Saily Review: Best eSIM Service for Travelers in 2024?

Being stuck in a foreign country chasing down Wi-Fi or dealing with local eSIMs is far from an enjoyable experience. The good thing is you don’t have to leave things to chance because you can choose Saily. 

This data-only eSIM is an affordable way to get prepaid data conveniently and cheaply. With 180+ countries covered, Saily is all you’ll ever need when traveling internationally. Plus, the service is developed by the team behind NordVPN, which is another safety guarantee. 

Join us today as we evaluate Saily’s features and determine if it really is the best choice for travelers who need reliable and inexpensive internet access. 

Website	Saily.com
Pricing	Start at $3.99 for 30 days
Platform compatibility	Android and iOS
Number of countries	180+
Supported mobile networks	3G, 4G, and 5G
Are phone calls allowed	No
Is mobile hotspot supported	Yes

Key Takeaways

• Saily eSIM provides mobile data services in over 180 countries and is great for travelers who need a data plan without relying on physical SIM cards.
• It stands out with its competitive pricing, user-friendly app interface, and extensive global coverage.
• At the moment, Saily eSIM doesn’t support voice and text services, but its upcoming unlimited data plan will be able to support high-bandwidth users. 
• Since using Saily services doesn’t require a physical sim, it’s convenient for travelers who want to avoid the hassle of dealing with local vendors. 
• Explore the latest Saily eSIM pricing for unbeatable deals and savings.

What is Saily eSIM?

Saily is an eSIM service created by Nord Security, the guys and gals behind the mighty NordVPN. Through advanced technology, it’s now possible to create electronic versions of traditional SIM cards that are available through apps or QR codes. In this case, Saily holds your subscriber information and connects to local carriers to provide you with a cellular data plan.

Nifty, eh?

Since it’s data-only, Saily is the best option for travelers who require flexibility and want to avoid roaming costs and the hassle of tracking down a local SIM card. 

Benefits and drawbacks

The biggest benefit of Saily eSIM is that it eliminates the need to get an actual SIM card. This is highly useful when going abroad as you can get a reliable network connection at a wallet-friendly price, without bothering with swapping SIM cards – a godsend as physical pieces are easy to lose or damage. 

Another major plus for Saily is how straightforward it is to set up – just download the app, and you’re all set.

However, considering this service is data-only, you won’t receive a phone number. For some users, this will be a huge drawback as regular phone calls and text messages won’t work when using the Saily eSIM. Other apps will work regularly so you can circumvent this limitation by using other VoIP apps like WhatsApp or Viber. Not a complete solution, but it’s good enough for most.

Setting up Saily also requires an internet connection, so you should get everything working properly before landing abroad. 

Here’s a complete pros and cons list:

Key features of Saily eSIM

Saily eSIM is highly accessible with features geared towards travelers with varying levels of tech know-how. An intuitive and minimalistic interface makes navigation straightforward, and in combination with wide coverage, represents an optimal package for reliable and affordable internet connection worldwide.

Let’s see what you can look forward to with Saily:

Data plans

Regardless of your needs, Saily probably has something for you. Because it is region-specific (including Africa and Asia), country-specific, and has a global plan, it’s rather flexible and you’ll be able to use it in most travel destinations. 

A similar type of flexibility extends to different data needs, catering to light users as well as heavy data consumers.

For 30-day plans, you can get data ranging from 3GB, 5GB, 10GB to 20GB, with 1GB available for 7-day plans. Unused data expires after 30 days, and in case you exceed the allotment, you can always purchase more data. 

Saily also offers 90-day, 180-day, and 365-day global plans. 

While there’s no unlimited data plan yet, you’ll be able to add some extra GB’s if you’re afraid of running out, thus circumventing this drawback.

Pricing

Before going into details, let’s just say that Saily’s pricing structure is very affordable, ultimately making the service a viable option for both short and long-term trips. 

Because there are too many variations in price tags between different plans, we’ll cover the prices for global, North American, and European plans, as well as those geared towards specific countries such as the United States and Turkey. 

Here’s how much you can expect to pay for data:

• Global plan
  • 1GB (7 days) costs $8.99
  • 2GB (15 days) $16.49
  • 5GB (60 days) $33.99
  • 10GB (180 days) $56.99
  • 20GB (365 days) $66.99

• North American plan
  • 1GB (7 days) $5.99
  • 2GB (15 days) $11.49 
  • 3GB (30 days) $15.99 
  • 5GB (30 days) $23.90 
  • 10GB (30 days) $43.99 

• European plan
  • 1GB (7 days) $4.99 
  • 3GB (30 days) $12.49 
  • 5GB (30 days) $19.49 
  • 10GB (30 days) $35.99 
  • 50GB (90 days) $95.99 
  • 100GB (180 days) $179.99 

• United States
  • 1GB (7 days) $3.59 
  • 3GB (30 days) $8.09 
  • 5GB (30 days) $12.59 
  • 10GB (30 days) $20.69 
  • 20GB (30 days) $33.29

• Turkey 
  • 1GB (7 days) $3.99 
  • 3GB (30 days) $6.99 
  • 5GB (30 days) $9.99 
  • 10GB (30 days) $15.99 
  • 20GB (30 days) $22.99

Global coverage

Saily is currently available in over 180 countries, covering the most popular travel spots such as Europe, the US, Turkey, Japan, China, and so on. 

The way this service works is through roaming partnerships, which provide wide coverage but also mean that the connection quality will vary between regions. Alas, with Saily, you can get LTE, 3G, and 4G for high-speed connections. 

When it comes to 5G, its availability depends on the infrastructure in individual countries, though there’s no reason to worry as you’ll always be able to get a high-quality connection for all your online needs.

How to get started with Saily

Setting up is a total breeze that you can complete in just a few easy steps. Here’s a breakdown of the entire process:

1. Download the Saily app

Saily app is available on both Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. To avoid any issues when in another country, it’s best to download and set up the app beforehand. It only takes a few taps and once installed, you’ll be able to purchase the data plans through it. 

2. Select and purchase a data plan

Next up, choose the destination you’re traveling to and pick a data plan that fits the duration of your trip and data needs. Tap ‘Get plan’ and proceed to the checkout window – that’s all there is to it.

Saily supports a wide array of payment methods, including various debit and credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. 

3. Activate your Saily eSIM card

You have the option of activating your eSIM with one click. In the event that doesn’t work, you have the option of manual setup, which is relatively simple. 

On Android, after going through checkout, tap “Check your eSIM plan” and hit “Install eSIM”. You’ll receive a prompt where you can allow Saily to access your phone’s eSIM. Tap “Allow” and “Continue” when prompted. You’ll receive a confirmation within the app after a few minutes, and you’re all set.

Compatibility and device support

The Saily app will work without a hitch on all devices with eSIM technology support. This includes most newer flagship models like iPhones, Samsung Fold and Z series, and Google Pixel 2 models and above.

Moreover, plenty of modern phones from Motorola, Honor, Xiaomi, and Oppo may also be compatible. 

To avoid unpleasant surprises, check the compatibility before traveling by looking up if your phone supports eSIM. Alternatively, you can also go into the settings of your phone and look for the SIM card management (“Mobile Network” on some systems) to see if you have the option of adding an eSIM.

Customer support experience

Customer support is so valuable, especially when traveling. Fortunately, NordVPN is known for its excellent customer support which also translates to Saily. In addition to a 24/7 live chat, you also have the option of email support, a help center, and a detailed FAQ. 

In our dealings with customer support through the live chat feature, we got in touch with a real agent within minutes. We found these experts capable and ready to help you troubleshoot effectively. 

All in all, the service is dependable overall and you’ll have no trouble resolving most common hiccups by using Saily’s online resources. 

User experiences

Not only did one of the members of Cyberinsider use Saily daily when traveling Europe recently, but we extensively researched what users are saying about this service.

Most users praise the app for the straightforward interface that outlines all the essential features while also sharing positive experiences about the activation process which takes just a few minutes. If convenience is something you’re looking for, then Saily is the choice that delivers in that regard. 

Some users report small dropouts, though this is to be expected as Saily relies on local infrastructure. Likewise, you may experience small drops indoors, which is something you’re probably familiar with if you ever used mobile data in the past. In other words, if you’re traveling through a rural area, you shouldn’t expect a speed good enough for 8K streaming.

Security and privacy

Just like other technologies, eSIMs are not without risks. They can be tracked just like physical SIM cards, and malware can potentially allow cybercriminals to mess with your eSIM and steal your private information.

As such, it’s important to choose a trusted eSIM provider.

Since Saily is developed by the creators of NordVPN, you get all the combined expertise that ensures strict data protection. The vendor doesn’t take any chances since they employ robust encryption to safeguard your information.

According to Saily’s privacy policy (which you should check out yourself), the company only retains your personal data as long as it's necessary to provide you with the service. You also retain the right to request the deletion of your data at any time.

No surprises here, as this is the team from NordVPN we are talking about, after all – the best VPN solution for a good reason. 

Comparison with competitors

Saily is not the only eSIM service in the market as there are plenty of other, more-established solutions to pick from. Does that mean they’re better?

First up, there’s Holafly, an eSIM provider that is primarily focused on providing unlimited data. However, it’s also much more expensive, and since it offers unlimited data, you may experience speed caps if the local provider notices you’re using up too many GBs. Holafly also supports phone calls and SMS, whereas Saily is data-only. 

On the other hand, Saily comes with plans you can tailor to your needs. The price is the big difference here. For a similar plan, Saily will charge you around $8.99, while you can expect to pay close to $19 with a similar plan from Holafly.

Nomad is another data-only eSIM. It’s more established than Saily, but it’s also more expensive. A 1GB Nomad plan is priced at $4.50, while the same plan will cost you $3.99 with Saily. 

It’s a similar thing with Airalo. Although more established and offering wider coverage, it’s also more expensive than Saily. Airalo’s 1GB plan costs $4.50 compared to only $3.99 for the same amount of data that Saily offers. 

What about Alosim? This provider supports phone calls and SMS but it’s priced the same as Nomad and Airalo. 

Bottom line, Saily might be the best option if you want a straightforward and intuitive eSIM service that’s easy to set up and won’t bust the bank. You also have to realize that Saily is a relatively new provider and the fact they can go head-to-head against leaders in the market makes it even more impressive.

Summary: A budget-friendly solution for the savvy traveler

Saily is a standout choice in the eSIM landscape with its budget-friendly approach that prioritizes reliability and simplicity. Although you won’t get the same amount of bells and whistles as with its older industry peers, it fits the bill perfectly if you’re looking for a data-only service.

Plus, it’s tough to beat the flexibility and the convenience that Saily brings to the table. The lack of traditional calls and texts may be a significant drawback for some, but it’s easy to bridge this gap by using VoIP services. 

Whether you’re a traveling enthusiast or embarking on your first trip, Saily can provide you with convenient online access at a lower price than its main competitors (and local SIM services), making it one of the best choices for dependable data on the cheap. 

Saily eSIM FAQ

This Saily eSIM review was last updated on December 2, 2024.