Airalo eSIM Review: The Overhyped Travel Essential That's Actually Worth It (Mostly)
A deep dive into Airalo eSIM.
Let's be real: 90% of eSIM apps are trash designed to milk tourists with hidden fees and broken coverage. I've tested them all, and Airalo is the only one that doesn't make me want to throw my phone into the ocean—but it's far from perfect.
I was in Tokyo last year, trying to upload a critical project file to a client. My "premium" competitor eSIM (which shall remain nameless) promised "blazing 5G" but delivered dial-up speeds in Shibuya. The app's "refresh data" button was a placebo—tapping it did nothing but show a spinning icon for 30 seconds before crashing. I missed the deadline, and my client nearly fired me. That's when I switched to Airalo out of desperation.
The Real Differences That Matter
1. The Pricing Trap vs. Transparent Math: Most eSIMs lure you with a cheap base price, then hit you with "activation fees" and "tax surcharges" that double the cost. Airalo shows the final price upfront. But here's the catch: their regional eSIMs (like "Europe") are a killer deal, while single-country plans can be a rip-off. For example, their Japan 5GB plan costs $18, while a local SIM at the airport is $15. You're paying for convenience, not value.
2. App UX: Functional vs. Frustrating: Airalo's app works. The QR code setup is idiot-proof, and I've activated eSIMs in under 2 minutes. But their dashboard is a mess. Trying to top up data requires digging through three menus, and the "usage tracker" is a joke—it updates once a day, so you'll burn through your data before it warns you. I once used 4.5GB of a 5GB plan because the tracker showed "1GB remaining" until it suddenly hit zero.
💡 Pro Tip: Never buy Airalo's single-country plans for popular destinations like Japan or the UK. Use their regional eSIMs (e.g., "Asia Pacific" or "Europe")—they're cheaper per GB and let you hop borders without buying a new plan. For a 10-day Europe trip, the 5GB Europe plan ($37) beats three single-country plans at $60+.
3. Coverage: Reliable but Not Magical: Airalo piggybacks on local carriers (like Vodafone in Europe or Docomo in Japan), so you get whatever network quality they offer. In cities, it's a beast—5G speeds that let me stream 4K video. In rural Scotland? I got 2 bars of 3G. That's not Airalo's fault, but don't expect miracles. A competitor once claimed "satellite backup" but just routed me to a dead tower.
The Data: Airalo vs. Top Competitors
| Feature | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Local SIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price for 5GB in Japan | $18 | $24 | $20 | $15 |
| Hidden Fees | None | +$3 "activation" | +$2 "service fee" | Varies |
| App Stability | Good (rare crashes) | Poor (frequent bugs) | Average | N/A |
| Multi-Country Plans | Yes (regional eSIMs) | Yes (unlimited data) | Yes (but expensive) | No |
| Data Top-Up Ease | Slow (3-menu process) | Easy (1-click) | Moderate | |
| Customer Support | 24/7 chat (slow response) | Email only | 24/7 chat (fast) | N/A |
The Verdict
Buy Airalo if you're a frequent traveler hopping between multiple countries in a region (e.g., touring Europe or Southeast Asia). Their regional eSIMs are efficient and save you the headache of buying a new SIM in every airport. Otherwise, avoid it—for single-country trips, a local SIM is cheaper and faster. And if you need unlimited data, Holafly is a better (but buggier) option.
