Esim Nomads

Saily vs Airalo: Which eSIM Provider Should You Pick in 2025?

June 26, 2025, by John G.

Not all eSIMs are created equal. If you’re deciding between Saily and Airalo for your 2025 travels, this guide will help. We’ll break down prices, data plans, coverage, device compatibility, customer feedback, and more so you can choose the eSIM that fits your needs best.

Comparing Saily and Airalo: How Do Prices Stack Up?

Both Saily and Airalo offer competitive rates, but they target slightly different priorities:

Saily focuses on affordable pricing, especially for smaller and mid-sized plans — ideal for budget travelers and privacy-conscious users.

Airalo offers a wide variety of regional and global plans, often with broader country coverage.

Here’s how their 7-day plans compare in popular destinations:

 

Data Plans: Customization vs. Broad Coverage

When it comes to data options, Saily and Airalo take slightly different approaches:

Saily offers plans in clean tiers (1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB) across most destinations, plus unlimited options in select countries — ideal for travelers who want simple choices or prefer 30-day validity.

Airalo provides a wider range of data amounts (from 1 GB to 20+ GB) with the added benefit of regional or multi-country plans, making it attractive for people crossing borders. While Airalo labels some plans as "unlimited" in select regions, they typically come with fair usage limits or throttling after a certain threshold.

Coverage: Where Can You Use Saily and Airalo?

Both Saily and Airalo cover over 200 destinations, but regional availability differs slightly:

Regional reach at a glance:

  • Asia: Saily (19 countries), Airalo (18 countries)
  • Africa: Saily (34 countries), Airalo (36 countries)
  • Europe: Saily (35 countries), Airalo (39 countries)
  • North America: Saily (2 countries), Airalo (3 countries)
  • South America: Saily (12 countries), Airalo (17 countries)
  • Oceania: Saily (1 country), Airalo (8 countries)

    Device Compatibility: What Works With Each Provider?

Both providers support a broad range of devices. Here’s how they compare:

iPhone (Saily & Airalo)

  • Compatible with: iPhone XR through iPhone 16 Pro Max (excl. most China and some HK/Macau models)

Samsung

  • Saily: S20 and newer (incl. S20+/Ultra, S21–S25, FE, Edge, Slim), Note 20/20 Ultra, Z Fold/Flip all gens, selected A series, XCover7 Pro
  • Airalo: S20 and newer (incl. S20+/Ultra, S21–S25, FE), Note 20/20 Ultra, Z Fold/Flip all gens, selected A series, XCover7 Pro

Xiaomi

  • Saily: 12T Pro, 13 / Lite / Pro / T / T Pro, 14 / Pro / T / T Pro, 15 / Ultra; Note 11 Pro 5G, Note 13/14 Pro / Pro+; Poco X7
  • Airalo: Same models

Google Pixel

  • Saily: Pixel 2 (Google Fi), Pixel 3 (some regional restrictions), Pixel 3a (some restrictions), Pixel 4–9 series, Pixel Fold
  • Airalo: Pixel 2–9 series, Pixel Fold

Tablets

  • Saily: iPad Pro, Air, Mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular recent gens), selected Android tablets
  • Airalo: iPad Pro, Air, Mini (Wi-Fi + Cellular recent gens)

Laptops

  • Both: Selected Windows laptops with eSIM support (Surface, Dell, Lenovo, etc.)

Customer Feedback: What Travelers Are Saying

Saily

  • Trustpilot: 4.2 / 5
  • Positives: 70% 5-star reviews, fast customer support, smooth setup, reliable in major destinations
  • Concerns: Some spotty coverage in rural areas, isolated device setup issues

Airalo

  • Trustpilot: 2.6 / 5
  • Positives: Wide plan selection, affordable regional plans, simple installation for many users
  • Concerns: 50% 1-star reviews, poor connection in some regions, slow support, refund delays

How Can You Pay?

Saily and Airalo both offer a variety of payment methods for added convenience. Both platforms accept VISA, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. However, there are some differences: Airalo supports UnionPay, while Saily does not. Additionally, Airalo allows Alipay payments through its mobile app, a feature not available with Saily. Apple Pay is also available on Airalo, but only in selected countries.

Refund Policies: What to Expect

Saily

  • Eligible: Full refund if not installed/activated within 30 days. Partial refund if <1% used and Saily at fault.
  • Not eligible: >1% used, fraud/abuse, unrelated charges, or deleted account after purchase.
  • Process: Request via app/live chat; decision in 5 business days; payout in 30 calendar days.

Airalo

  • Eligible: Service issues caused by Airalo, unresolved within 10 days, reported within 30 days.

  • Not eligible: User error, incompatible device, expired plan, fraud/misuse, third-party purchase.

  • Process: Request via app/live chat; Airalo attempts resolution first; refund within 30 business days if approved.

Final Verdict: Saily or Airalo?

Both Saily and Airalo provide reliable eSIM options for 2025 travelers.

Saily is ideal for those seeking affordable plans, strong privacy, and responsive customer support.

Airalo is better suited for travelers who value maximum coverage, plan variety, and payment flexibility.