Best Saily Alternatives 2026: Cheaper eSIMs with Better Coverage

Saily launched in 2024 with strong backing from NordVPN's parent company, promising affordable travel eSIMs with built-in security features. For many travelers, it delivers exactly that. But Saily isn't perfect for everyone — and depending on your destination, budget, or needs, there may be better options.

Whether you've tried Saily and hit limitations, or you're comparing providers before your first purchase, this guide covers the best Saily alternatives in 2025 — what each does well, where they fall short, and which one fits your travel style.

Why Look for a Saily Alternative?

Saily has earned solid reviews (4.6/5 on Trustpilot), but several issues come up repeatedly:

• Coverage gaps: Saily covers 150+ countries — fewer than competitors offering 190-200+. Some destinations like Laos aren't covered at all.
• Japan and Asia performance issues: Multiple Reddit and TripAdvisor users report weak signals in Japan, especially indoors. Vietnam (particularly Hanoi airport) has also caused connection headaches.
• App-only installation: No QR code option — you must use the Saily app, which doesn't work for everyone's setup.
• No unlimited data on standard plans: Unlimited requires the $60/month Saily Ultra subscription.
• Bot support frustration: While Saily's human support is praised, getting past the initial chatbot can take time when you need help urgently.
• USD-only pricing: All prices displayed in US dollars, which confuses some international users.
• Data routing through Europe: Traffic routes through the Netherlands, adding latency for real-time applications.

None of these are dealbreakers for everyone — Saily remains a solid choice for security-conscious travelers. But if you need broader coverage, better Asia performance, or lower prices, here are the best alternatives.

Best Saily Alternatives Compared

1. Simbye — Best Overall Alternative

Coverage: 190+ countries
Starting price: Free 100MB trial, paid plans from ~$3
Best for: Travelers who want lower prices and reliable Asia coverage

Where Saily focuses on security features, Simbye focuses on fundamentals: the lowest prices, widest coverage, and support that actually helps when you need it.

Why Choose Simbye Over Saily

• 40+ more countries covered: 190+ vs. Saily's 150+ — important if you're traveling off the beaten path
• Consistently cheaper: Direct price comparisons show Simbye undercutting Saily across most destinations
• Better Asia performance: Premium local carrier partnerships (like NTT docomo in Japan) for reliable indoor coverage
• Free 100MB trial: Test the service risk-free before committing — no credit card required
• 24/7 human support: 15 agents across 12 languages via WhatsApp, Telegram, and live chat — no chatbot maze
• QR code delivery: Standard QR installation option, not app-only
• Flexible top-ups: Add data anytime to your existing eSIM
• Hotspot included: Share your connection with other devices

What Saily Does Better

• Built-in security features: Ad blocker, web protection, virtual location — Simbye doesn't include these
• NordVPN ecosystem: If you're already a Nord user, Saily integrates with your existing tools
• Polished app experience: Saily's interface is particularly clean and user-friendly

The Verdict

If security features are your priority, stick with Saily. But if you want lower prices, broader coverage, and better Asia performance, Simbye is the smarter choice — especially with the free trial to test before you buy.

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

2. Holafly — Best for Unlimited Data

Coverage: 200+ destinations
Starting price: ~$6/day
Best for: Heavy data users who don't want to monitor usage

If your main frustration with Saily is the lack of unlimited data without a subscription, Holafly solves that problem. Every Holafly plan includes unlimited data for your selected duration.

Holafly vs. Saily

• Unlimited without subscription: Buy 5, 10, or 30 days of unlimited data — no monthly commitment required
• More destinations: 200+ countries vs. Saily's 150+
• Regional plans: One eSIM covers multiple countries (perfect for Europe trips)
• Higher Trustpilot rating: 4.5/5 from 70,000+ reviews

Holafly Limitations

• More expensive: Unlimited comes at a premium — often 2x capped plans
• No security features: No ad blocker or VPN-like tools that Saily offers
• Fair use throttling: Extreme users (100GB+/month) may experience slower speeds
• No data sharing: Each device needs its own plan

The Verdict

Holafly costs more but eliminates data anxiety. If you stream, work remotely, or just hate monitoring usage, Holafly's unlimited plans are worth the premium.

3. Airalo — Best for Plan Variety

Coverage: 200+ countries
Starting price: ~$4.50
Best for: Travelers who want the widest selection of local plans

Airalo pioneered the travel eSIM market and still offers the largest selection of local, regional, and global plans. If Saily doesn't have the specific plan you need, Airalo probably does.

Airalo vs. Saily

• More destinations: 200+ countries with extensive local plan options
• Loyalty program: Earn credits on every purchase (5%+ back)
• QR code installation: Standard QR option, not app-only
• Plan variety: More data/duration combinations per destination

Airalo Limitations

• Customer support issues: Slow responses, chatbot runaround, and refund difficulties reported on Reddit
• Security concerns: Reports of unauthorized charges and hacked accounts (not confirmed breaches, but concerning)
• No security features: No ad blocker or privacy tools like Saily
• Pricing no longer competitive: Often more expensive than newer providers

The Verdict

Airalo has the selection but comes with support risks. Use it when you need a specific local plan unavailable elsewhere — but check Simbye first for better prices and support.

4. Nomad eSIM — Best for Short Trips

Coverage: 190+ countries
Starting price: ~$1.30/GB
Best for: Weekend trips and 7-15 day travel

Nomad specializes in short-duration plans at rock-bottom prices. If you're taking a quick trip, Nomad often beats both Saily and Simbye on price.

Nomad vs. Saily

• Cheaper short-term plans: 7 and 15-day options are particularly competitive
• Unlimited options: Available in select countries (UK, etc.)
• No connection fees: The listed price is what you pay
• More destinations: 190+ vs. Saily's 150+

Nomad Limitations

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

The Verdict

For quick trips to Asia or Europe, Nomad often offers the best per-day value. Compare with Simbye before purchasing — one usually beats the other depending on destination.

5. Ubigi — Best for Speed

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

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

Ubigi vs. Saily

• Faster speeds: Regularly tops speed benchmarks in testing
• More destinations: 200+ countries covered
• Consistent signal: Reliable performance across urban and rural areas
• Competitive pricing: Despite premium performance, prices remain reasonable

Ubigi Limitations

• No security features: No ad blocker or VPN tools
• Basic app: Functional but not as polished as Saily
• No loyalty program: No rewards for repeat purchases

The Verdict

If Saily's latency (from European routing) bothers you for video calls or real-time work, Ubigi is worth the switch.

6. aloSIM — Best Simple Option

Coverage: 175+ countries
Starting price: ~$4.50
Best for: Travelers who want no-frills simplicity

aloSIM strips away complexity: pick a country, choose your data, scan the QR code, done. No app required, no account needed.

aloSIM vs. Saily

• No app required: QR code only — simpler than Saily's app-only approach
• No account needed: Purchase and install without signing up
• Straightforward pricing: What you see is what you pay

aloSIM Limitations

• No security features: Basic connectivity only
• Higher prices: Often more expensive than Simbye or Nomad
• No unlimited plans: Fixed data only
• Fewer destinations: 175+ vs. others' 190-200+

The Verdict

If Saily's app requirement frustrates you and you just want simple QR installation, aloSIM delivers — but you'll pay slightly more for that simplicity.

Saily Alternatives for Specific Needs

Quick recommendations based on what matters most to you:

• Cheaper prices + more countries: → Simbye
• Unlimited data without subscription: → Holafly
• Best Japan/Asia performance: → Simbye (NTT docomo network)
• Widest plan selection: → Airalo
• Fastest speeds: → Ubigi
• Quick weekend trip: → Nomad
• No app installation: → aloSIM
• Security features like Saily: → None (Saily is unique here)

What About Saily's Security Features?

Let's address the elephant in the room: Saily's built-in ad blocker, web protection, and virtual location are genuinely unique. No other travel eSIM offers these.

But do you need them?

• Ad blocker: Useful, but browser extensions or system-wide blockers do the same thing
• Web protection: Blocks malicious sites — helpful on public WiFi, but a proper VPN (like NordVPN itself) does more
• Virtual location: Routes traffic through the Netherlands — lightweight VPN-like feature, but not a replacement for actual VPN

If you're already using a VPN app, Saily's security features are redundant. If you're not, they add modest protection — but you can get better protection with a dedicated VPN alongside a cheaper eSIM like Simbye.

Before Switching: What to Check

Before choosing any Saily alternative, verify:

1. Your specific destination is covered: Don't just check "190+ countries" — confirm your exact country
2. Local network quality: Some providers have better carrier partnerships in specific regions
3. Data amount vs. trip length: Maps, messaging, and light browsing typically use 1-2GB/week
4. Installation method: QR code vs. app-only — know what works for your setup
5. Hotspot support: Important if you need to share data with laptops/tablets
6. Refund policy: Know what happens if the eSIM doesn't work

Final Verdict: Best Saily Alternative

For most travelers, Simbye is the best Saily alternative: more countries (190+ vs. 150+), lower prices, better Asia coverage, and human support without the chatbot runaround. The free 100MB trial lets you test before committing.

If you need unlimited data without a subscription, choose Holafly.

If you need maximum speed for remote work, choose Ubigi.

And if security features are essential, Saily remains your best option — no competitor matches its built-in protection tools.

The eSIM market offers real choices now. Match the provider to your actual needs.

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