AAiraloAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.
VSNNomadAccount needed (the QR goes to your registered email); buy in the Nomad app or on the website.
Airalo cheaper: 12Nomad cheaper: 36
Countries compared485 GB lasting 30+ days
Airalo cheaper12Nomad cheaper in 36
Median gap9%Nomad lower in the middle country
Inbox eSIM lowest47Countries where the third option beats both
Airalo and Nomad prices by country
5 GB lasting 30+ days, the cheapest plan of each.
| Country | Airalo | Nomad | Inbox eSIM (third option) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $11.00 30 d | $10.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| United States | $13.50 30 d | $9.00 30 d | $6.90 · 30 d |
| Turkey | $10.00 30 d | $9.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Thailand | $8.00 30 d | $8.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| United Kingdom | $13.00 30 d | $12.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Italy | $12.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| France | $11.00 30 d | $9.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| Spain | $9.00 30 d | $9.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Germany | $11.00 30 d | $10.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Greece | $12.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Portugal | $9.00 30 d | $10.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Mexico | $13.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $10.90 · 30 d |
| Indonesia | $13.50 30 d | $12.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| Vietnam | $11.00 30 d | $10.00 30 d | $7.90 · 30 d |
| South Korea | $11.00 30 d | $10.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| China | $15.50 30 d | $14.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| India | $14.00 30 d | $13.00 30 d | $10.90 · 30 d |
| Egypt | $20.00 30 d | $18.00 30 d | $7.90 · 30 d |
| United Arab Emirates | $12.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $11.90 · 30 d |
| Canada | $18.00 30 d | $13.00 30 d | $10.90 · 30 d |
| Singapore | $10.00 30 d | $9.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Malaysia | $12.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| Philippines | $12.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $7.90 · 30 d |
| Hong Kong | $12.00 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| Australia | $11.00 30 d | $10.00 30 d | $5.90 · 30 d |
| New Zealand | $14.00 30 d | $13.00 30 d | $8.90 · 30 d |
| Netherlands | $10.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Switzerland | $14.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Austria | $8.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Belgium | $8.50 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Ireland | $11.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Poland | $8.50 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Croatia | $10.50 30 d | $9.00 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Hungary | $12.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Sweden | $10.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Norway | $10.50 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Denmark | $11.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Iceland | $12.00 30 d | $12.50 30 d | $4.90 · 30 d |
| Morocco | $22.00 30 d | $17.00 30 d | $9.90 · 30 d |
| South Africa | $12.50 30 d | $11.00 30 d | $9.90 · 30 d |
| Brazil | $13.00 30 d | $12.00 30 d | $9.90 · 30 d |
| Argentina | $17.00 30 d | $16.00 30 d | $12.90 · 30 d |
| Colombia | $16.00 30 d | $15.00 30 d | $13.90 · 30 d |
| Peru | $17.00 30 d | $17.00 30 d | $12.90 · 30 d |
| Chile | $15.50 30 d | $14.00 30 d | $11.90 · 30 d |
| Israel | $8.00 30 d | $14.00 30 d | $6.90 · 30 d |
| Saudi Arabia | $15.00 30 d | $14.00 30 d | $11.90 · 30 d |
| Qatar | $17.00 30 d | $15.00 30 d | $12.90 · 30 d |
Japan
United States
Turkey
Thailand
United Kingdom
Italy
France
Spain
Germany
Greece
Portugal
Mexico
Indonesia
Vietnam
South Korea
China
India
Egypt
United Arab Emirates
Canada
Singapore
Malaysia
Philippines
Hong Kong
Australia
New Zealand
Netherlands
Switzerland
Austria
Belgium
Ireland
Poland
Croatia
Hungary
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Iceland
Morocco
South Africa
Brazil
Argentina
Colombia
Peru
Chile
Israel
Saudi Arabia
QatarGreen: the cheaper of the two. Prices read on their own sites (22 Oct to 23 Oct 2026); ours are live. A country opens every plan of both, for your trip length.
How they differ
| Feature | AAiralo | NNomad | IEInbox eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plans | Fixed-GB local, regional and global packs in 200+ places; unlimited packs in 130+ countries and regions.source | Fixed-GB, daily and "unlimited" plans (country, regional, global), long Global-EX plans and the Nomad Pass.source | Fixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries |
| App or account | Account required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.source | Account needed (the QR goes to your registered email); buy in the Nomad app or on the website.source | None: no app and no account |
| How you get it | Install in the app, or use the QR code or manual details shown under My eSIMs in your account.source | QR code and manual details by email, plus one-tap install and instructions in the app.source | QR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying |
| When days start | Most packs start when the eSIM connects to a supported network at the destination; some start on install.source | On connecting to a local network at the destination; otherwise on day 60 after purchase.source | When the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country |
| Hotspot | Allowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance.source | Supported, though Nomad says stability depends on the device and local network.source | Usually allowed; the local network can still limit it |
| Top-ups | Only on eSIMs marked rechargeable; optional Renewals buy the same pack again when 10% data is left.source | Add-ons on the same eSIM for many plans; not buyable while you are in China, the UAE or India.source | Yes, on the same eSIM, from the order page |
| Phone number | Most packs are data only; some "Data, Voice & Text" packs (such as Discover+) include calls and texts.source | Mostly data only; Thailand (TRUE) and UK/Maldives calling plans include a phone number.source | No: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM |
| Refunds | "Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card.source | Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: to the card or as Nomad Points. Unlimited plans: no refund.source | Unused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days |
| Support | 24/7 live chat on the website and in the app, plus WhatsApp and email.source | 24/7 live chat (website and app) and email.source | Email, around the clock; a person answers |
| Payment | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB, PayPal, Apple Pay (not in all countries), Google Pay, Alipay (app), Airmoney.source | Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.source | Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe) |
Plans
- Airalo
- Fixed-GB local, regional and global packs in 200+ places; unlimited packs in 130+ countries and regions.
- Nomad
- Fixed-GB, daily and "unlimited" plans (country, regional, global), long Global-EX plans and the Nomad Pass.
- Inbox eSIM
- Fixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries
App or account
- Airalo
- Account required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.
- Nomad
- Account needed (the QR goes to your registered email); buy in the Nomad app or on the website.
- Inbox eSIM
- None: no app and no account
How you get it
- Airalo
- Install in the app, or use the QR code or manual details shown under My eSIMs in your account.
- Nomad
- QR code and manual details by email, plus one-tap install and instructions in the app.
- Inbox eSIM
- QR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying
When days start
- Airalo
- Most packs start when the eSIM connects to a supported network at the destination; some start on install.
- Nomad
- On connecting to a local network at the destination; otherwise on day 60 after purchase.
- Inbox eSIM
- When the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country
Hotspot
- Airalo
- Allowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance.
- Nomad
- Supported, though Nomad says stability depends on the device and local network.
- Inbox eSIM
- Usually allowed; the local network can still limit it
Top-ups
- Airalo
- Only on eSIMs marked rechargeable; optional Renewals buy the same pack again when 10% data is left.
- Nomad
- Add-ons on the same eSIM for many plans; not buyable while you are in China, the UAE or India.
- Inbox eSIM
- Yes, on the same eSIM, from the order page
Phone number
- Airalo
- Most packs are data only; some "Data, Voice & Text" packs (such as Discover+) include calls and texts.
- Nomad
- Mostly data only; Thailand (TRUE) and UK/Maldives calling plans include a phone number.
- Inbox eSIM
- No: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM
Refunds
- Airalo
- "Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card.
- Nomad
- Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: to the card or as Nomad Points. Unlimited plans: no refund.
- Inbox eSIM
- Unused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days
Support
- Airalo
- 24/7 live chat on the website and in the app, plus WhatsApp and email.
- Nomad
- 24/7 live chat (website and app) and email.
- Inbox eSIM
- Email, around the clock; a person answers
Payment
- Airalo
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB, PayPal, Apple Pay (not in all countries), Google Pay, Alipay (app), Airmoney.
- Nomad
- Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, JCB, UnionPay, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
- Inbox eSIM
- Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)
AAiralo
- Run by AirGSM Pte Ltd (Singapore), which describes Airalo as an aggregator and marketplace of connectivity providers. source
- Consumers may withdraw within 14 days of purchase, but only until the eSIM is activated. source
- Payments are usually processed in US dollars; other currencies are at Airalo's discretion. source
- Referral: the referrer gets USD 3 in Airmoney per referral; the friend gets a first-purchase discount. source
NNomad
- Referral: the friend gets USD 5 off and you get USD 5 off a USD 10+ order, up to 5 times. source
- Nomad Points: 100 points equal USD 1 and do not expire. source
- Plans bought with a discount code become non-refundable once installed or activated. source
- New Nomad Pass (app only, from 20 Oct 2026): 30 to 365-day terms; the eSIM stays usable for 3 years. source
Which one to pick
Pick Airalo if
- You want one app to buy, install, track and top up several eSIMs, with optional automatic renewals.
- You need calls and texts: some Airalo packs (such as Discover+) include them; ours are data only.
- You want to pay with PayPal or Alipay, or spend Airalo's Airmoney credit.
- You want unlimited data in a place where we sell no Day Pass (Airalo lists unlimited packs in 130+ places).
Pick Nomad if
- You need a local phone number in Thailand or a UK/Maldives calling plan, which Nomad sells.
- You are new to eSIMs and want to try one first: Nomad offers new users a free 1 GB trial eSIM.
- You travel often and want the Nomad Pass: one eSIM, 1 GB backup data each cycle and 15% off add-ons.
- You want to pay with PayPal.
Or neither, if
- You would rather skip the app and the account.
- You want the QR by email and a refund to the card if you never install it.
Questions
Is Airalo or Nomad cheaper?
For 5 GB lasting 30+ days, Airalo is cheaper in 12 of 48 countries and Nomad in 36. In the median country Airalo costs 9% more than Nomad. Prices read 22 Oct to 23 Oct 2026.
Do Airalo and Nomad need an app?
Airalo: Account required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.. Nomad: Account needed (the QR goes to your registered email); buy in the Nomad app or on the website..
What are their refund rules?
Airalo: "Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card.. Nomad: Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: to the card or as Nomad Points. Unlimited plans: no refund..
Can I use them as a hotspot?
Airalo: Allowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance.. Nomad: Supported, though Nomad says stability depends on the device and local network..
Which is better for unlimited data?
Airalo: 3 GB per day at 20 Mbps, then reduced speed; resets every 24 hours. Hotspot allowed, counted in the 3 GB.. Nomad: Most plans: 2 GB per day at high speed, then about 1 or 2 Mbps; resets every 24 hours. Non-refundable..
Is there an option without an app?
Inbox eSIM (this site) sends the QR and a one-tap install link by email, with no app or account. We sell eSIMs, so weigh that; the prices above show where we are cheaper and where we are not.
Or skip the appInbox eSIM: QR and a one-tap install link by email, in about a minute.
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