Easiest app
Saily
10 GB, 30 days
- Europe, 10 GB
- $35.99
- Countries
- 34-35
- Unlimited, Japan
- 5 GB a day
- Refund
- 30 days
Saily vs Airalo
Airalo is the better buy for most trips. It costs a little less on all three typical trips below, and its Europe plan covers 41 countries. Pick Saily for the easiest app, or for an unlimited plan in Japan with 5 GB a day at full speed, against 3 GB at Airalo.
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Better of the two
Airalo
10 GB, 15 days
- Europe, 10 GB
- $31.00
- Countries
- 41
- Unlimited, Japan
- 3 GB a day
- Refund
- Airmoney
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026. Both keep your US number for calls and texts.
Which is better, Airalo or Saily?
Airalo, unless one of the Saily lines below sounds like your trip. The two are close on price, so the deciding point is usually what kind of traveler you are.
Pick Saily if
- it's your first eSIM and you want the app to walk you through it
- you'll stream or video call every day on an unlimited plan, where Saily stays at full speed for 5 GB a day
- you want a full refund if your plans change before you activate the eSIM (within 30 days)
Pick Airalo if
- you want the lower price, on every trip below
- you're crossing Europe, with 41 countries on one Eurolink plan
- you'll use ChatGPT in Japan, where one user saw Saily's connection show up in Hong Kong
Saily vs Airalo price on 3 typical trips
The same three trips, each priced with the plan it needs.
Prices checked Oct 15, 2026, in US dollars.
Saily vs Airalo, point by point
Seven things that change your trip. Six have a winner, and the network in Japan is a draw.
Price
A little moreon all three trips above
49 cents to $4.99 lessWinson all three trips above
Airalo, every time
Countries in Europe
34 to 35Turkey not included
41WinsUK, Switzerland and Turkey included
Airalo, about 6 more
Unlimited data
5 GB a dayWinsat full speed, in Japan and Europe
3 GB a day in Japanthen 1 Mbps. 5 GB a day in Europe
Saily in Japan, a draw in Europe
The app
One screen at a timeWinsbuy and install in the app
One app for every triphandy once your card is saved
Saily, for a first eSIM
If your plans change
Full refundWinswithin 30 days, before you activate
AirmoneyAiralo's in-app credit, not your card
Saily, before you activate
Where Japan traffic comes out
Hong Kongone user report, ChatGPT blocked
SingaporeWinsreported by several users
Airalo, ChatGPT is offered there
Network in Japan
KDDI (au)one of Japan's big three
SoftBank +1from Airalo's Japan page
Draw, both on a big network
3to Saily
Unlimited data, the app, refunds
3to Airalo
Price, countries, where traffic comes out
Price and countries decide most trips, so Airalo is my pick. Saily takes the trips where you stream or call home every day.
From each provider's plan pages and refund terms, and user reviews on esimdb, Oct 15, 2026.
Is Saily or Airalo better for Japan?
Airalo, by a little. It is 49 cents cheaper for 10 GB. Several users report its traffic goes through Singapore, where ChatGPT is offered, and one user saw Saily's show up in Hong Kong, where it isn't.
The country websites and apps think you are in.
Saily one user report, Aug 2025
You are inTokyo
NetworkKDDI (au)
The internet sees you inHong Kong
What changesChatGPT blockedIt isn't offered in Hong Kong
Airalo reported by several users
You are inTokyo
NetworkSoftBank
The internet sees you inSingapore
What changesA higher pingChatGPT is offered there. One user saw a US IP instead
If you want Japan to see you in Japan, neither is my first choice. Ubigi uses NTT Docomo and KDDI (au), and users report a Japanese IP address with it, so apps see you in Japan. It costs about $16.50 for 10 GB over 30 days, less than both.
All five Japan plans compared, with the network each one uses: best eSIM for Japan.
Get Ubigi for JapanSaily vs Airalo for Europe
Airalo Eurolink. It is cheaper on fixed data and covers 41 countries, the UK, Switzerland and Turkey included. Saily's plan lists 34 to 35, without Turkey. On unlimited the two are within a dollar, with the same 5 GB a day at full speed.
| Europe plan | Saily | Airalo Eurolink |
|---|---|---|
| 5 GB, 30 days | $19.49 | $19.50 |
| 10 GB, 30 days | $35.99 | $31.00 |
| Unlimited, 7 days | $28.99 | $27.00 |
| Unlimited, 10 days | $35.99 | $35.00 |
| Countries | 34-35 | 41 |
The 5 GB plans differ by one cent. With Saily, check the UK in the app before you buy. Which countries each plan covers is on the best eSIM for Europe page.
Airalo Eurolink, 10 GB for 30 days, $31.00 for 41 countries.
Get Airalo for EuropeSaily vs Airalo questions
Which is better, Airalo or Saily?
Airalo, for most trips. It costs a little less on typical trips, from 49 cents on 10 days in Japan to $4.99 on two weeks in Europe, and its Europe plan covers 41 countries. Saily is better for the easiest app and for unlimited data in Japan, with 5 GB a day at full speed against 3 GB.
Is Saily or Airalo better for Japan?
They are close. Airalo is 49 cents cheaper for 10 GB. Several users report that its Japan eSIM routes traffic through Singapore, where ChatGPT is offered. One user reported a Hong Kong IP with Saily, which blocked ChatGPT. For unlimited data, Saily gives 5 GB a day at full speed against Airalo's 3 GB. For Japan alone, Ubigi is my pick.
Are there any downsides to Saily?
One user reported that in Japan its connection showed up in Hong Kong, which blocked ChatGPT. It is data only, and its Europe plan costs more than Airalo's, $35.99 against $31.00 for 10 GB over 30 days. More in the Saily review.
What are the disadvantages of Airalo?
If you change your plans, Airalo refunds you in Airmoney, its in-app credit, not to your card. Its unlimited plan in Japan slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. And several users report that its Japan eSIM routes traffic through Singapore, so you get a non-Japanese IP and a higher ping.
Can you make calls with Saily eSIM?
Not with a phone number. Saily and Airalo plans like these are data only. You call over WhatsApp or FaceTime, and your US line stays on for normal calls and texts.
Is Holafly or Airalo better?
Airalo for fixed data, Holafly for unlimited data without a daily full-speed amount. In Japan, 10 days of Holafly cost $36.50 against $34.50 for Airalo's unlimited plan, which slows down after 3 GB a day. Holafly caps hotspot use at 1 GB a day, and refunds 100% of a plan you never activated, within 6 months, to your original payment.
Airalo, the better of the two10 GB in Japan, $17.50
Get Airalo