Travelling around the world and exploring remote countries can be fun. That is until you realize you cannot use your smartphone like normal.
Enter Airalo and eSIMs that provide global connectivity in over 200 countries and regions.
In this Airalo review, we will cover the Airalo app and eSIM, what phones work with it, its pros and cons, and other Airalo facts that help us stay connected while travelling.
Key Takeaways
- Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that gives access to eSIMs or digital SIM cards.
- Most phones made since 2018 are eSIM-compatible but may vary depending on location and carrier.
- Airalo local eSIM plans can be as low as $4.50 for 1 GB of data for seven days, while a global eSIM is as low as $9 for 1 GB of data valid for seven days.
Airalo Explained
Airalo is the world’s first eSIM store that gives access to eSIMs or digital SIM cards. Launched in 2019, Airalo functions as a one-stop shop for eSIMs.
The company sells eSIMs in a range of categories based on travel destinations:
- Local eSIMs. These eSIMs are designed for one country and are often the most cost-effective choice if travelling to one or two countries.
- Regional eSIMs. These cover a region, such as Europe or Latin America, and are usually the ideal option when travelling to multiple countries.
- Global eSIMs. This type of eSIM lets you connect in approximately 80 of the more popular countries that Airalo covers.
Using an Airalo eSIM involves downloading and installing a digital SIM in an eSIM-compatible device. Once installed, the eSIM can connect anywhere in the world the moment you land.
You can use the Airalo app to purchase, manage and top up your eSIMs wherever you are.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM, or embeddable Subscriber Identification Module, is a programmable SIM card permanently installed inside a device. It is a virtual SIM card you can download to a compatible phone.
eSIMs are specifically designed for travellers who need an easy and cost-effective way to get online and stay connected.
These virtual SIM cards let you connect to a local phone network abroad at a lower price than when using the roaming features on your mobile carrier.
How Airalo Works
First of all, you need to download the Airalo app. You can also visit the Airalo website and search data packs for 200+ countries and regions.
Here is how Airalo works:
- Download the Airalo app on your iPhone or Android. You can also open a web account (use discount code ENOCH7054 to get a $3 credit).
- Choose your destination and package. The things to consider when selecting an eSIM are the amount of preloaded data, validity period, price of the eSIM package and location where you can use the eSIM (local, regional or global).
- Install your Airalo eSIM. There are three ways to install an Airalo eSIM: manually, directly or using a QR Code.
- Activate your eSIM. Go to the “My eSIMs” tab. Tap on it and on “Activate Now” to activate your plan.
- Connect to a network. When you have landed at your destination, turn on your eSIM line and connect to a local network.
How to Install an Airalo eSIM
Once you have purchased an eSIM, Airalo will send step-by-step instructions to install it into your device. Your Wi-Fi connection must be stable before you start the installation process.
There are three ways to install an Airalo eSIM: manually, directly or through a QR code. The direct method is not available for all eSIMs.
- To install it manually, enter the eSIM information manually.
- For the direct method, follow the prompts to install the eSIM from the Airalo app.
- For the QR code installation method, scan a QR code to begin the installation process.
More detailed steps on how to install your eSIM are available in these guides:
- iOS/iPhone eSIM guide
- Android eSIM guide
- Samsung Galaxy S20/S21 eSIM guide
- Google Pixel eSIM guide
- Huawei eSIM guide
Airalo Compatible Phones
To use an Airalo eSIM, you need an Airalo-compatible phone. Your phone must be carrier-unlocked and eSIM-compatible.
Most phones made since 2018 are eSIM-compatible but may vary depending on location and carrier. Contact your carrier or device manufacturer to confirm if your unit is eSIM-capable.
For the complete and detailed list of eSIM-compatible devices as of August 2023, refer to Airalo’s list of devices that support eSIM.
To find out if your phone is compatible with eSIMs, read Airalo’s guide on how to identify if your phone supports eSIM.
Airalo Pricing
Airalo offers local, regional and global eSIMs and data packs for 200+ countries and regions. The prices for data plans depend on the country and region.
eSIMs from Airalo typically have availability of between 7 days and 30 days, with data between 1 GB and 20 GB. For the global eSIM, availability is up to 180 days.
You can pay for your Airalo eSIM with a credit card or Apple Pay. You can also purchase Airalo eSIM cards online and scan a QR code to add it to your phone.
Local eSIMs
| Country | Data | Validity | Price (In US$) |
| United States Change | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 20 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $4.50 $8 $11 $16 $26 $42 |
| Canada Tuque Mobile | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $6 $11 $15 $18 $35 |
| France Bonbon Mobile | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 20 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $4.50 $7.50 $10 $14 $23 $36 |
| Japan Moshi Moshi | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 20 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $4.50 $6.50 $8.50 $11.50 $18 $26 |
| Turkey Merhaba | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 20 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $4.50 $6.50 $8 $12 $18 $26 |
Regional eSIMs
| Region | Data | Validity | Price (In US$) |
| North America American mex (3 countries) | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB | 7Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $6.50 $12 $17 $25.50 $46 |
| Africa Hello Africa (26 countries) | 1 GB 3 GB | 30 Days 30 Days | $27 $59 |
| Asia Asialink (14 countries) | 1 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 50 GB 100 GB | 7 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days 90 Days 180 Days | $5 $13 $20 $37 $100 $185 |
| Caribbean Islands Island Hopper (24 countries) | 1 GB | 7 Days | $15 |
| Europe Eurolink (39 countries) | 1 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 50 GB 100 GB | 7 Days 30 Days 30 Days 30 Days 90 Days 180 Days | $5 $13 $20 $37 $100 $185 |
| Middle East and North Africa Menalink (15 countries) | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days | $15 $28 $39 |
| Latin America Latamlink (19 countries) | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 30 Days | $15 $28 $39 $60 |
Global eSIMs
| Global | Data | Validity | Price (In US$) |
| Discover Data (130 countries) | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 20 GB | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 60 Days 180 Days 365 Days | $9 $17 $24 $35 $59 $69 |
| Global | Data | Calls | Texts | Validity | Price (In US$) |
| Discover+ Data / Calls / Texts (130 countries) | 1 GB 2 GB 3 GB 5 GB 10 GB 20 GB | 10 Mins 20 Mins 30 Mins 50 Mins 100 Mins 200 Mins | 10 SMS 20 SMS 30 SMS 50 SMS 100 SMS 200 SMS | 7 Days 15 Days 30 Days 60 Days 180 Days 365 Days | $15 $27 $36 $50 $79 $89 |
Airalo Discount Code: ENOCH7054
Use our referral code ENOCH7054 and get US$3 credit when you sign up and complete a purchase. You can also share your own referral code with others. When your friends sign up using your code, you both receive a US$3 credit.
Here are the steps to use the Airalo discount code and get a US$3 bonus discount upon registration:
- Go to Airalo’s signup page.
- Fill out the required fields to create a new account.
- Select the eSIM you want to purchase and proceed to checkout.
- Click “Apply Code / Use Airmoney” and enter Airalo referral code ENOCH7054 in the box provided.
- Click “Apply.”
You will get the discount on your Airalo eSIM data pack purchase. Your friends also get US$3 off their first purchase.
Airalo Loyalty Program
For every eSIM purchase you make, Airalo will reward you with membership levels and cashback rewards through the Airalo Loyalty Program.
The program features four membership levels with their corresponding required purchases and cashback rewards:
| Membership Level | Total eSIM Purchases (in USS) | Cashback Reward |
| Traveller | $0 | 5% |
| Silver Traveller | $20 | 6% |
| Gold Traveller | $70 | 7% |
| Platinum Traveller | $200 | 10% |
To get started, create an Airalo account or log in to your existing account to know your membership level.
New Airalo users will start as Travellers, earning 5% cashback. Existing users will be categorized according to their previous eSIM purchases. The highest level to attain is the Platinum Traveller, which offers a 10% cashback rate.
Users will receive the cashback rewards as Airmoney, a digital currency equivalent to a percentage of the transaction value.
The amount of Airmoney that users earn will vary depending on membership level. The more eSIMs you purchase, the more rewards you will earn.
To join the loyalty program, you must register as an Airalo user via its website or app.
Benefits of Airalo
- Instant connectivity
- Global coverage
- Carrier-independent
- Affordable prices
- Easy to buy
- Easy to use
- reliable connectivity in most destinations
- No roaming fees
- Built-in loyalty program
- 24/7/365 support across all time zones
Downsides to Airalo
- Compatibility with phones
- Older phones do not support eSIM technology
- May be more expensive than buying a local SIM card
- Cannot be transferred between devices
Is Airalo Legit and Safe?
Airalo is a legit and safe eSIM store for travellers. It was founded in 2019 by Bahadir Ozdemir and Abraham Burak. The company is based in Singapore with headquarters in:
6 Raffles Boulevard Suite 03-308, Marina Square
Singapore, 039594, Singapore
The Airalo app has a rating of 4.7 stars on the App Store and 4.4 stars on Google Play.
The company recently announced it has completed its Series B Financing round, where it raised $60 million in funding.
Airalo Alternatives
Aside from Airalo, there are other eSIM providers in the market. In this section, we lay down how the alternatives compare to Airalo.
Airalo vs Holafly
Holafly is an international eSIM data shop based out of Spain that provides internet coverage in 160+ countries.
It offers unlimited plans for 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, up to 90 days. In comparison, Airalo offers a plan with a maximum of 20 GB for 365 days (Discover+ global eSIM).
Holafly includes a local phone number for voice calls or messages, whereas Airalo has none. Both offer manual and QR code installation options. They also provide 24/7 customer support.
Airalo vs Nomad
Nomad is an eSIM store offering plans in 165+ countries. Most plans offer validity of up to 30 days and 60 days for specific destinations.
In terms of pricing, it is worth comparing plans from both providers since prices differ according to the type of plan or destination.
Both Airalo and Nomad have user-friendly websites, and registration is straightforward. Activating the eSIM, however, is quicker with Airalo since Nomad requires identity verification.
Airalo vs SimCorner
SimCorner is an Australian provider of eSIM cards in 80+ countries. While it offers affordable plans, these are limited to local and regional plans only.
Unlike Airalo, SimCorner offers plans with high mobile data limits, making it ideal for long-term travellers and expats.
As for the delivery of their eSIM plans. SimCorner can take hours before it arrives, as opposed to other providers that offer instant eSIM delivery.
Should You Use Airalo When Travelling Abroad?
Airalo is an excellent option for travellers who need a cost-effective way to get online when travelling to other countries.
It offers numerous packages (local, regional and global) so that if we travel internationally, we can choose the ideal data pack for our destination. The app also makes it easy to track our data usage and purchase a top-up when our data is close to running out.
Compatibility may be an issue, but if you have a recent handset from Apple, Samsung or Google, you will not have trouble using Airalo.
Cost may also be a concern. Finding a local SIM card may be cheaper, but navigating language barriers and ensuring the local SIM supports your phone can be more problematic. We can avoid this with an Airalo eSIM.
All in all, we think Airalo is an excellent solution for buying mobile data abroad owing to its global coverage and reliable data connectivity.
FAQs
While Airalo eSIMs are designed to work instantly, it will depend on the Airalo eSIM you purchase. It will either activate immediately upon installation or as soon as you connect to a local network at your destination.
Although the best eSIM provider depends on every user’s situation and needs, Airalo is ranked in many Airalo eSIM reviews as the best eSIM provider for international travellers. This is because of the 200+ countries it covers, the multiple plans it offers, exceptional customer service and dependable connectivity.
Your eSIM can only be installed once and only on one device. Unlike regular SIM cards, you cannot take it out and insert it into another phone. Support for eSIM is also limited to premium phones, which may not be affordable for everyone.
If you purchased a data-only plan, you can use internet-based messaging and calling services offered through third-party apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. It is important to note that a lot of Airalo’s eSIMs are data-only plans. Only Discover+ plans include data, calls and texts.
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