Saily eSIM Review

Saily is the latest eSIM service from Nord Security—the team behind NordVPN, one of the most trusted names in VPN services. It offers affordable, reliable mobile data in 190+ countries while their eSIM technology can save you the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or dealing with expensive roaming fees.

We have tested first-hand Saily's eSIM and this review, we’ll dive into Saily’s data plans, pricing, and built-in security features. Plus, we’ll share our hands-on experience testing its setup, performance, and usability to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your next trip.

Saily eSIM - Pros and Cons

Saily eSIM Data Plans and Coverage

Saily offers a wide range of eSIM data plans, covering over 190+ countries. This makes it one of the most widely available eSIM providers for international travelers.

Plans come in three types to match different travel styles:

• Local Plans: Perfect if you're sticking to one country, covering destinations like the USA, UK, Spain, Thailand, Japan, and Mexico.
• Regional Plans: Ideal if you're visiting multiple countries within a specific region. These include Europe, Asia, and North America.
• Global Plan: Covers 105 countries, keeping you connected almost anywhere in the world.

Saily eSIM Pricing

Saily has a flexible pricing structure that varies based on your destination, data needs, and trip length.

Single-country plans start at just $3.99 for 1 GB (7 days) in popular destinations like the USA, Italy, and Japan—and as low as $2.99 for 1 GB (7 days) in Thailand.

Regional plans covering areas like Europe and Asia start at $4.99 for 1 GB (7 days), providing seamless coverage across multiple countries.

For frequent travelers, Saily's global plan offers 1 GB for 7 days at $8.99 or 20 GB valid for 365 days at $66.99, giving you year-long flexibility.

The only catch? Saily doesn’t offer unlimited data plans. While some competitors do (often at higher prices), Saily’s pay-as-you-go model keeps things affordable and flexible, making it a great choice for budget-conscious travelers.

Will Saily eSIMs Work With My Phone?

Saily eSIMs work with most modern smartphones, including popular models from Apple, Samsung, and Google.

Built-In Security Features

One thing that really makes Saily stand out is its built-in security features, something you won’t often find with other eSIM providers.

No surprise there as Saily was created by Nord Security, the team behind NordVPN, so security is clearly a top priority. Here’s what you get with them:

• Virtual Location: access geo-restricted content and browse securely with 37 virtual locations.
• Ad Blocker: stops intrusive ads, boosts browsing speeds, and saves up to 21% of mobile data.
• Web Protection: defends against malicious sites, phishing attempts, and trackers to keep your data safe.

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These features were a big reason we decided to give Saily a shot for our trip to Thailand. Stick around, as later in the review, we’ll share exactly how Saily performed during our travels across Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Koh Lanta.

How Does Saily Work?

Setting up Saily is pretty straightforward. We installed and activated it during our trip to Thailand, and the process took just a few minutes.

Here’s the exact step-by-step process we followed to get connected:

Step 1. Download the Saily App

Start by going to their site or downloading the Saily app from your app store. Once installed, sign up in seconds using your Google or Apple account.

Step 2. Choose Your Plan

Browse the "Explore plans" section in the app to select your destination or region. Pick a plan that matches your desired data allowance and travel duration.

Step 3. Purchase Your eSIM

Complete the payment directly in the app. Once purchased, the eSIM appears under “My eSIMs”, and you’ll receive a confirmation email.

Step 4. Install the eSIM

Tap “Install eSIM” and follow the prompts in your device settings. Make sure the Saily eSIM is set as your preferred line for Mobile Data.

Step 5. Activate Your eSIM

Once installed, Saily is able to detect your location and automatically activates your eSIM as soon as you arrive at your destination—no buttons needed. Plus, future data top-ups are added instantly without reinstalling the eSIM.

Step 6. Enable Data Roaming

Finally, just go to your device settings and turn on Data Roaming to enable connectivity.

Saily Real-World Performance: Our Experience

Once set up, using Saily's eSIM in Thailand was generally smooth. Speeds were fast enough for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and video calls while working remotely.

Here’s how it performed during our tests:

Location	Speed	Connection details
Bangkok	25 Mbps (download) / 15 Mbps (upload)	Mostly stable, even in crowded areas.
Chiang Mai	20 Mbps (download) / 10 Mbps (upload)	Stable throughout
Koh Lanta	15 Mbps (download) / 8 Mbps (upload)	Reliable outdoors; occasional indoor signal drops quickly fixed with a reset.

That said, we did experience occasional signal drops indoors, particularly in Koh Lanta. But Saily’s 24/7 support impressed us. When we reached out, they responded in minutes and walked us through a quick fix (toggling mobile data off and back on). Problem solved.

Apart from speed tests, one thing we immediately noticed about Saily was how much simpler it made traveling. In the past, we’d always paid extra for a VPN subscription to protect our data, especially on public Wi-Fi. With Saily’s virtual location feature built right in, we could access geo-restricted content without needing a separate VPN app and it really felt like having a two-in-one solution.

The ad blocker was another feature we didn’t know we needed. We’d never bothered to install one on our phones before, so having it pre-integrated was a pleasant surprise. What it does is block annoying ads, make websites load faster, and even save mobile data, all without us having to tweak any settings. Honestly, it’s one of those features you don’t think about until you have it but it's truly useful!

Best Saily Alternatives

Saily definitely ticks a lot of boxes: affordable pricing, built-in security features, and global coverage. But it’s not the only player in the eSIM game. Providers like Holafly and Airalo offer solid alternatives depending on your travel style and data needs. Here’s how they stack up:

Saily vs Holafly

Holafly is popular for its unlimited data plans, which makes it a great pick for heavy data users. That said, Holafly’s plans come at a higher price point. For example, Saily’s 1 GB, 7-day plan starts at $3.99, while Holafly’s equivalent plan costs around $6, a noticeable difference for budget-conscious travelers. If affordability matters more than unlimited data, Saily offers better value.

Saily vs Airalo

Airalo offers wider coverage in 200+ countries, giving it a slight edge over Saily’s 190+ countries. Its pricing is also competitive, starting at $4.50 for 1 GB (7 days). However, Airalo lacks built-in security features like VPNs, ad blockers, and web protection. These features come at no extra cost with Saily, but if you go with Airalo, you’ll likely need to pay for a separate VPN or security app.

The Bottom Line

Saily is a solid pick for travelers who want affordable, reliable mobile data without the hassle of physical SIM cards. Its easy-to-use app, competitive pricing, and built-in security features make it a great match for digital nomads, frequent flyers, and remote workers who value convenience and privacy.

Sure, it doesn’t offer unlimited data or voice options, but its pay-as-you-go model keeps things flexible, and the added security tools mean you’re covered right out of the box. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly, no-fuss solution that’s ready to go the moment you land, Saily is definitely worth considering.

Ready to Give Saily eSIM a Go?

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