Airalo vs Simsimsim
Plans, prices and features compared. Competitor data checked October 2026.
The short answer
- Airalo is the best-known travel eSIM brand, with fixed-data plans in several validities for most destinations.
- Simsimsim offers fixed-data and day-pass plans, regional and global plans, 180 days to install an unused plan, top-ups on the same eSIM and a tiered refund policy.
- Price: it depends on the country and plan size. The table below shows Airalo’s price for 5 GB / 30 days as checked in October 2026, with a link to ours for each destination.
How we checked
We read Airalo’s public country pages on airalo.com in October 2026 and recorded the plans and prices shown. Prices are converted to US dollars where the page showed another currency, so treat them as approximate. Competitor plans and prices change often, so check their page before you buy. We do not copy our own prices into this page; the links in the table open our current plans.
Plan types compared
| Airalo | Simsimsim | |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed-data plans | Yes: from 1 GB up to 20 GB on the pages we checked, with several validities per size | Yes: 1 GB up to 50 GB |
| Day-pass plans (daily full-speed data) | Not seen on the pages we checked | Yes: 0.5 to 10 GB per day, then reduced speed |
| Regional and global plans | Yes | Yes: Europe (35 countries), Asia (14), global |
| Buy now, install later | Check their terms | Unused plans stay valid up to 180 days |
| Top-up on the same eSIM | Check their terms | Most plans, up to 9 times |
| Data only (no phone number) | Check their page | Yes |
Price check: 5 GB for 30 days
Airalo’s price for 5 GB / 30 days on its public country pages, converted to US dollars (approximate), checked October 2026:
| Destination | Airalo: 5 GB, 30 days | Simsimsim |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $11.33 | Our plans |
| USA | $13.96 | Our plans |
| Turkey | $10.61 | Our plans |
| Thailand | $8.28 | Our plans |
| UK | $13.37 | Our plans |
| Spain | $9.50 | Our plans |
Source: airalo.com country pages, October 2026. Open our country page for the current price of a comparable plan.
When Airalo fits better
- You want the brand you have heard of. Airalo is widely recommended in travel forums.
- You like to choose between several validities for the same data size. Their pages list many options for popular sizes.
- Your destination is a very small market. Check Airalo’s country list too if you do not see your destination with us.
When Simsimsim fits better
- Plan styles. Fixed-data plans from 1 GB to 50 GB, day-pass plans (0.5 to 10 GB per day at full speed, then unlimited at reduced speed), regional plans (Europe 35 countries, Asia 14) and global plans.
- Buy now, install later. An unused plan stays valid for up to 180 days before activation.
- Top up the same eSIM. Most plans can be topped up without a new QR code, while the eSIM is active, up to 9 times.
- 4G/5G networks. 5G on local operators in 123 countries.
- Clear refund tiers. Full refund if you never install the eSIM (180 days), see the refund policy.
Common questions
Is Airalo cheaper than Simsimsim?
It depends on the destination and the plan size. The table above shows what Airalo listed for 5 GB / 30 days in October 2026; open the matching Simsimsim country page to compare with a plan of the same size.
Do Airalo and Simsimsim use the same networks?
Both sell access to local mobile operators. Each country page on Simsimsim lists the operators and the network type (4G or 5G), so compare those with the operator names shown on Airalo’s page for your destination.
Can I top up the same eSIM?
On Simsimsim, most plans can be topped up on the same eSIM without a new QR code while it is active, up to 9 times. For Airalo, check the top-up rules on their page for the plan you want.
What if I buy but do not travel?
Simsimsim plans stay valid for up to 180 days before activation, and you can get a full refund if you never install the eSIM. See the refund policy.
See our plans
Pick your destination on our country list or compare plans for a region on the regions page.
Written by Simsimsim, which competes with Airalo, so weigh it accordingly. Airalo information was read from its public pages in October 2026.