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Inbox eSIMTravel eSIM

Saily vs Ubigi

App-based travel eSIM from Nord Security (maker of NordVPN) with fixed-GB and unlimited plans. Travel eSIM brand of Transatel (NTT group): one reusable eSIM that you top up for each trip. 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.

SailyAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
VS
UbigiNo app for a first website purchase. An account (app or ubigi.me) is needed to top up and manage.
SailyAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
VS
UbigiNo app for a first website purchase. An account (app or ubigi.me) is needed to top up and manage.

How they differ

Saily and Ubigi feature by feature, with Inbox eSIM as a third column
FeatureSailyUbigiInbox eSIM
PlansFixed-GB plans from 1 GB, unlimited plans in select places, country, regional and global, plus Ultra subscriptions.sourceOne-off fixed-GB and unlimited plans (local, regional, global), plus monthly and annual recurring plans.sourceFixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries
App or accountAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.sourceNo app for a first website purchase. An account (app or ubigi.me) is needed to top up and manage.sourceNone: no app and no account
How you get itInstalled from the Saily app; manual setup uses details shown in the app.sourceWebsite orders: QR code by email (first purchase only). App orders: install from the app dashboard.sourceQR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying
When days startWhen the phone connects to a supported network at the destination; it starts by itself 180 days after purchase.sourceOn arrival in a covered area (at once if already there). A website plan must be activated within 6 months.sourceWhen the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country
HotspotAllowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.sourceTethering is supported (setup steps given); unlimited plan pages say data sharing is allowed.sourceUsually allowed; the local network can still limit it
Top-upsYes, on the same eSIM in the app: a one-time top-up or Auto top-up when data runs out.sourceYes: recharge the same eSIM from your account; the profile is kept unless unused for 18 months.sourceYes, on the same eSIM, from the order page
Phone numberOptional add-on: a US (+1) number with call and SMS packages, USD 1.99 a month plus usage packs.sourceData only: no phone number, no voice calls and no SMS.sourceNo: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM
RefundsNot installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.sourceWebsite eSIM: only if the QR code was never scanned, asked within 14 business days; to the original payment method.sourceUnused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days
Support24/7 live chat (in the app only) and email; no phone support.sourceContact form answered 24/7; an automated site chat that can hand over to staff; WhatsApp AI assistant.sourceEmail, around the clock; a person answers
PaymentCredit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS) and Google Pay, in the app or on the website.sourceVisa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, UnionPay, Diners, Discover; PayPal for top-ups only.sourceCard, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)

Plans

Saily
Fixed-GB plans from 1 GB, unlimited plans in select places, country, regional and global, plus Ultra subscriptions.
Ubigi
One-off fixed-GB and unlimited plans (local, regional, global), plus monthly and annual recurring plans.
Inbox eSIM
Fixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries

App or account

Saily
Account required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
Ubigi
No app for a first website purchase. An account (app or ubigi.me) is needed to top up and manage.
Inbox eSIM
None: no app and no account

How you get it

Saily
Installed from the Saily app; manual setup uses details shown in the app.
Ubigi
Website orders: QR code by email (first purchase only). App orders: install from the app dashboard.
Inbox eSIM
QR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying

When days start

Saily
When the phone connects to a supported network at the destination; it starts by itself 180 days after purchase.
Ubigi
On arrival in a covered area (at once if already there). A website plan must be activated within 6 months.
Inbox eSIM
When the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country

Hotspot

Saily
Allowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.
Ubigi
Tethering is supported (setup steps given); unlimited plan pages say data sharing is allowed.
Inbox eSIM
Usually allowed; the local network can still limit it

Top-ups

Saily
Yes, on the same eSIM in the app: a one-time top-up or Auto top-up when data runs out.
Ubigi
Yes: recharge the same eSIM from your account; the profile is kept unless unused for 18 months.
Inbox eSIM
Yes, on the same eSIM, from the order page

Phone number

Saily
Optional add-on: a US (+1) number with call and SMS packages, USD 1.99 a month plus usage packs.
Ubigi
Data only: no phone number, no voice calls and no SMS.
Inbox eSIM
No: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM

Refunds

Saily
Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.
Ubigi
Website eSIM: only if the QR code was never scanned, asked within 14 business days; to the original payment method.
Inbox eSIM
Unused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days

Support

Saily
24/7 live chat (in the app only) and email; no phone support.
Ubigi
Contact form answered 24/7; an automated site chat that can hand over to staff; WhatsApp AI assistant.
Inbox eSIM
Email, around the clock; a person answers

Payment

Saily
Credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS) and Google Pay, in the app or on the website.
Ubigi
Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Apple Pay, Google Pay, UnionPay, Diners, Discover; PayPal for top-ups only.
Inbox eSIM
Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)
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
Ubigi
  • Ubigi is a brand of Transatel, part of the NTT group. source
  • The Ubigi eSIM is built into some Acer, Asus, Dell and Microsoft Surface laptops. source
  • Monthly plans can be cancelled only after 3 months; annual plans cannot be cancelled or refunded. source
  • No refunds when a phone turns out to be carrier-locked. source

Which one to pick

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.
Ubigi

Pick Ubigi if

  • You want data on a Windows laptop or tablet: Ubigi supports Windows 10 and 11 and ships inside some laptops.
  • You travel often and want a monthly or annual plan that renews on one long-lived eSIM.
  • You use a lot of data: its unlimited plans keep full speed up to 15 to 60 GB, then drop to 2 Mbps.
  • You want to top up 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 Saily and Ubigi need an app?

Saily: Account required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.. Ubigi: No app for a first website purchase. An account (app or ubigi.me) is needed to top up and manage..

What are their refund rules?

Saily: Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.. Ubigi: Website eSIM: only if the QR code was never scanned, asked within 14 business days; to the original payment method..

Can I use them as a hotspot?

Saily: Allowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.. Ubigi: Tethering is supported (setup steps given); unlimited plan pages say data sharing is allowed..

Which is better for unlimited data?

Saily: 5 GB at high speed per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps for the rest of that period (Ultra Premium: 30 GB a month).. Ubigi: Full speed up to a threshold (7-day country: about 15 to 25 GB; 30-day: 60 GB), then 2 Mbps. Sharing allowed..

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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