Airalo Alternatives: Top 6 Competitors for Travel eSIMs (2025)

Looking for a proper Airalo alternative? Here’s the truth. Most articles throw 20 brands at you just to rank or slap affiliate links around. Realistically, maybe 3-4 are actually worth it.

This isn’t one of those. We’ve tested the popular options ourselves, from short-term travelers to digital nomads hopping between countries, and narrowed it down to a few that actually deliver: reliable connection, fair pricing, and smooth setup.

This list is short and on purpose: 6 Airalo alternatives we’d genuinely recommend to friends, even the non-technical ones.

Why you can trust this list. Proven expertise

We didn’t just copy-paste app names from the internet. We’ve personally tested each one, compared them in real-world use — not just on paper.

No sponsors or paid features. Honest breakdowns from a team familiar with travel eSIM and knows what actually works.

What is Airalo?

Answer: Airalo is a travel eSIM provider founded in 2019.

You can search your destination directly in the search bar and choose from data packages ranging from 1GB to 50GB. Most plans start around $4 and typically support one or two local carriers.

While Airalo is easy to use, its pricing and carrier options aren’t always the most competitive — there are definitely better-value eSIM providers out there.

That said, Airalo’s help documentation is thorough and beginner-friendly, making it a great choice if you’re buying a travel eSIM for the first time.

If you’re looking for something faster, cheaper, or with broader coverage — here are the best Airalo alternatives worth trying.

Why Look For a Airalo Alternative?

The #1 reason why people switch from Airalo to alternatives is their lack of communication.

As an early-start company, Airalo has accumulated a large number of users. This also means that they need to handle a lot of customer service, so it is difficult to get a timely response.

1. Slow support response

If you encounter a problem, Airalo recommends proactively searching for solutions in their help documentation.

If that doesn't work, you can use the website's online chat app for assistance.

However, you'll likely get a bot's response first, so you'll need to be patient and wait for a live customer service representative.

Airalo recently launched a WhatsApp contact channel, which is great. However, you'll only find it by scrolling down the product page, and I'm not sure how long it takes to get a response.

2. Not the Cheapest Option

As the travel eSIM market grows, more companies are joining in — and Airalo’s early monopoly is fading fast.

This competition is great news for travelers because you can now find eSIM providers offering the same (or even better) experience at lower prices.

3. Limited Carrier Support

Airalo doesn’t support as many local carriers in many Asian countries as it does in Europe.

While your overall connection will usually be fine, poor signal in remote areas can be frustrating — and switching carriers isn’t always an option.

The limited carrier selection makes it harder to find the best network wherever you go.

Top 6 Alternatives & Websites Similar to Airalo

1. esimnb.com

• Rated: 4.7/5 🌟
• Best for: for people who want easy to use and cost-effective eSIM

esimNB inherits the smooth UX (user experience) of Airalo,

esimNB doesn’t just give you the QR code, one of esimNB's goals is to let customers clearly understand the usage of esim data and focus on improving the post-purchase experience.

With esimNB, you don’t need to know what an APN or SM-DP address is.

Just scan it, install it, and activate it — that’s it.

Does esimNB have any drawbacks?

Of course it does. For larger data plans (over 50GB), its pricing might not be as competitive. Furthermore, there are relatively few promotions or discounts.

how much does esimNB cost?

• China: start from $1.5/GB
• USA: start from $1.5/GB
• Canada: start from $2.5/GB
• Turkey: start from $1.0/GB
• UAE: start from $3.5/GB
• Euorpe: start from $5.0/GB

Why are esimNB so much cheaper?

Many people assume that a lower price means lower quality.

But at esimNB, we believe that great quality and fair pricing can go hand in hand.

Our eSIMs are sourced from top global suppliers and operators, with many plans supporting 5G connectivity.

Unlike large corporations, we’re a small, focused team — one that doesn’t have to please shareholders or chase profits just to sustain a massive structure.

This independence allows us to focus on what truly matters:

delivering better experiences and genuine support to our users.

Our greatest satisfaction doesn’t come from profit charts or investor reports.

It comes from knowing that we’ve helped make someone’s journey smoother and more connected.

Because at esimNB, we serve people, not shareholders.

—— esimNB Team

Should you use esimNB instead of Airalo?

From my experience testing both, esimNB is definitely better if you really want an easy, clean UX and a cost-effective travel eSIM.

You don’t need to spend $5 to buy a $2 travel eSIM.

While Airalo is great for beginners, it still provides a good experience for those buying a travel eSIM for the first time.

—— Dylan Tao, lead Writer

read more: esimNB vs Airalo: Which eSIM service is better?

2. Nomad

• Trustpilot rating: 4.4/5 ⭐
• Best for: Travelers with multiple destinations

Nomad is also a popular travel eSIM provider.

The biggest advantage of Nomad lies in its wide variety of multi-region eSIM plans, which are also relatively affordable.

This is especially true for Asia.

If you’re traveling across two or three nearby countries such as China, Japan, and South Korea, or Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand, Nomad is a great choice.

It’s particularly convenient for Chinese travelers or cross-border business people who frequently move between these destinations without spending too much.

One downside, however, is that Nomad’s website experience isn’t the best.

The layout feels a bit cluttered and the content organization could be improved.

It may not be ideal for users who prefer a clean and straightforward interface.

how much does esimNB cost?

• China: start from $4.0 1GB
• China-Japan-South Korea: start from $4.0 1GB
• USA: start from $5.0 1GB
• EU-US-CA: start from $19.0 5GB

Which is better, Nomad or Airalo?

Shortly, it really depends on your needs — I know, it’s not the ideal asnwer.

But, if you’re deciding between the two, here’s how to think about it:

• Both offer a solid user experience. You can compare which carriers are supported in your destination and whether 5G is available.
• Price is another factor. Nomad is usually a bit🤏 cheaper than Airalo, and its price advantage becomes more obvious for multi-region eSIMs.

So, if you’re a traveler who frequently moves between multiple regions in a short period, go with Nomad.

If not, just choose the one that offers better pricing and wider carrier coverage for your destination.

But if you want the best internet experience at the lowest cost, I’d recommend esimNB. For data plans between 1GB and 20GB, it’s definitely the best choice.

3. RedteaGo

Rating: 4.4/5 ⭐

Best for: travel to Asian, especially China

RedteaGo is also a cheap and realiable eSIM provider.

It’s one of the most popular travel eSIM providers in China.

Yes, it’s even more well-known than Airalo.

Since RedteaGo was founded in Hong Kong, you don’t have to worry about network issues while staying there.

In fact, RedteaGo offers solid carrier support across most Asian countries. The only exceptions are a few smaller or less developed nations, where you might not find a matching data plan.

Another interesting feature is that RedteaGo provides a trial eSIM plan — 0MB for 1 day at just USD $0.52.

It’s designed for people who are new to eSIMs. If you’re worried about making a mistake during your first installation or simply want to see how eSIMs work, this plan is a great way to try it out.

How much does RedteaGo cost?

• eSIM Trial: 0MB 1Day $0.52
• USA: starts from USD $2.00 1GB
• China: starts from USD $1.80 1GB
• China: 100GB 365Days USD $49.90 (which is really cheap)

Is RedteaGo better than Airalo?

RedteaGo is great for Asian travel and more reliable than Airalo.

However, RedteaGo's support for Europe may not be as good as Airalo's, depending on your destination.

If you are still unsure, I recommend esimNB.

esimNB = Airalo (UX) + RedteaGo (Price)

4. Holafly

• Rated: 4.2/5⭐
• Best for: Don't want to worry about data usage

Holafly is known for having only unlimited data plans and no pay as you go options.

If you have data usage anxiety, buy it.

While other providers offer unlimited data plans, I recommend Holafly as the provider that features unlimited data with good customer support.

Holafly's customer support is excellent, and customers who choose unlimited data plans for peace of mind are more likely to encounter issues, so customer support is crucial.

Are there any downsides to unlimited data plans?

Simply put, the data is unlimited, but the speed is capped. In most cases, the speed limit kicks in after you’ve used about 2GB of data.

So, “unlimited data” basically means around 2GB of high-speed data per day.

If you don’t have high demands for network speed.

For example, if you’re not streaming shows or scrolling through TikTok — I highly recommend choosing the unlimited data plan.

How much does Holafly cost?

• China unlimited 1day $3.90 USD
• China unlimited 30day $74.90 USD
• USA unlimited 1day $3.90 USD
• USA unlimited 30day $74.90 USD
• Europe unlimited 30day $74.90 USD

How does Holafly compare to Airalo?

If you prefer unlimited data plans over pay-as-you-go options, I recommend Holafly. As mentioned earlier, Airalo’s customer support has received some criticism.

Choosing a provider with reliable support can help you resolve any speed throttling issues more quickly.

But if you don’t want to waste any of the data you’ve paid for, Airalo (or esimNB) would be a better choice.

5. Micro eSIM

• Rated: 4.2/5⭐. If you value price, 4.5/5⭐
• Best for: want to try another cheap travel eSIM

Micro eSIM is super cheap — sometimes even cheaper than esimNB!

It’s a Hong Kong–based company, and the whole site runs on Shopify. There are plenty of plans to choose from, so you’ll easily find one that fits your trip.

If price is your top concern, Micro eSIM is totally worth a try.

But here’s the catch: it’s basically an online store.

After you buy, they’ll email the eSIM to you — no dashboard, no way to check your remaining data in real time.

And there’s no top-up option, so if you run out, you’ll need to buy a new plan and activate it again.

Still, for how cheap it is, these small issues are honestly not a big deal😄.

Whats the price of Micro eSIM?

• China: 3GB 7Days $4.88 USD
• USA: 1GB 7Days $2.49 USD
• Europe: 1GB 7Days $1.47 USD

What is the difference between Micro and Airalo?

• Micro eSIM: Cheap price, but no online data usage check, top-up options
• Airalo eSIM: Not very cheap price, not good customer support, but world class UX

Unsure? Choose esimNB, esimNB = Micro eSIM (price) + Airalo (UX)

6. Saily

To be honest, I haven't used Saily. I put it last because I see it on many forums, price comparison sites, and Best XXX blogs.

Of course, you don't have to worry about the user experience with Saily; it's just as simple and easy to use.

If you trust NordVPN, you can trust Saily, as they're both owned by the same company.

Their Price？Similar to Airalo.

What I appreciate most is that Saily is willing to innovate and inherit the features of nordVPN to Saily, such as pop-up blocking, fixed IP, etc.

How to choose the YOUR Best Airalo Alternative

The best way to pick a Airalo alternative is to ask: what’s holding you back with Airalo?

Are you stuck with activating eSIM?

Are you mad at the customer support service?

Or you think their eSIM’s price is expensive?

All Airalo Alternatives Compared