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Best Saily Alternatives (2026): Prices, Refunds and Top-Ups Compared

Looking for a Saily alternative? We compare Saily with Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Yesim and Roamify on price per GB, regional plans, top-ups and refund rules,…

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Best Saily Alternatives (2026): Prices, Refunds and Top-Ups Compared

By the Roamify team. Prices and policies checked on October 4, 2026.

Saily is a popular travel eSIM, and for a lot of trips it is a perfectly good choice. But "popular" is not the same as "best for your trip". Depending on where you are going, how much data you burn through and how much refund protection you want, another provider can work out cheaper or simply fit better.

This guide compares Saily with five alternatives: Airalo, Holafly, Nomad, Yesim and Roamify. We looked at what most comparison pages skip: a like-for-like price per GB table, how each brand handles refunds, how regional plans work, and whether you can top up instead of buying a new eSIM.

One thing we care about as much as price: how easy the app is to use when you are tired at an arrivals gate. The Roamify app for iOS and Android is highly rated and built around a clean, guided install. As of October 4, 2026, it showed 4.7 stars from 93 ratings on the App Store and 4.3 stars from 869 reviews on Google Play. Our latest update describes a fresh design that is "cleaner, faster, easier to use", with a "New eSIM install wizard" that walks you through setup step by step. One Google Play reviewer called it "super clean and very easy to navigate". Those are our own app's numbers, and the competitors' apps are rated too (see the ratings table below), so compare for yourself.

Disclosure: Roamify is our product. We have tried to treat every brand the same way, link to each brand's own pages so you can check our numbers, and say plainly where a competitor may suit you better.

Quick answer: the best Saily alternatives by traveler type #

There is no single winner, so here is a short guide by situation rather than a ranking:

  • You want the lowest listed price per GB on a fixed data plan: compare Roamify, Nomad, Yesim and Saily for your exact destination. In our Europe check, Roamify listed the lowest per-GB prices at every size (Roamify is our product). In Japan, where Roamify does not sell small fixed plans, Nomad listed some of the lowest prices (see the tables below).
  • You want unlimited data and do not want to count gigabytes: Holafly sells unlimited-by-day plans. Saily, Airalo and Nomad also sell unlimited plans, but each slows your speed after a daily high-speed allowance. Roamify's unlimited plans were the lowest-priced we found for Japan and Europe, and in Japan they stay at full 5G speed on the KDDI network for the whole plan, with no slowdown (speed policy confirmed by Roamify, October 5, 2026).
  • You want the most flexible refund window: Holafly's refund page says you have up to 6 months to request a refund, including for a change of plans (conditions apply).
  • You want calls and texts, not just data: Roamify offers call and SMS plans in almost all countries, including its Europe plans and its United States, Canada and Mexico plans (not on its Japan plans). Airalo sells some packages with calls and texts, and Saily sells an add-on US phone number.
  • You want a simple app to buy, install and top up: The Roamify app for iOS and Android is highly rated and built around a clean, guided install. As of October 4, 2026, it showed 4.7 stars from 93 ratings on the App Store and 4.3 stars from 869 reviews on Google Play. You choose a destination, install with the step-by-step guide, and top up an active eSIM from the same app. Holafly had the highest store ratings we saw, from larger samples, and Saily and Airalo are also well rated, so see the ratings table below.
  • You are already happy with Saily: stay. If your plans work and the price fits, switching just for the sake of it rarely saves much.

How we compared #

  • What we checked: listed price, price per GB, coverage claims, regional plans, top-ups, refund rules, and whether calls/SMS are available.
  • Where the data came from: each brand's own public product pages, help centers, terms and refund policies. Roamify prices come from Roamify's own destination pages on getroamify.com (Roamify is our product). Every source is linked in the "Sources used" list at the end with the date we checked it (October 4, 2026).
  • Benchmark trips: a single-country trip (Japan) and a multi-country trip (a Europe regional plan). We used standard listed prices in US dollars. Where a brand showed a sale or strikethrough price, we note it.
  • What we did not do: we did not run hands-on speed or coverage tests for this article. That means this is a comparison of published plan terms, not a hands-on review. The app store ratings and the one review we quote come from the public App Store and Google Play listings, dated October 4, 2026.
  • Caveats: eSIM prices change often, and the price you see can vary by country, currency, app vs website, and promo codes. Treat our figures as a dated snapshot and check the live price before you buy.

Saily at a glance: what it does well and where it is limited #

Saily is a travel eSIM brand owned by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. Based on Saily's own pages, as checked on October 4, 2026:

What Saily does well

  • Wide coverage: Saily says it offers data plans in 200+ destinations, and one Saily eSIM can hold plans for future trips (Saily Europe page, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • Competitive fixed-data prices in popular destinations. For example, Saily's Japan page listed 1 GB for 7 days at US$3.99 and 10 GB for 30 days at US$17.99 (Saily Japan, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • Easy top-ups in the app, including an auto top-up option. A new plan activates once your current plan runs out (Saily Europe page, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • Extra features: a built-in ad blocker, web protection and virtual location features, plus 24/7 chat support in the app.

Where Saily is limited

  • App-centric: setup and live chat run through the Saily app. Saily's help center says live chat is available only in the app (Saily Help Center, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • Unlimited plans are capped at full speed: Saily's unlimited plans for Japan and Europe include 5 GB per day without a speed limit, then data at up to 1 Mbps.
  • Calls and texts cost extra: Saily now sells a US phone number as a monthly subscription (US$1.99/month, identity verification required) that you pair with a call and text plan (saily.com, as checked 2026-10-04). Its regular data plans do not include a number.
  • Refunds tighten once a plan activates. More on this below.

Saily pricing in brief #

Saily sells three kinds of plans:

  1. Fixed data plans per country or region. On October 4, 2026, Saily's destination menu listed most popular countries "from US$3.99" (some, like Greece, Germany and the UK, from US$4.49), and its Europe country list showed a few countries from US$1.99 (Saily Europe page, as checked 2026-10-04). The starting price depends heavily on the destination.
  2. Unlimited plans per destination, for example US$48.99 for 15 days in Japan and US$49.99 for 15 days on the Europe regional plan (5 GB a day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps).
  3. Saily Ultra, a monthly subscription covering 121 destinations. Saily's pricing page listed Standard at US$39.99/month (10 GB high-speed data) and Plus at US$59.99/month (30 GB high-speed data), both with unlimited data at up to 1 Mbps after that and a phone number included (Saily Ultra pricing, as checked 2026-10-04).

Every Saily data plan we looked at also showed 3% back in Saily credits.

Saily alternatives compared #

Price per GB: Japan (single-country trip) #

Listed prices in USD, as checked 2026-10-04. Price per GB is our own calculation (price divided by GB).

Plan sizeSailyAiraloNomadYesimHolaflyRoamify
1 GB$3.99 (7 days), $3.99/GB$4.00 (3 days), $4.00/GB$4.00 (7 days), $4.00/GB$4.44 (30 days), $4.44/GBUnlimited onlyNot sold as a Japan-only plan
3 GB$7.99 (30 days), $2.66/GB$8.00 (7 days), $2.67/GB$7.00 (30 days), $2.33/GBNot listedUnlimited onlyNot sold as a Japan-only plan
5 GB$10.99 (30 days), $2.20/GB$11.00 (30 days), $2.20/GB$10.00 (30 days), $2.00/GB$10.56 (30 days), $2.11/GB *Unlimited onlyNot sold as a Japan-only plan
10 GB$17.99 (30 days), $1.80/GB$18.00 (30 days), $1.80/GB$16.00 (30 days), $1.60/GB **$19.20 (30 days), $1.92/GB *Unlimited onlyNot sold at 30 days. Only 10 GB for 4 days: $8.00 ($0.80/GB) ***
20 GB$24.99 (30 days), $1.25/GB$25.00 (30 days), $1.25/GB$23.00 (30 days), $1.15/GB **$29.76 (30 days), $1.49/GB *Unlimited onlyNot sold at 30 days. Only 20 GB for 21 days: $20.00 ($1.00/GB) ***
Unlimited, 7 daysNot checked$26.50$25.00Not checked$27.50$12.50, no slowdown ***
Unlimited, 15 days$48.99$48.00Not listed (14 days: $41)Not checked$50.50$34.50, no slowdown ***

* Yesim showed these as discounted prices against a higher strikethrough price.

** Nomad marked these "on sale" (regular prices $18 and $26).

*** Roamify figures are from Roamify's Japan eSIM page on getroamify.com (as checked 2026-10-04). Roamify's Japan catalog is mostly unlimited-by-day plans plus a few fixed-data plans at other lengths (for example 18 GB for 7 days at $11.00 and 30 GB for 10 days at $17.00). It does not sell 1, 3 or 5 GB Japan-only plans, and its 10 GB and 20 GB plans run 4 and 21 days, so they are not like-for-like with the 30-day plans in the other columns. Calls and SMS are not available on Roamify's Japan plans. Roamify's Japan unlimited plans run at full 5G speed for the whole plan, with no slowdown, on the KDDI network (speed policy confirmed by Roamify, October 5, 2026). Coverage still depends on KDDI's signal where you are, so check the network map for rural or mountain areas.

Sources: Saily Japan, Airalo Japan, Nomad Japan, Yesim Japan, Holafly Japan, Roamify: Japan eSIM. All as checked 2026-10-04.

Price per GB: Europe regional plan (multi-country trip) #

Plan sizeSaily Europe (35 countries)Airalo Eurolink (41 countries)Nomad Europe (35 countries)Yesim Europe & UKHolafly Europe (33 countries)Roamify Europe (46 countries)
1 GB$4.99 (7 days)$5.00 (3 days)$5.50 (7 days)$3.00 (30 days)Unlimited only$2.59 (7 days), $2.59/GB ***
3 GB$12.49 (30 days), $4.16/GB$11.00 (7 days), $3.67/GB$12.00 (30 days), $4.00/GBNot listedUnlimited only$4.98 (30 days), $1.66/GB; or $4.47 (15 days) ***
5 GB$19.49 (30 days), $3.90/GB$19.50 (30 days), $3.90/GB$17.50 (30 days), $3.50/GB$11.52 (30 days), $2.30/GB *Unlimited only$7.00 (30 days), $1.40/GB; or $6.50 (15 days) ***
10 GB$35.99 (30 days), $3.60/GB$31.00 (30 days), $3.10/GB$23.00 (30 days), $2.30/GB$19.20 (30 days), $1.92/GB *Unlimited only$10.00 (30 days), $1.00/GB; or $9.50 (15 days) ***
20 GBNot listed (50 GB/90 days: $95.99)$48.00 (30 days), $2.40/GB$27.00 (30 days), $1.35/GB **$26.40 (30 days), $1.32/GB *Unlimited only$15.00 (30 days), $0.75/GB; or $14.50 (15 days) ***
Unlimited, 15 days$49.99$49.00Not listed (10 days: $34)Not checked$50.50$40.00 ***

* Yesim showed these as discounted prices against a higher strikethrough price. Yesim's Europe & UK plan covers 33 countries, per Yesim's Europe & UK page (checked October 5, 2026).

** Nomad marked this "on sale" (regular price $37).

*** Roamify figures are from Roamify's Europe eSIM page on getroamify.com (46 countries, as checked 2026-10-04). We show the 30-day price to match the other columns, plus the 15-day price where Roamify sells one. The 1 GB plan is 7 days only. Roamify also lists unlimited Europe data at $20.00 for 7 days, and Europe plans with calls and SMS from $15.00 (15 GB, unlimited minutes and 200 SMS, 30 days).

Sources: Saily Europe, Airalo Europe, Nomad Europe, Yesim Europe & UK, Holafly Europe, Roamify: Europe eSIM. All as checked 2026-10-04.

A note on the Roamify column: Roamify is our product. Its prices come from Roamify's own destination pages on getroamify.com, checked on the same day as the competitors, and are shown before any promo code. Across the whole catalog, Roamify plans start from $2 and the average cost is $1.75 per GB. See our eSIM comparison hub for more.

What the tables tell you:

  • At 1 GB, the big names are within about a dollar of each other. Small plans are not where you save.
  • Per-GB prices drop sharply at 10 GB and above. If you will use the data, a bigger plan is usually better value than two small ones.
  • On these two benchmarks, Saily and Airalo were nearly identical in Japan, while Nomad and Yesim listed lower prices at 5 GB and above. In Europe, Saily's regional plans were among the pricier fixed-data options we checked.
  • In our Europe check, Roamify's listed prices were the lowest per GB at every fixed size, on both its 30-day and 15-day plans, and its 15-day unlimited plan was the cheapest unlimited Europe option we found.
  • In Japan, Roamify does not sell small Japan-only plans, so light users should compare Saily, Airalo, Nomad and Yesim. Roamify's Japan unlimited plans ($12.50 for 7 days, $34.50 for 15 days) were the cheapest unlimited options we found, and unlike the capped unlimited plans from Saily, Airalo and Nomad, they do not slow down after a daily allowance. Its 20 GB plan works out to $1.00/GB but lasts 21 days rather than 30.
  • Holafly is a different model: you pay per day for unlimited data, so it only makes sense to compare it with other unlimited plans.

Features at a glance #

SailyAiraloHolaflyNomadYesimRoamify
Coverage claim200+ destinations200+ destinations200+ destinations200+ destinations200+ destinations200+ destinations
Regional plansYesYesYesYesYesYes (for example Europe, North America, Asia, Global)
Top-upsYes, in app, with auto top-upOften, when availableNo traditional top-up, buy a new planAdd-ons on some plansPage details conflict, check in appYes, on an active eSIM
Calls/SMSAdd-on US number (subscription)Some packages include calls and textsData onlySome eSIMs include a local numberData-only plans; virtual numbers sold separatelyCall and SMS plans in almost all countries (not Japan)
Refund window30 days14 days (unused), 30 days after a service issueUp to 6 months30 days30 daysSee below
App (US store ratings, 2026-10-04)Yes: 4.7 Apple (13K), 4.6 Play (97.9K)Yes: 4.6 Apple (101K), 4.6 Play (188K)Yes: 4.8 Apple (39K), 4.9 Play (89.2K)Yes (ratings not checked)Yes (ratings not checked)iOS and Android, plus web: 4.7 Apple (93), 4.3 Play (869)

Sources for each cell are in the brand sections below and in the "Sources used" list.

App ratings (US stores, as checked 2026-10-04) #

AppApple App StoreGoogle Play
Roamify4.7 (93 ratings)4.3 (869 reviews)
Saily4.7 (13K ratings)4.6 (97.9K reviews)
Airalo4.6 (101K ratings)4.6 (188K reviews)
Holafly4.8 (39K ratings)4.9 (89.2K reviews)

Sources: Roamify App Store and Google Play; Saily App Store and Google Play; Airalo App Store and Google Play; Holafly App Store and Google Play. We did not check Nomad or Yesim store ratings for this piece.

How to read this: Holafly had the highest ratings on both stores. Roamify's App Store score matched Saily's, but from far fewer ratings (93 vs 13K), and its Google Play score was lower than the others. Ratings move often and can differ by country, so check the store before you rely on them.

Roamify #

Roamify is our own travel eSIM, so weigh this section accordingly.

  • App: The Roamify app for iOS and Android is highly rated and built around a clean, guided install. As of October 4, 2026, it showed 4.7 stars from 93 ratings on the App Store and 4.3 stars from 869 reviews on Google Play. Our latest update describes a fresh design that is "cleaner, faster, easier to use", with a "New eSIM install wizard" that walks you through setup step by step. One Google Play reviewer called it "super clean and very easy to navigate". Our app page describes three steps: choose your destination and a plan, buy and install in the app by following the on-screen guide (the page says this takes less than 2 minutes), then switch the eSIM on in your device settings when you land. To add data, our top-up help page says you select the eSIM in the eSIMs tab of your dashboard, in the app or on the website, then choose how many GB to add. Not every eSIM supports top-ups, so check the plan before you buy.
  • Coverage: 200+ destinations, served through 358+ network operators.
  • Price: plans from $2, with an average cost of $1.75 per GB across the catalog.
  • Calls and SMS: Roamify offers call and SMS plans in almost all countries. Good examples are the Europe plans (from $15.00 for 30 days with 15 GB, unlimited minutes and 200 SMS) and the North America plans for the United States, Canada and Mexico (unlimited data with unlimited minutes and SMS from $32.00 for 15 days). Japan plans do not include calls or SMS. That matters if you need to receive verification texts or call a hotel without relying on Wi-Fi apps.
  • Japan unlimited speed: Roamify's Japan unlimited plans run at full 5G speed for the whole plan, with no slowdown, on the KDDI network (speed policy confirmed by Roamify, October 5, 2026). This applies to the Japan unlimited plans only. Coverage still depends on KDDI's signal where you are, so check the network map for rural or mountain areas.
  • Top-ups: you can top up an active eSIM instead of buying a new one.
  • Refunds: see the refund section below, quoted from our published policy.
  • Regional plans: Roamify sells a Europe plan covering 46 countries and a North America plan covering the United States, Canada and Mexico (for example 5 GB for 15 days at $8.50, or 10 GB for 15 days at $15.50). Its site also lists Asia and Global plans, plus Europe Lite and Europe Sprint variants. All as checked 2026-10-04.

For a head-to-head breakdown, read Roamify vs Saily: full comparison.

Where Saily or others may suit you better than Roamify: if you want built-in security tools like an ad blocker and VPN-style features, Saily bundles those. If you want unlimited data with no fixed GB to track, Holafly is built around that. In Japan, Roamify does not sell small fixed plans (1 to 5 GB) or include calls and SMS, so a light user there may be better served by Saily, Airalo, Nomad or Yesim. And on some destinations, another brand may simply list a lower price that week, so compare before you buy.

Airalo #

Airalo is one of the best-known eSIM marketplaces, with plans in 200+ destinations and regional eSIMs such as Eurolink (41 countries). In Japan its prices were nearly identical to Saily's at 5, 10 and 20 GB. A few points from Airalo's pages:

  • Many Airalo eSIMs can be topped up, and top-up packages show up before and after purchase when available (Airalo Japan, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • Some packages include calls and texts, such as its Discover+ global packages (Airalo Europe, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • Unlimited plans slow to 1 Mbps after 3 GB per day in Japan and after 5 GB per day on Eurolink.

More: Best Airalo alternatives and Roamify vs Airalo.

Holafly #

Holafly sells unlimited-data plans priced by the number of days. Its Japan and Europe pages both listed 7 days at $27.50, 15 days at $50.50 and 30 days at $73.90 (Holafly Japan, Holafly Europe, as checked 2026-10-04). Things to know:

  • Plans are data only, with no local phone number.
  • Hotspot sharing is limited to 1 GB per day.
  • Every Holafly eSIM includes "Always On", 1 GB of backup data every 30 days in 150+ countries while the eSIM stays installed.
  • Holafly's FAQ says there is no traditional top-up. If your trip runs longer, you buy a new plan (Holafly FAQ, as checked 2026-10-04).

More: Roamify vs Holafly.

Nomad #

Nomad listed some of the lowest fixed-data prices in our Japan and Europe checks, including some sale prices. Its Japan plans use KDDI au and SoftBank. Nomad says some plans offer add-on data that attaches to the same eSIM, and some eSIMs include a local phone number. Its unlimited plans slow to 512 kbps after the daily high-speed allowance (Nomad Japan, Nomad Europe, as checked 2026-10-04).

More: Roamify vs Nomad.

Yesim, AloSIM and RedteaGO #

  • Yesim: competitive per-GB prices on bigger plans (shown as discounted prices on its pages) and a pay-as-you-go option. Watch the refund rules: Yesim counts installing the eSIM profile as activation (Yesim refund policy, as checked 2026-10-04).
  • AloSIM and RedteaGO: we did not re-check their prices for this piece. See Roamify vs AloSIM and Roamify vs RedteaGO.

Refund policies compared #

Refund rules are where these brands differ most, and they matter most when a trip gets cancelled or an eSIM will not connect. Summaries below are from each brand's own policy, as checked 2026-10-04. Always read the full policy before buying.

BrandChange of plans, eSIM unusedeSIM activated or usedNotes
SailyFull refund within 30 days of purchase if the eSIM is not installed, or installed but the plan is not activatedNo guaranteed refund. Full or partial refund may be considered for service quality issues on Saily's side, or if more than 99% of the data is unusedPlans activate automatically when you arrive at your destination (policy)
AiraloConsumers can withdraw within 14 days of purchase. This right ends early once the eSIM is activatedReplacement or refund if Airalo cannot fix a service issue within 10 days, with the request made within 30 days of the issueRefunds for "Wrong purchase" or "Plans changed" are paid in Airmoney (Airalo credit) only (terms, help)
HolaflyFull refund for "service withdrawal" if you no longer need the eSIM, and for incompatible or locked devicesFull or partial refund for connection issuesUp to 6 months to request. Holafly notes conditions may apply (policy)
NomadWithin 30 days, may be fully refundable if not installed or not activatedPartial refund for unused data only if a network or technical failure is verifiedPurchases with a discount code are non-refundable once installed or activated. Unlimited plans have their own terms (policy)
YesimWithin 30 days, only if not activated, used or expired. Installing the eSIM profile counts as activationUsed data is not refunded. App errors must be reported within 1 hourApproved refunds of EUR 10 or less are paid as Ycoins (policy)
RoamifyNo refund for a change of mind. A refund applies only if the eSIM fails because of Roamify or the connection provider, or a full refund minus a small admin fee if the eSIM was never connectedFull or partial refund if the eSIM does not work because of a problem with Roamify or the connection providerRoamify may deduct a small administration cost from refunds. See the terms quoted below (policy)

Links for this table: Saily: policy; Airalo: terms; Airalo: help; Holafly: policy; Nomad: policy; Yesim: policy; Roamify: policy.

Roamify's published refund terms. Quoted from our refund policy, as checked 2026-10-04:

  • "If your eSIM does not work due to a problem with Roamify or the connection provider, we can provide a full or partial refund."
  • "If the eSIM is never connected to the internet, we can offer a full refund minus a small admin fee. If the eSIM stopped working or only temporarily worked, we can provide a partial refund for the number of days you were without an internet connection, discounting the days in which you had a connection."
  • "In both cases, Roamify reserves the right to deduct a small administration cost from refunded amounts."
  • "We cannot issue a refund if you have changed your mind or no longer need the eSIM."
  • "We cannot issue a refund if your device is incompatible with eSIM or locked."
  • "Remember that our response time regarding your refund request is from 3 to 5 workdays. Once you have received our response, your refund will be reflected in the account with which you made the payment, depending on your bank, from 5 to 10 workdays."
  • "Alternatively, we can offer credit on our store for another eSIM purchase."

Bottom line on refunds: if you think your trip might be cancelled, Holafly's policy is the most generous we found. Saily, Nomad and Yesim all use a 30-day window that depends on whether the eSIM has been installed or activated, and Yesim is the strictest of the three because installing counts as activation. Roamify does not refund a change of mind, and Airalo pays change-of-plans refunds in Airmoney credit, so weigh that if your dates are uncertain. With brands that refund unused plans, a simple habit helps: buy early if you like, but do not install the eSIM until you are sure you are traveling. With any brand, check your phone is compatible first using our eSIM compatible devices list.

Regional plans and top-up flexibility #

Regional plans cover several countries with one plan, so you do not have to buy a new plan at every border.

  • Saily Europe covers 35 countries and activates in the first covered country you arrive in. Saily also sells Asia and Oceania and global plans.
  • Airalo Eurolink covers 41 countries. Airalo also sells global packages, some of which include calls and texts.
  • Nomad Europe covers 35 or 36 countries depending on the plan, and Nomad lists APAC, CN-JP-KR, Global and Global-EX plans that include Japan.
  • Holafly Europe covers 33 countries, plus combos like Japan and Korea.
  • Yesim sells a Europe & UK plan, an Asia Pacific plan (16 countries) and global packages.
  • Roamify sells a Europe plan (46 countries) and a North America plan (United States, Canada and Mexico), both with call and SMS options, plus Asia and Global plans (Europe, North America, as checked 2026-10-04).

A regional plan is usually worth it if you are visiting two or more countries. For a single country, a local plan is often cheaper per GB. Compare our Japan and Europe tables above to see the gap.

Top-ups decide what happens when you run low.

  • Saily: add data in the app. The new plan starts when the old one runs out, and auto top-up is available.
  • Airalo: top-ups are available for many eSIMs, shown on the eSIM before and after purchase.
  • Nomad: add-on plans for some eSIMs, tied to the same eSIM.
  • Holafly: no traditional top-up. You buy a new plan, which matters less because its plans are unlimited.
  • Yesim: its Japan page listed "Balance top-up: Not available" in one place and automatic top-up in another, so check in the app before relying on it.
  • Roamify: you can top up an active eSIM in the Roamify app or on the website: select the eSIM in the eSIMs tab of your dashboard, then choose how many GB to add. Our help page notes that not every eSIM supports top-ups.

Saily vs Airalo: key differences #

  • Price: in our Japan check, Saily and Airalo were within a cent of each other at 5, 10 and 20 GB. In Europe, Airalo's Eurolink was cheaper than Saily's regional plan at 10 GB ($31.00 vs $35.99) and offers a 20 GB size that Saily's Europe plan did not list.
  • Coverage: both claim 200+ destinations. Airalo's Eurolink covers 41 countries compared with 35 for Saily Europe.
  • Calls and texts: Airalo sells some packages with minutes and SMS built in. Saily sells a separate US number subscription.
  • Refunds: Saily gives 30 days for an unused plan. Airalo's legal withdrawal right is 14 days, and change-of-plans refunds come as Airalo credit.
  • Extras: Saily includes security features (ad blocker, web protection, virtual location). Airalo has a rewards currency (Airmoney).

Pick Saily if you value the built-in security features and a longer refund window. Pick Airalo if you want larger regional plans or bundled minutes and texts. See our Airalo alternatives for international data too.

Saily vs Holafly: key differences #

  • Pricing model: Saily sells fixed GB plans plus unlimited plans. Holafly sells unlimited plans by the day.
  • Unlimited value: for 15 days, Saily listed $48.99 (Japan) and $49.99 (Europe), against Holafly's $50.50. Saily's unlimited plans give 5 GB a day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps. Holafly limits hotspot sharing to 1 GB a day.
  • Light users: if you only need a few GB, a Saily fixed plan costs far less than any Holafly plan. For example, 3 GB for 30 days in Japan was $7.99 at Saily vs $27.50 for Holafly's 7-day plan.
  • Refunds: Holafly's up-to-6-months window and change-of-plans refund are more generous than Saily's 30-day, not-activated rule.
  • Calls and texts: Holafly is data only. Saily offers a paid US number add-on.

Pick Holafly if you stream, tether little and hate counting data, or want maximum refund flexibility. Pick Saily if you are a light-to-moderate user.

Is Saily worth it? #

Based on published plan terms (not hands-on testing): yes, Saily is a legitimate, mainstream eSIM provider owned by Nord Security, with competitive prices in many single-country markets, easy top-ups and a clear refund policy for unused plans.

It is less compelling if:

  • you are traveling around Europe, where its regional plans were among the pricier fixed-data options we checked;
  • you want calls and SMS included in a travel plan rather than as a separate subscription;
  • you want refund protection after the plan has activated, or a long window to cancel.

How to choose your Saily alternative #

  1. Check compatibility first. Your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Use our compatible devices list.
  2. Estimate your data. Light use (maps, messages) is often 1 GB or less every few days. Video and hotspot use push you toward 10 GB or unlimited.
  3. Count your countries. Two or more? Look at regional plans.
  4. Decide if you need a number. If you need SMS codes or local calls, filter for providers with call and SMS plans.
  5. Read the refund rule that applies to you, especially if your trip might change, and do not install until you are sure.
  6. Check the live price on the brand's own page on the day you buy.

FAQs #

What is the best alternative to Saily eSIM?

It depends on your trip. In our October 2026 checks, Roamify listed the lowest per-GB prices in our Europe check, Nomad and Yesim listed some of the lowest prices on larger Japan plans, Holafly suits heavy users who want unlimited data and a flexible refund window, and Roamify suits travelers who want call and SMS plans alongside data in 200+ destinations.

Is Saily eSIM legit and worth it?

Yes, Saily is a legitimate provider owned by Nord Security. It is good value in many single-country markets. Its Europe regional plans and post-activation refund rules are weaker spots compared with some alternatives.

Saily vs Airalo: which is cheaper per GB?

In Japan they were almost identical on October 4, 2026 (for example $17.99 vs $18.00 for 10 GB over 30 days). On Europe regional plans, Airalo was cheaper at 10 GB ($31.00 vs $35.99).

Do unlimited eSIM plans slow down after a certain amount of data?

Many do. In our October 2026 checks, Saily's unlimited plans gave 5 GB a day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps. Airalo's slowed to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day in Japan, and Nomad's slowed to 512 kbps after the daily high-speed allowance. Roamify's Japan unlimited plans run at full 5G speed for the whole plan, with no slowdown, on the KDDI network (speed policy confirmed by Roamify, October 5, 2026). That policy is specific to Japan. Coverage still depends on KDDI's signal where you are, so check the network map for rural or mountain areas.

Do Saily alternatives offer calls and SMS, or only data?

It varies. Holafly is data only. Airalo sells some packages with calls and texts. Nomad says some of its eSIMs include a local number. Roamify offers call and SMS plans in almost all countries, including Europe and the United States, Canada and Mexico, though not on its Japan plans. Saily sells a separate US number subscription.

Which Saily alternatives offer refunds if the eSIM does not work?

All the brands we compared offer some form of refund when the service fails because of a problem on their side, usually after support tries to fix it first. Terms differ, so check each policy linked in the refund table above.

Can I top up a travel eSIM instead of buying a new one?

With Saily, Airalo (for many eSIMs), Nomad (for some plans) and Roamify, yes. Holafly does not offer a traditional top-up, so you buy a new plan.

Which alternative is best for multi-country trips?

Look at regional plans. In our Europe check, Roamify listed the lowest per-GB prices at every size and its Europe plan covers 46 countries, Nomad and Yesim also undercut Saily at 5 GB and above, Airalo's Eurolink covers 41 countries, and Holafly's unlimited Europe plan suits heavy users.

How this piece was put together: we compared published prices, plan details and refund policies on each provider's own website and help center, all checked on October 4, 2026, and linked every source so you can verify it. App ratings come from the US App Store and Google Play listings on the same date. Prices are listed USD prices before promo codes and may differ by country, currency or app. We did not run hands-on speed or coverage tests for this article. Roamify is our product. Roamify figures come from Roamify's own published pages and product team.

Sources used #

All checked on 2026-10-04.

Saily

Airalo

Holafly

Nomad

Yesim

Roamify

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