Airalo vs Ubigi eSIM: which is better in 2024?

Choosing the right eSIM provider is more important than ever with so many options out there. Today, we’re looking at two popular choices: Ubigi and Airalo. Both offer services in over 200 countries with prices starting from $4 to $4.50, supporting 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE networks.

Although Ubigi offers a bit lower prices than Airalo, it doesn’t support phone calls and mobile hotspot usage. Besides, their customer support is available through a ticket system and a help center.

Airalo, on the other hand, is packed with features. Their Discover + Global plan includes phone call support and mobile hotspot usage. They also shine in customer support with live chat, email, FAQs, and a knowledge base.

We’ll break down their eSIM plans, coverage, pricing, payment methods, supported devices, speed, user experience, customer support, and extra perks to help you choose the best option.

Airalo vs Ubigi: comparison

Airalo is highly regarded for its affordability and extensive coverage, especially with its Discover + Global plan, which allows users to make phone calls and share their internet connection through mobile hotspot usage. Airalo provides a wide array of support options, including live chat, email, FAQs, and a knowledge base.

On the other hand, Ubigi offers slightly lower starting prices and supports a similar range of cellular networks. While it lacks phone call and mobile hotspot features, Ubigi compensates with strong and reliable network performance. Ubigi provides customer support through a ticket system and a help center.

Overall, Airalo stands out for its broader feature set, including phone call support and mobile hotspot capability, along with competitive pricing and comprehensive customer support options.

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eSIMs plans and coverage

Both Airalo and Ubigi offer local, regional, and global eSIM options, covering over 200 countries. Airalo’s plans are known for their flexibility, allowing users to choose from various data amounts and durations. Airalo’s Discover + Global plan stands out by providing phone call support and mobile hotspot usage. Prices for Airalo’s eSIMs start from $19.55/month, varying by country, region, and service duration.

Ubigi also offers a wide range of plans but is slightly less flexible compared to Airalo. It provides reliable network performance, which is beneficial for users with heavy data needs. Prices for Ubigi’s eSIMs start from $17.38/month and also vary depending on the country, region, and duration of the service.

While Ubigi’s offerings are robust, Airalo’s more adaptable plans and broader feature set make it a preferable choice for many travelers looking for the best eSIM.

Ubigi vs Airalo eSIM pricing

When comparing Ubigi and Airalo in terms of pricing, Ubigi tends to offer slightly cheaper eSIM options. While both providers offer competitive rates, Ubigi’s starting price is lower at $17.38/month for 1 GB over seven days, compared to Airalo’s $19.55/month for the same period.

Below is a table highlighting the price differences for eSIM services in several popular countries.

From the above table, it is evident that Ubigi generally offers lower prices for 3GB data plans across most of the selected countries. In Japan, the UK, Australia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Turkey, Ubigi’s plans are cheaper than Airalo’s.

However, in Canada, Airalo offers a more economical option since Ubigi bundles the US and Canada together at a higher price. In Thailand, Airalo’s unlimited plan is slightly cheaper than Ubigi’s regional plan.

Let’s now look at the regional comparison of eSIM prices and the number of countries covered by each provider.

Ubigi offers more budget-friendly eSIM plans compared to Airalo across various regions and countries. While Airalo’s prices are marginally higher, they come with additional features such as phone call support and mobile hotspot usage, which may justify the extra cost for some users.

For travelers focused solely on cost, Ubigi is the better choice. However, for those needing extra functionalities, Airalo’s plans might be more suitable.

Payment methods

Airalo and Ubigi both offer a range of payment options to suit different user preferences. Airalo makes it easy by accepting credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Alipay.

Ubigi, on the other hand, doesn’t support PayPal when you first set up your eSIM profile. But once your eSIM is installed and your Ubigi account is set up, you can use PayPal to buy data plans and recharge your account. Ubigi also accepts credit and debit cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Discover.

Supported devices

Both Airalo and Ubigi provide eSIM services for smartphones, tablets, and computers. Airalo works with iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones and tablets, as well as Windows laptops. Likewise, Ubigi is compatible with iPhones, iPads, Android smartphones, and laptops with Windows 10 and 11.

While their compatibility is almost the same, Ubigi boasts of supporting the most current versions of Windows OS, making it a perfect option for those with relatively new Windows laptops. However, Airalo supports a somewhat broader range of gadgets in general.

All in all, both Airalo and Ubigi ensure that people with the latest popular devices can access their eSIM services easily.

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Which one is faster, Ubigi or Airalo eSIM?

The average speed of eSIM services provided by Airalo and Ubigi largely depends on the local carrier and network capabilities (LTE, 4G, 5G) in each country. To offer a clearer comparison, I did a speed test of both in several countries and the results are summarized below.

In terms of speed performance, both providers are fairly similar, with slight differences on the country level. In general, the speeds of Ubigi and Airalo are similar, and the difference is no larger than a few Mbps.

However, in some countries like Japan and France, it appeared that Ubigi was slightly faster. Both eSIM providers deliver stable and fast network connection depending on the local carrier and network coverage.

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User experience

Looking at user experience and the eSIM activation process, let’s see how Airalo and Ubigi compare in terms of ease of use.

Airalo activation process:

1. Start by downloading the Airalo app from the App Store or Google Play.
2. Set up a new account or log in if you already have one.
3. Find and purchase the eSIM plan that fits your travel needs.
4. Check your email for a QR code and follow the on-screen instructions to activate your eSIM.

App interface: The Airalo app is super easy to use, with a clean and intuitive design that makes finding your way around a breeze. It clearly shows your data usage, so you always know how much data you’ve used and what you have left. Plus, it sends you handy alerts when you’re running low on data.

Ubigi eSIM activation:

1. Go to Ubigi website and create an account or log in if you already have one.
2. Go to your email and get the QR code sent.
3. Follow the step-by-step on-screen instructions to activate the eSIM.
4. Download the Ubigi app from the App Store or Google Play.

App interface: The Ubigi app is simple and users can easily find what they are looking for without any hassle. It monitors how much data you’ve used and gives a breakdown of your usage so you can know how much data is remaining. It also notifies the user when they are almost done with their data bundle.

Customer support

Both Airalo and Ubigi offer customer service, but only Airalo has live chat support. Airalo also provides help through email, FAQs, a blog, and a knowledge base, while Ubigi only offers email support and an FAQ section.

When I contacted them, Airalo’s live chat was super quick and handled even the tough questions right away. Their email support got back to me in about 4 hours with clear and helpful answers.

Ubigi took about 10 hours to respond to my email. While the response was helpful, it was slower compared to Airalo.

Airalo is a clear winner here because of its faster response times and the convenience of live chat.

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Ubigi vs Airalo eSIM: additional values

When you compare Ubigi and Airalo eSIM services, here are a few extras that can really make a difference:

• Top-up: Both Airalo and Ubigi let you easily add more data whenever you need it, so you won’t suddenly find yourself without the internet. It’s super convenient.
• Voice calls: Airalo’s Discover + Global plan lets you make voice calls, not just use data, which is a big plus. Ubigi sticks to data only, so for calls, you’d need to use apps like WhatsApp.
• Data sharing: Airalo allows you to use your phone as a mobile hotspot, which is great if you want to share your internet with other devices. Ubigi doesn’t have this feature, so you’re limited to using the eSIM on just one device at a time.

Conclusion: which eSIM is better?

Both Airalo and Ubigi offer great eSIM services with wide coverage and competitive prices. If you’re looking to save money, Ubigi is a solid choice with lower starting prices and reliable data, though it doesn’t support phone calls or mobile hotspots, and customer support is via a ticket system.

Airalo, on the other hand, provides more features. Their Discover + Global plan includes phone call support and mobile hotspot usage, which is ideal if you need these extras. Airalo also excels in customer support with live chat, email, FAQs, and a knowledge base.

Overall, Airalo is the winner because of its extensive features and excellent support.

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FAQ

What are the differences between Ubigi and Airalo?

Ubigi offers lower starting prices and reliable network performance but lacks phone call support and mobile hotspot usage. Airalo provides phone call support and mobile hotspot usage with slightly higher prices. Airalo excels in customer support with live chat and email options, while Ubigi uses a ticket system.

Which one is better, Airalo or Ubigi eSIM?

Airalo is generally better for users needing phone call support, mobile hotspot usage, and robust customer support. Ubigi is ideal for budget-conscious users seeking reliable data services without additional features. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost savings or feature-rich plans.

Which eSIM is better for Japan, Ubigi or Airalo?

For Japan, Ubigi offers a more affordable 3GB data plan at $8 compared to Airalo's $10. However, if you need phone call support and mobile hotspot usage, the Airalo plan may offer better overall value despite the higher price.

Can you make calls with Ubigi?

No, Ubigi does not support traditional phone calls. It focuses solely on providing data services. To make calls, you would need to use VoIP apps like Skype or WhatsApp.

Can Ubigi eSIM be trusted?

Yes, Ubigi is a reliable and trusted eSIM provider known for its strong network performance and cost-effective plans. It is operated by Transatel, a reputable telecommunications company.