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If you’ve looked into eSIMs for international travel recently, chances are you’ve come across Airalo. With over 10 million users and support for 200+ destinations, it’s one of the most recognizable names in the market.
But does visibility equal value?
Not necessarily. Only real user reviews can help more users understand whether Airalo is worth buying.
What is Airalo?
Airalo is the world's first eSIM store, providing affordable and flexible data plans to travelers in more than 200 countries and regions. Airalo has its own APP program, which means you can purchase, activate, and manage eSIM directly through the APP downloaded on your smartphone, without going to a physical store or changing physical cards. This method greatly improves the user's experience of finding, purchasing, and querying eSIM.
Based on extensive Airalo reviews, here are the standout features that make Airalo a go-to choice for travelers:
- Global Coverage: Airalo partners with local carriers in over 200 countries, ensuring you have access to high-speed data whether you’re exploring Tokyo, Paris, or a remote island in Southeast Asia.
- Instant Activation: Purchase and activate your eSIM in minutes through the Airalo app, eliminating the hassle of waiting for a physical SIM or dealing with language barriers at local stores.
- User-Friendly App: The Airalo app is intuitive, allowing you to monitor data usage, top up plans, and troubleshoot issues on the go.
- Flexible Options: Whether you need 1GB for a weekend getaway or 20GB for a month-long adventure, Airalo’s plans cater to various needs and budgets.
- No Hidden Fees: Transparent pricing ensures you know exactly what you’re paying for, a point frequently praised in Airalo reviews.
Online, whether in forums or on the official website of Airalo, Airalo has both good and bad reviews. In order to give users a clearer understanding of the problems, we will analyze Airalo based on price, quality, products, and services to decide whether Airalo is worth buying in 2025. （Information sources: Airalo Reddit/Trustpilot）
Airalo eSIM Prices
Airalo's price is much more expensive than 60% -70% of the eSIM providers on the market. The price in most areas is around $4.5 for 1GB of traffic in 7 days. For the same price, many brands can buy 3GB to 5GB of traffic for 7 days. (Prices vary in different regions)
However, Airalo has a promotion. By downloading the app and binding your bank card, you can receive 1GB of free daily data in certain areas.
In terms of price, Microesim, Jetpac, Roamic, and Global YO are all relatively cheap.
If we only consider the price, recommend:★★☆☆☆
Airalo eSIM Product Quality
Coverage is Solid （Covering 200+ destinations）— But Performance Varies by Region
Airalo partners with local carriers, which means your connection depends on local infrastructure.
Many users mentioned that there is a certain probability of disconnection in some regions/countries in Western Europe
This isn’t exclusive to Airalo — it’s a broader issue with international eSIMs — but it’s worth researching your specific destination beforehand.
（Find carrier coverage in a specific country）
Airalo lets you skip physical SIM cards by installing a data plan directly to your phone. Plans are categorized as:
- Local (one country)
- Regional (multi-country zones like Europe or Asia)
- Global (120+ countries with roaming)
You can install and activate your eSIM through their app or with a QR code.
But be careful: some plans start the moment you install them, not when you arrive at your destination. If you’re not paying attention, you could lose data before your trip even begins.
Recently, in the Airalo reviews, problems such as being unable to install and unable to set up have appeared frequently. （For reference only）
Considering only product quality, recommend:★★★☆☆
Airalo eSim Customer Service
In terms of customer service, Airalo uses AI robots and transfers to manual services. Most of the negative reviews and low scores are due to eSIM settings/equipment failures or refund-related issues. Therefore, when you have eSIM-related problems, Airalo's customer service may not be able to perfectly handle all your problems.
Considering customer service issues only, recommend:★☆☆☆☆
Timing Matters More Than You Think
One of the most overlooked aspects of Airalo is when your data starts counting down. Some plans activate only when you connect to a network in your destination. Others start immediately upon installation — even if you’re still at home.
Pro tip: Don’t install until you’re ready to use the data. And definitely read the plan’s fine print.
But are online reviews and forum information completely reliable?
Not necessarily, but it is worth referring to. If you have certain concerns, it is recommended to think again before making a decision
Why does Airalo have so many negative reviews, yet so many people still buy it?
- Airalo is the world's first eSIM store. As we all know, the first and largest companies are more professional. （With over 10 million users）
- It is normal for Airalo to have some negative reviews at such a scale. Even if it only has a score of 2.6 on Trustpilot, it will not affect those users who have used it and had a good experience, to use it again.
- For eSIM products, signal problems are common to many eSIM providers. After all, signals cannot cover every corner of the earth. It is nothing more than a coverage problem of operators. （Check the operator's signal coverage）
The Airalo App Is Easy
On the plus side, the app is smooth, clean, and makes it easy to:
- Install new eSIMs
- Track your data usage in real time
- Top up if your plan allows
- Earn loyalty credit (Airmoney) toward future purchases
On the downside, a few users on Google Play and the App Store report bugs, and some found navigation confusing when using the app in another language.
Latest Information Update
There seems to be a privacy risk in the Airalo APP. Some users complained on the Reddit forum that their accounts were stolen and their credit cards were used for no reason after they downloaded the Airalo app and bound their credit cards. Therefore, in order to avoid financial losses, it is recommended to use Apple Pay or Google Pay for payment, which is safer.（Related information/Article inspiration）
(There may be many reasons for credit card consumption for no reason, and it may not be a problem with Airalo. The specific situation remains to be verified.)
Airalo Reviews Final Take:
If you are familiar with eSIM, Airalo is a good choice.
If you are not familiar with eSIM, Airalo is not a good choice because it cannot always help you.
It is a big brand with a wide coverage area, which can help you find the places you want to go. The Airalo app is easy to set up.
For eSIM novices, well-known brands are highly trusted. Therefore, it is a good choice for most travelers who focus on user experience or have moderate data needs.
But there are trade-offs:
-
No unlimited plans
（Wireless data plans are not available in most countries or regions） -
Not the best support
（The customer service response efficiency is low, and problems cannot be handled immediately） - Risk of using data unintentionally due to early activation
However, if your budget is limited or you don’t want to spend expensive fees, you might as well consider other brands.
