As you’re getting ready to embark on your next trip, you might be wondering how to get consistent internet access. Relying on public Wi-Fi connections is not only inconvenient but also unsafe (unless you’re using a VPN), so this option is out of the question. What about purchasing a local SIM card and a data plan?
While viable, it’s also a major hassle and can quickly disrupt your travel — especially if you plan on visiting multiple countries.
The most convenient (and often the most reliable) way to receive continuous connectivity abroad is to use an eSIM service, such as aloSIM. This technology is a godsend for travelers as it provides an inexpensive data plan without requiring a local SIM card.
Today, we’ll explain how aloSIM works, dive deep into its features, and compare it against other services.
Website | alosim.com |
Pricing | Starts at $4.50 for local 7-day plans |
Platform compatibility | Android and iOS |
Supported mobile networks | 5G, LTE |
Phone calls | Yes |
Mobile hotspot support | Yes |
Key takeaways from testing aloSIM
- aloSIM is a user-friendly eSIM service providing coverage in over 200 countries at an affordable price.
- Because it offers a large variety of prepaid data packages, aloSIM is great for both short-term and longer trips.
- Users praise aloSIM’s customer support, straightforward app, and transparent pricing, making it one of the most noteworthy names in the eSIM market.
- Interested in aloSIM? Check out their current deals and discounts to see how you can save.
What is aloSIM?
Based in Canada, aloSIM is an eSIM service that provides users with a reliable data plan without requiring a physical SIM card. Despite being in the market for only a couple of years (since 2022), aloSIM quickly gained traction in the eSIM industry by offering impressive features at a reasonable price tag.
For instance, its network is the true definition of the word extensive as it supports over 200 countries — including some that don’t fall into the category of popular travel destinations.
Is aloSIM legit?
If you’ve never heard about eSIMs, what aloSIM offers may seem too good to be true. Not only is this tech becoming more and more popular, but aloSIM is one of the most popular and reputable eSIM providers.
With 4.2 out of 5 on Trustpilot, the overall user experience is very positive.
This comes as no surprise since aloSIM was created by AffinityClick, the company behind the popular Hushed app that provides users with temporary phone numbers.
How does aloSIM work?
For what it achieves, aloSIM and similar solutions are super straightforward — not too dissimilar from most mobile apps. You can start by selecting an appropriate plan in the aloSIM app, creating an account, and purchasing an eSIM.
Afterward, you’ll receive a QR code, and activation is as simple as following a few prompts.
The entire process takes less than five minutes in most scenarios and you can (and should) do it before arriving at your location to enjoy connectivity.
However, if you want to make phone calls, expect a few minutes more to the process. All aloSIM plans provide you with a complimentary international phone number that you’ll have to activate by redeeming a coupon (you’ll receive it when you purchase a data plan). Lastly, you’ll have to download the Hushed app to choose a number.
Pros and cons of using aloSIM
The biggest advantage of aloSIM is the convenience. Finding and purchasing a local SIM card can be a true hassle sometimes, not to mention that swapping out your regular SIM is downright annoying. Multiply this issue by ten if you plan on visiting multiple countries.
Depending on the location, traditional carrier plans may also hit you with loads of hidden fees. There is no such thing with aloSIM thanks to its transparent pricing — you simply purchase the amount of data that you need. You can later top it up if you run out.
Extra points to aloSIM as this company also supports phone calls. Through integration with this company’s other service Hushed, all plans include a free phone number you can use during your travels to make traditional calls, which is a nice bonus.
You’ll be happy to learn that aloSIM also supports mobile hotspots, so you’re in luck if you plan on using other devices or traveling with an entourage.
Not all is rosy, though. At the time of writing, aloSIM doesn’t offer a global package, which could be a major problem in some scenarios. Say your trip’s itinerary includes a few locations in Asia, followed by Australia — aloSIM’s lack of a global plan will require you to purchase one regional and one local plan. Considering other providers have a dedicated global plan, this drawback is quite puzzling, to say the least.
To summarize:
+Pros
- Comprehensive network (200+ countries)
- Mobile hotspot support
- Voice call support through a Hushed phone number
- User-friendly app
- 24/7 customer support
- Ability to top up more data
-Cons
No global plan
aloSIM data packages
The range of packages aloSIM provides is extensive and tailored for a variety of regions and countries. All data packages also vary in duration and amount of data, meaning it’s a good fit for both long and short trips.
Let’s get into more detail about three popular regions (exact pricing is provided in the next section):
Europe eSIM plans
aloSIM’s European plan covers a total of 35 countries, including destinations like Spain, Italy, and France, with packages ranging from 7 to 30 days.
What we love about aloSIM is that it offers a bit more customization with specific, smaller plans that cover different European regions such as the Mediterranean, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe. These allow you to find the package that perfectly meets your traveling needs.
North America eSIM plans
Similarly, aloSIM’s North American plan covers the United States, Canada, and Mexico, offering some additional value and convenience to those who intend to explore the continent in more detail.
Asia eSIM plans
In Asia, aloSIM covers 13 countries, offering both regional and country-specific plans. As expected, package duration ranges from 7 to 30 days.
As a bonus, you can also opt for the Asia Five Pack that covers Thailand, Taiwan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
Pricing
Because the price varies depending on the region, we’ll focus on North America and Europe. To give you a better idea of how much this will cost you, we’ll also cover prices for country-specific plans (Turkey and the United States).
Here’s how much you can expect to pay for aloSIM:
- North American plan
- 1GB (7 days) $8
- 2GB (15 days) $12
- 3GB (30 days) $21
- 5GB (30 days) $32.50
- 10GB (30 days) $50
- European plan
- 1GB (7 days) $5
- 2GB (15 days) $8
- 3GB (30 days) $13
- 5GB (30 days) $20
- 10GB (30 days) $37
- 50GB (90 days) $100
- 100GB (180 days) $185
- United States
- 1GB (7 days) $4.50
- 2GB (15 days) $8
- 3GB (30 days) $11
- 5GB (30 days) $16
- 10GB (30 days) $26
- 20GB (30 days) $42
- Turkey
- 1GB (7 days) $4.50
- 2GB (15 days) $6.50
- 3GB (30 days) $8
- 5GB (30 days) $12
- 10GB (30 days) $18
- 20GB (30 days) $26
- Unlimited (5 days) $15
- Unlimited (15 days) $35
User experience with aloSIM
As said earlier, users are overwhelmingly satisfied with this service. Most praise the effortless setup process, as well as the speed and reliability of the connection. In short, aloSIM is a tried and tested eSIM provider that you can rely on when visiting a foreign country.
Website and app usability
It’s only fair to add extra points for how useful aloSIM's website is. If you run into any issues or need information, you can find it in just a few clicks (or swipes). There’s also a travel data calculator to quickly estimate your data usage before purchasing a plan.
Taking this into account, it’s really no coincidence that the app is equally user-friendly. Everything is rather intuitive, making plan selection, modification, and purchasing more data a breeze.
Customer support quality
aloSIM also offers an effective and responsive 24/7 customer support team.
How responsive?
Users report that they were able to connect to a human agent in as quick as 30 seconds. This is a huge plus and a testament to the quality of the service.
You can reach support via live chat or email, but we’re positive you can troubleshoot the most common issues by sifting through resources on the aloSIM website.
aloSIM vs competitors
While you may be compelled to bite the bullet on aloSIM based on its overall quality, it’s wise to first evaluate what else is out there on the eSIM market. Each provider has their spin on the general idea, and some even try to stand out by offering more affordable prices or perks.
Let’s start by comparing another service that supports phone calls and SMS — Holafly.
The provider caters to more demanding users. Its entire spiel is unlimited data plans, and while this will come at a significant cost, it may be the best option for business-oriented use cases or individuals who will be on the road for a lengthy amount of time.
Price-wise, let's take a 30-day plan as our comparison point. For instance, if you require 10GB of data, aloSIM’s 30-day European plan will cost you $37. On the other hand, an unlimited 30-day European plan with Holafly is priced at $74.90.
For most casual travelers, aloSIM is a more reasonable option. Still, if you need unlimited data, Holafly is the best you can get.
If you’re looking for data on the cheap, Jetpac fits the bill perfectly. Although it is data-only, a 30-day 10GB plan is just $14, compared to aloSIM’s equal plan priced at $37. Plus, with Jetpac, you get goodies like SmartDelay lounge access.
Another data-only eSIM is Saily. A 10GB 30-day European plan costs $35.99, which is only a dollar cheaper than aloSIM. However, aloSIM supports phone calls, which is more than worth that $1. If you’re considering Saily, though, check out our Saily review.
Last up, you have Airalo that’s priced identically to aloSIM but doesn’t support phone calls. Yet, this provider has a nifty loyalty program allowing frequent travelers to save some serious cash when purchasing new data plans. If this perk tickles your fancy, our Airalo review is a recommended read.
Summary — A comprehensive eSIM for all types of travelers
If you’re looking for a reliable connection abroad but also require the convenience of traditional calls, aloSIM is simply the best option on the market. With affordable prices and plenty of flexibility, aloSIM will work for you regardless of the length of your stay or the places you visit.
Although it lacks a global plan, it more than makes up for this in other areas like excellent customer support.
All things considered, aloSIM gets the CyberInsider seal of approval!
aloSIM FAQ
What is aloSIM?
aloSIM is a Canadian eSIM launched in 2022, designed to keep budget travelers connected across more than 200 countries. Since it eliminates the need for physical SIM cards, it’s the most convenient way to stay connected when traveling.
How do I set up aloSIM on my device?
Simple — choose a plan, create an account, make the payment, and scan the QR code to install. The entire process takes just five minutes.
What kind of data packages does aloSIM offer?
aloSIM offers a range of affordable prepaid data packages designed for various regions and countries, making it a great choice for travelers seeking cost-effective connectivity. It also breaks down regional plans into smaller packages (e.g. Eastern Europe or Scandinavia), allowing for even more flexibility.
How reliable is aloSIM's customer support?
You can feel confident in aloSIM's customer support, as they are highly praised for their responsiveness and offer 24/7 assistance through multiple channels.
Is aloSIM a legitimate service?
Yes, aloSIM is a legitimate service that we’ve tried and tested. It offers a hassle-free way to purchase prepaid data with global coverage, all while avoiding high roaming charges. With positive feedback from users and a solid 4.2 out of 5 rating on Trustpilot, aloSIM proves to be a reliable choice for staying connected abroad.
This aloSIM review was last updated on December 25, 2024.
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