Head-to-head · Updated 2026
Airalo vs Saily.
Category leader vs. the fastest-growing challenger. Airalo has scale; Saily has focus.
Airalo
The category leader. Biggest catalog, most-installed eSIM app.
Starts at
From $4.50 (1 GB / 7 days)
Network
4G / 5G (where available)
Max days
30 days on most country bundles
Strengths
- Largest country catalog (200+ countries and regions)
- Eurolink regional plan covers 39+ European countries in one go
- Polished iPhone and Android install flow
- Established brand — millions of installs, strong support
Trade-offs
- Per-GB pricing is rarely the cheapest option
- Validity tops out at 30 days on most country plans
- Unlimited plans are expensive vs. specialty providers
Saily
The polished newcomer. NordVPN's parent, built for frequent travelers.
Starts at
From $3.99 (1 GB / 7 days)
Network
4G / 5G
Max days
30 days on most bundles
Strengths
- Built by the team behind NordVPN — trusted infrastructure
- 5G on most networks where available
- Clean mobile app with live data tracking
- Strong Europe + Turkey + UK coverage on one plan
Trade-offs
- Smaller catalog than Airalo (150+ vs. 200+)
- Validity caps at 30 days on most bundles
- Pricing is mid-tier, not the cheapest
Side by side
Spec-by-spec
| Spec | Airalo | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | From $4.50 (1 GB / 7 days) | From $3.99 (1 GB / 7 days) |
| Network | 4G / 5G (where available) | 4G / 5G |
| Max validity | 30 days on most country bundles | 30 days on most bundles |
| Coverage | 200+ countries and regions | 150+ countries |
| Editor rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
The verdict
Who wins what
Rather than crown one overall winner, here's the honest per-scenario breakdown.
Match to your trip
Which one for which trip?
First-time eSIM user
Pick: AiraloBiggest brand, easiest to troubleshoot with friends/family.
Frequent European traveler
Pick: SailyTurkey + UK + EU on one plan is rare and useful.
Single-country trip to Japan/Korea/Thailand
Pick: AiraloCountry-specific bundles are sharply priced.
Digital nomad 30+ days
Pick: SailyApp-based usage tracking avoids surprise top-ups.
Related
Other head-to-heads
Still not sure?
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