Airalo review 2024
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Ugnė Rinkevičiūtė
Tech Editor
Airalo eSIM is one of the most popular alternatives to physical SIM cards. As with all eSIMs, its main advantage is convenience – you don’t need to switch between SIM cards while traveling. Plus, it offers flexible data plans and lets you access the internet without costly roaming charges.
In this Airalo eSIM review, we’ll look at Airalo eSIM compatibility, price, plans, and ease of use to help you decide if it’s the right eSIM card for your needs.
| Rating: | |
| Overall rank: | #2 |
| Price: | $4.50/week |
| Countries: | 200+ |
| Offered cellular networks: | 5G, 4G, 3G, and LTE |
| Does it allow phone calls: | Yes (Discover+ Global plan) |
| Does it support mobile hotspot: | Yes |
Airalo Pros and Cons
How does Airalo work?
Airalo works according to the same principle as all eSIMs – it’s a digital version of a physical SIM card. When traveling, it connects you to a local carrier’s network without you having to switch between SIM cards. You can also keep your current phone number and quickly renew your data plan at any time.
All you have to do is purchase your desired Airalo eSIM plan, install the Airalo app on your device, and activate your chosen plan either before or after arriving at your destination.
What type of plans does Airalo offer?
Like all the best eSIM providers, Airalo offers a good variety of eSIM plans. This includes local, regional, and global packages with different data allowances, plan durations, and prices. Here is a brief overview of all the pricing plans it has available.
Local Airalo eSIMs
Local Airalo eSIM plans cover only one country and offer several packages. For example, if you need an eSIM card to travel within the United States, you’ll find the following plans:
| Local US plan | Price |
| 1 GB for 7 days | $4.50 |
| 2 GB for 15 days | $8.00 |
| 3 GB for 30 days | $11.00 |
| 5 GB for 30 days | $16.00 |
| 10 GB for 30 days | $26.00 |
| 20 GB for 30 days | $42.00 |
Regional Airalo eSIMs
Regional Airalo eSIM plans include multiple countries in the same region: Africa (37 countries), Asia (18 countries), the Caribbean Islands (24 countries), Europe (39 countries), Latin America (19 countries), the Middle East and North Africa (15 countries), and North America (3 countries).
Here is the price package for Europe, although note that the number of packages differs for all regions:
| Regional Europe plan | Price |
| 1 GB for 7 days | $5.00 |
| 3 GB for 30 days | $13.00 |
| 5 GB for 30 days | $20.00 |
| 10 GB for 30 days | $37.00 |
| 50 GB for 90 days | $100.00 |
| 100 GB for 180 days | $185.00 |
Global Airalo eSIMs
Global Airalo eSIMs offer two types of data packages: data only or data with calls and texts. They also cover either 124 or 125 countries, depending on the plan.
Let’s take a look at Airalo’s global plans:
| Data (124 countries) | Data/Calls/Texts (125 countries) | ||
| 1 GB for 7 days | $9.00 | + 10 mins and 10 SMS | $15.00 |
| 2 GB for 15 days | $17.00 | + 20 mins and 20 SMS | $27.00 |
| 3 GB for 30 days | $24.00 | + 30 mins and 30 SMS | $36.00 |
| 5 GB for 60 days | $35.00 | + 20 mins and 50 SMS | $50.00 |
| 10 GB for 180 days | $59.00 | + 100 mins and 100 SMS | $79.00 |
| 20 GB for 365 days | $69.00 | + 200 mins and 200 SMS | $89.00 |
How much does Airalo cost?
Airalo costs from $4.50 for 1GB for 1 week. You can increase your data allowance depending on how long you want to use the eSIM card. Here is the pricing for the most popular travel destinations and data plan (1GB for 7 days):
| Local eSIM plan 1 GB for 7 days | |
| USA | $4.50 |
| Japan | $4.50 |
| UK | $5.00 |
| Italy | $4.50 |
| Mexico | $8.00 |
| France | $4.50 |
| Spain | $4.50 |
Does Airalo allow phone calls?
Yes, Airalo allows phone calls. You can even receive text messages with Airalo. However, this is only available with the Discover+ Global plan. It lets you make and receive phone calls, send and receive text messages, and access mobile data.
Keep in mind that you won’t be able to make calls or send SMS messages with any other Airalo plan, as they are available with data only. You can check what your plan offers by tapping Buy Now and locating Additional Information and Plan Type.
However, if you only plan on using mobile data, all Airalo eSIM packages will give you access to WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger, and other internet-based communication apps. Just make sure that they’re already set up on your device before activating your eSIM.
Customer support
Airalo offers a good variety of customer support options. Here are the ways you can get help with your Airalo eSIM card:
| Live chat | ✅Yes |
| Email support | ✅Yes |
| Knowledge base | ✅Yes |
| FAQs | ✅Yes |
| Phone number | ❌No |
| Active blog | ✅Yes |
The most convenient option is their 24/7 live chat, which instantly connects you with an Airalo expert. You can either type your message or choose from the categories offered in the chat.
Airalo also allows you to submit a ticket via email, browse the guides in its knowledge base, or search its FAQ section.
You’ll even find an active blog where you can search for interesting topics or learn something new. Unfortunately, there’s no phone number.
What devices support Airalo eSIM?
All newer devices support Airalo eSIM. You can find out if your smartphone supports Airalo by checking its specifications on the manufacturer’s website. Make sure to also check if your mobile data carrier imposes any restrictions. You can do so by either contacting your mobile internet provider or checking your device’s settings.
Some examples of devices that are compatible with eSIMs include the following:
| iPhone | XR, XS, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
| Google Pixel | 2 (with Google Fi), 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, Fold |
| Samsung Galaxy | S20, S20X, S21, S22, S23, S24, Z Fold, Z Flip |
| Huawei | P40, P40 Pro, Mate 40 Pro |
| Xiaomi | 12T Pro, 13, 14 Pro |
How to use and activate Airalo eSIM
Airalo eSIM cards are easy to use. The Airalo app is very user-friendly – its interface is minimalist and only contains essential features. There are 3 main menus on the app:
- Store. Here, you can find and buy any Airalo eSIM plan.
- My eSIMs. Your current and archived eSIMs are stored here.
- Profile. This is where you can find all the details about your account and Airalo services, such as your Airmoney rewards, membership, referrals, orders, terms of service, etc.
How to buy Airalo eSIM card
Before buying an Airalo eSIM card, you must make sure that your device is eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked (not tied to a contract with a mobile carrier). You can do so by checking, respectively, your device’s specifications on the manufacturer’s website and your device’s settings.
Once that’s done, purchasing an Airalo eSIM takes only two steps:
-
Buy an eSIM plan. You can do that on the Airalo website or directly on the mobile app. Payment options include credit and debit cards, PayPal, ApplePay, GooglePay, and Alipay (only via the mobile app), as well as Airmoney (Airalo in-app reward currency).
- Install your eSIM. You can do so directly through the app by following step-by-step prompts, by scanning a QR code to start the installation process, or by entering your eSIM details manually in your device’s Settings.
How to activate the Airalo eSIM card
Once you have bought and installed your eSIM, you’re ready to activate it. Here’s how to do it:
- Check your Airalo eSIM card’s activation policy. Some eSIMs activate upon installation, while others require manual activation. You can find the activation policy in your eSIM’s Additional Information section.
-
Connect to the internet. It’s best to activate your eSIM card just before your trip while you’re still at home, as you’ll need an internet connection for this.
- Connect to a local network. If you have an iPhone, go to Settings. Find Cellular and then your eSIM line. Toggle on Turn On This Line and then Data Roaming. Tap Network Selection and choose a network (you can find a list of networks your eSIM supports in the eSIM's Additional Information section).
Airalo eSIM video review
Final thoughts
Physical SIM cards are slowly being replaced by eSIMs, especially among travelers. This is not surprising, as eSIMs are much more flexible and convenient, and they don’t require a contract or identity verification.
Airalo eSIM is one of the leading eSIM providers. It’s affordable, flexible, and easy to use. Plus, it offers 24/7 customer support, so you can get help at any point and enjoy worry-free travel.
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FAQ
Is Airalo good for travel?
Yes, Airalo is good for travel. It has eSIM cards that work in 200+ countries, 24/7 customer support, and various perks to enhance your journey.
Does WhatsApp work with Airalo?
Yes, WhatsApp works with Airalo. However, make sure that WhatsApp is already set up on your device before you activate your eSIM.
When to activate Airalo eSIM?
You can either activate your Airalo eSIM upon installation or at your destination. However, this depends on your eSIM plan. For more information, check the activation policy, which you can find on the Airalo app.
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