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ByteSIM vs Airalo 2025: eSIM comparison guide
ByteSIM or Airalo? In this comparison article, we're exploring pros, cons, and features of the two providers to help you make the best eSIM travel choice.
Choosing the right eSIM is an important part of preparing for your next big trip. The right one ensures you get and stay connected wherever you are.
Go with the wrong provider, and you risk becoming stranded without so much as a gigabyte to find your way back to your hotel — or, at the very least, not being able to post those amazing Instagram stories.
With multiple eSIM providers to choose from, the quest for finding the best eSIM gets even more complicated.
Take eSIM providers ByteSIM and Airalo for example. Both are reliable, offering a range of flexible and affordable data plans, letting you get connected without physical SIM cards.
How do you go about choosing the right option?
This Airalo vs ByteSIM comparison is an all-out showdown between the two competitors. We’re comparing their features, pros, cons, coverage, and pricing. Then, we’ll introduce a third option, Holafly, in case neither provider meets your connectivity needs.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 1 million customers and get connected with Holafly's trusted, global services.
Overview of ByteSIM vs Airalo
ByteSIM is an eSIM provider based in Hong Kong with a range of mobile data packages to help travelers save money on expensive roaming fees.
They’re known for their flexible eSIM plans and high-speed internet access. Airalo, a Singapore-based eSIM provider, is a popular choice among travelers due to its affordable plans and easy installation process.
Both providers let you get connected without using a physical SIM card, but there are still key differences.
Here’s a ByteSIM Airalo comparison.
| ByteSIM | Airalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Features | – Prepaid eSIM data plans with local and regional plans – Live chat, phone number, and guides for customer support – Unlimited data plans available – Unlimited hotspot available – Local number available for some countries | – Prepaid eSIM data plans with local and regional plans – Email and live chat customer support with FAQs and guides – Unlimited data for some plans – Phone calls available on select plans |
| Pricing | The cheapest eSIM is $2.90 USD for a one-day 500 MB data plan. Their 1 GB plan costs $3.50 for three days | Some plans offer a free trial. The cheapest plan is often $4.50 for 1 GB and a validity of one day |
| Coverage | Data plans for over 200 destinations with 4G LTE and 5G internet speeds | Data plans for over 200 destinations with 4G LTE and 5G internet speeds |
Disclaimer: The data in this comparison is accurate as of March 7, 2025, and is subject to change.
ByteSIM vs Airalo feature comparison
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the features offered by ByteSIM and Airalo and how they measure up side-by-side.
App experience and setup
On Google Play, ByteSIM has a score of 3.4. Its App Store rating is 3.3. Airalo, on the other hand, scores 4.6 on both Google Play and the App Store.
Both apps provide a similar eSIM activation process. Users can purchase an eSIM, receive and scan a QR code, or otherwise follow on-screen instructions for installment.
Pricing and data plans
ByteSIM has 500 MB daily plans that cost $2.90 for three days. On the other hand, Airalo also has free three-day 500 MB data plans for some destinations.
ByteSIM also offers a seven-day, 1 GB data package for $4.50, the same as Airalo’s 1 GB options that last 7 days.
It’s also worth mentioning that Airalo’s validity is preset and tied to the data option. They offer destination data packages for 1 GB valid for 7 days, 2 GB for 15 days, 3 GB for 30 days, 5 GB for 30 days, 10 GB for 30 days, 20 GB for 30 days, and unlimited data for 10 days.
ByteSIM, however, provides additional data for 30 and 50 GB and lets users choose between 1, 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days of data.
Other providers, like Holafly, offer unlimited data with full customization. Users can choose between 1 and 90 days of data, with each day becoming cheaper than the previous one.
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Coverage and speed
Both ByteSIM and Airalo offer similar coverage in over 200 destinations, including multiple countries and regional plans—common coverage for all the best eSIM providers.
However, ByteSIM doesn’t have a global plan like Airalo, which additionally gives you an international phone number for calls and texts.
There’s also a difference in reliable network connections. Airalo automatically connects users to local destination networks with 4G LTE and 5G internet speeds.
However, ByteSIM allows users to choose their networks.
For example, ByteSIM’s Japan eSIM package has two network options available:
- SoftBank & KDDI: dual Network, and stronger coverage
- KDDI: 5G Max speed, and no slowdowns with unlimited data
Customer support and user experience
Airalo offers live chat, WhatsApp, email, blogs, and FAQs for customer support, while ByteSIM’s channels include live chat, email, FAQs, and a WhatsApp support number users can contact.
But what about the quality of each provider’s customer support service? For details like this, it’s worth visiting third-party review sites like Trustpilot. There you can scan real reviews of Airalo or ByteSIM to make an informed decision when choosing your next eSIM.
Pros and cons of ByteSIM vs Airalo
To help you make the best eSIM choice, here’s an overview of Airalo vs. ByteSIMs differences, with pros and cons side by side:
| ByteSIM | Airalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Pros | – Semi-flexible choice of validity – Many packages have unlimited data – Lets you choose between what networks you want to connect with – Allows data tethering | – Free trials and unlimited data plans on select destinations – Allows data tethering – Top-up option available – Rewards system allows for discounts |
| Cons | – Limited customization options for days of unlimited data – No global plans available | – Not all destinations have a free, 500 MB plan – Phone number for support queries – Not all destinations have an unlimited data plan |
Unsure if Airalo is the right fit for you? Here’s how it holds up to Holafly.
Which eSIM provider is better for you?
When it comes to ByteSIM vs Airalo, the right choice is the eSIM that best fits your journey. ByteSIM is a strong choice for users who prioritize unlimited data plans and packages with flexible validity. However, Airalo is more suitable for those who need global data plans and an international phone number.
That’s where you can make the most of an eSIM travel companion like Holafly. You can get unlimited data for 1 to 90 days, giving you endless gigabytes for your entire trip.
Plus, Holafly features an intuitive app for easy installment, connects to the fastest networks, and stands by 24/7. Multilingual customer support—AKA everything you need for peace of mind during your next trip.
An eSIM you can rely on
Join over 1 million customers and get connected with our trusted, global services.
Plans that may interest you
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.
