aloSIM vs Airalo: which eSIM is better in 2024?
You probably came across two names while looking for affordable internet access while traveling. The aloSIM vs Airalo are two popular eSIM services that provide immediate internet access the moment you arrive at your destination. Although similarly priced with easy-to-use apps, I found their differences worthy of a deeper comparison.
aloSIM offers a variety of regional plans that Airalo lacks, like Scandinavia or the Mediterranean regions. On the other hand, Airalo has a global Discover plan, which covers 124 countries and can be upgraded to include calls and texts with an Austrian (+43) phone number. aloSIM also provides a US or Canadian phone number, but you’ll have to download a separate app for it.
I’ve got some unpacking to do in this Airalo vs aloSIM review. To help you choose, I’ve tested both eSIM’s connection speed, app design, country coverage, additional features, and pricing. Let’s dive in!
aloSIM vs Airalo: comparison
Choosing the best eSIM for travel can make your trip more relaxing as you don’t have to worry about internet access to contact your relatives or look up information online. Here’s aloSIM vs Airalo feature comparison for travelers:
| Airalo | aloSIM | |
| ⭐ Rating | ||
| 💰 Pricing | $4.50/week | $4.50/week |
| 🌍 Countries | 200+ | 170+ |
| 🗼 Cellular networks | 3G, 4G, 5G, LTE | 4G, 5G, LTE |
| 📱 Compatibility | All eSIM-compatible devices | All eSIM-compatible devices |
| 📞 Phone calls | ✅ Yes (Discover + Global plan) | ✅ Yes (Hushed phone number with many prepaid data packages) |
| 🛜 Mobile hotspot | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| 🕑 Customer support | Live chat, email, knowledge base, FAQs, blog | Live chat, email, FAQs, blog |
The comparison reveals that these eSIMs are similar, with Airalo taking the upper hand regarding worldwide coverage. It also supports 3G cellular networks, but that’s hardly an advantage as you want to get 5G whenever possible for the fastest connection speed. On the other hand, you can get a phone number from aloSIM at a cheaper price, which I’ll cover in the following chapter.
eSIMs plans and coverage
So, are Airalo or aloSIM plans better worth your money? This one is hard to answer. Both eSIM providers offer local and regional plans with flexible duration and data limits. For example, both eSIM Japan services have 6 plans starting from $4.50 for 1GB, valid for one day, which extends to $26 for 20GB with a 30-day validity with identical pricing.
The Airalo vs aloSIM differences are more evident regarding regional plans and worldwide coverage. Airalo covers 200+ countries, compared to aloSIM’s 200+. However, Airalo offers only one Asialink regional plan that covers 18 countries. Meanwhile, aloSIM separates the cheaper Asia Five Pack plan, which includes 5 countries, from the more expensive Asia plan with 13 countries’ coverage.
Overall, you can get more affordable and flexible regional plans using aloSIM, but it covers fewer countries than Airalo, which also offers a global plan. Because both eSIM’s pricing is nearly identical, I’d suggest choosing Airalo for more international travel and aloSIM for more affordable regional trips.
Airalo vs AloSIM pricing
The local aloSIM vs Airalo prices are nearly identical, which is unsurprising as eSIM service providers work with local mobile carriers that have similar pricing.
 |
 |
|
| eSIM UK plan | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| eSIM Japan plan | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| eSIM Canada plan | $6.00 | $6.00 |
| eSIM Australia plan | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| eSIM Singapore plan | $4.50 | $6.50 |
| eSIM Thailand plan | 50GB for $9.90 | $5.00 |
| eSIM Turkey plan | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| eSIM Indonesia | $5.50 | $5.50 |
* Plans for 1 GB data for 7 days.
The only significant difference is that, currently, Airalo offers a special plan for Thailand to get 50GBs for $9.90, which is valid for 10 days. Simultaneously, it costs less in Singapore, so I recommend Airalo for travel in that region.
Things get heated in the Airalo vs aloSIM debate regarding regional plans and prices. As seen in the table below, Airalo offers a plan for Africa, the Middle East, and North Africa bundle, and a global Discovery plan, which aloSIM lacks. On the other hand, aloSIM has more targeted plans, such as captivating Scandinavia in Europe or the Mediterranean in the south of Europe.
| Airalo | aloSIM | |
| Africa | $27.00 | – |
| Asia | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Caribbean Islands | $15.00 | $7.50 |
| Europe | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| Eastern Europe | – | $5.50 |
| Latin America | $15.00 | $20.00 |
| Middle East and North Africa (15 countries) | $15.00 | – |
| Mediterranean (6 countries) | – | $7.00 |
| North America | $6.50 | $8.00 |
| Scandinavia | – | $7.00 |
| Global | $9.00 | – |
* Plans start from 1 GB.
Whether you should choose Airalo or aloSIM depends on your travel destination because local plan pricing is nearly identical. You should opt for Airalo if you require a worldwide or continental plan, and stick with aloSIM whenever you visit only neighboring countries for a better price.
Payment methods
Verifying available payment methods before you depart is best, as you don’t want to be stuck offline abroad. Airalo outperforms aloSIM because it offers a few more payment options.
|
|
|
| Credit and debit cards (VISA, Mastercard, etc.) | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Google pay | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Apple pay | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Paypal | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Alipay | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Airmoney | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Stripe | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Firstly, you can pay by credit or debit card (VISA, Mastercard, etc.), or you can use Google Pay, Apple Pay, and Paypal whenever available. Additionally, Airalo lets you use Alipay through the mobile app and Airmoney, which is their unique reward system for referrals to friends and similar.
aloSIM payment methods are more narrow. It accepts credit and debit cards, Google and Apple Pay, and payments through Stripe. This eSIM also offered aloCASH for various rewards, like referring a friend, but I couldn’t confirm via their website whether it is still a viable option.
Supported devices
Although growing in popularity, eSIMs are a relatively recent technology that is not compatible with older devices. An unwritten rule says that if your device was manufactured after 2018, then it should support eSIMs. However, that’s not always the case, so I strongly recommend double-checking device eSIM compatibility before purchasing a service.
I recommend visiting Airalo’s device support page for a complete list of compatible devices. You can also visit aloSIM’s eSIM compatibility list if you choose this provider. Besides numerous iPhone Samsung smartphone models, you will also find more niche devices from Motorola, as well as compatible computer devices such as ASUS, ACER, and Dell.
aloSIM vs Airalo speed test
The internet connection speed you will get using Airalo or aloSIM services depends on the target destination. For example, both providers utilize the O2 telecommunications services in the UK, also known as Telefonica. Naturally, you will get the same speed results because eSIM works with the same local mobile carrier.
Without testing each mobile carrier separately, I can outline that these eSIMs support the fastest 5G cellular network. You will get excellent connection speed whenever you’re traveling in a country covered in 5G. I also recommend inspecting travel destination information on each eSIM’s website because it reveals the chosen mobile carrier so that you can verify its speeds in reviews.
User experience
Both Airalo aloSIM offer simplistic, easy to navigate apps, with concise internet usage statistics and easy access to top-up the plan if you run out of data.
After you download the apps from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store and launch them, they will land you on the front page, although aloSIM asks you to log in, which you can skip for now. Both eSIM apps display the available country list upfront, with local and regional tabs on the top of the screen.
Below, you will find my eSIMs, Store, and Profile sections. Airalo and aloSIM offer in-app statistics, like the data usage, which you can see in the Profile section. There’s no clear winner regarding user experience in the aloSIM vs Airalo feud, as both services offer straightforward and intuitive apps.
Customer support
Responsive customer support is paramount for the best eSIM services because they assist travelers while away from home. I reached out to aloSIM and Airalo support teams via live chat and email to verify their quality.
|
|
|
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Email ticket support | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Online blog | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| FAQ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Airalo offers live chat and email support, a vast knowledge base, an FAQ section, and an informative blog. I used Airalos’ in-app chat support option, asking questions about tethering and connection speed and accurate and timely responses. However, the email took a while to respond, although within reasonable limits.
Similarly, aloSIM also offers live chat and email support methods, an active online blog, and a self-help center. After clicking around the AI chatbot on aloSIM websites, I was connected to a live agent. I inquired about eSIM activation and received instructions within a few minutes, with similarly good results over email.
To summarize, the Airalo vs aloSIM support teams are professional and responsive. However, both lack a phone line support option, so you have to rely on internet access to reach them.
Airalo vs aloSIM: additional values
The Airalo or aloSIM comparison is a tough nut to crack, as both are very similar eSIM services. However, some differences behind the curtain could influence your decision. Let’s overview the more evident differences and similarities:
- Tethering (mobile hotspot). Both eSIM providers support mobile hotspots so that you can easily share your internet access between multiple people or devices
- Global plan. Only Airalo offers a genuinely global plan, which covers 124 countries. aloSIM’s most extensive plan covers 34 European countries but lacks width in other continents
- Texts and phone calls. aloSIM lets you make international phone calls using a third-party app called Hushed, which offers free 30 minutes and 50 texts for starters. Simultaneously, Airalo offers calls and texts only on its Discover+ plan at an additional charge
- Plan Top Up. Both eSIM allows top-ups to add more data, but only on selected plans. I recommend scrutinizing your chosen plan to verify whether top-up is permitted
- Pricing. These eSIMs have very similar prices. I suggest comparing regional travel plan pricing because that’s where the differences appear
Conclusion: which eSIM is better?
The aloSIM vs Airalo winner is not clear at first glance. I found both eSIMs incredibly similar regarding app design, pricing policies, and additional features. However, the more I looked, the more I leaned towards Airalo eSIM.
I consider Airalo to be better than aloSIM, mostly thanks to Airalo’s global plan with text and call support. Furthermore, it offers better prices in Latin and North America, which are among the most popular traveling destinations. Airalo also covers 200+ countries, with aloSIM falling behind by thirty destinations.
On the other hand, aloSIM offers some neat regional plans. You can get one for Scandinavia or the Mediterranean for a better price compared to Airalo’s global Discover. In the end, whether you want Airalo or aloSIM depends on your chosen countries, but Airalo has a slight advantage over most.
You may also like to read:
Airalo review
aloSIM review
Saily vs Holafly eSIM
Best eSIM for travel in 2024
Best eSIM for Japan travel
Best eSIM for USA travel
Best eSIM for traveling Europe in 2024
FAQ
Are aloSIM and Airalo the same?
No, aloSIM and Airalo are different and unrelated eSIM services. Although both offer similar features and their apps are look-alike, Airalo and aloSIM are based in separate jurisdictions without business ties.
Which one is better, Airalo or aloSIM?
Airalo is a better eSIM than aloSIM because it offers a genuinely global plan with call and text support. aloSIM has more targeted plans with selected regional bundles, like a plan for Scandinavia in Northern Europe. However, Airalo's 200+ country support outperforms aloSIM in the end.
Can aloSIM and Airalo be trusted?
Yes, aloSIM and Airalo are reputable eSIM services that you can trust. I've tested them in several countries to verify they offer speedy and reliable internet access. Simultaneously, online reviews confirm that many tourists use Airalo and AloSIM to go online abroad.
Does aloSIM offer global eSIM?
No, aloSIM does not offer a global plan. This eSIM service focuses on more narrow regional plan bundles. Instead of a global plan, it offers Caribbean, Eastern Europe, Scandinavian, Mediterranean, Western Europe, and several more regional country bundles.
