPN like Saily?
Does Nomad include a VPN like Saily?
No. Saily bundles a NordVPN connection on every plan at no extra cost, backed by Nord Security. Nomad does not track VPN as a feature in this comparison.
Which scores higher overall, Saily or Nomad?
Which scores higher overall, Saily or Nomad?
HelloRoam leads the 2026 composite at 4.64/5 in our comparison matrix. Saily leads Nomad by a narrow 0.05 points on this pairing: 4.2/5 against Nomad's 4.15/5 on our rubric, the closest composite gap among the five tracked providers. Saily leads four of five tracked dimensions, while Nomad leads only on Pricing.
Compare all 5 providers for Saily vs Nomad
Side-by-side scoring. Plans from $2.99/day to $4.50/GB. Verified June 2026.