The Honest Airalo Review

Why I Started Using Airalo

When I started traveling more in 2019 and 2020, staying connected abroad was tough. You either paid high roaming fees, bought local SIMs at airports, or relied on unreliable public Wi-Fi. Airalo offered a cheaper, easier alternative with affordable eSIM plans and global coverage.

Airalo was a game changer—easy and convenient. But after trying Roambit, I found I could get the same reliable networks at a lower price with clearer, more transparent data plans. For longer trips and heavier use, Roambit made more sense.

Airalo eSIMs are still eco-friendly compared to physical SIM cards. This review shares my experience before switching to Roambit, which better fits my travel needs today.

All my arguments why I don’t use Airalo anymore are detailed in the whole blog.

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Best eSIM: Airalo vs Roambit – A More Transparent Alternative

This is where Roambit stood out for me. While Airalo is often recommended as one of the best eSIM options for international travel, Roambit offers a different approach.

Roambit does not sell unlimited packages. Instead, it offers clear fixed packages from 3 GB to 100 GB — data you can truly use at full speed without daily limits.

This contrasts with many “unlimited” eSIM plans on the market. Usually, those plans give you about 2–3 GB of high-speed data per day, then slow down your speed a lot once you hit that limit.

With Roambit:

• No daily limits
• No hidden throttling
• Clear pricing
• Large or small bundles for any stay length

Enjoy 20% off on orders over $10 with Roambit using my code EMMA → Get your eSIM now

Both Airalo and Roambit use local networks. The difference isn’t infrastructure—it’s pricing and transparency. Airalo’s strengths include a user-friendly app and wide coverage, and existing users can access special discounts and loyalty incentives, such as a dedicated 10% discount on eSIM purchases.

If you travel occasionally and value the familiarity of a well-known brand, even if it comes at a slightly higher price, Airalo can be a suitable option. However, for the same service at a lower price, Roambit is clearly the smarter choice.

If you want to compare Roambit’s fixed 3–100 GB data plans with Airalo for your destination, you can check them here.

Airalo Review: The “Unlimited Data” Topic – Where Things Get Misleading

This is where many travelers get confused—and where eSIM marketing often gets tricky.

Some Airalo plans (and many competitors) advertise “unlimited data.”
But in reality, these plans usually have a fair-use policy.

What does that mean?

• You typically get about 2–3 GB of high-speed data per day
• After that, your speeds slow way down
• Using navigation, hotspots, or working online can become tough

So, while these plans say “unlimited,” the experience isn’t as free as it sounds. It’s not illegal, but it can feel misleading if you don’t check the fine print.

Airalo isn’t the worst here—but this is a big reason I started wondering if I was really getting good value for my money.

Pricing: Where Airalo eSIM plan Started to Feel Expensive

When Airalo launched, its pricing made sense. But today, the market has changed a lot.

Airalo’s strengths:

• Wide global coverage
• Strong brand recognition
• Simple app experience

Airalo eSIMs start at US$4.50 for 1GB. Country-specific eSIMs are cheaper than regional or global ones.

Its weaknesses:

• Higher price per GB than newer providers
• Smaller data packages
• Often need to rebuy or top up frequently

Each Airalo package comes with a specified data allowance and validity period, making it easy to choose based on your trip length.

Airalo offers a cashback program called Airmoney for eSIM purchases and notifies you when data is low or your plan is about to expire.

For short trips, this works fine. But for longer stays or heavy use, costs add up fast.

That’s when pricing transparency became more important to me than brand name.

You can also find discount codes to save on Airalo purchases.

Why I Eventually Switched

Over time, my travel habits changed. I started staying longer in destinations, working remotely, and using hotspot more frequently. Switching to eSIMs was a game changer for international travel—especially with Airalo—making connectivity far more convenient and practical wherever I went. This Airalo review highlights how the service adapted to my evolving needs and remained a reliable option for staying connected abroad. In this Airalo review, I also discuss the pros and cons I experienced while using the service during various trips.

At some point, I realized:

• I didn’t need “unlimited” marketing
• I needed predictable, large data packages
• I wanted full transparency about what I was paying for

Airalo didn’t stop working. My needs simply changed.

Next Trip Planning: Is Airalo Still Worth It?

When planning your next trip, reliable mobile data is essential—whether you’re navigating a new city, working remotely, or staying in touch with friends and family. This Airalo review highlights that Airalo eSIM is still a strong choice for travelers wanting affordable data with global coverage. Thanks to partnerships with top carriers, Airalo offers reliable data in many countries, so you can connect instantly wherever you go.

The Airalo app makes managing your eSIM plans easy. You can top up data and switch plans as your travel needs change. No more hunting for physical SIM cards or dealing with spotty Wi-Fi devices—just install your Airalo eSIM and you’re set. The Airalo team is known for helpful customer support, and their blog is full of travel tips, guides, and advice for getting the most from your eSIM.

Whether you’re a digital nomad, crew member, or vacationer hopping between countries, Airalo eSIM is a game changer. Its affordable plans, instant connectivity, and wide coverage make it a smart pick for your next trip. If you want a reliable data solution that won’t break the bank, this Airalo review shows Airalo eSIM is definitely worth considering.

What Airalo eSIM Is and How It Works

Airalo is a global eSIM marketplace partnering with local carriers in over 200 countries and regions. It doesn’t run its own networks but offers prepaid, data-only eSIMs you buy through the Airalo app. You install the eSIM on your phone—no physical SIM card needed—and connect to local mobile networks instantly.

An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone’s hardware, letting you switch plans without swapping physical SIM cards. With Airalo, you pick your destination, choose a plan, and follow simple steps in the app to install it. You can get local plans for one country, regional plans covering multiple countries in regions like Europe or Asia, or global plans covering 137 countries. Some global plans even include phone numbers for calls and texts, but most are data-only.

Plans come with a set amount of data and last for a specific time (like 7, 15, or 30 days). When your plan expires or you run out of data, just top up or download a new one from the app.

The setup is easy—even if it’s your first time using eSIMs. Airalo’s app guides you through buying, installing, and activating your eSIM in minutes. It also shows your remaining data, expiry dates, and lets you top up. You can even label your eSIMs by destination to keep things organized.

Airalo is great for travel, with coverage in 200+ countries and more than 10 million users worldwide. Unlike physical SIM cards, which require swapping and can be lost or damaged, Airalo’s digital SIM offers a seamless and eco-friendly alternative for staying connected without the hassle of managing physical SIMs.

How eSIMs Work (Quick Explanation)

If you’re new to eSIMs, here’s the short version.

An eSIM (embedded SIM) is a digital version of a physical SIM card. Instead of inserting a plastic card into your phone, your device downloads a mobile profile digitally. This allows you to switch data plans without swapping SIM cards.

With Airalo eSIM, you simply select a destination, choose a plan, install the eSIM, and connect to a local network once you arrive. This Airalo review highlights how it eliminates the need for kiosks, overcomes language barriers, and removes the risk of losing your main SIM card.

eSIMs now work in over 200 countries and regions and are supported by most modern smartphones. Most devices allow you to use multiple SIMs and/or eSIMs simultaneously, so you can keep your primary line active while adding a travel plan. Most devices also support multiple SIMs, letting you store multiple eSIMs for flexible travel. You can find a regularly updated list of eSIM compatible devices on the Airalo website. For frequent travelers, this technology has largely replaced physical SIM cards altogether.

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My Setup & Installation Experience with an E SIM

1. Install the Airalo app
2. Purchase the Airalo esim plan in the app
3. Scan the QR code or use direct installation
4. Install the eSIM through phone settings
5. Activate the Airalo esim plan upon arrival to access data
6. Ensure the correct eSIM is selected for cellular service in your phone settings
7. Enable data roaming if required by the activation instructions

After these steps, you can instantly connect and enjoy instant connectivity upon arrival at your destination. Airalo users report instant data access upon landing in major cities.

You can also label your eSIM based on your destination to keep track of multiple eSIMs on your device.

In most destinations, the connection worked within seconds. For basic travel needs—Google Maps, messaging apps, ride-hailing, booking accommodations—it did exactly what it promised.

Occasionally, users report installation issues, often due to unstable Wi-Fi during setup. In my experience, if the Airalo eSIM is activated but not working, toggling airplane mode off and on can resolve connection issues. Toggling airplane mode or restarting the device usually resolved those problems quickly.

Overall, Airalo’s setup process is reliable and beginner-friendly.