Saily vs Airalo eSIM: Head-to-Head Comparison

Heading abroad soon and want to avoid expensive roaming charges? eSIMs are a convenient way to stay connected while travelling outside the UK, allowing you to get online without swapping a physical SIM card.

Two of the most well-known providers are Saily and Airalo. But with each offering a different set of plans and perks, deciding which is better for your trip can be a challenge. In this Saily vs Airalo comparison for 2025, we cover everything you need to know about plans, costs, and features to help you make an informed decision.

And, while you’re deciding on eSIM plans, don’t forget about your travel money. The Wise debit card is a convenient travel companion, designed for low-cost spending in 150+ countries. It automatically converts your pounds to the local currency at the mid-market exchange rate, only adding a tiny, transparent conversion fee*.

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Jump to:

What is Saily eSIM? What is Airalo eSIM? Saily vs Airalo: Head-to-head comparison Pricing and plan options Device compatibility Ease of use and activation Features Which one is right for you? Travelling abroad? Get the Wise card for low-cost international spending Saily vs Airalo eSIM - FAQs Can I make phone calls with Saily eSIM? Can I use Airalo eSIM on another device? Is Saily eSIM safe? Can I use my SIM card along with Airalo eSIM? How many Saily eSIMs can I use at once? Is 5G available on Airalo?

What is Saily eSIM?

Saily is an eSIM provider offering flexible data plans in more than 200 destinations. Saily was created by Nord Security, so safety and reliability are the key features of their eSIMs.¹

Saily offers country-specific, regional and global data plans, so you can stay connected wherever you go. Their plans start at 1 GB of data, but unlimited options are also available.²

📱 Dive deeper into our full Saily eSIM review

What is Airalo eSIM?

Airalo is the global pioneer of eSIM data plans. Their packages cover over 200 countries and regions, with global options available as well.³ Some Airalo plans, like their global eSIM, also include calls and texts.⁴

📶 Read our complete Airalo eSIM review here

Saily vs Airalo: Head-to-head comparison

Here’s a quick head-to-head comparison of the two providers:

Feature	Saily	Airalo
Pricing	Generally lower prices; Spain 1GB starts at $3.99.	Spain 1GB starts at £3.50; Discover+ global plan starts at £11.50 with calls/texts.
Coverage	Global eSIM covers 113 countries.	Global eSIM covers 137 countries.
Calls & Texts	Data-only plans.	Some plans include calls and texts.
Activation	Automatic upon installation.	Varies by plan; some activate at destination.
Device Compatibility	Works with smartphones, tablets, laptops, and smartwatches.	Works with smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Does not support smartwatches.
Key Features	Focus on security (virtual locations, ad-blocking). Offers hotspot and auto top-up. Loyalty programme with credits.	Offers fixed-data and unlimited plans. Supports tethering. Loyalty programme ("Airmoney") with 5-10% cashback.

Now, here’s a closer look at everything you need to know:

Pricing and plan options

Saily offers hundreds of plans for individual countries, regions and global use. Their global eSIM works in 113 countries, while regional options include Europe, Asia and Oceania, Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, North America, Latin America and the Caribbean.²

The prices on their website are listed in US dollars. For example, plans for Spain start at $3.99 for 1 GB of data, while the largest option is the 30-day unlimited plan at $73.99.⁵ The global eSIM starts at $8.99 for 1 GB, with an annual 20 GB package available for $68.99.⁶

Airalo also has regional and worldwide options, but their global plans work in 137 countries. The Discover+ global plans even have calls and texts included, starting at £11.50 for 1 GB of data and 10 minutes of calls. The largest Discover+ plan is the yearly option with 20 GB and 200 minutes option costing £68.⁷

Continuing with the example of Spain, the 1 GB Airalo plan costs £3.50. The largest plan is the unlimited data option at £27.⁸

Device compatibility

A variety of devices support eSIM use, including smartphones, tablets and laptops.

Saily is available on most iPhones and many Android models. When it comes to tablets, Saily eSIMs work only on select iPads and Samsung Galaxy Tabs, including the S9, S9+ and S9 Ultra.⁹

Some laptop models made by Acer, Asus, Dell, HP, Lenovo, Panasonic and Surface are also compatible with Saily, but they must be running Windows 10 or Windows 11 installed. Saily can also be used on some smartwatches, like different Apple, Samsung, Google Pixel and Amazfit devices.⁹

Airalo has a similar list of supported devices, but it doesn’t work with smartwatches. Keep an eye on their website for any updates to the compatibility list.¹⁰

Ease of use and activation

The installation and activation process depends both on the provider and your device.

When it comes to Saily, the eSIM will activate automatically after you install it. If you’re connected to the internet and have enabled roaming, you’ll be able to use your plan as soon as you reach your destination. If you’re having any issues, you can always contact their customer support team.¹¹

To install your Airalo eSIM, follow the instructions provided in the official Airalo app. However, the activation process isn’t the same for every plan. The Additional Information section of your eSIM will indicate whether it activates immediately upon installation or only when you connect to a supported network. If your eSIM activates upon installation, make sure to install it just before you leave to avoid starting your plan too early.¹²

Read more: Best SIM cards for Europe

Features

Saily eSIMs are known for advanced security features, such as virtual locations and malicious URL blocking. Unlike other providers, they protect you from unwanted ads, which also reduces data usage by almost 30%.⁵

You can share the data from your plan via hotspot to keep your travel buddies connected. Plus, you can top up your plan in-app or use the auto top-up feature so you won’t need to worry about running out.⁵

Airalo has fixed-data and unlimited plans, including packages with calls and texts. Some of these plans support both national calls within the connected country and international calls.¹³

Airalo eSIMs can also be used for tethering, which can be useful even when you’re travelling alone, since you’ll be able to connect all of your devices.¹⁴

Additionally, both Saily and Airalo offer loyalty programmes. With Saily, you earn credits by activating eSIMs, referring friends or taking advantage of promotions.¹⁵ Airalo’s loyalty scheme, called Airmoney, offers 5-10% cashback on purchases, which can be used toward future orders.¹⁶

Which one is right for you?

Both Saily and Airalo are established providers offering a variety of plans suitable for travel. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to your personal preferences and your travel destination.

For example, Saily’s prices are generally lower than Airalo’s. If you’re going on a short trip to one country, their budget-friendly options can be a great fit. They offer both fixed-data and unlimited plans, giving you flexibility based on your needs.

Airalo, on the other hand, is ideal for multi-country travel. Their global eSIM covers 24 more countries than Saily’s, which means you won’t need to buy separate plans for those destinations. Some of their plans also include calls and texts, offering more complete coverage for travellers.

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Saily vs Airalo eSIM - FAQs

Let’s answer some common Saily vs Airalo questions:

Can I make phone calls with Saily eSIM?

At the moment, Saily only offers data plans.¹⁷

Can I use Airalo eSIM on another device?

Your Airalo eSIM can only be used once on one device and cannot be reinstalled or used on others.¹⁸

Is Saily eSIM safe?

Saily is owned by Nord Security, so safety is one of their priorities.¹

Can I use my SIM card along with Airalo eSIM?

If your phone supports dual SIM technology, you can use your physical SIM along with your eSIM.¹⁹

How many Saily eSIMs can I use at once?

This depends on your device, but you can usually use up to two eSIM plans at the same time.²⁰

Is 5G available on Airalo?

Airalo has several 5G-compatible eSIMs. However, since it also depends on your device, it’s not guaranteed.²¹

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Sources used:

1. Saily - about Saily
2. Saily - homepage
3. Airalo - what is Airalo?
4. Airalo - Airalo offer
5. Saily - Spain eSIM
6. Saily - global eSIM
7. Airalo - global eSIM
8. Airalo - Spain eSIM
9. Saily - supported devices
10. Airalo - supported devices
11. Saily - how to activate my Saily eSIM?
12. Airalo - how to activate an Airalo eSIM
13. Airalo - 20 GB Discover+ eSIM
14. Airalo - can you hotspot with an eSIM?
15. Saily - Saily rewards
16. Airalo - Airalo Loyalty
17. Saily - what’s an eSIM?
18. Airalo - installing eSIM on multiple devices
19. Airalo - eSIM FAQs
20. Saily - how many Saily eSIMs can I install?
21. Airalo - can I use 5G with my eSIM?

Sources last checked on date: 02-Sep-2025