Independent luxury travel intelligence
Uncompromised Travel

Should I buy Airalo or Saily for my trip?

By Richard Jasinski·Updated 3 November 2026

Airalo and Saily, set out the same way from each company's own website and review listings, read on 20 October 2026. No score and no winner.

Should I buy Airalo or Saily for my trip?

On their own published facts, Airalo is best for any traveller, with business plans for teams; Saily is best for tourists, business travellers and frequent travellers. No score and no winner: choose by what your trip needs.

Airalo

Best for
Any traveller, with business plans for teams

Saily

Best for
Tourists, business travellers and frequent travellers

Airalo and Saily: side by side

The same facts for each company, from its own website, in the same order. Where a company publishes nothing on a row, the card says so. Left out, because it is not readable for both: refunds.

Airalo

What it is
A marketplace reselling several providers: the terms say 'We operate as an aggregator and marketplace of connectivity services', sold under the Airalo name ('the world's first eSIM store'). Mostly data, but some packages add calls and texts ('We offer flexible data packages, some have calls and texts').
Based in
Singapore (registered address).
Coverage
'200+ locations'. Local, regional and global eSIMs are all sold.
Unlimited data
Yes, in 130+ countries and regions.
Hotspot and tethering
Unlimited eSIMs: 'Yes, Airalo Unlimited eSIMs support tethering and hotspot use' and 'All tethered usage is included in your daily high-speed data allowance'.
Phone number, calls and texts
Some packages include calls and texts.
Data validity
The validity period starts when the eSIM activates, which for most eSIMs is when it connects to a supported network at the destination.
Top-ups
Yes: 'you can top up your eSIM, you don't need to buy a new eSIM'.
Customer support
24/7, multi-language support: live chat, WhatsApp and the app, plus a Help Center and Contact us page ('we're available 24/7').
Guest reviews, per platform
Trustpilot 4.1 out of 5 from 47,927 reviews (newest review 20 October 2026); the App Store 4.6 out of 5 from 101,988 reviews (newest review 19 October 2026); Google Play 4.6 out of 5 from 191,305 reviews (read 20 October 2026).

Saily

What it is
A travel eSIM provider selling under its own name (Saily). Data eSIM plans are the core product.
Based in
The privacy policy gives Saily Inc.'s principal business address as 330 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.
Coverage
'200+ destinations'. The Global plan covers 121 destinations, Europe covers 35 countries, North America 3 countries and Caribbean Islands 29 countries.
Unlimited data
Yes.
Hotspot and tethering
Allowed. The destination pages say hotspot is 'Unlimited access with no restrictions' (UK, Thailand, US, France, Canada, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Europe, Global).
Phone number, calls and texts
Yes, as an add-on. A US phone number (+1) costs US$1.99 a month and a call and text plan starts from US$0.99 (as read on 20 October 2026).
Data validity
Plans have a 180-day activation period: 'If you do not activate it yourself within 180 calendar days, we will automatically activate it for you'.
Top-ups
Plans are prepaid and do not renew unless auto top-up is on ('Our regular plans are pay as you go').
Customer support
24/7 chat support in the app, plus email.
Guest reviews, per platform
Trustpilot 4.7 out of 5 from 32,500 reviews (newest review 20 October 2026); the App Store 4.7 out of 5 from 13,437 reviews (newest review 15 October 2026); Google Play 4.6 out of 5 from 99,172 reviews (read 20 October 2026).

Where each line comes from

Every line links back to the page it was read from, read on 20 October 2026.

Airalo vs Saily: the questions people ask

Do Airalo and Saily offer unlimited data?

Airalo: Yes, in 130+ countries and regions. Saily: Yes.

Can I use either as a hotspot?

Airalo: Unlimited eSIMs: 'Yes, Airalo Unlimited eSIMs support tethering and hotspot use' and 'All tethered usage is included in your daily high-speed data allowance'. Saily: Allowed. The destination pages say hotspot is 'Unlimited access with no restrictions' (UK, Thailand, US, France, Canada, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Europe, Global).

Does either give me a phone number?

Airalo: Some packages include calls and texts. Saily: Yes, as an add-on. A US phone number (+1) costs US$1.99 a month and a call and text plan starts from US$0.99 (as read on 20 October 2026).

How do I reach their support?

Airalo: 24/7, multi-language support: live chat, WhatsApp and the app, plus a Help Center and Contact us page ('we're available 24/7'). Saily: 24/7 chat support in the app, plus email.

Can I top up either?

Airalo: Yes: 'you can top up your eSIM, you don't need to buy a new eSIM'. Saily: Plans are prepaid and do not renew unless auto top-up is on ('Our regular plans are pay as you go').

How long does the data last?

Airalo: The validity period starts when the eSIM activates, which for most eSIMs is when it connects to a supported network at the destination. Saily: Plans have a 180-day activation period: 'If you do not activate it yourself within 180 calendar days, we will automatically activate it for you'.

What do reviews say about each?

Airalo: Trustpilot 4.1 out of 5 from 47,927 reviews (newest review 20 October 2026); the App Store 4.6 out of 5 from 101,988 reviews (newest review 19 October 2026); Google Play 4.6 out of 5 from 191,305 reviews (read 20 October 2026). Saily: Trustpilot 4.7 out of 5 from 32,500 reviews (newest review 20 October 2026); the App Store 4.7 out of 5 from 13,437 reviews (newest review 15 October 2026); Google Play 4.6 out of 5 from 99,172 reviews (read 20 October 2026). Each platform is shown on its own, never added together.

Where is each company based?

Airalo: Singapore (registered address). Saily: The privacy policy gives Saily Inc.'s principal business address as 330 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611, United States.

Can I buy either through Uncompromised Travel?

No. Uncompromised Travel is a publication and does not sell eSIMs. Buy from each company's own website or app.

How current is this comparison?

Both companies' websites, app listings and Trustpilot pages were read on 20 October 2026. Prices and terms change, so check them before you buy.

Built to answer SIM-0181 from the Uncompromised Travel eSIM table. What is shown: what each company's own website, app store listings and Trustpilot page say, read on 20 October 2026, set out the same way for each. No score and no winner. No company paid to be on this page. How this site earns · How we work.

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