esim-vs-google-fi
Travel eSIM providers offer data in 150-200 countries from $3.00/GB. Google Fi covers 200+ countries at $10/GB after the plan limit. eSIM providers cost less for short trips. Google Fi works better for US residents who want one plan at home and abroad. HelloRoam scores 8.8/10 in our comparison matrix.
esim-for-apple-watch
Apple Watch Series 3 and later support eSIM for cellular connectivity. Travel eSIM providers do not support Apple Watch directly. Apple Watch eSIM requires a carrier plan (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, EE, Vodafone). Number sharing with your iPhone plan costs $5-10/month.
esim-not-working
eSIM not working: 1) enable data roaming in settings, 2) verify your device supports eSIM (iPhone XS or later, most 2020+ Android phones), 3) check carrier coverage in your area, 4) toggle airplane mode on and off, 5) reset network settings. Contact your eSIM provider if activation fails.
App review · iOS & Android · 2026
eSIM App Comparison: Airalo vs Holafly vs Saily vs Nomad
The app you use to install and manage your travel eSIM affects every step of your trip. This comparison covers iOS and Android ratings, installation flow, data tracking accuracy, in-app support access, and unique features per provider — based on the current app versions in June 2026.
App store ratings
iOS and Android ratings with review counts
More reviews means more reliable signal. Rating gaps between iOS and Android reveal platform-specific issues.
| Provider | iOS Rating | iOS Reviews | Android Rating | Android Reviews | App Size | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Airalo | 4.8/5 | 50K+ | 4.6/5 | 40K+ | ~45 MB | Airmoney credit system, referral rewards |
| 2Saily | 4.5/5 | 8K+ | 4.4/5 | 6K+ | ~60 MB | Built-in VPN via NordVPN, privacy-first design |
| 3Holafly | 4.4/5 | 15K+ | 4.3/5 | 12K+ | ~35 MB | Direct WhatsApp chat from app, unlimited plan focus |
| 4Nomad | 4.2/5 | 3K+ | 4.0/5 | 2K+ | ~25 MB | Lightest weight, lowest overhead, simple purchase flow |
Installation flow
Step-by-step eSIM setup across all four apps
Every app follows the same 6-step flow. Differences lie in step 3 (payment options) and step 4 (QR vs automatic).
Step 6 (enable data roaming) applies to all providers. This must be set in your phone Settings for the eSIM line, not inside the app. Forgetting this step is the most common reason for an eSIM that shows signal but no internet.
| Step | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Search country | Select destination | Pick country | Choose country |
| Step 2 | Select plan (GB/price) | Select plan (days) | Select plan (GB/days) | Select plan (GB) |
| Step 3 | Pay (credit/Airmoney) | Pay (credit/PayPal) | Pay (credit/PayPal) | Pay (credit only) |
| Step 4 | Auto install or QR scan | QR code in email + app | Auto install from app | QR code in app |
| Step 5 | Enable in Settings | Enable in Settings | Enable in Settings | Enable in Settings |
| Step 6 | Set data roaming ON | Set data roaming ON | Set data roaming ON | Set data roaming ON |
Step 4 highlighted: Airalo and Saily support automatic installation on compatible iOS devices (iOS 17.4+) and select Android models. Holafly and Nomad require QR code scanning for all devices.
In-app features
Feature-by-feature comparison matrix
10 features that matter for daily use while traveling.
| Feature | Airalo | Holafly | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Real-time data balance | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Data usage graph | Yes | Limited | Yes | No |
| Multiple eSIM management | Yes (all plans) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Top-up from app | Yes | Yes (unlimited renewal) | Yes | No |
| In-app live chat | Yes | Yes + WhatsApp link | No | No |
| Dark mode | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Built-in VPN | No | No | Yes (NordVPN) | No |
| Referral system | Yes (Airmoney) | Yes (codes) | Yes | No |
| Push connectivity alerts | Yes | No | Yes | No |
| Apple Watch support | Limited | No | No | No |
Deep dive
Strengths and weaknesses of each eSIM app
Practical findings from testing each app across multiple trips and devices.
Airalo
Best for: First-time eSIM users who want the most-reviewed, polished app experience
Strengths
- +Highest iOS rating at 4.8/5 with 50K+ reviews provides signal confidence
- +Airmoney credit system gives 1% of each purchase back as reusable credit
- +Automatic eSIM installation eliminates the QR scanning step on iOS 17.4+
- +Data usage graphs let you track daily and weekly consumption
- +Push notifications alert you at 50%, 80%, and 100% data usage
Weaknesses
- −No built-in VPN; requires separate app for private browsing on public Wi-Fi
- −Support response time 1–3 hours; not real-time despite having in-app chat
- −App size at 45 MB is larger than Holafly and Nomad
Saily
Best for: Privacy-conscious travelers and remote workers who use public Wi-Fi frequently
Strengths
- +Built-in NordVPN integration at no added cost; activates with one tap
- +Largest app at 60 MB but justified by the full VPN stack included
- +Clear GB vs days pricing matrix shows both dimension clearly before purchase
- +Dark mode and clean typography make navigation easy at night
Weaknesses
- −Newer app with 8K+ reviews versus Airalo's 50K+; less community validation
- −No in-app live chat; all support goes through external channels
- −VPN can conflict with eSIM connection on certain carrier configurations
Holafly
Best for: Travelers who want instant 24/7 support access and unlimited data without data anxiety
Strengths
- +WhatsApp chat shortcut built into the app connects to 24/7 support instantly
- +Unlimited plan model means no data balance tracking anxiety
- +Refund process accessible directly in-app without emailing
- +6-month refund window is visible and prominently surfaced post-purchase
Weaknesses
- −No dark mode; older design language compared to Airalo and Saily
- −Fewer in-app data analytics since unlimited plans make tracking less relevant
- −Android rating at 4.3 is the second-lowest after Nomad
Nomad
Best for: Experienced eSIM users who want the cheapest data with minimal app overhead
Strengths
- +Lightest app at 25 MB, downloads quickly on slow connections before a trip
- +Simple two-step purchase flow (pick country, pick plan, pay) with no upsells
- +Clear coverage map built into the browse screen
Weaknesses
- −Lowest Android rating at 4.0; most negative reviews cite slow support
- −No in-app live chat, no push alerts, no data usage graphs
- −No top-up; once a plan runs out you must purchase a new plan and switch
- −Quarterly update cadence means bugs can persist longer than on other apps
FAQ
eSIM app questions answered
Which eSIM app is best overall?
Which eSIM app is best overall?
Airalo has the best overall app with a 4.8/5 iOS rating from 50K+ reviews, automatic eSIM installation, real-time data tracking, push usage alerts, and in-app live chat. It leads on every app quality metric except VPN integration (where Saily wins) and support speed (where Holafly wins). For first-time eSIM users, Airalo's app experience reduces setup mistakes and provides the clearest troubleshooting path.
Does Saily include a VPN in the eSIM app?
Does Saily include a VPN in the eSIM app?
Yes. Saily integrates NordVPN directly into the app at no additional cost. After purchasing an eSIM plan, you can enable the VPN with one tap from the home screen. The VPN routes traffic through NordVPN's servers, encrypting browsing on public Wi-Fi in airports, hotels, and cafes. However, the VPN runs over your eSIM data connection, so enabling it does consume data from your eSIM plan. On hotel Wi-Fi, the VPN uses Wi-Fi data not your eSIM allocation.
Can I manage multiple eSIMs in one app?
Can I manage multiple eSIMs in one app?
All four apps support managing multiple eSIM plans. Airalo shows all purchased eSIMs in a 'My eSIMs' dashboard with install status, data remaining, and expiry date per plan. Holafly and Saily offer a similar overview. Nomad lists purchased plans but offers fewer details per plan. Note that managing multiple installed eSIM profiles (switching between them) happens in your phone's Settings app, not the eSIM provider app. The provider apps manage purchase and activation, not profile switching.
How accurate is the data usage tracking in these apps?
How accurate is the data usage tracking in these apps?
All four apps pull usage data from the carrier network, not from your device's native data counter, which makes them more accurate than the iOS/Android built-in data tracker. Airalo and Saily update data balance in real time (within 5–15 minutes of usage). Holafly's unlimited plan model makes this less relevant since there is no GB cap to track. Nomad's app updates balance every 30–60 minutes, which is acceptable for most travelers but not useful for monitoring heavy streaming sessions.
Is Airalo automatic eSIM installation really automatic?
Is Airalo automatic eSIM installation really automatic?
Automatic eSIM installation (no QR scanning required) works on iPhone models running iOS 17.4 or later. This includes iPhone XR through the current iPhone 16 series. Android automatic installation support varies by manufacturer: it works on Google Pixel 7+ and Samsung Galaxy S24+. For older devices, Airalo provides a QR code in-app that you scan via Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM. Holafly and Nomad still use QR-only installation; Saily also supports direct install on compatible iOS devices.
What happens in the app when my data runs out?
What happens in the app when my data runs out?
Airalo sends a push notification at 80% and 100% usage, then shows a top-up button directly in the app. Saily shows a red balance indicator and offers a top-up purchase with one tap. Holafly's unlimited plans do not run out of GB; instead, after fair-use limits are reached the plan throttles to 256 kbps (still functional for maps and messages). Nomad does not send push alerts; you see a zero balance in the app and must purchase a new plan, but the new plan requires manual switching in Settings.
Related guides
More comparisons and reviews
Support Ranked
Response times and refund policies compared.
Feature Comparisons
Full 5-dimension provider scoring.
eSIM Not Working
Self-fix guide for 12 common issues.
Speed Comparison
Real-world speeds per country per provider.
eSIM for Students
Budget plans for study abroad.
Scoring Criteria
How app quality weighs in our 5-dimension score.