Choosing between Airalo and Saily for your travel eSIM? Both are excellent options, but they serve slightly different needs. We’ve tested both extensively across multiple countries to give you a clear, unbiased comparison.
Quick Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| Coverage (countries) | ๐ Airalo (200+) |
| Price | ๐ Saily (often cheaper) |
| App Experience | ๐ค Tie |
| Data Speed | ๐ค Similar |
| Trust/Security | ๐ Saily (Nord Security backing) |
| Ease of Use | ๐ค Both excellent |
Airalo eSIM: Overview
Airalo is the original travel eSIM marketplace, founded in 2019. They partner with local carriers worldwide to offer data plans in 200+ countries and territories. As the pioneer in the space, Airalo has the most comprehensive coverage of any eSIM provider.
- โ 200+ countries covered
- โ Both local and regional plans
- โ Large user community
- โ Airmoney loyalty points
- ๐ฐ Prices from $1.50/GB
Saily eSIM: Overview
Saily is a newer player, launched by Nord Security (the company behind NordVPN). Despite being newer, Saily has rapidly expanded to 150+ countries and is gaining popularity for its competitive pricing and clean user experience.
- โ 150+ countries covered
- โ Often lowest prices available
- โ Backed by Nord Security (trusted name)
- โ Clean, intuitive app
- ๐ฐ Prices from $0.99/GB
Price Comparison: Airalo vs Saily
Prices vary by destination, but here’s a typical comparison for popular travel destinations:
| Destination | Airalo | Saily | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA (1 GB, 7 days) | ~$5.50 | ~$4.99 | ๐ Saily |
| Europe (3 GB, 30 days) | ~$12.00 | ~$9.99 | ๐ Saily |
| Japan (1 GB, 7 days) | ~$4.50 | ~$4.99 | ๐ Airalo |
| Southeast Asia (3 GB) | ~$11.00 | ~$8.99 | ๐ Saily |
| Global (1 GB) | ~$12.00 | ~$7.99 | ๐ Saily |
Prices are approximate and change regularly. Check each provider for current pricing.
Coverage: Airalo vs Saily
Airalo covers more countries (200+ vs 150+), making it better for off-the-beaten-path destinations. If you’re heading to less common travel destinations in Africa, South America, or Central Asia, Airalo is more likely to have coverage.
For the most popular travel destinations (North America, Europe, Asia, Australia), both providers offer excellent coverage with comparable quality.
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose Saily if: You want the best prices, travel to popular destinations, or already trust Nord Security products
- Choose Airalo if: You travel to remote destinations not covered by Saily, or want the most extensive marketplace of options
Our recommendation: Start with Saily for their competitive pricing and excellent app experience. Have Airalo as a backup for destinations where Saily doesn’t have coverage.
Don’t Forget: Protect Your Data with NordVPN
Whether you use Saily or Airalo eSIM, always protect your internet connection with NordVPN โ especially on hotel and public WiFi. Starting from $3.99/month with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
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