Airalo Hands-On Review: Is This eSIM Actually Good?
Airalo is one of the most talked about eSIMs out there. In the last few years, the US-based company operating in 200+ countries and regions worldwide has built a reputation among international travelers.
So, we thought to put it to the test ourselves to see if it lives up to the hype for a totally honest review about this eSIM.
How We Tested Our Airalo eSIM & Why Trust Us
We've used their eSIM plans in various countries a bunch of times during our travels as digital nomads worldwide, whether it was North America, Europe, or Southeast Asia, so we have plenty of experience with this but also with other eSIM providers which we regularly write about in our dedicated eSIM section.
But to make things easier, we'll share our experiences testing Airalo's single destinations eSIM plans from our most recent trips to Thailand, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Georgia, and Morocco.
Airalo Plan Options, Prices and Country Coverage
Airalo offers a range of eSIM options for different types of travelers. Each plan varies based on your destination and the duration of your data plans. Let's take a closer look at their main eSIM types.
Single Destination, Regional and Global options
For those exploring specific destinations, Airalo offers local eSIMs in more than 200+ countries and regions.
If your trip includes staying in multiple countries in a region, like Europe or Southeast Asia for example, using their regional eSIMs is the way to go. This eSIM package type has the benefit of providing data access to a variety of destinations within the same region of the world.
For those with global travel itineraries, Airalo even offers global eSIMs to keep you connected almost anywhere. What we recommend though is to double-check to ensure your destinations are covered. You can do that on their website.
As mentioned before, we used their local eSIM and tested them in Thailand, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Georgia, and Morocco for this review.
eSIMs Plans by Duration
In terms of validity, we like that Airalo understands that traveler plans can be ever-changing, so they offer eSIMs with varying durations, ideal for both short trips and extended stays. Usually, an Airalo eSIM's validity ranges between 7 days and 30 days. This does vary by country, though, with the Global eSIM being available for up to 180 days.
In our case, we opted for the 30 days as we love to spend enough time in a country to discover it so this duration is usually our sweet spot.
eSIMs Plans by Data Allowance
As for data allowances, we appreciate that they do offer a broad spectrum of data allowances, with packages that go up to 50GB.
We usually get by with about 3GB a month for our remote work needs as we tend to use coworking spaces and cafes for the heavy lifting. But when we went to Thailand we wanted to be a bit safer, so we bought their unlimited data plan twice as we needed for a whole month and they offered only a 10 or 15 days option.
Airalo eSIM Plans Cost
Airalo's eSIM pricing varies based on several factors, including the destination, data allowance, and other specifics of the package chosen. Here's a rough breakdown of what we spent on the eSIM plans we used for this review:
- Thailand: $19.95 for a 15 days unlimited plan
- Portugal: $9.50 for a 3GB data plan (30 days duration)
- Canary Islands: $10 for a 3GB data plan (30 days duration)
- Georgia: $13.50 for a 3GB data plan (30 days duration)
- Morocco: $20.50 for a 3GB data plan (30 days duration)
When we compare Airalo’s price tag to that of its competitors, the brand typically falls in the low range. From our experience with many eSIM providers, they are among the cheapest eSIM providers out there, and their user-friendly platform and quality of service often make them a top choice for us.
Airalo eSIM Installation and Activation Process
We've used Airalo on a number of international trips for this review and found setting up their eSIM is always incredibly easy. It's digital, straightforward, and offers an overall user-friendly experience.
Here's what you need to do in a nutshell to activate your eSIM if you are in a rush:
If you instead want a more step-by-step guide, here's our experience activating it.
- Select eSIM type and destination: You can go either on their website or on their mobile app, which is our personal favorite for installing, purchasing, and monitoring data usage
- Choose a data package: Decide on the eSIM type – local, regional, or global. Then, depending on your choice, you can select either the specific country or region you'll be visiting. In our case, we purchased the one for Thailand, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Georgia, and Morocco.
- Purchase your chosen plan: You'll need to pick your preferred payment method (Apple Pay is supported!), punch in the details, and you're good to go. You can expect a swift email confirmation once the transaction gets the green light.
- Install and activate your data plan: After buying your preferred plan, you'll need to install it on your phone. We highly recommend installing the eSIM before your trip: this means once you land at your destination, you’ll be able to activate your package on the spot without needing to search for a reliable internet connection.
You can install your eSIM by using the Airalo website or the Airalo app (our favorite). If you decide to use the Airalo website, you have three options:
- QR Code Method: After buying your plan, you'll receive a QR code. To activate it, go to your phone's settings to add a new cellular plan and scan this code. Your eSIM will start downloading. If you don't know how to do it, they have dedicated tutorials both for iPhone, and Android.
- Manual Installation: We don't recommend it as it's the most complex method, but if you prefer to input details yourself or face any hiccups with the QR code, Airalo provides all the necessary information. You'll have to head to your phone settings, look for the eSIM or cellular plan addition option, and input the details supplied by Airalo. If you have any issues, we found a video for iPhone and one for Android that perfectly explains this process.
If you decide to use the Airalo mobile app instead, you will still have both the QR code and manual methods at your disposal, just like the website. However, the mobile app offers an additional method which is the one we always use: the automatic installation. This is the simplest and most streamlined way to get connected if you have iOS 17 or above.
After you've checked out, you'll notice an option for auto eSIM installation. Just tap on it, and the app will handle the rest. Within moments, your eSIM will be installed, activated, and ready to use.
Airalo eSIM Real World Performance
When choosing a data plan, don’t make the mistake of just caring about getting the most GB at the lowest price. You should consider the overall value and experience, which, trust us, goes beyond your data allowance. We've found that Airalo's features provide a well-rounded experience that genuinely made a difference for us. Here’s what we loved and what they could do better in our opinion.
Airalo's Top Features
Effortless setup process
When you land in a new place, the last thing you want to do is fuss with your phone. The good news is that, if you’ve purchased an Airalo plan, you won’t have to. The setup process is so easy, even for non-tech-savvy people and you can set it up on your phone in minutes.
Global coverage and flexible plans
Airalo has truly global coverage, and its flexible plans are lifesavers. If your itinerary includes more than one country within a region, we recommend going for the regional plan. During our trip, we went to Portugal and then to the Canary Islands. But we made the mistake of not opting for Airalo's Europe regional plan and we instead purchased individual plans for each country. But we’ve learned our lesson. The regional plan is cheaper and includes coverage in more countries at the same time, giving you the flexibility to embrace your travel adventure mode.
Airalo Loyalty Program
Whether you’re a luxury traveler or a budget backpacker, rewards always feel nice, let's be honest. We’ve purchased a lot of Airalo plans for our review, from Thailand to Georgia, and one great perk was earning "Airmoney" on each purchase. These loyalty points quickly add up, allowing you to save a few bucks on subsequent eSIM purchases, which comes in quite handy, especially for budget-savvy travelers.
Where Airalo Could Do Better
No Call and Text Features
If there is something that we really wished Airalo offered is having the ability to call and text from our Airalo eSIM. Sometimes, we were in those situations where we had to call our Airbnb host when we landed in the Canary Islands in the middle of the night, or when we wanted to book a restaurant, but we couldn't do it, and we had to find alternative solutions.
Unlimited Data Have Fair Usage Policy (FUP)
As remote workers, we need a lot of data when traveling, and it's not rare for us to plug in our laptops and use our eSIM as a hotspot. What we wished we had known before is that what Airalo advertises as "unlimited" data usually comes with what it's called a "fair usage policy". This basically means that your speeds might be throttled after you reach a certain data threshold. This will drastically impact your experience if you rely on reliable internet like us.
Airalo eSIM Pros and Cons
After having used Airalo in various parts of the world, we know the ins and outs of this eSIM provider and we've had our fair share of shining experiences and those that had room for improvement. Here are the advantages and disadvantages that we noticed:
Is Airalo Legit? Our Final Thoughts
Having traveled through numerous countries and used Airalo eSIM to stay connected, Airalo has shown to be a good eSIM overall. Like all tech solutions, Airalo is not without its quirks, but all in all, its pros undeniably outweigh the cons for international travelers for us.
They offer a ton of countries around the world, their plans are relatively cheap and their app is super intuitive. While there are some areas of improvement, particularly in remote regions, their overall offering is compelling. The added bonus of the Airmoney loyalty program only sweetens the deal in our opinion.
For those seeking a hassle-free, cost-effective, and flexible connectivity solution while traveling to and working from all corners of the world, Airalo is a great choice. We recommend giving Airalo a try yourself to see if it's the right eSIM for you.
Airalo Discount code: 10% OFF
As a thank you for being our reader, you can use the Discount Code 'FN10' and get 10% OFF on all Airalo plans!
Grab Your Discount Now!Alternatives to Airalo eSIM
While Airalo is a great choice, depending on your travel patterns, data requirements, or specific regions you frequent, some other eSIM providers might just hit the sweet spot for you. Here are four other eSIM providers we've personally tested and we would recommend checking out:
Holafly
Holafly, on occasion, comes with a steeper price tag than Airalo. Yet, one can't overlook their offering of unlimited data plans. It's a tempting choice for travelers who don't want to worry about running out of data mid-journey. Holafly also includes a local phone number for voice calls or messages in some countries, which Airalo does not.
Nomad eSIM
Although they don’t cover as many countries as Airalo, Nomad offers the option to buy more data, even boasting unlimited data options. This is an attractive feature for those who have hefty data needs. Unlike Airalo, Nomad eSIM also offers SMS-only plans and two providers to choose from in the USA.
Yesim
Another great budget-friendly alternative, Yesim generally offers better prices in certain regions, like Southeast Asia. One of their most interesting features is a pay-as-you-go global plan, which eliminates the need to commit to a large data package upfront. Plus, their unique referral program lets you earn credits (called "Ycoins") to put towards future eSIMs just by recommending the service to your friends.
Frequently Asked Questions about Airalo eSIM
Can Airalo be trusted?
Absolutely. Based on our extensive travels and experiences using Airalo in different countries, we've found this provider to be legit. Their customer service was quick to assist whenever we faced any issues. Additionally, with a secure platform for transactions and the ton of reviews you can find online about them, Airalo has established itself as a trustworthy option for international travelers.
Is Airalo eSIM reliable?
Yes, Airalo eSIM is highly reliable. In our multiple trips across various countries, we've found that Airalo consistently provided the promised connectivity. Even in diverse settings, Airalo provided us with stable connections the majority of the time. Though, like all services, there might be occasional dips in remote areas, the overall performance has been commendable.
Is Airalo fast?
Based on our personal experience, Airalo offers impressive speeds in most locations. During our travels, we recorded various download and upload speeds in different countries, and the results were often on par with or exceeded local cellular networks. For instance, in Portugal, we noted a download speed of 51 Mbps, and in Thailand, it was 31.8 Mbps.
Should I install Airalo eSIM before or after travel?
We recommend installing the Airalo eSIM before you travel. Doing so allows you to test the eSIM and ensure it's properly installed and activated on your device. This way, as soon as you land or cross the border, you can easily switch to your Airalo eSIM profile and connect immediately without any hassles. Pre-travel installation ensures you have a smooth transition without the need to hunt for local SIM cards or WiFi upon arrival.
Does Airalo work with WhatsApp?
Yes, Airalo works seamlessly with WhatsApp. Once you activate your Airalo eSIM and connect to the internet, all your apps, including WhatsApp, will function as they normally do. Your WhatsApp will still retain your original number unless you choose to change it manually within the app.
Does Airalo use my phone number?
No, Airalo does not use or replace your existing phone number. When you activate an Airalo eSIM, you are adding a secondary data profile to your device. Airalo provide data-only services, meaning you won't receive a new phone number with the eSIM. Your primary phone number remains intact and functional. If you need to make calls or send texts, you can do so internet-based services like WhatsApp, Skype, or other VoIP applications.
Does Airalo offer any customer support or assistance?
Yes, Airalo has a dedicated customer service team that can be reached via the Airalo mobile app or their official website.
Is there a downside to using eSIM?
While eSIMs provide a lot of conveniences, such as easy plan switching without needing to swap physical SIM cards, there are some considerations. Not all devices support eSIM technology, so make sure to check compatibility for your eSIM.
Does eSIM drain the battery?
No, eSIM technology itself does not cause additional battery drain compared to traditional SIM cards. The battery consumption is primarily influenced by your device's usage patterns, network conditions, and the applications running in the background. If you're connected to the internet and actively using data, your battery might deplete faster.
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