Review Airalo: Is it the Best Travel eSIM? Which Plan?

Airalo is a top choice for travelers who don't want to use a physical SIM card or pay high roaming charges.

However, some travelers are still determining whether Airalo is suitable for the next trip or which plan to choose. 

No worries! This review will guide you through everything you need to know about Airalo eSIMs. We cover data plans, coverage, pricing, and additional features to help you make the best decision quickly and economically. Let's get started!

What Is Airalo?

Airalo is a premier eSIM provider, simplifying global connectivity for travelers across over 200 countries and regions. 

But what exactly is an eSIM? Unlike a traditional SIM card, an eSIM is a digital SIM that allows your device to access cellular networks without physically swapping out SIM cards. This means you can maintain active service on your regular SIM for calls and texts while connecting to data services via the eSIM.Numerous providers offer eSIM services; for example, iRoamly caters to travelers with flexible local and regional data plans, allowing users to easily tailor their mobile data according to their travel needs.

Rather than being a network operator itself, Airalo facilitates your connection to local mobile networks. It acts as a bridge between you and local operators, offering you a platform to purchase data plans directly. Once you select a plan and activate your eSIM through Airalo, your device will automatically connect to the local network upon your arrival at your destination. 

Methodology and Our Conclusion 

In this review, we analyze Airalo’s services in-depth, examining its packages, pricing, and overall quality. 

Here's how we will present the review step by step:

• Pros and Cons Overview: We begin by listing the advantages and disadvantages of Airalo's services. This initial overview provides a snapshot of what to expect regarding coverage, costs, and usability, covering various aspects of the eSIM experience.

• Detailed Analysis: Following the overview, we delve deeper into each feature—packages, pricing, and quality. This section discusses how each factor could influence your choice of an eSIM plan, detailing how Airalo's offerings stand out or fall short in the competitive eSIM market.

Our objective throughout is to offer a balanced view, highlighting the strong points and limitations of Airalo's eSIM services. By presenting a well-rounded perspective, we aim to equip you with the necessary information to decide whether Airalo fits your travel connectivity needs. 

Pros:  

• Broad Coverage and Speed: Airalo excels in network coverage, offering dependable internet access in over 200 locations worldwide. By partnering with top local operators, it provides data speeds ranging from 3G to 5G, meeting the demands of today's mobile users.

• Flexible Packages: Airalo's data plans are economically priced and available whether you’re traveling within a single country, regionally, or globally. This flexibility is particularly advantageous for travelers watching their budget, allowing them to select the best plan for their needs without overpaying.

• Easy to Buy and Install: Purchasing and activating an Airalo eSIM is uncomplicated and quick, eliminating the need for personal identification. The user-friendly Airalo app enhances this process, enabling easy plan purchase and management.

• User-Friendly Service: With no binding contracts and 24/7 customer support, Airalo simplifies mobile services, making them more accessible and less daunting than traditional mobile carriers. There are also other helpful additional features available. 

Cons:

• Data-Only Plans: Airalo’s local and regional offerings are limited to data services, which exclude voice calls and SMS. This could be a drawback for users who need a more comprehensive communication solution.

• Fixed Plans: Airalo opts for predetermined data packages rather than offering pay-as-you-go flexibility, which might not appeal to those who prefer adjusting their data usage based on actual consumption.

• Pricing Issues: While generally affordable, some of Airalo’s plans might not offer the best value compared to other eSIM providers like iRoamly, particularly in regions where mobile data is cheaper.

• No Unlimited Data in Local Plans: The lack of unlimited data plans for Local packages restricts heavy data users, such as those who stream videos or engage in other data-intensive activities during their travels.

So, having introduced and assessed Airalo’s primary features, we will next dive into the specifics of its packages and data plan options to give you a clearer understanding of what you can expect.

Airalo Coverage & Data Plan

Understanding the available eSIM plan options with Airalo involves considering three key aspects: data plans, data types, and package coverage. These elements are crucial in determining which services best meet your connectivity needs during travel.

Data Plans and Data Types:

In terms of data types, plans can be segmented into:

• Data Only: This basic plan provides internet access without support for voice calls or SMS, focusing purely on data services.

• Data & Call: These plans combine internet and voice calls but exclude SMS, offering a middle ground for those who need to make calls but not text.

• Data, Call, & SMS: This is the most comprehensive package, including data, voice calls, and SMS capabilities.  

Regarding data plans, there are usually three main categories: Daily, Total, and Unlimited plans. 

Now, we'll look at a detailed breakdown of Airalo's data plans and types to better understand the specifics of what they offer.

Airalo Data Plans Available Table

Airalo Packages Coverage

Basically, there are three types of eSIM packages tailored to different geographic needs, categorized into local, regional, and global plans. Here’s a detailed look at each package type on Airalo:

Analysis and Conclusion: Evaluating Airalo's Offerings

As illustrated in the preceding tables, Airalo provides extensive eSIM coverage across over 200 countries, catering to both brief and prolonged travel needs. It’s important to verify that the regional or global plans adequately cover all intended destinations, as coverage specifics can vary.

Most of Airalo's eSIM plans are tailored for periods ranging from 7 to 30 days. While these durations suit many travelers, those requiring longer-term solutions can only find them in select packages, potentially limiting flexibility for users with variable data needs.

In terms of data options, Airalo primarily offers data-only packages with smaller quotas in its standard plans. Larger volumes, such as 50GB or 100GB, are available in more specialized packages but at higher prices. Additionally, options for calls and texts are only available in certain regions or countries.

Ultimately, Airalo excels with its broad coverage, making it a cost-effective option if your data needs are moderate. However, suppose you're a heavy user, such as a frequent streamer or social media enthusiast. In that case, it's crucial for you to carefully assess the costs and benefits to ensure that the available plans satisfy your data requirements without straining your budget.

Pricing 

Now, let’s have a detailed look at Airalo's pricing across its local, regional, and global packages to help you understand the cost-effectiveness of each option.

Local eSIM Plans:

Regional eSIM Plans:

Global eSIM Plans (Airalo Discover Plan):

Analysis and Conclusion: 

Airalo's local eSIM plans simplify budget management for travelers. They provide Total (fixed data) and fixed expense types, with prices starting at $4.5 per GB for 7 days.

Yet cost-effectiveness varies significantly by region. For instance, the price for a 1 GB/7-day plan in Colombia escalates to $15, so you should check the prices of specific destinations carefully. 

Regional eSIM plans display substantial price disparities and restricted options, like in Africa, where only two packages exist, and 1 GB for 30 days costs $27, while 3 GB for 30 days costs $59. In Europe, there are six plans available.

For comparison, there are more than 20 plans in iRoamly Europe eSIM options with cheaper prices.

Similarly, Global plans, which uniquely offer call and text options, display significant price variations and generally come at a higher cost. For example, a plan providing 100 GB over 180 days is priced at $185. Furthermore, the costs increase if you need a package that includes data, calls, and texts. The most extensive package available offers 20GB, 200 minutes, and 200 SMS for 365 days at $89.

Check Regional Prices: Always review the pricing for your specific destinations to avoid surprises.

Consider Multiple Top-Ups: If you're a heavy data user or traveling to high-cost areas, be prepared for potentially higher overall costs due to the need for multiple top-ups.

Verify Coverage: Before purchasing, make sure to confirm that Airalo's coverage includes your destination to ensure seamless connectivity throughout your journey.

Switching between packages isn't clearly defined, so it's important to carefully choose the most suitable plan from the start to avoid any complications later.

Airalo’s Operators, Coverage, Data Speeds, and More

In addition to data plans and pricing, the functionality of your eSIM is a critical aspect to consider as it determines the smoothness of your internet experience while traveling. 

Let's explore what you should keep in mind when evaluating Airalo's eSIM capabilities:

• Operators: Check whether Airalo partners with reliable local operators. This affects coverage quality and can greatly influence your connectivity.

• Offered Cellular Networks: The types of networks supported (e.g., 5G, 4G, 3G, LTE) are crucial as they dictate the speed of your internet connection.

• Device Support & Operating System Compatibility: Verify that the eSIM you are considering is compatible with your device’s operating system.

Here’s an overview of how Airalo performs in these key areas:

Overview

Airalo eSIM Additional Features Evaluated

Beyond just data plans, Airalo's additional features are key in determining how well the eSIM will meet your needs. Here’s what to look for:

• Ease of Use: How simple is it to purchase and install the eSIM?

• App: Does Airalo provide a mobile app to help you track your data usage and manage your account?

• Customer Support: Consider the availability and effectiveness of support channels. Is help readily accessible when you need it?

• Hotspot Capability: Evaluate if there are limits on hotspot sharing, which could be crucial if you plan to share your connection.

How does Airalo score in these critical areas? Let's check: 

Overview 

Summary:

Airalo's website and mobile app make it convenient to get started. The app supports both iOS and Android. Activation is a breeze—just scan a QR code or follow manual setup instructions, and you're good to go. 

While Airalo offers practical tools for data management, customer support is limited to chatbots and email. This setup works for basic queries but might not be sufficient for urgent or complex issues.

The Bottom Line

In this review, we've thoroughly examined Airalo's offerings, emphasizing its extensive coverage, adaptable data plans, and attractive pricing. 

Airalo shines for light data users, providing benefits like intuitive apps and robust data management tools. 

However, its upper limits of data plans may not align with the needs of all users. Consider your specific requirements to determine if Airalo's eSIM is the ideal travel choice. Safe travels and happy connectivity!