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Inbox eSIMTravel eSIM

Airalo vs Saily

App-first eSIM marketplace with fixed-GB packs in 200+ countries and regions, plus unlimited packages. App-based travel eSIM from Nord Security (maker of NordVPN) with fixed-GB and unlimited plans. Their prices could not both be read, so this compares how they work. We sell eSIMs too (Inbox eSIM), shown as a third column so you can judge.

AiraloAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.
VS
SailyAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
AiraloAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.
VS
SailyAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.

How they differ

Airalo and Saily feature by feature, with Inbox eSIM as a third column
FeatureAiraloSailyInbox eSIM
PlansFixed-GB local, regional and global packs in 200+ places; unlimited packs in 130+ countries and regions.sourceFixed-GB plans from 1 GB, unlimited plans in select places, country, regional and global, plus Ultra subscriptions.sourceFixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries
App or accountAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.sourceAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.sourceNone: no app and no account
How you get itInstall in the app, or use the QR code or manual details shown under My eSIMs in your account.sourceInstalled from the Saily app; manual setup uses details shown in the app.sourceQR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying
When days startMost packs start when the eSIM connects to a supported network at the destination; some start on install.sourceWhen the phone connects to a supported network at the destination; it starts by itself 180 days after purchase.sourceWhen the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country
HotspotAllowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance.sourceAllowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.sourceUsually allowed; the local network can still limit it
Top-upsOnly on eSIMs marked rechargeable; optional Renewals buy the same pack again when 10% data is left.sourceYes, on the same eSIM in the app: a one-time top-up or Auto top-up when data runs out.sourceYes, on the same eSIM, from the order page
Phone numberMost packs are data only; some "Data, Voice & Text" packs (such as Discover+) include calls and texts.sourceOptional add-on: a US (+1) number with call and SMS packages, USD 1.99 a month plus usage packs.sourceNo: 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.sourceNot installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.sourceUnused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days
Support24/7 live chat on the website and in the app, plus WhatsApp and email.source24/7 live chat (in the app only) and email; no phone support.sourceEmail, around the clock; a person answers
PaymentVisa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB, PayPal, Apple Pay (not in all countries), Google Pay, Alipay (app), Airmoney.sourceCredit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS) and Google Pay, in the app or on the website.sourceCard, 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.
Saily
Fixed-GB plans from 1 GB, unlimited plans in select places, country, regional and global, plus Ultra subscriptions.
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.
Saily
Account required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
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.
Saily
Installed from the Saily app; manual setup uses details shown 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.
Saily
When the phone connects to a supported network at the destination; it starts by itself 180 days 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.
Saily
Allowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.
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.
Saily
Yes, on the same eSIM in the app: a one-time top-up or Auto top-up when data runs out.
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.
Saily
Optional add-on: a US (+1) number with call and SMS packages, USD 1.99 a month plus usage packs.
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.
Saily
Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.
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.
Saily
24/7 live chat (in the app only) and email; no phone support.
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.
Saily
Credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS) and Google Pay, in the app or on the website.
Inbox eSIM
Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)
Airalo
  • 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
Saily
  • Built by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. source
  • Free extras in the app: ad blocker, web protection and virtual location (115+ locations). source
  • Partial refunds after use are at Saily's discretion; a decision comes within 5 working days. source
  • Ultra subscribers get 8% of data plan purchases back as Saily credits. source

Which one to pick

Airalo

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).
Saily

Pick Saily if

  • You want an ad blocker, web protection and a virtual location built into the travel data app.
  • You need a real phone number: Saily sells a US (+1) number with calls and SMS as an add-on.
  • You want unlimited plans with 5 GB a day at full speed (our Day Pass gives 3 GB a day).
  • You want to pay with PayPal.
Inbox eSIM

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.
Inbox eSIM prices →

Questions

Do Airalo and Saily need an app?

Airalo: Account required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.. Saily: Account required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM..

What are their refund rules?

Airalo: "Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card.. Saily: Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated..

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.. Saily: Allowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies..

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.. Saily: 5 GB at high speed per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps for the rest of that period (Ultra Premium: 30 GB a month)..

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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