esimNB vs Airalo: Which eSIM service is better?

Staying connected while traveling is important, and choosing the right eSIM can make all the difference. Airalo and esimNB are two popular providers offering prepaid eSIM plans, but which one delivers the best combination of value, coverage, and user experience?

In this guide, we’ll compare the two, helping you decide which eSIM service is the perfect companion for your next trip.

In this article:

• esimNB vs. Airalo: Overall comparison
• esimNB overview
• Airalo overview
• Which eSIM service is cheaper — esimNB or Airalo?
• is esimNB or Airalo more trustworthy?
• Which one offers better network speed?
• esimNB vs. Airalo — which one is the winner?

esimNB vs. Airalo: Overall comparison

Both esimNB and Airalo are travel eSIM providers, but they differ in pricing, coverage, and ease of use. If you’re wondering which one is the better fit for your next trip, we’ve compared their key features for you:

esimNB overview

esimNB is a fast-rising eSIM provider that has recently gained popularity. Instead of following the traditional model of negotiating individually with mobile operators around the world to cut costs, the company takes a more flexible approach.

esimNB selectively partners with leading carriers in travel destinations, ensuring users can connect to the country’s major networks for a more stable signal. This strategy avoids lengthy contract negotiations that focus solely on reducing procurement expenses.

While this approach requires higher upfront costs, esimNB adopts a high-volume, low-margin strategy, absorbing the expense itself so that users can enjoy more reliable connectivity at a more affordable price.

Airalo overview

Airalo is one of the earliest providers to launch eSIM services and has built a solid reputation in the industry. Many users appreciate its beginner-friendly simplicity—purchasing an eSIM plan on its website is straightforward, and installation and activation can be completed with just a few guided steps. Its excellent UI/UX design has also served as a benchmark for later providers.

However, as an established eSIM provider, Airalo’s plans tend to be on the pricier side. Unless you are a complete beginner looking for the easiest possible experience, you may want to consider more affordable alternatives.

Which eSIM service is cheaper — esimNB or Airalo?

We all want a stable internet connection at a more affordable price. After all, instead of spending extra money on mobile data, it’s often better to save that budget for souvenirs or enjoying local experiences at your travel destination.

Since most eSIM providers rely on similar carriers, their service quality is usually sufficient for the average traveler.

That’s why price remains one of the most important factors when choosing an eSIM. In the following section, we’ll compare some of the most popular destination plans and pricing between esimNB and Airalo:

esimNB is definitely more affordable than Airalo, especially if you need larger data packages or longer-term plans.

On the other hand, Airalo can be a more convenient option for frequent global travelers or those visiting multiple countries, but its costs can rise quickly once you require more data.

is esimNB or Airalo more trustworthy?

As one of the more established eSIM providers, Airalo is certainly a trustworthy choice. On the other hand, the emerging provider esimNB places great emphasis on every customer’s experience.

Both Airalo and esimNB can ensure a reliable eSIM service. Although esimNB is relatively new, its eSIMs come from well-established carriers and have been thoroughly tested and verified.

Where the two differ significantly is in customer support. Airalo often relies on automated responses, and only when issues cannot be resolved does the system escalate to human support. For travelers abroad, this can be a frustrating experience and is one of the reasons behind Airalo’s recent decline in ratings.

By contrast, esimNB does not face the same overwhelming customer volume as Airalo, allowing it to provide prompt and effective human support to its users.

Conclusion: Both providers are trustworthy. If authority and reputation are your top concerns, Airalo has the edge. However, when it comes to customer support, the experience with Airalo can be hit or miss.

Which one offers better network speed?

When choosing an eSIM service, speed is a key factor. After all, no one wants to deal with endlessly loading pages, lagging video calls, or constant buffering. It’s worth noting that your connection speed largely depends on the local carrier and the type of networks supported by the eSIM.

The good news is that both esimNB and Airalo offer speeds of up to 5G, so you won’t feel restricted with either option.

However, a higher proportion of esimNB’s partner carriers support 5G, while Airalo primarily relies on 4G networks. In major cities, this difference rarely impacts the overall browsing experience.

But in more remote areas, the number of supported carriers becomes more important, as it allows you to manually switch to a stronger network when coverage is weak.

esimNB vs. Airalo — which one is the winner?

When comparing esimNB and Airalo, it’s clear that both have their strengths, but for most travelers, esimNB proves to be the better choice.

Airalo, as a well-known brand, offers reasonably priced plans and is generally considered reliable by many travelers. However, some users have reported inconsistent speeds, occasional connection issues, and limited customer support—factors worth keeping in mind.

By contrast, esimNB delivers faster network speeds, more affordable pricing, and responsive 24/7 customer support, making it a compelling option for those seeking greater value for money.