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Saily vs. Airalo: which eSIM service is better for travelers?

Whether you’re taking a short trip to an industry event or embarking on the adventure of a lifetime, you almost certainly have a checklist to cover before you depart. Passport, visa, and the usual travel essentials are probably already covered, but there’s one small thing you might overlook in all the planning stress—mobile data connection. To help you stay in the network without worries, we want to see how two eSIM providers—Saily vs. Airalo—stack up against each other.

What is an eSIM?

In case you haven’t used eSIMs before, they’re a digital version of a typical physical SIM card. Instead of inserting it into your phone, you download software—usually an app—to activate and use it on your phone. An eSIM may have a phone number attached to it, but its most common use is for data connection to avoid costly roaming charges.

Since eSIMs have only been around for just under a decade, with the first eSIM-compatible smartphones released around 2017 and 2018, their usage is still somewhat restricted. Before investing in an eSIM, check if your phone’s build is recent enough to be compatible with the service. Some compatible devices can support several eSIMs at once, allowing you to try different services yourself.

What is Saily?

On one side of today’s eSIM comparison ring, you’ll find Saily—the eSIM provider developed by Nord Security, the company that’s also behind NordPass. Launched in the spring of 2024, Saily offers local and international eSIM services on iOS and Android devices. Saily is available as a dedicated app, providing mobile data coverage in over 190 countries and territories.

What is Airalo?

Our second subject today is Airalo. Launched in 2019 and seizing the title of the world’s first eSIM store, Airalo offers mobile data coverage in over 200 countries and territories. Airalo’s mobile app is available on iOS and Android devices.

Plans and network coverage

Let’s start our Saily vs. Airalo comparison by looking at the core service they offer—network coverage. After all, if you’re traveling to a different continent, you want to be sure that your selected eSIM provider works there and offers a plan that satisfies your needs.

With Saily, you can select a 7-day, 15-day, 30-day, or 365-day plan, starting at 1 GB of data for a week. The amount of data you receive may vary in different countries. However, in some countries, you may have the option to buy unlimited data for 15 days. Plans are sorted by country and region, with over 190 countries and 8 regions to pick from. For instance, if you’re planning a vacation in Thailand, you can opt for the Thailand plan, or if you’re setting out on a European road trip, you can purchase the Europe plan.

Saily has a global plan with up to 20 GB of data for a full year, allowing you to trek around the world to your heart’s content. A nice perk is that you can reuse the same Saily eSIM for multiple locations—you can simply buy a new plan without having to install a different eSIM.

Airalo offers 1-day, 7-day, 15-day, and 30-day plans, starting at 1 GB of data for a day, and 3 types of eSIMS—local, regional, and global. The local eSIMS are available for over 200 countries and territories. Depending on your destination, the availability of plans may vary. Although most regional plans are valid for 30 days, the Europe and Asia plans offer up to 180 days of data.

Airalo also offers a 365-day, 20 GB global plan for the long-haulers. However, unlike Saily, Airalo doesn’t support the same eSIM for different countries or regions. If you’re hopping from country to country, especially if they don’t fall under the same region, you have to install a new eSIM for each one.

So, if you’re planning a quick journey, Airalo can be a good pick. However, if you plan to travel more extensively and cover several regions, Saily offers more flexibility with its monthly and yearly plans.

Pricing and value for money

Next, let’s talk money. Even if you’re a budget traveler, expenses can build up quickly. So, when you’re looking for a cellular data service, you want to make sure you’re getting the value for money and don’t have to worry about looking for a new provider when you’re in a rush. Let’s see how the Saily eSIM and Airalo’s store compare in terms of pricing.

Region/countrySailyAiralo
Global 7 days1 GB – $8.991 GB – $9
Global 180 days10 GB – $56.9910 GB – $59
Global 365 days20 GB – $66.9920 GB – $69
Europe 7 days1 GB – $4.991 GB – $5
Europe 30 days10 GB – $35.9910 GB – $37
Europe 180 days100 GB – $179.99100 GB – $185
Asia* 7 days1 GB – $4.991 GB – $5
Asia* 30 days10 GB – $35.9910 GB – $37
Asia* 180 days100 GB – $179.99100 GB – $185
USA 7 days1 GB – $3.991 GB – $4.50
USA 15 daysUnlimited – $49.992 GB – $8
USA 30 days20 GB – $36.9920 GB – $42

*Saily offers a joint regional plan for Asia and Oceania.

Note: The information in this comparison was last verified on eSIM providers’ official websites on April 1, 2025, and is subject to change.

While the pricing for shorter plans is similar, Saily has a slight edge over Airalo, with its 7-day USA plan being nearly a dollar cheaper. Airalo does offer 1-day plans and provides new users with a complimentary free eSIM with 1 GB of data, making it a good choice for weekend trips or to quickly top up when a plan runs out.

The real disparity is in longer-term plans, where Saily appears to be the more budget-friendly option. The standout is the 15-day USA plan—while Airalo only offers 2 GB of mobile data, Saily has an unlimited option that offers more flexibility and keeps travelers from worrying about running out of data before their journey’s over.

In addition to the main plans, both Saily and Airalo allow you to top up your current balance. This means you don’t need to scramble for a new eSIM if you’re running short on data.

The difference in pricing and Airalo’s requirement to set up a new eSIM for each region makes Saily the more budget-friendly option.

Ease of use and setup process

Setting up a regular SIM card is straightforward—you just insert it into your phone and can use cellular data pretty much right away. Setting up an eSIM should not be much more complicated. So, how easy is it to set up and get started with Saily and Airalo?

Firstly, both eSIM providers score points in terms of compatibility. They work with all iOS and Android devices that support eSIMs, as well as laptops and tablets. If you’re looking for a smartwatch-compatible service, though, Saily takes the win here, as its eSIM service is fully supported by Apple, Xiaomi, Samsung, and other brands. As mentioned prior, ensure your device is eSIM-compatible before you sign up for either service.

Once you download the app, and before you even create an account or log in, Saily lets you preview all available plans in the app for different countries and regions. That means you can firmly settle on a plan first before you create an account and buy it.

To sign up, you can use your Google or Apple account. Saily offers easy in-app instructions to get you started with your eSIM. In case you encounter any issues with the setup, Saily offers 24/7 live customer support via live chat and email.

Likewise, Airalo lets you preview the plans as soon as you download the app. With some plans, you may have the option to receive a free Welcome eSIM, which covers 1 GB of data for 1 day. To create a new account, you can use your email address or Facebook and Google accounts. Some issues may arise when purchasing new eSIM plans for different regions, as each card will have to be removed and added manually.

In terms of payment options, Airalo is more flexible here. Both eSIM providers accept credit and debit cards, Google Pay, and PayPal. However, Airalo also supports payments via Apple Pay, Alipay, and AirMoney, which might make it more convenient for iOS users. Airalo’s customer support is available via email and WhatsApp.

Overall, both apps are easy to set up and get started with.

Speed and performance

You can have as many gigabytes in your plan as you want, but without the right network speed, they’re as good as expired. Network speed ensures you can connect and share your adventures in real time and is essential for video calls or livestreams. So, how do Saily and Airalo match up in terms of speed?

Turns out, they are pretty evenly matched. Both eSIM providers offer speeds up to 5G in regions that support it. However, due to local restrictions, network speeds may not exceed 4G in some regions.

Hotspot sharing can also be essential for some travelers. While Airalo puts a daily cap on how much data you can share, Saily’s hotspot sharing is unlimited. Both Airalo and Saily alert you with a notification if you’re running low on data. Saily sends a notification at the 80% cap, while Airalo lets you customize your preferred warning threshold.

Overall, both Saily and Airalo are solid options in terms of network speed and performance, but if you plan to share your data with other devices, Saily might be more convenient.

Additional features

Picking the right eSIM provider can be difficult. With similar price ranges and network features, how do you know you’ve made the right choice? Extra features can play a key role in that final decision. So, do Saily and Airalo offer more than just international network connection to their customers?

For Saily, the answer is an assured yes. As a Nord Security product, Saily is more than just an eSIM provider. It comes equipped with additional security features, like virtual locations for private browsing, a built-in ad blocker to get around those pesky interferences and save your data, and web protection to block any malicious sites and browse faster.

Airalo’s edge, on the other hand, is in providing mobile calls and texting in addition to data. Airalo’s select global plans offer up to 200 minutes of calls and up to 200 SMS.

So, if you’re interested in maintaining a higher level of security for your devices and data, Saily is a firm choice, but if you’re interested in making offline calls, Airalo offers a solution.

Customer reviews and ratings

Finally, it’d be amiss not to take practical user experience into consideration. What do users and reviewers have to say about Saily’s performance compared to Airalo’s?

On both Apple’s App Store and Android’s Play Store, the ratings go toe to toe, varying at just a small margin in Saily’s favor—4.7 to Airalo’s 4.6 on the Play Store and 4.7 to Airalo’s 4.6 on the App Store. Airalo does have more ratings overall, but that’s to be expected, as it’s been around for 5 years longer than Saily.

On Trustpilot, the difference between Saily’s and Airalo’s ratings is much bigger, with Saily boasting a 4.0-star rating to Airalo’s 2.6.

Saily received positive reviews for its customer support, quick setup, and reliable speed. Likewise, ease of setup, reliable data connection, as well as budget-friendliness were listed as some of Airalo’s highlights.

In terms of Saily’s negatives, some customers reported occasional issues with data coverage and eSIM activation, as well as a lack of support for local mobile calls. Criticism toward Airalo was due to signal issues, inconsistent network speed, and poor customer service.

Note: The ratings in this comparison were last verified on April 1, 2025, on the App Store, Play Store, and the respective Saily and Airalo Trustpilot pages, and are subject to change.

Conclusion: which one should you choose?

The Saily vs. Airalo match-up is a tough one. Both services have their strengths and offer a budget-friendly solution for travelers. Saily is a solid option for budget-friendly traveling, offering flexibility with multi-region support using a single eSIM, as well as security-focused additional features. Airalo provides broad worldwide coverage with plans suitable for both long-term and short-term travelers, more flexible payment options, and the ability to add a phone number to your eSIM. While Saily holds a slight advantage in terms of its pricing, eSIM usage flexibility, and extra perks, the choice may ultimately come down to your personal preference and device compatibility options.

We hope this guide helps you pick the right eSIM provider for your next adventure. Enjoy your travels, stay safe, and stay connected!

About NordPass
NordPass is developed by Nord Security, a company leading the global market of cybersecurity products.

The web has become a chaotic space where safety and trust have been compromised by cybercrime and data protection issues. Therefore, our team has a global mission to shape a more trusted and peaceful online future for people everywhere.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Automated customer service: advantages, best practices, examples

What does customer service automation mean?

With automated customer service, companies streamline processes and create the possibility of fast around-the-clock supports. This leads to the desired answers and resolutions without delay.

There are various ways to automate customer service. This does not, however, mean that companies should forgo the personal touch altogether. In many cases, automation simply offers additional options for receiving support.

Customer contact and automated services

Examples of how customers interact with automated services include:

  • A customer uses the automated service, achieves her goal and requires no further service.
  • A customer relies on the automated service to start a process. They still need human intervention due to the request complexity.
  • A customer contacts support, but is told that they can use the self-service options more quickly and conveniently.
  • An AI chatbot switches on.

Examples of automated customer service

Customer service automation can mean resolving customer queries by using web chat functions, messages or knowledge bases. This is done without contacting a human agent.

There are various to support customer service with automation:

  • Internal workflow automation. By using software to structure inquiries and communication, the burden on service employees is relieved. Customers have the information they need more quickly.
  • AI-controlled chatbots can answer inquiries via the app or website.
  • Self-service options like knowledge base articles, FAQs, and forums help customers easily find assistance.
  • Automated emails are sent to customers to inform them about processes, updates and statuses.
  • Interactive voice response systems answer customer calls.

Advantages of automated customer service

Automating services is not an end in itself. Companies expect benefits that can best be expressed in concrete, relevant figures.

Here are the benefits that customers, employees and the company as a whole can directly perceive.

Advantage #1: Constant availability

24/7: Admittedly, this term is overused, but it makes a lot of sense when it comes to automated customer service. People can hardly provide constant availability. Even with generous service times, competent contact persons are often very busy and difficult to reach.

An undisputed advantage of automation and self-service is the ability to access information exactly when it is needed.

In a busy life full of tasks and appointments, customers want to initiate support when it suits them. This is often in the evening, for example, when most service employees are also off work. Customer satisfaction is boosted when customers are helped on their own schedules.

Advantage #2: Personalized experiences – better customer experience

When a customer service agent is in contact with a service employee, there is personal contact. The employee usually does not know the customer’s individual preferences and needs. It is difficult to tailor the answers to the customer.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) can improve this by recognizing preferences and patterns. This allows for tailored responses. Recommendations are also generated based on previous purchases and customer service interactions.

Automated customer service now has many ways to respond to individual concerns. These systems can adapt to customer needs and provide targeted, tailored content.

Such automation enables customers to find what they are looking for more quickly, resulting in greater satisfaction and loyalty. In turn, companies can improve key performance indicators, such as the customer retention rate (CRR) or sales figures.

Advantage #3: Saving time and money

When customers make inquiries, they want quick responses. In today’s fast-paced world, hardly anyone wants to wait long for helpful answers.

On the other hand, it is also important for companies to save time. With automation, employees are able to take on fewer repetitive tasks and can concentrate more on value-adding work.

On the one hand, cost savings are achieved because employees act more efficiently. They achieve more in the time available to them.

Meanwhile, dissatisfied customers cause high costs. These costs include direct costs and lost opportunities. Clever automation can help avoid these issues.

Advantage #4: Fewer errors and better quality

Mistakes happen – event in customer service. This cannot always be avoided, but it does have many negative effects. Automation prevents such errors. This is always the case when processes are already well defined through process optimization

Consistency exists because the same workflows are used in automated service. By replicating successful procedures again and again, companies achieve a consistently high quality level.

Advantage #5: Scalability

In traditional customer service, extra inquiries causes problems. Additional support agents, resources and costs are needed to cover the increased demand.

With automation, on the other hand, there are no physical limits to the volume of service that can be delivered. AI powered chatbots or virtual assistants, for example, are in continuous use without any restrictions whatsoever.

Advantage #6: Continuous improvement

Automated customer service sometimes used to have a reputation for not being ideal. There were a number of reasons for this:

  • Automations had their limitations with individual and complex single cases.
  • Early automation solutions were immature and had many weaknesses.
  • Hardly any solution is perfect from the outset. It must evolve.

The principle of continuous improvement is useful here. Systems learn from data, which includes input and experience. Customer feedback is also important for making improvements.

Customer service automation challenges

There are certainly challenges with automated customer service. These can be overcome with cleverly placed and well thought-out solutions that support and complement traditional customer service.

Here are a few topics to consider:

  • Customers who greatly appreciate human interaction feel a loss of the personal touch. This is more obvious when they deal exclusively with automation tools.
  • Some customers may view automation as a restriction rather than an enrichment.
  • Customers who need extensive support get lost in automation functions and get nowhere. This could lead to frustration.
  • Some are directed to a knowledge database or a chatbot. They may feel rejected and thus perceive service quality as lower.
  • Service automation must be thought through thoroughly. This prevents large investments on which there is no return.

The problems mentioned can be mostly avoided if automation is done correctly and best practices are used.

Best practices for automated customer service

The following best practices are useful for automating customer service.

Best practice #1: Analyze customer needs in detail

Customer needs are usually well known, but what kind of automation customers want often remains unresolved. The question must be how to best to meet the customer’s interests.

For example, customers may not be sufficiently informed about the status and progress of their inquiries. Tthey may have to spend too much time on support issues. Customers may want quick, simple access to relevant knowledge.

Review customer data to understand the needs that customers have.

Best practice #2: Use human, empathetic language

People want humanity. It’s a natural need. At the same time, the advantages of automated services cannot be denied. Fortunately, humanity and automation can be combined.

Whether an automated system relies more on written or spoken language, it should feel empathetic to customers and convey a feeling of “good care”. You can achieve this by carefully shaping the tone of an automated service. Avoid using stiff, robotic language.

Best practice #3: Offer alternatives to automation

Nobody likes to be presented with something that has no alternative. Automation must feel like an extension or improvement of the customer service experience. It should not feel like a restriction. Customers who do not want automation should not have to use it.

There should always be a way to bypass the automated system and easily communicate a human agent. Customers have their own individual preferences and are happy when the service successfully covers them.

Best practice #4: Keep transparency and data protection high

Trust and genuine customer loyalty only work with honesty and sincere communication. This means that it must be clear to customers when they are interacting with an automated system.

They should also know how their data is being used. It goes without saying that companies must comply with all relevant data protection guidelines.

Best practice #5: Review and adapt regularly

We are constantly confronted with new developments. The validity of information changes. Knowledge databases, FAQs, predefined answers or chatbot capabilities are often not well-maintained after implementation. Meanwhile user needs – due to numerous external influences – are subject to constant change.

As yesterday’s information cannot generate tomorrow’s added value, regular reviews and associated updates must take place. This creates reliability, trust and good customer loyalty.

Best practice #6: Choose the right software

Many automation projects face problems because they rely on different tools. Each tool is only useful to a certain point. Instead, companies should choose centralized platforms that offer structure and can be integrated into their individual workflow management.

High-quality software is highly functional, flexible, customizable and scalable (changes can be adapted). In addition, the system used must fit the project plan and not be a “makeshift” solution.

A brief look into the future

It can be assumed that customer service will become even more automated in the future thanks to artificial intelligence. The biggest advantage here is personalization. Service will respond to the individual needs of a customer in greater depth.

Generative AI can start right at the beginning of the process by being used to train employees. For example, highly unique scenarios were previously a weakness in service.

This will no longer be the case. Customers will receive with automated suggestions based on their profile. AI scripts will be able to solve customer issues instantly.  

Providing customers with solutions before problems happen is key. This could greatly improve the efficiency of support teams using AI bots in the future. AI technologies can quickly find the causes of problems. They can also handle tasks like managing escalations or creating support tickets.

Future bots will not be based on scripts, but will be dialog-based. This means they will be  individually tailored to customers by recognizing their moods and evaluating existing data and activities. This means that customers can receive helpful solutions tailored to their needs in real time.

Customer service automation with OTRS

OTRS offers a dedicated software solution that is specially tailored to the needs of customer service and support. It can be flexibly adapted to individual company requirements. Quickly responding to customer questions, creating transparency, and standardizing processes helps the customer service team provide better service.

Automation and self-service aspects are evident in this way:

  • Thanks to automated workflows, all steps are completed reliably and well.
  • Context-dependent FAQs create clarity for customers and reduce the workload of service teams.
  • Automatic notifications and ticket assignments save time. They shorten response and inquiry times.
  • Thanks to the intuitive integration of a knowledge database, users can quickly find exactly what they are looking for.
  • Customers can plan their preferred service times according to the availability of the service team.

Conclusion: automation enriches service delivery

Automated customer service is gaining ground. It offers considerable benefits in many areas, from which companies, customers and employees can benefit. Faster solutions and better service experiences help everyone. They also make time use more effective and increase flexibility.

Some people do complain about the loss of personal touch in automated services. Others enjoy the independence gained and the reduced number of interactions. It is important that both groups are listened to and see their needs met by the services offered.

Companies must now take care to implement automated services in the right way to increase customer value. Such solutions require a good concept – including overarching goals and purposes – as well as structured implementation.

About OTRS

OTRS (originally Open-Source Ticket Request System) is a service management suite. The suite contains an agent portal, admin dashboard and customer portal. In the agent portal, teams process tickets and requests from customers (internal or external). There are various ways in which this information, as well as customer and related data can be viewed. As the name implies, the admin dashboard allows system administrators to manage the system: Options are many, but include roles and groups, process automation, channel integration, and CMDB/database options. The third component, the customer portal, is much like a customizable webpage where information can be shared with customers and requests can be tracked on the customer side.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.

Perforce Delphix Announces New AI Data Compliance Product

As a Platinum sponsor at FabCon 2025, Delphix will be showcasing data privacy compliance for AI, natively integrated in Fabric pipelines.

About Perforce
The best run DevOps teams in the world choose Perforce. Perforce products are purpose-built to develop, build and maintain high-stakes applications. Companies can finally manage complexity, achieve speed without compromise, improve security and compliance, and run their DevOps toolchains with full integrity. With a global footprint spanning more than 80 countries and including over 75% of the Fortune 100, Perforce is trusted by the world’s leading brands to deliver solutions to even the toughest challenges. Accelerate technology delivery, with no shortcuts.

About Version 2 Limited
Version 2 Digital is one of the most dynamic IT companies in Asia. The company distributes a wide range of IT products across various areas including cyber security, cloud, data protection, end points, infrastructures, system monitoring, storage, networking, business productivity and communication products.

Through an extensive network of channels, point of sales, resellers, and partnership companies, Version 2 offers quality products and services which are highly acclaimed in the market. Its customers cover a wide spectrum which include Global 1000 enterprises, regional listed companies, different vertical industries, public utilities, Government, a vast number of successful SMEs, and consumers in various Asian cities.