Airalo review
The largest eSIM marketplace, with plans in 200+ countries.
Last reviewed May 1, 2026
Ratings
- Overall
- 4.3
- Coverage
- 4.7
- Value
- 4.0
- Ease of use
- 4.0
- Support
- 4.0
Pros
- Genuinely global — country plans for almost every destination
- Easy in-app QR install on iPhone and recent Android
- Cheap regional plans (Asialink, Eurolink) for multi-country trips
- Topping up is one tap, no need to reinstall
Cons
- Pricing is uneven — some country plans are significantly overpriced
- No native voice or SMS — data-only with VoIP fallback
- Customer support quality varies by region
- Requires installing and keeping the Airalo app updated to manage plans, install eSIMs and top up
- You're locked to whichever in-country partner Airalo chose for the plan — no carrier choice if signal is weak in a specific area
Features
- Hotspot tethering Yes
- Voice calls No
- SMS No
- Top-ups Yes
- Keep your number No
- 5G support Yes
Overview
Airalo started in 2019 and quickly became the largest eSIM marketplace on the market. Rather than running its own network, it acts as a reseller — partnering with local carriers in each country and packaging their data into eSIM profiles you can install in minutes.
Plans and pricing
Airalo offers three tiers of plans: country-specific, regional bundles, and global plans.
- Country plans typically start around $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days.
- Regional plans like Eurolink and Asialink are usually the best value if you’re hopping borders.
- Global plans cover 80+ countries but are expensive per-GB.
Top-ups are available without reinstalling the eSIM, which is a meaningful convenience win over many competitors.
Network performance
Because Airalo resells local carrier capacity, real-world speed depends entirely on which partner you land on. In our testing across Japan, Spain, Mexico and Thailand, speeds were comparable to a local prepaid SIM — but with notably higher variance in rural areas.
Who it’s best for
Airalo is the right choice when you want a single app for global travel, value flexibility over unlimited data, and aren’t reliant on a local phone number.
Verdict
Airalo is the default recommendation for most travellers. Coverage is unmatched, the app is the most polished in the category, and prices are reasonable on regional bundles. Heavy data users in Europe should compare against Holafly's unlimited plans before buying.