Saily vs Airalo: Which One To Choose?

Though travel is thrilling, it can also be irritating when you want to stay connected while you are on the road. The public Wi-Fi often works poorly, and your mobile carrier can take a huge bite out of your wallet with international roaming fees. This is where eSIM providers such as Saily and Airalo come in. Both make it easy to access affordable mobile data without swapping physical SIM cards.

But here’s the big question: Saily vs Airalo, which one is better for your next trip in 2025?

In this blog, we’ll walk you through a side-by-side comparison of Saily and Airalo based on real testing. We’ll look at pricing, coverage, speed, features, customer support, and overall usability so you can confidently pick the right eSIM provider for your travel needs.

Saily vs Airalo: Overall Comparison

Both providers offer immediate access to travelers worldwide and regional coverage to eSIM, which is compatible with 5G and built for app-based control. However, there are significant differences in prices, functions, and customer help, making them different. Here is the short comparison of both:

Feature	Saily	Airalo
Rating	4.9	4.7
Overall Rank	#1	#2
Price (1GB/7 days)	From $1.89 (region-dependent)	From $4.50 (region-dependent)
Coverage	200+ destinations	200+ destinations
Networks	3G, 4G, 5G	3G, 4G, 5G, LTE
Phone Calls	Not available	Yes (with Discover+ Global plan)
Mobile Hotspot	Supported	Supported
Extra Features	Yes (privacy tools, ad-blocker, VPN)	Limited
Customer Support	24/7 live chat, email, FAQs	Email, WhatsApp, chatbot

Saily vs Airalo: Which One Offers Better Value in 2025?

When comparing Saily and Airalo, a crucial question for most travelers is, “Which supplier provides the best value for money?” Both are well-known eSIM marketplaces, allowing users to connect quickly in over 200 countries; however, they differ in prices and plan options slightly.

Pricing Comparison: Saily vs Airalo

Let’s look at how local eSIM plans compare in popular destinations (based on data from official sites: Saily and Airalo):

Destination	Airalo (7 Days / 1GB)	Saily (7 Days / 1GB)	Winner
USA	$4.50	$3.79	Saily
Japan	$4.50	$3.99	Saily
UK	$5.00	$4.20	Saily
Canada	$6.00	$5.25	Saily
Australia	$4.50	$3.99	Saily

Takeaway: Saily usually costs a bit less than Airalo for short-term 1GB plans. It may not seem like a lot of money ($0.50–$1.00 per plan), but for travelers using these across multiple trips, the savings can add up.

Other Cost Factors

• Airalo provides several data packages where you can choose a subscription from 1 GB to 20 GB+, which will be helpful if you want to have heavy use of the data for a longer term.
• Saily, on the other hand, focuses on simplicity and affordability, which will be good for a casual traveler or light browsing, maps, and messaging.

Payment Methods: Saily vs Airalo

When it comes to buying an eSIM, payment flexibility is just as important as pricing. Both Saily and Airalo support multiple payment methods, but there are a few differences.

Payment Method	Airalo	Saily
Credit/Debit Cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex)	Yes	Yes
Apple Pay	Yes	Yes
Google Pay	Yes	Yes
PayPal	Yes	No
Alipay	Yes	No
WeChat Pay	Yes	No
UnionPay	Yes	No
Local Currency Billing	Yes	No (limited)

Quick Takeaway

• Airalo wins for payment flexibility, especially if you rely on PayPal, Alipay, or WeChat Pay.
• Saily is simpler, sticking to cards and Apple/Google Pay, which works for most travelers.

Data Plans Comparison: Saily vs Airalo

One major distinction between Saily and Airalo is limitation and flexibility of their data plans. Both are offered in over 200 countries, but cost, data sizes, and length of plans differ between them both.

Feature	Airalo	Saily
Local eSIMs	Yes (200+ countries)	Yes (200+ countries)
Regional eSIMs	Yes (Europe, Asia, etc.)	No
Global eSIMs	Yes (80+ countries)	Limited
Data Pack Sizes	1 GB – 20 GB+	1 GB – 10 GB
Validity Options	7 – 30+ days	7 – 30 days
Pricing (1 GB, 7 Days – USA)	$4.50	$3.79

Key Takeaway

• Airalo is ideal for heavy data users, multi-country travelers, or longer stays due to its wide variety of plans.
• Saily is more budget-friendly and perfect for travelers who need smaller, simple data packs.

Speed and Performance: Saily vs Airalo

In the comparison of Saily vs Airalo, two critical factors for travelers relying on continuous access to the Internet for maps, messaging, and streaming are speed and reliability.Both providers use local carriers within countries, so actual speed relies on aspects of where you are located and congestion on the network. 

Speed and Performance Comparison: Saily vs Airalo

Feature	Airalo	Saily
Network Coverage	Extensive (urban & rural)	Good (mainly urban)
LTE/5G Support	Yes (depends on local carrier)	Yes (depends on local carrier)
Activation Time	~5 minutes	~5 minutes
Reliability	High	Medium-High
Performance for Streaming	Good	Good for light to medium use

Key Takeaway

• Airalo is ideal for travelers who need maximum coverage and faster speeds, including rural and multi-country trips.
• Saily is suitable for urban travelers and light to medium data use, with fast activation and reliable connectivity in most cities.

Coverage and Availability: Saily vs Airalo

When you look at Saily vs. Airalo, coverage and availability are necessary for users, which require addiction in both cities and away from the beaten track. Both companies work with local carriers, but there are some differences in their global access.

Feature	Airalo	Saily
Countries Covered	200+	200+
Local eSIMs	Yes	Yes
Regional eSIMs	Yes	No
Global eSIMs	Yes	Limited
Urban Coverage	Excellent	Excellent
Rural Coverage	Good	Moderate
Multi-Country Plans	Yes	Limited

Key Takeaway

• Airalo is ideal for travelers who need multi-country coverage and better rural connectivity.
• Saily works best for travelers who mostly stay in urban areas and want affordable, single-country plans.

Also read: The Ultimate Guide to eSIM in Canada for 2025

Reddit Reviews: Saily vs Airalo

Travelers on Reddit have shared their experiences with Saily vs Airalo, giving a real-world perspective on speed, reliability, and customer service. While both eSIM providers are praised for convenience, there are notable differences.

Many users report that Saily, the new entrant by NordVPN, offers competitive pricing and simple setup. Some travelers appreciated that Saily allows multi-use eSIMs across different countries without installing a new eSIM for each one. Users highlighted fast activation, 24/7 support, and 5G connection as major benefits. Many passengers tested cellular in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia) and Japan, which usually report good performance in urban areas. Discount codes like sailyfly, DOTESO8816, and SUPERD4113 were popular among Redditors for saving on their first purchase.

However, some users said that Saily’s network performance may be inconsistent in some countries. For example, a passenger in the UK reported very slow speed several times, especially for sending messages and media, indicating that coverage may be different based on the local carrier. Overall, Saily is seen as a promising alternative for budget-conscious travelers and those who mainly live in urban areas.

More established providers, like Airalo, continue to be appreciated for their extensive coverage in more than 200 countries. Reddit users praised its reliability in urban centers and decent speeds for browsing and streaming. Some users did experience slow LTE connections in certain countries like Morocco and occasional challenges with rural coverage. Customer service was described as helpful but sometimes slow in resolving network-related issues. Airalo’s lack of eKYC requirements was also highlighted as a positive for ease of setup.

In summary, Reddit suggests that Saily is a strong beginner with low prices and flexible plans, while Airo is still a reliable alternative with broad global coverage. Passengers who prefer strength and multi-use ESIM may prefer cellular, while people looking for wider national coverage and a proven track record can live with air as well.

Reddit Reviews Comparison Table

Feature	Saily	Airalo
Multi-use eSIM	Yes	No
Coverage (Countries)	160+	200+
5G Support	Yes	Yes
Speed in Urban Areas	Good	Good
Speed in Rural Areas	Moderate	Good
Ease of Setup (eKYC Required)	No	No
Customer Support	24/7, responsive	24/7, sometimes slow
Price (Starting)	$2.49 for 1GB	$5 for 1GB

Key Takeaway

Reddit users suggest that for the budget and city-centered visits. Saily is better, while Airalo is better for people who require extensive global coverage and reliability in both urban and rural places. Both platforms have their own strengths, from which alternatives are largely dependent on travel style, destination, and budget.

Conclusion 

After comparing the prices, payments, data plans, speed, coverage, and real-world Reddit reviews, it is clear that both eSIM providers provide good offers, but they cater to a few different types of passengers.

Saily stands out for its affordable prices, flexible multi-use eSIMs, and easy setup, making it attractive for budget-conscious travelers and also for those living in most urban areas. With low prices and discount codes such as Sailyfly at only $2.49 for 1 GB, it provides excellent value for small trips or users of light data. The 24/7 customer support and 5G connection make it a solid alternative for daily surfing, messages, and navigation. However, coverage in rural or remote areas is slightly limited compared to air as well, and performance may vary depending on the local carrier.

On the other hand, Airalo shines with global coverage, reliable rural connection, and a wide range of plans, which are suitable for long-term travelers or trips in multiple countries. Although pricing starts at more than $5 for 1 GB, the plan for regional and global plans ensures that you keep in touch with many destinations without switching eSIMs. The proven reliability and extensive user base make it a safe alternative for travelers who prefer stability and coverage at cost price.

• Choose Saily if you want a budget-friendly, urban-focused eSIM with easy activation and flexible short-term plans.
• Choose Airalo if you need wider global coverage, reliability in rural areas, and multi-country support.

In 2025, the “better” eSIM depends on your travel style, budget, and destinations. For many, using both depending on the trip might be the smartest approach.

FAQs  

1. Is Saily better than Airalo?

Saily is better for budget-conscious travelers and city-centric visits due to the low pricing. However, Airalo stands out in global coverage and rural connection. The “better” option depends on your travel style, destinations, and how much data you need.

2. Can Airalo be trusted?

Yes, Airalo is a well-established eSIM provider used by travelers worldwide. With coverage in 200+ countries, reliable LTE/5G connections, and transparent prices, it is generally considered reliable. Some users sometimes report slow customer service, but overall, Airalo is still a reliable alternative for long -term and more countries’ travelers.

3. Is Saily eSIM trustworthy?

Saily, launched by the team behind NordVPN, is reliable for passengers seeking cheap and flexible eSIM plans. It provides safe, easy activation, 24/7 support, and coverage in 160+ countries. While the new, early user reaction indicates good performance, especially in urban areas, it is a reliable alternative.

4. Is Saily worth it?

Definitely Saily is good for travelers looking for a low-cost option for flexible eSIM plans. The plans start at $2.49 for 1GB and can be used multiple times. They are easy to set up, but its coverage is limited compared to Airalo. It is a great option for trips that revolve around a city, or short-term travel without breaking the bank.

5. What are the disadvantages of Airalo?

Airalo is slightly more expensive than Saily for small data packs, and some users report slower speeds in rural areas or certain countries. While coverage is broad, the lack of multi-use eSIMs for every destination may require switching plans frequently, which can be less convenient for some travelers.