Airalo: 2026 Reviews, Contact, and Practical Information

The biggest International eSIM marketplace, but is it still the best choice?

Airalo is a native eSIM operator, acting primarily as a marketplace. The company does not manage its own network infrastructure but instead negotiates agreements with local carriers in each country to provide their own data packages via their mobile app.

Founded in 2019 in the United States by Abraham Burak and Bahadir Özdemir, Airalo markets itself as the world's first eSIM store. The company claims over 20 million users and coverage in more than 200 countries and regions. Regarding its funding, it secured $200 million in Series C financing (July 2025), following $60 million in Series B, backed by investors such as Sequoia, Telefónica Ventures, Orange, and Rakuten Capital.

The app holds a 4.7/5 rating on the App Store and 4.6/5 on the Google Play Store. On Trustpilot, the rating sits at 3.9/5 (based on approximately 21,000 reviews), a gap that reflects more mixed experiences for travelers on the ground.

Coverage, plans, and pricing

Airalo offers three types of plans:

• Local plans: for a single country (e.g., France, Japan, Thailand). These are the most cost-effective options.
• Regional plans: cover multiple countries within a single region (Europe up to 42 countries, Asia 18 countries, Caribbean, Latin America, Middle East, Africa...).
• Global plans (Discover / Discover+): up to 137 countries with a single eSIM. The Discover+ plan includes calls and texts in addition to data.

The vast majority of Airalo plans are data-only. No traditional voice calls or text messages are included. Only the Discover+ Global plan offers calls and texts, which remains rare in the current travel eSIM market.

Entry-level pricing typically hovers around 3.50 € to 4.50 € (about $3.75 to $4.80) for 1 GB valid for 7 days, depending on the destination. Regional Europe plans (Eurolink) start at 4.50 € (about $4.80) for 1 GB, and global plans start at approximately 8 € (about $8.50) for 1 GB.

Note that Airalo also offers unlimited plans in certain countries. These plans are subject to a fair use policy. After 3 GB consumed in a single day, speeds are throttled to 1 Mbps, according to Airalo's published terms. This is sufficient for messaging and basic web browsing, but not for video streaming or video conferencing.

⚠️ Unlimited plans: speed drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB per day. This threshold is clearly stated before purchase on Airalo, which is a point of transparency compared to some other providers.

Regional Europe plans

For a trip across Europe, Airalo provides several regional categories:

• EUconnect: 28 EU countries + United Kingdom
• Eurolink: 42 countries (adds Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, the Balkans...)
• Discover / Discover+: even broader coverage including micro-states

Regional plans cost more than local plans, but they prevent the hassle of juggling multiple eSIMs during a multi-country trip.

Installation and user experience

Installation takes just a few minutes via the Airalo app (iOS and Android), which is available in 53 languages. Three methods are offered: scanning a QR code, direct installation from the app, or manual configuration of the APN (the network access point that allows your phone to connect to the internet).

The good news is that you can install your eSIM before you leave, from home. You only need a Wi-Fi connection. The eSIM will activate automatically once you connect to a compatible network in your destination country.

Smartphone compatibility

Your phone must meet two requirements: it must be eSIM compatible (most recent smartphones are, starting from the iPhone XS for Apple) and it must be unlocked (not locked to a specific carrier). Airalo provides a compatibility check page on its website and within the app. We recommend checking before making any purchase.

Dual SIM and primary number

This is a common concern for travelers. By using an Airalo eSIM for data, you keep your primary SIM active in parallel. Your original phone number remains reachable for calls and texts (for bank codes or two-factor authentication). Data travels through the Airalo eSIM, while calls and texts use your regular line.

Be careful, however. Keep data roaming disabled on your primary line to avoid unexpected fees from your carrier.

• Installation before departure: Yes, the eSIM can be installed from home. The plan's validity starts upon the first connection to the local network, not at the time of purchase.
• Usage tracking: The app displays remaining data in real time. A widget is available for the phone's home screen.
• Top-ups during the trip: Possible via the app. Some plans also offer automatic renewal when 10 percent of data remains.
• Hotspot tethering: Allowed on most Airalo plans. On unlimited plans, tethering is also permitted without a cap, but the 3 GB per day fair use policy applies to the total data consumption.

Conditions, transparency, and customer support

Data expiration

Unused data at the end of the validity period is lost. There is no rollover to future plans. If you buy 10 GB for 30 days and use only 3 GB, the remaining 7 GB disappears upon expiration.

Refund policy

Airalo grants a 14-day cooling-off period, provided the eSIM has not been activated. Once activated, a refund is only possible if the service fails due to an issue on Airalo's end. The request must be made within 30 days of purchase. Airalo reserves up to 10 days to attempt to resolve the issue before approving a refund.

Practically speaking, if your eSIM does not work during a short trip, this waiting period can be a real problem. Refunds may be credited in Airmoney (the app's virtual currency) or to the original payment method (taking up to 30 business days).

Customer support

Support is available 24/7 via in-app chat and WhatsApp. There is no phone number. According to user feedback and tests conducted by various specialized sites, the first contact is handled by a chatbot that attempts to resolve issues automatically. Reaching a human agent can take several minutes (about 6 minutes of wait time reported during tests).

Loyalty program

Airalo offers a system called Airmoney. Every purchase generates a small credit usable on future plans. A referral program offers 3 € (about $3.25) in Airmoney per referred friend. Airmoney expires one year after the last transaction.

⚠️ Tip: we recommend testing your eSIM immediately upon installation (from home if possible by briefly enabling data) and keeping screenshots of your APN settings. If a problem occurs upon arrival, this will speed up communication with support.