Best Airalo Alternatives 2026: Cheaper, Better eSIM Providers Compared

Airalo made a name as one of the first major eSIM providers — but "first" doesn't always mean "best." After years of growth, cracks have started showing: customer support complaints, security concerns flagged on Reddit, pricing that's no longer competitive, and limitations that frustrate travelers who need reliable connectivity abroad.

If you've used Airalo and found yourself looking for something better — or you're researching before your first eSIM purchase — you're not alone. The eSIM market has matured significantly, and there are now excellent alternatives that offer better pricing, more features, or simply more reliable service.

This guide compares the best Airalo alternatives in 2025, including what each provider does well, where they fall short, and which one fits your travel style.

Why Travelers Are Looking for Airalo Alternatives

Airalo pioneered the travel eSIM market, but several issues keep coming up in user reviews:

• Customer support problems: Trustpilot reviews show a pattern of slow responses, unhelpful AI chatbots, and difficulty getting refunds for non-working eSIMs
• Security concerns: Reddit users have reported unauthorized charges and hacked accounts — while not confirmed as Airalo breaches, the company's response has frustrated affected users
• No unlimited data options: Most Airalo plans are capped, so heavy users burn through data quickly with no daily limits
• Pricing no longer competitive: What was once affordable has become mid-range or expensive compared to newer competitors
• Data-only service: No phone number, no SMS, no voice — standard for eSIMs, but some alternatives now offer more
• No data rollover: Unused data disappears when your plan expires, even if you top up early

None of these are dealbreakers for everyone, but if you've experienced frustration with Airalo — or just want to compare options — here are the best alternatives available today.

Best Airalo Alternatives at a Glance

1. Simbye — Best Overall Value

Coverage: 190+ countries
Starting price: Free 100MB trial, paid plans from ~$3
Best for: Travelers who want the lowest prices without sacrificing quality

Simbye has quietly built a reputation as one of the most cost-effective eSIM providers on the market. While Airalo focuses on brand recognition, Simbye focuses on actually beating competitors on price — and they deliver.

What Makes Simbye Stand Out

• Genuinely cheapest prices: Direct price comparisons consistently show Simbye undercutting Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad across most destinations
• Free 100MB trial: Test the service before committing — no credit card required
• 24/7 human support: 15 support agents across 12 languages via WhatsApp, Telegram, and live chat. No AI chatbot runaround.
• Flexible top-ups: Add data anytime without buying a new eSIM
• Premium network partners: Local carrier connections (like NTT docomo in Japan) for reliable speeds
• Hotspot included: Share your connection with laptops and tablets
• Instant QR delivery: Get your eSIM immediately after purchase

Simbye Limitations

• Data-only (no phone number) — standard for travel eSIMs
• Smaller brand recognition compared to Airalo
• No unlimited plans (but generous data packages available)

Simbye vs. Airalo

Where Airalo charges premium prices and routes support through chatbots, Simbye offers lower prices and connects you to real humans when you need help. For most travelers, that's exactly the trade-off worth making.

→ Try Simbye free (100MB trial)

2. Holafly — Best for Unlimited Data

Coverage: 200+ destinations
Starting price: ~$6/day
Best for: Heavy data users, streamers, remote workers

If your main frustration with Airalo is running out of data, Holafly solves that problem completely. Every plan includes unlimited data for your selected duration — no monitoring usage, no surprise cutoffs.

Holafly Strengths

• Unlimited data: The main selling point — use as much as you need
• Regional plans: One eSIM covers multiple countries (great for Europe trips)
• Hotspot supported: Share data with other devices (typically 500MB–1GB/day)
• Strong Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5 from 70,000+ reviews
• Monthly subscription option: $65/month for frequent travelers

Holafly Limitations

• More expensive: Unlimited comes at a premium — often 2x the cost of capped plans
• Fair use throttling: Heavy users (100GB+/month) may experience slower speeds
• No data sharing between devices: Each device needs its own plan
• Overkill for light users: If you only need 2-3GB, you're overpaying

Holafly vs. Airalo

Holafly costs more but eliminates data anxiety entirely. If you've ever burned through an Airalo plan mid-trip, Holafly's unlimited approach might be worth the premium.

3. Saily — Best for Security-Conscious Travelers

Coverage: 150+ countries
Starting price: ~$1.99
Best for: Privacy-focused travelers, digital nomads, those who use public WiFi

Saily is built by the team behind NordVPN — and it shows. Beyond basic connectivity, Saily includes security features that no other eSIM provider offers.

Saily Strengths

• Built-in security tools: Ad blocker, web protection, virtual location (lightweight VPN)
• NordVPN backing: Enterprise-grade security expertise
• Competitive pricing: Often cheaper than Airalo for equivalent plans
• Clean app experience: Polished, user-friendly interface
• Saily Ultra subscription: $60/month for unlimited global data + airport lounge access
• Strong reviews: 4.6/5 on Trustpilot

Saily Limitations

• Smaller coverage: 150+ countries vs. 200+ for some competitors
• No true unlimited on standard plans: Ultra subscription required for unlimited
• App-only installation: No QR code option — must use the app
• Newer provider: Less track record than established competitors

Saily vs. Airalo

Saily offers similar or lower prices plus genuine security features. If you're traveling to countries with censorship or frequently use public WiFi, Saily's security tools provide real value that Airalo doesn't match.

4. Nomad eSIM — Best for Short Trips

Coverage: 190+ countries
Starting price: ~$1.30/GB
Best for: Weekend trips, budget travelers, 7-15 day plans

Nomad focuses on short-duration plans at rock-bottom prices. If you're taking a quick trip and don't need much data, Nomad often beats everyone on price.

Nomad Strengths

• Excellent short-trip pricing: 7 and 15-day plans are particularly competitive
• Unlimited options: Available in select countries (UK, etc.)
• No connection fees: The advertised price is what you pay
• Regional plans: Cover multiple countries with one purchase

Nomad Limitations

• No top-up option: When your plan expires, you buy a new eSIM
• Limited customer support: No 24/7 live chat
• Variable value by region: Great for Asia/Europe, less competitive for Latin America

Nomad vs. Airalo

For short trips in Asia, Europe, or North America, Nomad frequently offers better value than Airalo. Check both before purchasing.

5. Ubigi — Best for Speed

Coverage: 200+ countries
Starting price: Varies by destination
Best for: Users who prioritize connection speed over price

In speed tests, Ubigi consistently ranks at or near the top. If you need fast, reliable data for video calls or remote work, Ubigi delivers.

Ubigi Strengths

• Fastest speeds tested: Regularly tops comparison benchmarks
• Strong signal reliability: Consistent performance across regions
• Competitive pricing: Despite premium performance, prices remain reasonable

Ubigi Limitations

• No loyalty program: Unlike Airalo's credit system
• Basic app: Functional but not as polished as competitors
• Less brand recognition: Smaller community and fewer reviews

Ubigi vs. Airalo

If Airalo's speeds have disappointed you, Ubigi is worth trying. You may pay similar prices for noticeably better performance.

6. aloSIM — Best Simple Option

Coverage: 175+ countries
Starting price: ~$4.50
Best for: Occasional travelers who want straightforward service

aloSIM keeps things simple: pick a country, choose your data, scan the QR code, done. No apps required, no complex features.

aloSIM Strengths

• Simple setup: No app required — just QR code
• Straightforward pricing: What you see is what you pay
• Decent coverage: 175+ countries covered

aloSIM Limitations

• No unlimited plans: Fixed data only
• Higher prices: Often more expensive than Simbye or Nomad
• Basic features: No loyalty program or extras

How to Choose the Right Airalo Alternative

The "best" alternative depends on what you need:

• Lowest prices + great support: → Simbye
• Unlimited data without limits: → Holafly
• Security and privacy features: → Saily
• Quick weekend trip: → Nomad
• Fastest possible speeds: → Ubigi
• Simple, no-frills option: → aloSIM

What to Check Before Buying Any eSIM

Regardless of provider, verify these details before purchasing:

1. Device compatibility: Ensure your phone supports eSIM (most phones from 2018+ do)
2. Coverage in your destination: Check the specific country, not just "190+ countries"
3. Data amount vs. trip length: Estimate your actual usage — maps, messaging, and light browsing typically use 1-2GB/week
4. Hotspot support: Confirm if you need to share data with laptops/tablets
5. Refund policy: Know what happens if the eSIM doesn't work
6. Support channels: Check if help is available 24/7 and how to reach them

Final Verdict: Which Airalo Alternative Should You Choose?

For most travelers, Simbye offers the best overall value: lowest prices, reliable service, and actual human support when you need it. The free 100MB trial lets you test before committing.

If you need unlimited data, Holafly is the clear choice — just be prepared to pay more.

If security matters (public WiFi, censored countries), Saily's NordVPN-backed features are unique in the market.

And if you're taking a short trip and want the absolute lowest price for a specific destination, compare Nomad and Simbye — one will usually beat the other depending on location.

The eSIM market has evolved far beyond Airalo. You have options now — use them.

→ Try Simbye free (100MB, no credit card)