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Airalo vs. Nomad: Which eSIM provider is best for travel in 2025?
Both Airalo and Nomad are popular eSIM providers, but which is the best option? This comparison breaks down their features to help you choose the right eSIM.
Airalo and Nomad are popular eSIM choices for travelers, offering a range of data plans for different destinations around the world.
While Airalo is renowned for its low prices and user-friendly app, Nomad is known for its fast and seamless network performance.
To help you make the best choice, we’ve stacked their features side by side for an in-depth eSIM comparison.
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Overview of Airalo vs. Nomad
Airalo and Nomad are eSIM service providers offering data packages that let you stay connected internationally without the hassle of using a physical SIM card.
Here’s how Nomad eSIM vs. Airalo eSIM stack up side-by-side.
| Airalo | Nomad | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | Prepaid eSIM data plans for a range of destinations Phone calls available with global plan Email and live chat customer support with FAQs and guides | Prepaid eSIM data plans for a range of destinations Ticket-based customer support with FAQs and guides |
| Pricing | The cheapest plan for each destination is $4.50, making Airalo more affordable | While Nomad has plans costing as little as $4.00, most of their cheapest destination options are approximately $6.00 |
| Coverage | Covers over 200 destinations worldwide | Covers over 190 destinations worldwide |
| User experience | 4.5 rating on Google Play | 4.6 rating on Google Play |
Airalo vs. Nomad feature comparison
At first glance, Airalo and Nomad are similar: they offer prepaid eSIM data plans for global destinations. Here’s how each option holds up upon closer inspection.
App experience and setup
Airalo and Nomad have mobile apps you can download to purchase, activate, and install your eSIM data plan.
On Google Play, the Airalo app has a higher overall rating with a score of 4.5, with Nomad being slightly better with 4.6. Also, Nomad is higher-rated on the AppStore with a 4.8 score, while Airalo comes in close at 4.6.
Looking for more ratings? Check the current scores on third-party review websites like Trustpilot.
The user experience is similar when it comes to app UI, navigation, and set up, with Airalo being slightly more user-friendly.
After downloading, users can select an eSIM data package and purchase it before getting more prompts to install and activate the plan.
Pricing and data plans
Airalo is somewhat cheaper and more flexible on average, with their country-specific 1GB, 7-day plans costing between $4.50 and $6.00.
Nomad is slightly more expensive. While they offer 1GB, 7-day plans for $4.00, most basic packages can cost anywhere from $6.00 to $31.00.
Their pricing structures are different, too. For example, let’s look at the Argentina data plans for both platforms. Nomad’s Argentina eSIM offers are:
- 1 GB with 7 days of data: $10.00 (LTE/4G)
- 1 GB with 7 days of data: $10.00 (4G)
- 3 GB with 30 days: $20.00
- 5 GB of data for 30 days of data: $28.00
- 10 GB of data for 30 days: $45.00
Airalo’s Argentina eSIM offers are:
- 1 GB with 7 days of data: $6.00
- 2GB with 15 days of data: $11.50
- 3 GB with 30 days of data: $15.00
- 5 GB with 30 days of data: $22.50
- 10 GB with 30 days of data: $42.00
- 20 GB with 30 days of data: $50
Airalo is slightly more affordable and gives you the same amount of data for less money.
However, you still might not get as much data as you need for your trip. Holafly, on the other hand, gives you unlimited data for upcoming adventures, giving you more gigabytes for your buck.
Coverage and speed
Airalo has more coverage with over 200 global destinations and plans, while Nomad has plans for just over 190 destinations.
Both Airalo and Nomad offer 4G LTE connectivity and partner with local mobile carriers in the plan’s area, meaning internet speeds should be vastly similar — in theory.
To discover if that is true in the real world, look for relevant user reviews.
Customer support and user experience
On the surface, Airalo appears to be better because it offers 24/7 customer support with emails and live chat. The provider also offers a range of in-depth FAQs and guides to set up your eSIM and troubleshoot issues. You can check what their existing users think about their customer service on different review websites..
Nomad works on a ticket-based system, offering customer support through its apps.
But many emphasize that Airalo has slow, unreliable customer service with users often waiting hours to get a response and sometimes days to resolve an issue. Airalo is reluctant to give users refunds, even in the case of faulty service.
Nomad is known for its reliable customer service. Customers have words of praise for the team’s ability to promptly solve issues.
| Thinking Nomad? Think again. Read our Holafly vs. Nomad review and discover the best eSIM for travelers. |
Pros and cons of Airalo vs. Nomad
Airalo and Nomad are neck-and-neck when it comes to some features, but there are clear advantages and disadvantages when you compare them side-by-side.
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| Airalo | Over 200 destinations to choose from Cheap pricing for large amounts of data Easy set-up and user experience Allows for tethering Top-up option available Rewards system allows for discounts | Can occasionally have an unstable connection and slow internet speeds Very poor customer support Strict refund policy |
| Nomad | Strong and speedy network quality Prompt and helpful customer support Allows for tethering Top-up option available | Has fewer destinations and coverage than Airalo More expensive for less data Slightly complicated app |
While Airalo has more pros, Nomad’s advantages are mostly based on its core service— providing you with a fast and reliable connection so you can use your favorite apps while you travel.
If you want to avoid the cons of both providers, then go with an option like Holafly.
With multi-language customer support, fast internet speeds, an easy-to-use app, and flexible, affordable deals for unlimited data, Holafly is your trusty eSIM travel companion that covers all the bases.
| Have your sights set on Airalo? With unlimited data packages, Holafly can be the better choice! Here’s Holafly vs. Airalo. |
Airalo vs. Nomad: Reddit opinions
People have been discussing Airalo and Nomad eSIMs on Reddit, too. Many travelers talk about Nomad’s quality connection.
For example, one traveler notes just how easy the eSIM was to set up and get the best signal throughout different countries in Europe.
Some Airalo reviews also say their eSIMs can work without issues. But, if you do have issues with their service, customer support can take up to 24 hours to respond with low-quality answers. This has been enough to turn many away from using their service, as it can be risky.
Which eSIM provider is better for you?
When it comes to Airalo vs. Nomad eSIMs, both are reliable options with data packages to help you stay connected throughout your travels.
Airalo is cheaper and offers more data, making it a good option for budget-conscious travelers. But this comes with a risk — you might run into unstable connections and a less-than-helpful customer support team. In the long run, this is more expensive because you may need to buy a new eSIM.
This makes Nomad the safer option if fast internet speeds and a stable connection are your main priority.
Packages might cost more, but there’s less chance of subpar service, especially with their stellar customer support team.
There’s one feature both these providers are missing, though: unlimited data. With an eSIM like Holafly, you can choose a package for over 200 destinations and get endless gigabytes for your entire trip. Instead of wasting time on top-ups, you get peace of mind.
Plus, Holafly lets you pick a plan for the number of days you’re traveling—from 1 to 90. And there’s an added bonus: The price for a day of data gets cheaper with each day you add.
With affordable data plans, a fast internet connection, and a 24/7 customer support team in multiple languages, Holafly covers the bases that Airalo and Nomad miss. For more information, check out our Holafly vs. Airalo vs. Nomad review.
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Originally from Michigan USA and currently based in Sarajevo Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armin Tanovic has five years of experience writing content and copy for both US and European marketing agencies. He’s written for travel brands like TravelPerk, and loves an adventure in the great outdoors. You can catch him off the beaten path exploring mountains and coastlines while drawing his writing inspiration from the scenery.
