Planning on traveling soon but you’re looking for constant connectivity? If you’re thinking that the only way to achieve it is by purchasing a local SIM and signing up for a data plan – you’re living in the past, my friend.
Now you can choose an eSIM for affordable prepaid data without the hassle of a physical SIM. One of the biggest providers in this industry is Airalo, known for its user-friendly app, fair pricing, and fast connections on different continents.
In this post, we’ll explore what features Airalo brings to the table and determine if it is the right eSIM service for your next trip.
| Website | Airalo.com |
| Pricing | Starts at $4.50 for 7 days |
| Platform compatibility | Android and iOS |
| Number of countries | 190+ |
| Supported mobile networks | 3G, 4G, and 5G |
| Are phone calls allowed | Yes but with the Discover+ Global eSIM only |
| Is mobile hotspot supported | Yes |
Key takeaways from testing Airalo
- Airalo eSIM provides seamless connectivity across multiple countries, supporting travelers in Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America.
- Setting up an Airalo eSIM is a breeze. With their intuitive mobile app, you can buy, install, and top up data in just a few taps – no tech expertise required.
- Airalo doesn’t require a physical SIM card, making it very convenient for travelers who want data but would rather avoid dealing with local companies.
- Basic plans are data-only, but users can opt for a Discover+ eSIM that supports traditional calls and SMS.
- Check out Airalo's pricing page for the latest deals and discounts on eSIM data plans.
What is Airalo eSIM?
Airalo is a straightforward eSIM provider with affordable data plans covering multiple regions and over 190 countries. The company has been doing this since 2019, and it quickly established itself as one of the most popular eSIM services, claiming to have supported more than 5 million customers.
Like other top eSIMs, Airalo makes life easier. With just a few taps on their website or app, you can skip the hassle of hunting down a physical SIM abroad.
Airalo is also flexible with its data plans, catering to travelers of different needs. Whether you need a data plan that will work in multiple countries over a month-long excursion or just a few GBs for a weekend trip, this eSIM has got you covered.
To see if it’s a good fit for you, we’ve outlined the pros and cons below (with more details coming up):
+Pros
- Over 190 locations
- Simple installation process
- Flexible plans
- No contracts
- 24/7 customer support
- Affordable pricing
- Interesting loyalty program
-Cons
- Voice and SMS support are limited to the global plan
- Connectivity issues in some locations
Key features of Airalo
Although it seems high-tech, Airalo is generally simple enough for travelers who don’t consider themselves all that tech-savvy. As you can see in the screenshot below, the main window allows you to see both the amount of remaining data and top it off if you’re running low.
Because it’s undemanding and doesn’t have any hidden bells and whistles, we’ll primarily address the three points in this section:
- Available data plans
- Pricing
- Coverage
First, let's take a look at the data plans and explore what’s on offer.
Data plans
Airalo categorizes its plans according to the travel destination (i.e. needed coverage). The cheapest ones are local eSIMs that cover only a single country – perfect if your trip will only take you across one or two countries.
Next up, there are regional plans that, as the name suggests, cover a whole region like Latin America, Asia, or Europe. These eliminate a lot of trouble if visiting multiple countries in a short period is on your itinerary.
The largest plan is the global one, which pretty much covers the entire globe (or disc, for our flat-earther readers) – just check if your intended destinations are supported as not every country is covered.
In addition to choosing the scope of the coverage, you can pick the amount of data and the availability. Plans include 7, 15, 30, and up to 180 days. You can purchase as little as 1GB of data to as much as 100 GB.
Pricing
Airalo’s pricing can only be described as flexible, catering to light data users and those who require more gigabytes out of their plan.
The prices shown are for the basic eSIM, which is data-only and doesn’t support traditional calls and texts. Do note that Discover+ is available globally and is on average $10 more expensive when compared to the data-only eSIM. Anyway, here’s what you can get:
- Global plan (Discover eSIM)
- 1GB (7 days) costs $9.00
- 2GB (15 days) $17.00
- 3GB (30 days) $24.00
- 5GB (60 days) $35.00
- 10GB (180 days) $59.00
- 20GB (365 days) $69.00
- North American plan (Americanmex eSIM)
- 1GB (7 days) $6.50
- 2GB (15 days) $12.00
- 3GB (30 days) $17.00
- 5GB (30 days) $25.50
- 10GB (30 days) $46.00
- European plan (Eurolink eSIM)
- 1GB (7 days) $5.00
- 2GB (15 days) $9.50
- 3GB (30 days) $13.00
- 5GB (30 days) $20.00
- 10GB (30 days) $37.00
- 20 GB (30 days) $49.00
- 50GB (90 days) $100.00
- 100GB (180 days) $185.00
- United States (Change eSIM)
- 1GB (7 days) $4.50
- 2GB (15 days) $8.00
- 3GB (30 days) $11.00
- 5GB (30 days) $16.00
- 10GB (30 days) $26.00
- 20GB (30 days) $42.00
- Turkey (Merhaba eSIM)
- 1GB (7 days) $4.50
- 2GB (15 days) $6.50
- 3GB (30 days) $8.00
- 5GB (30 days) $12.00
- 10GB (30 days) $18.00
- 20GB (30 days) $26.00
- Unlimited data (10 days) $35.00
Global coverage
With a coverage of over 190 countries, Airalo represents a versatile option for travelers. If you need connectivity in popular travel destinations like Spain, Turkey, Mexico, Thailand, Japan, and so on, you’ve got it.
How does Airalo manage to achieve such a wide coverage?
Simple – partnering up with local cellular networks. For example, in the US, Airalo works with T-Mobile and AT&T, whereas, in the UK, Telefonica O2 is in charge of providing coverage.
How to set up and use Airalo eSIM
For what Airalo offers, the setup process is surprisingly simple, not different from any other mobile app.
1. Purchasing an Airalo eSIM
First, download Airalo on the Google Play or Apple App Store, which allows you to access the web store where you can purchase eSIMs. Launch the app, choose the region or country you want to travel to and decide on a plan that fits your traveling needs.
Click ‘Buy’ and you’ll be forwarded to a checkout page where you can complete the purchase. Airalo accepts major payment methods like debit and credit cards, Paypal, Apple Pay, and Google Play.
2. Installing your Airalo eSIM
To start using data, you need to install your eSIM by scanning a QR code, but if you’re not able to do so, you can use the ‘Direct’ method.
Open the Airalo app and navigate to ‘My eSIMs’, choose the eSIM you purchased, tap ‘Direct’, and then ‘Install eSIM’. Go through the step-by-step guide and tap ‘Continue’ – your SIM will be almost ready to go.
When you arrive at your destination, go to cellular/mobile settings on your phone and tap on eSIM where you can enable Airalo – and that’s it. We recommend completing this entire process before your trip as you don’t want to set up your eSIM on the airport WiFi.
3. Managing data usage
Using Airalo is straightforward, as you can easily keep an eye on how much mobile data you have remaining and top it off through the app. Managing your data usage ensures unimpeded connectivity throughout your travels.
Compatible devices for Airalo eSIM
Most modern devices are compatible with eSIM technology, including iPhone models (iPhone 11 and up), newer Samsung Galaxy models, and Google Pixels starting from Pixel 3. In addition, the latest smartphones from other manufacturers like Xiaomi, Honor, and OPPO (to name a few) also support eSIM technology.
In case you’re not sure if your phone supports this “space age” technology, google your model or check if you have eSIM as an option in your device’s settings.
Advantages of choosing Airalo eSIM
In many ways, Airalo eSIM blows a regular local SIM out of the water. Not only does it provide the necessary peace of mind when abroad, but it also comes with unique advantages over other methods of getting mobile data.
Convenience
In addition to physical SIM cards being the very definition of finicky, you can’t beat the ability to purchase an eSIM from the comfort of your own home before embarking on the trip. You won’t have to chase down a local SIM vendor, which is a godsend.
With Airalo, you can connect to the internet as soon as you land, take in the sights, and relax instantly.
If you plan on traveling through different countries on your vacation, an eSIM will save you so much time. Simply purchase a regional plan and you won’t have to manage multiple physical cards – phew!
Eco-friendliness
Since it’s a physical product, the physical SIM you get at an airport will have some sort of packaging. These are two pieces of plastic you’ll eventually have to discard. While it may not seem to matter in the grand scheme of things, opting for an electronic SIM will reduce your overall CO2 footprint – something that Mother Earth will surely appreciate.
Flexibility
As mentioned earlier, Airalo’s many pricing plans allow you to custom-tailor the service around your traveling plans and data consumption needs. Ultimately, this flexibility will enhance your trip and allow you to focus on what’s actually going on around you instead of worrying about data or looking for Wi-Fi hotspots.
Loyalty program
One of our favorite things about Airalo is its loyalty program, through which you can rack up points with each eSIM you buy that can later be redeemed for discounts. Rather useful if you’re traveling all the time, and you can also refer friends to get even more points.
Potential drawbacks of Airalo eSIM
All the benefits aside, there are a couple of drawbacks you should be aware of. These don’t erase any of the positives, but it’s still worth knowing what to expect when you sign up for Airalo.
Signal and connectivity issues
Many users report connectivity and signal issues in certain regions. This is the nature of the beast, though. Since the service relies on local providers, some hitches are expected (especially in rural areas).
Other travelers reported a bug where their connection speed was slow because the data was routed to distant servers – which you can solve easily by switching networks.
Limited voice and SMS support
Save for Discover+ which is only available for global plans (at a significant upcharge), Airalo is primarily a data-only eSIM, meaning you won’t be able to make SMS or voice calls – bummer if you still text.
For those who prefer messaging apps like WhatsApp, Viber, and FaceTime, this isn’t such a big issue.
Comparing Airalo with other eSIM providers
New eSIM companies keep popping up all the time, so Airalo is not the only cat in the biz. Let’s see how the titular service compares with its competition, so you can have an easier time determining if another eSIM is a better match for you.
One of Airalo’s biggest competitors is Holafly. While Airalo supports unlimited data plans in a handful of locations, Holafly’s main selling point is that it caters strictly to users who are data hogs. However, Holafly is a pricier option.
It’s also worth mentioning that unlimited data plans may also cause you to get hit with a data cap if local providers notice that you’re watching too much Netflix (or doing other bandwidth-intensive activities) in your rented place – make sure you’re safe while doing that by utilizing the best VPN for Netflix.
The price difference is significant. For instance, in Europe, Holafly’s unlimited 30-day plan will run you $74,90, while a similar plan from Airalo costs just $49.00. Yes, Holafly will hook you up with unlimited data, but since you can’t opt for a smaller number of GB’s, this can be very limiting if you don’t require that much.
On the other hand, Holafly does support regular voice calls and SMS, making it an overall better choice for some.
Next up, there's Nomad, a fellow data-only eSIM that’s slightly cheaper than Airalo. For instance, a 3GB 30-day plan with Airalo costs $13.00, while Nomad’s identical plan is priced at $12.00 – you can buy a slice of pizza with that dollar you save by going for Nomad.
It gets more interesting, though – Alosim and Saily are two eSIM solutions that seemingly best Airalo through their affordability. Alosim is priced exactly the same as Airalo but supports phone calls and SMS.
Saily is also putting up a strong fight – its European 3GB 30-day plan is priced at $12.49 with the same plan costing $13.00 with Airalo. It might not seem much, but the difference is more noticeable with “serious” plans. Case in point: Saily’s 50GB 90-day plan is $95.99 while Airalo is priced higher at $100.00.
Airalo’s loyalty program, which allows you to earn points and save money on future eSIM purchases, bridges this gap, making it a more attractive option if you’re constantly traveling.
Summary – Affordable data for the on-the-go traveler
When compared to traditional SIM cards, Airalo eSIM is a far more convenient, cost-efficient, and eco-friendly solution for getting data on the go. It also offers flexible global, regional, and local plans, allowing you to pick the option that meets your budgetary and data needs.
Although it’s more expensive than some of its competitors and lacks voice and SMS support, it more than makes up for it with the loyalty program that can help you save money in the long run.
Have fun traveling and post often – after all, you’ll have more than enough data to do so!
Airalo eSIM FAQ
How do I purchase an Airalo eSIM?
Getting an Airalo eSIM is super simple. Just download the Airalo app (available for iOS and Android), select your destination, and choose the best data plan for your needs. After purchase, follow the easy setup instructions, and once you arrive at your destination, turn on your eSIM to instantly connect to a local network.
What devices are compatible with Airalo eSIM?
Airalo eSIM is compatible with carrier-unlocked devices that support eSIM technology, including the latest iPhones, select Samsung Galaxy models, newer Google Pixel phones, and devices from brands like Honor and Xiaomi.
Are there any potential drawbacks to using Airalo eSIM?
Airalo eSIM can experience signal issues in some areas, so it's worth checking coverage before you go. Also, keep in mind that standard plans are data-only, so you won’t be able to make voice calls or send texts unless you upgrade to a global Discover+ plan.
Does Airalo offer any loyalty programs or discounts?
Yes, Airalo has a rewarding loyalty program where you can earn cashback with every eSIM purchase. You start as a Traveler, getting 5% cashback, and as you rack up more purchases, you level up to Silver, Gold, and even Platinum Traveler, unlocking bigger perks along the way. The higher you go, the more you earn – up to 10% cashback.
Plus, the cashback comes in the form of Airmoney, which you can use for future purchases, making your next trip even more affordable.
This Airalo eSIM review was last updated on December 4, 2024.
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