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Maya Mobile vs Airalo

One global eSIM sold as unlimited-data passes of 3 to 30 days across 165+ countries. App-first eSIM marketplace with fixed-GB packs in 200+ countries and regions, plus unlimited packages. 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.

Maya MobileAccount required to buy and install; the app is optional, as maya.net works too.
VS
AiraloAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.
Maya MobileAccount required to buy and install; the app is optional, as maya.net works too.
VS
AiraloAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.

A third option: Inbox eSIM, no app and no account, QR by email.Find your country →

How they differ

Maya Mobile and Airalo feature by feature, with Inbox eSIM as a third column
FeatureMaya MobileAiraloInbox eSIM
PlansFour global unlimited passes: 3 days USD 9.99, 7 days 19.99, 14 days 27.99, 30 days 49.99; cruise add-on.sourceFixed-GB local, regional and global packs in 200+ places; unlimited packs in 130+ countries and regions.sourceFixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries
App or accountAccount required to buy and install; the app is optional, as maya.net works too.sourceAccount required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.sourceNone: no app and no account
How you get itInstall once via the Maya app or maya.net (QR code); the eSIM stays on the phone for later trips.sourceInstall in the app, or use the QR code or manual details shown under My eSIMs in your account.sourceQR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying
When days startWhen you switch the Maya eSIM on in your phone settings, not at install; days run back to back.sourceMost packs start when the eSIM connects to a supported network at the destination; some start on install.sourceWhen the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country
HotspotAllowed with no extra fee; reselling a hotspot commercially is banned.sourceAllowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance.sourceAllowed, from the plan's GB; we never block it (a local network rarely limits it)
Top-upsBuy another pass for the same eSIM; optional Auto Top-Up rebuys the same pass when it ends.sourceOnly on eSIMs marked rechargeable; optional Renewals buy the same pack again when 10% data is left.sourceYes, on the same eSIM, from the order page
Phone numberNot stated on their site; passes are described as data only.sourceMost packs are data only; some "Data, Voice & Text" packs (such as Discover+) include calls and texts.sourceNo: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM
RefundsNo data used, within 30 days: full refund less processing fees, to the card or as Maya points.source"Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card.sourceUnused and never installed: refund to the card within 30 days, less the card fee (no card fee within 14 days in the EU and UK)
Support24/7 via WhatsApp, in the app and at maya.net.source24/7 live chat on the website and in the app, plus WhatsApp and email.sourceEmail, around the clock; a person answers
PaymentApple Pay, Google Pay and major credit cards.sourceVisa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB, PayPal, Apple Pay (not in all countries), Google Pay, Alipay (app), Airmoney.sourceCard, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)

Plans

Maya Mobile
Four global unlimited passes: 3 days USD 9.99, 7 days 19.99, 14 days 27.99, 30 days 49.99; cruise add-on.
Airalo
Fixed-GB local, regional and global packs in 200+ places; unlimited packs in 130+ countries and regions.
Inbox eSIM
Fixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries

App or account

Maya Mobile
Account required to buy and install; the app is optional, as maya.net works too.
Airalo
Account required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app.
Inbox eSIM
None: no app and no account

How you get it

Maya Mobile
Install once via the Maya app or maya.net (QR code); the eSIM stays on the phone for later trips.
Airalo
Install in the app, or use the QR code or manual details shown under My eSIMs in your account.
Inbox eSIM
QR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying

When days start

Maya Mobile
When you switch the Maya eSIM on in your phone settings, not at install; days run back to back.
Airalo
Most packs start when the eSIM connects to a supported network at the destination; some start on install.
Inbox eSIM
When the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country

Hotspot

Maya Mobile
Allowed with no extra fee; reselling a hotspot commercially is banned.
Airalo
Allowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance.
Inbox eSIM
Allowed, from the plan's GB; we never block it (a local network rarely limits it)

Top-ups

Maya Mobile
Buy another pass for the same eSIM; optional Auto Top-Up rebuys the same pass when it ends.
Airalo
Only on eSIMs marked rechargeable; optional Renewals buy the same pack again when 10% data is left.
Inbox eSIM
Yes, on the same eSIM, from the order page

Phone number

Maya Mobile
Not stated on their site; passes are described as data only.
Airalo
Most packs are data only; some "Data, Voice & Text" packs (such as Discover+) include calls and texts.
Inbox eSIM
No: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM

Refunds

Maya Mobile
No data used, within 30 days: full refund less processing fees, to the card or as Maya points.
Airalo
"Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card.
Inbox eSIM
Unused and never installed: refund to the card within 30 days, less the card fee (no card fee within 14 days in the EU and UK)

Support

Maya Mobile
24/7 via WhatsApp, in the app and at maya.net.
Airalo
24/7 live chat on the website and in the app, plus WhatsApp and email.
Inbox eSIM
Email, around the clock; a person answers

Payment

Maya Mobile
Apple Pay, Google Pay and major credit cards.
Airalo
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, UnionPay, JCB, PayPal, Apple Pay (not in all countries), Google Pay, Alipay (app), Airmoney.
Inbox eSIM
Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)
Maya Mobile
  • Operated by Mobile Maya Inc., with an address in Nassau, Bahamas. source
  • Fair use: usage unlike normal individual use may be deprioritised during congestion. source
  • Cruise passes cost USD 49.99 for 3 days up to USD 299.99 for 30 days. source
  • Rewards: 1 point per USD 4.99 spent, worth USD 0.33 each, valid 180 days; referral gives 10 points each. source
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

Which one to pick

Maya Mobile

Pick Maya Mobile if

  • You visit many countries on one trip and want a single flat price per day that covers all of them.
  • You are taking a cruise: Maya sells an add-on for 20+ cruise lines on the same eSIM.
  • You want to pay by the day and never count gigabytes.
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).
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 Maya Mobile and Airalo need an app?

Maya Mobile: Account required to buy and install; the app is optional, as maya.net works too.. Airalo: Account required: you sign up or log in before buying, on airalo.com or in the Airalo app..

What are their refund rules?

Maya Mobile: No data used, within 30 days: full refund less processing fees, to the card or as Maya points.. Airalo: "Wrong purchase" or "plans changed": Airmoney credit only. Install or not-working issues: Airmoney or card..

Can I use them as a hotspot?

Maya Mobile: Allowed with no extra fee; reselling a hotspot commercially is banned.. Airalo: Allowed when the device and network support it; on unlimited packs it counts toward the daily allowance..

Which is better for unlimited data?

Maya Mobile: FAQ says no throttling; Terms say a daily high-speed quota (size not stated), then standard speed.. Airalo: 3 GB per day at 20 Mbps, then reduced speed; resets every 24 hours. Hotspot allowed, counted in the 3 GB..

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.

Find your country →