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Airalo review: Is it worth using in 2026?
Read our complete Airalo review to learn the pros, cons, features, and customer opinions on the Airalo eSIM option.
If you’ve spent time browsing eSIM options, you’ve likely run into Airalo. With various data plans at different price points, this eSIM provider lets you connect to networks without a physical SIM card.
However, that doesn’t necessarily make this major eSIM player the best option for your upcoming adventure.
In this article, we’re taking an in-depth look at Airalo to help you decide whether or not it’s the best pick for you in 2026. We cover everything from pricing to network coverage and quality. And if Airalo doesn’t feel right for you by the end, we’ll finish with an overview of Holafly, a top Airalo alternative to consider.
Holafly is highly rated
With a Trustpilot rating of 4.6/5 from 50,000+ reviews, our eSIMs come with a seal of approval.
Disclaimer: The data in this article is accurate as of January 13, 2026, and is subject to change.
Airalo pros and cons
Before we dive deeper into the main features and things to consider about Airalo, let’s take a quick look at the main pros and cons of the service:
| Airalo pros ✅ | Airalo cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Affordable price for eSIMs | Not all destinations offer unlimited data plans |
| Available in 200+ countries | Strict refund policy |
| Loyalty plan with cashback rewards | Plan durations only up to 30 days |
| Some plans come with an international phone number for calls and texts |
Airalo eSIM review: Key features
In this next section, we’ll review everything from network coverage to the Airalo app user experience. By the end of this Airalo review, you’ll know if you should choose this eSIM provider for your upcoming adventure.
1. Pricing
Compared to traditional data roaming fees, Airalo is a cheaper option. The prices for data differ depending on your destination, though there are multiple options for both data allowances and validity periods for most plans.
For example, you can get 1 GB of data for 7 days in the USA for as little as $4.00 USD, while an unlimited data plan in the US can cost up to $69 for 30 days. Through this pricing strategy, Airalo has something to offer for everyone, from the budget traveler to data-heavy users.
However, the cheapest option may not be the best option when choosing eSIMs. Most travelers will need more than a gigabyte for a seven-day stay and will need a top-up at some point. Therefore, you should calculate how much data you’ll need before buying your eSIM.
2. Data packages
Airalo offers both limited and unlimited data eSIMs, with limited eSIMs offering a top-up when you use up the plan’s included gigabytes. However, not all Airalo data plans have a top-up option available.
While this might be suitable for many, if you regularly use data-heavy apps like TikTok or YouTube on your phone, you’ll find yourself needing data top-ups frequently. The worry of running out of data can negatively impact peace of mind, convenience, and even safety.
With over 200 destinations available, Airalo has three main types of plans to choose from. These include:
- Local plans: Airalo’s data plans for specific countries generally range from 1 GB of data for 7 days with prices starting at $4 to $5, to unlimited data for 30 days at $69.00 or more.
- Regional plans: Airalo offers regional plans for Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Latin America, North America, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and Oceania. Typically, these plans range from 1 GB of data for 7 days at $5.00 to 100 GB for 180 days at $185. Unlimited plans are also available, but may be limited to one validity option of 10 days.
- Global plans: Airalo’s global plans, also called Discover, work in 138 destinations with various mobile carriers and include calls and texts. These plans vary from 1 GB for 7 days at $8.50 and go up to $89 for 20 GB, 200 minutes of calls, and 200 texts for 365 days.
3. Network coverage and quality
Airalo offers eSIM data packages for over 200 destinations around the world, including regional eSIMs and even various global options.
They also offer information on the network provider and data speeds for their destination through the website or the app. Because Airalo partners with local carriers in each destination, network coverage is fast and reliable, operating at 4G/LTE/5G phone speeds. Keep in mind that 5G may not be available in select destinations, and even where it’s available, you may not get 5G coverage in the more remot locations.
4. Customer service and technical support
Airalo offers two customer support channels – chat and email. Customer support is available 24/7, with live chat usually having quicker response times.
Airalo also offers a ‘Help Center’ where you can read up on different features and topics such as the loyalty program, smartphone support information, and the Airalo eSIM not working.
5. Airalo refund policy
There are multiple criteria you have to meet to be eligible for an Airalo refund. Here are the terms and conditions regarding how to get an Airalo refund:
- A refund must be requested within 30 days from the date of purchase, after you’ve gone through troubleshooting.
- You will have to provide screenshots to prove your issue if the customer support team requests them.
- Once your eSIM expires, you won’t be able to get a refund for the data remaining on your plan.
- It’s important for you to also keep in mind that Airalo won’t provide you with a refund in the event that you get an additional service or other products to connect to the internet in the meantime.
- In the case of an accidental purchase, once the eSIM is installed on your phone or device, you will not be eligible for a refund.
When you file for a refund, make sure not to delete your Airalo eSIM until the refund is settled, as you might be asked to provide information from your account or eSIM profile.
6. Airalo app
The Airalo app allows customers to browse, purchase, and activate their eSIMs, track data usage, and top up data if their plan allows it. You can also contact customer support or browse the help center on the app.
Using the app is usually much more convenient on the go than using the website. It comes in particularly handy for tracking your data usage and making sure you don’t lose connection. The app is available for download on Android and iOS devices, and it works around the world.
7. Airalo loyalty program
Airalo also offers a loyalty program that lets long-time users get a cash-back reward based on their previous purchases. With every plan you purchase, you’ll receive a percentage back in the form of Airmoney to be used in the Airalo eSIM store.
The loyalty program comes with four levels:
- Traveler: New customers receive a 5% Airmoney reward for every purchase.
- Silver traveler: Once customers have spent over $20, they receive a 6% Airmoney reward for each purchase.
- Gold traveler: Customers who have spent over $70 receive a 7% Airmoney reward for each purchase.
- Platinum traveler: Customers with over $200 in purchases get 10% back in Airmoney for each purchase.
Holafly eSIMs: Get unlimited data with every plan
Don’t want to constantly keep an eye on your data usage or worry about losing connection at the worst time? As an international eSIM provider that focuses on delivering unlimited data and high-quality customer services available in multiple languages, Holafly is your best bet to stay connected during your entire trip and avoid any buyer frustrations.
Holafly offers travel eSIM plans for over 200+ destinations, with all eSIMs offering unlimited data and 24/7 customer support. You can choose any number of days from 1 to 90 for your plan, so you can match your eSIM to your travels and avoid paying for any extra days simply due to a lack of flexibility in plan durations.
If you need a long-term eSIM solution, Holafly Plans offers a pay-monthly eSIM subscription with coverage in 170+ destinations worldwide. This subscription allows you to travel the world without having to worry about getting a new eSIM every time you cross an international border.
If you want to learn more about how Holafly compares to Airalo, check out our Holafly vs. Airalo review.
Consider a highly rated eSIM provider
Looking for more options beyond Airalo and Holafly? Take a look at our detailed reviews of these other eSIM providers:
- Saily eSIM review
- Flexiroam review
- Kolet review
- Tripsim eSIM review
- Ubigi eSIM review
- Sim Local review
- Klook eSIM review
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A senior SEO writer from Lithuania, combining my passion for writing and travel at Holafly. With years of experience in technical fields, I'm here to answer all of your questions about staying connected. I specialize in turning even the most complicated topics into something everyone can understand.
