Saily eSIM Review 2026: Prices, VPN, and How It Compares

Saily is NordVPN's eSIM product — available in 150+ countries with competitive prices, a built-in VPN (with ad blocker and web protection), and the most generous unlimited data threshold at 5 GB/day at full speed. Compared to Airalo (the largest aggregator with 200+ countries and maximum plan variety) and Yesim (virtual phone numbers and simple regional plans), Saily wins on unlimited plans and security features, while Airalo wins on fixed-data plan prices and exotic destinations. For most travellers, the right choice depends on destination: compare all three before buying. All three must be purchased before arriving in Turkey, where provider websites are blocked.

The eSIM market has matured rapidly. Three years ago, travellers who wanted local data abroad had two realistic options: buy a local SIM at the airport (involving a SIM swap and potentially losing access to their regular number) or pay expensive carrier roaming rates. Today, a prepaid eSIM installed at home in three minutes is the standard approach — and the question is which provider to use.

Saily, developed by Nord Security (the company behind NordVPN), entered this market in 2023. By 2026, it has established itself as a credible third option alongside Airalo (the market leader) and Yesim. This review covers what Saily actually offers, where it performs well, where it falls short, and how to decide between the three — with real 2026 prices.


What Saily is

Saily is a prepaid eSIM service that provides mobile data in 150+ countries. The mechanics are identical to any eSIM provider:

  1. Purchase a plan on saily.com or in the Saily app
  2. Receive a QR code by email (instantly)
  3. Scan the QR code in your phone's SIM settings
  4. The eSIM profile installs in 30–60 seconds
  5. At your destination: activate the eSIM profile and enable Data Roaming

Your primary SIM (physical) remains active throughout — you retain your regular phone number for calls and SMS while the eSIM handles data.

What makes Saily different from other providers

Built-in VPN. The main differentiator versus Airalo and Yesim is the VPN layer inherited from NordVPN's technology. Saily automatically encrypts your connection on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks (hotels, cafés, airports). It also includes:

For travellers who regularly use hotel Wi-Fi, airport networks, or café hotspots, this is a meaningful differentiator — it adds a layer of security without requiring a separate VPN app or subscription.

Most generous unlimited data threshold. On unlimited plans, Saily offers 5 GB/day at full speed before throttling to ~1 Mbps. This is the highest threshold on the market: Airalo offers 3 GB/day, and Nomad only 2 GB/day. For most travellers, 5 GB/day covers maps, social media, messaging, and even moderate video streaming.

4.7★ on Trustpilot with over 97,000 reviews — the highest rating in the eSIM industry.


Saily pricing: real numbers for 2026

Prices vary by destination and plan size. Here's what you'll actually pay for popular destinations.

Per-country plans

Turkey (popular non-EU destination)

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo priceYesim price
1 GB7 days$3.99$4.00$4.50
3 GB30 days$6.99$6.00$10.00
5 GB30 days$9.99$10.00$15.00
10 GB30 days$15.99$15.50$27.00
20 GB30 days$22.99$22.50–

Turkey winner: Saily and Airalo are nearly identical. Yesim is more expensive across all tiers. Saily wins on 1 GB and 5 GB, Airalo on 3 GB and 20 GB — differences under $1.

Critical: you must purchase your eSIM before arriving in Turkey. Since 2025, Turkish authorities (BTK) block access to eSIM provider websites from within Turkey. If you try to buy after landing in Istanbul or Antalya, the website simply won't load. Install at home on Wi-Fi — it activates automatically when you land.

USA

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo price
1 GB7 days$4.99$5.00
5 GB30 days$14.99$14.00
10 GB30 days$24.99$26.00
20 GB30 days$39.99$42.00

USA winner: Saily on larger plans (10–20 GB), Airalo on small–medium. Minimal differences either way.

UK

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo price
1 GB7 days$4.99$5.00
5 GB30 days$12.99$13.00
10 GB30 days$21.99$22.00

UK winner: effectively tied — differences of $0.01–$1.

Thailand

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo price
1 GB7 days$3.99$4.50
5 GB30 days$10.99$11.00
10 GB30 days$17.99$18.00

Japan

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo price
1 GB7 days$4.99$5.00
5 GB30 days$12.99$11.00
10 GB30 days$21.99$22.00

Egypt

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo price
1 GB7 days$4.99$5.00
5 GB30 days$13.99$14.00
10 GB30 days$22.99$23.00

Europe regional plans

Saily's Europe plan covers 35 countries simultaneously — ideal for multi-destination trips:

DataDurationSaily priceAiralo price (42 countries)
1 GB7 days€4.49$5.00
3 GB30 days€9.99$10.50
5 GB30 days~€14.99$19.50
10 GB30 days€31.99$31.00
20 GB30 days€54.99$52.00
50 GB90 days€85.49–

Unlimited Europe plans:

DurationSaily priceAiralo price
7 days€23.99 (5 GB/day full speed)$27.00 (3 GB/day full speed)
15 days€39.99$47.00
30 days€63.99$79.00

Unlimited Europe winner: Saily — cheaper AND with a higher daily threshold (5 GB/day vs 3 GB/day at Airalo). The difference is significant over 30 days: €63.99 vs $79.

Countries covered by Saily's Europe plan

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK.

Note: Airalo covers 42 European countries (vs 35 for Saily) — the difference includes a few smaller destinations that Saily doesn't cover. For the vast majority of European trips, both cover the same key destinations.

Europe per-country plans

Country1 GB / 7 days3 GB / 30 days5 GB / 30 days
Germany~$4.50~$10~$14
France~$4.50~$10~$14
Italy~$4.00~$9~$13
Spain~$4.00~$9~$13
Greece~$3.50~$8~$12

Rule of thumb: per-country plans are cheaper per GB than regional plans, but cover only one country. If you're visiting just Italy, choose the Italy plan. If you're visiting Italy + Croatia + Greece, choose the Europe regional plan.


Saily Global — for exotic destinations and frequent travellers

Saily also offers a Global plan covering 121 destinations with a single eSIM:

DataDurationPrice
1 GB7 days$8.99
5 GB60 days$33.99
20 GB365 days$66.99
50 GB365 days$129.99

When Global makes sense: if you travel frequently and unpredictably to varied destinations. A 20 GB / 365-day plan at $66.99 works out to ~$5.60/month — cheaper than buying individual plans for each trip if you fly 4+ times per year.


Saily Ultra — the all-in-one subscription

As of 2026, Saily offers Ultra — a monthly subscription that bundles eSIM data with Nord's other products:

PlanMonthly priceeSIM dataAlso includes
Standard$29.995 GBNordVPN + NordPass
Plus$44.9910 GBNordVPN + NordPass + ClassPass
Premium$59.9930 GB (then unlimited at ~1 Mbps)NordVPN + NordPass + ClassPass

Is Ultra worth it? Only if you already need NordVPN (~$3–5/month separately) and travel often enough to use the monthly data allocation. The Premium tier at $59.99 includes NordVPN ($4/month) + NordPass ($2/month) + 30 GB data + ClassPass — the maths works out if you use all the components. If you travel occasionally (2–3 times per year), individual per-trip plans are more cost-effective.


Full comparison: Saily vs Airalo vs Yesim

Feature comparison table

FeatureSailyAiraloYesim
Countries covered150+200+120+
Business modelDirect provider (NordVPN)Aggregator (multi-provider)Direct provider
VPN included✅ Yes (encryption + ad blocker + web protection)❌ No✅ Basic (no server selection)
Unlimited data plans✅ Yes (5 GB/day full speed)✅ Yes (3 GB/day full speed)❌ Max 10 GB / 30 days
Regional plans✅ Europe (35 countries) + 5 regions✅ Europe (42 countries) + 6 regions✅ Europe + Asia
Virtual phone number✅ Yes ($0.99/month, local calls)✅ Yes (Discover+, select countries)✅ Yes
App qualityiOS + Android (4.7★ Trustpilot)iOS + Android (4.5★ Trustpilot)iOS + Android
Customer supportLive chat, 24/7Live chat, 24/7Live chat, 6–8h response time
Tethering (hotspot)✅ Yes✅ Yes✅ Yes
Average speeds50–95 Mbps (tested max: 134.74 Mbps)30–70 Mbps18–44 Mbps
Premium subscriptionUltra ($29.99–59.99/month)❌❌

Real-world price comparison: four scenarios

Scenario 1: Turkey holiday, 10 days, moderate use (~5 GB)

ElementSailyAiraloYesim
Plan5 GB / 30 days5 GB / 30 days5 GB / 30 days
Price$9.99$10.00$15.00
VPN included✅❌✅ (basic)
Average speed~60 Mbps~50 Mbps~30 Mbps

Winner: Saily (nearly the same price as Airalo, but with VPN included and faster speeds).

Scenario 2: London city break, 5 days, light use (~3 GB)

ElementSailyAiraloYesim
Plan3 GB / 30 days3 GB / 30 days3 GB / 30 days
Price~$8.99~$8.00~$10.00
VPN included✅❌✅ (basic)

Winner: Airalo (cheapest on small fixed plans), but the difference is under $1.

Scenario 3: European road trip, 3 weeks (Italy + Croatia + Greece, ~15 GB)

ElementSailyAiraloYesim
PlanEurope Unlimited 30 daysEurope 20 GB / 30 daysEurope 10 GB / 30 days × 2
Price€63.99~$52.00~$64.00
Effective data150 GB (5 GB/day × 30 days)20 GB fixed20 GB fixed
VPN✅❌✅ (basic)

Winner: Saily (unlimited at roughly the same price as Airalo's fixed 20 GB — significantly better value).

Scenario 4: Digital nomad in Southeast Asia, 1 month (Thailand + Vietnam, ~30 GB)

ElementSailyAiraloYesim
PlanAsia Regional UnlimitedAsia Regional 20 GBAsia 10 GB × 3
Estimated price~$55–65~$45–55~$96.00
VPN✅❌✅ (basic, inconsistent speeds in Asia)
SpeedsGood (50–80 Mbps)Good (40–60 Mbps)Inconsistent (18–35 Mbps)

Winner: Airalo (lower price on large fixed plans). Saily wins if you need unlimited data or the VPN.


Where each provider wins

Saily wins when:

  1. You want VPN protection — encryption on public Wi-Fi, ad blocker, and web protection included at no extra cost. If you'd otherwise pay ~€5/month for a separate VPN subscription, Saily's effective price is lower
  2. You want unlimited data — the 5 GB/day full-speed threshold is the most generous on the market
  3. It's your first eSIM — the NordVPN brand inspires confidence, the app is intuitive, and support is excellent
  4. You're travelling in Europe — unlimited Europe plans are the most competitively priced in the market
  5. Speed matters — independent tests show 50–95 Mbps, the best in the industry

Airalo wins when:

  1. You want maximum variety — as an aggregator with hundreds of local providers, Airalo offers the most options per country
  2. You're going somewhere unusual — 200+ countries vs 150+ for Saily. The Pacific Islands, Central Africa, and Central Asia are better covered
  3. You want the cheapest fixed-data plans — on 10–20 GB fixed plans, Airalo is often $2–5 cheaper
  4. You're an experienced eSIM user — Airalo has been operating since 2019, has processed millions of eSIM purchases, and the installation flow is extremely well-tested

Yesim wins when:

  1. You need a virtual phone number — Yesim integrates eSIM + virtual phone number in the same app
  2. You're travelling within Europe long-term — competitive regional plans for stays of 2+ weeks
  3. You prefer simplicity — fewer options, faster decisions

The VPN feature: what it actually does

"VPN included" can mean very different things. Here's what the Saily VPN does and doesn't do.

What the Saily VPN does

What the Saily VPN does NOT do

Who it matters for

It matters a lot if: you regularly use hotel or airport Wi-Fi for banking, work email, or accessing sensitive data. The encryption provided is real protection against man-in-the-middle attacks.

It doesn't matter if: you already have a NordVPN/ExpressVPN/Surfshark subscription and use it on your phone anyway. You don't need Saily's VPN if you're already running one.

Calculated value: if Saily's VPN saves you from a separate VPN subscription (~€3–5/month), you save €36–60/year. On an eSIM plan of $10–15 per trip, that effectively makes Saily free over 3–4 trips.


How Holafly and Nomad compare

While Saily, Airalo, and Yesim are the three main providers, Holafly and Nomad are worth mentioning for context.

Holafly

Nomad

Full 5-provider comparison table

ElementSailyAiraloYesimHolaflyNomad
Europe 10 GB / 30 days€31.99$31.00$32.00–$23.00
Europe Unlimited / 7 days€23.99$27.00–~$42.00$19.00*
Unlimited daily threshold5 GB3 GB–Fair use2 GB
Tethering unlimited✅✅✅❌ (1 GB/day)✅
VPN✅❌✅ basic❌❌
Countries150+200+120+60+100+

*Nomad: 5 days, not 7.

Extended comparison takeaway: Nomad is cheapest on fixed plans, Saily is best on unlimited plans, Airalo has the widest variety. Holafly is best avoided if you need tethering.


How to buy and install Saily

Step 1: Check eSIM compatibility

Your phone must support eSIM:

iPhone: XS or newer (2018+). Check: Settings → General → About → look for "EID" = eSIM supported. Or dial *#06# — if EID appears, you're good.

Samsung Galaxy: S20 and newer, Z Fold/Z Flip all versions, A54 and newer (some A models).

Google Pixel: 3 and newer.

Other Android: check Settings → Connections → SIM card manager — if "Add eSIM" appears, your phone supports it.

Note: phones purchased through carriers may have eSIM locked. If you don't see the option, contact your carrier for unlocking.

Step 2: Purchase your plan

  1. Go to saily.com or download the Saily app (iOS / Android)
  2. Select your destination (or regional/global plan)
  3. Choose your data amount and duration
  4. Pay by card — you receive the QR code by email instantly

Step 3: Install at home, on Wi-Fi (critical)

Install before departure — not at the airport, not after landing. Stable home Wi-Fi is the correct environment.

On iPhone:

  1. Settings → Mobile Data → Add eSIM
  2. Tap "Use QR Code"
  3. Scan the QR from the email
  4. Label it (e.g. "Saily Travel")
  5. Keep it as secondary / inactive until needed

On Android (Samsung):

  1. Settings → Connections → SIM card manager → Add eSIM
  2. Scan QR code
  3. Confirm installation
  4. Keep inactive until arrival

Step 4: Activate at your destination

When you land:

  1. Go to SIM settings
  2. Select the Saily eSIM profile
  3. Set it as your data SIM
  4. Enable Data Roaming on the Saily profile
  5. Internet starts within 30–60 seconds

Step 5: Keep your primary SIM active

Your physical SIM stays active for calls, SMS, and bank verification codes. Set: Data → Saily, Calls and SMS → your physical SIM. Both work simultaneously.

Full installation guide: how to install an eSIM step by step.

Installation tips


The Turkey exception: buy before you land

If your trip includes Turkey — and this applies equally to Saily, Airalo, and Yesim — you must purchase and install your eSIM before arriving.

Since 2025, Turkey's telecommunications authority (BTK) has blocked access to major international eSIM provider websites from within Turkey. If you try to buy after landing in Istanbul or Antalya, saily.com, airalo.com, and yesim.app simply will not load — not on Turkish mobile networks, not on local Wi-Fi.

The eSIM profile installed at home activates normally once you land — the block only affects the purchase/installation process, not the service itself. Once installed, it works perfectly.

If you forgot to buy before departure and you're already in Turkey:

For the complete guide to data options in Turkey and other non-EU destinations: best eSIM by destination 2026.


How much data do you actually need — practical calculator

Before choosing a plan, estimate your real consumption:

Typical consumption per app (per hour of use)

AppConsumption/hour1 GB lasts for...
WhatsApp (messages + photos)30–50 MB~25 hours
Google Maps (navigation)5–10 MB~150 hours
Instagram (scrolling)100–200 MB~7 hours
TikTok200–400 MB~3 hours
YouTube (SD)300–500 MB~2.5 hours
YouTube (HD)1–2 GB~0.7 hours
Spotify (streaming)40–70 MB~18 hours
Email + web browsing20–50 MB~30 hours
Video calls (Zoom/WhatsApp)300–500 MB~2.5 hours

Recommendation by traveller type

Traveller typeTypical daily useRecommended plan / week
Light (maps + messages + email)200–400 MB/day1–3 GB / 7 days
Moderate (+ social media + photos)500 MB – 1 GB/day3–5 GB / 7 days
Heavy (+ video + streaming)1–3 GB/day10 GB or Unlimited
Digital nomad (+ video calls + work)3–5 GB/dayUnlimited

Simple rule: for a 7–10 day holiday with moderate use (maps, WhatsApp, social media, a few Instagram posts), 5 GB is enough for most travellers. If you make daily video calls or stream content, choose 10 GB or unlimited.


10 common eSIM mistakes to avoid

1. Buying after landing

Many provider websites don't load without Wi-Fi, and in Turkey they're blocked entirely. Buy and install at home.

2. Not enabling Data Roaming

The most common reason for "my eSIM isn't working": you forgot to enable Data Roaming on the eSIM profile. It's a separate toggle in your settings.

3. Deleting the eSIM profile

If you delete the profile, you need to buy a completely new plan. Deactivate it, don't delete it — you can reuse the same profile with a new plan later.

4. Forgetting to disable data on the physical SIM

If both SIMs have data enabled, your phone may use the physical SIM (with expensive roaming) instead of the eSIM. Explicitly set the eSIM as your data SIM.

5. Buying more data than you need

5 GB is enough for a week of moderate use. Don't buy 20 GB "just in case" — it's money wasted. You can purchase an additional plan at any time if you run out.

6. Ignoring the regional vs per-country difference

A Turkey 5 GB / 30-day plan costs ~$10. A Europe plan (which includes Turkey) for 5 GB / 30 days costs ~$15. If you're visiting only Turkey, choose the country-specific plan.

7. Not using free Wi-Fi

Hotel, restaurant, and airport Wi-Fi is free and doesn't consume your eSIM data. With Saily's VPN enabled, it's also secure. Use Wi-Fi for streaming and downloads; use eSIM data for navigation and messaging on the go.

8. Buying from unknown providers

The eSIM market has some questionable providers. Stick to the verified ones: Saily (NordVPN), Airalo (largest provider), Yesim (established). Don't buy from unknown websites found through Google ads.

9. Ignoring speed

Price isn't everything — an eSIM that costs $5 but runs at 5 Mbps is frustrating. Saily delivers 50–95 Mbps, Airalo 30–70 Mbps, Yesim 18–44 Mbps. If you need stable video calls, speed matters.

10. Not testing before departure

After installation, activate the eSIM profile for a few minutes and verify it connects (it should connect to a partner network in your home country or nearby area). Then deactivate and reactivate at your destination.


The verdict: which eSIM is right for you

There is no universal winner — it depends on how you travel.

Choose Saily if: you want free VPN protection included, unlimited data with the most generous threshold (5 GB/day), a trusted brand (NordVPN), and you're primarily travelling to Europe or popular destinations. Best feature-to-price ratio on the market.

Choose Airalo if: you want the widest variety of plans, you're heading to a less common destination (200+ countries), and you prefer the lowest price on fixed-data plans.

Choose Yesim if: you need a virtual phone number integrated with your eSIM, and you're travelling within Europe long-term.

The universal rule: compare prices for your specific destination across all three websites before purchasing — it takes 5 minutes and saves $2–5 per trip.

What doesn't change regardless of provider: buy the eSIM before departure, install on home Wi-Fi, enable Data Roaming when you land, and keep your regular SIM active for calls and bank verification codes.


Related guides

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🔒 Try Saily eSIM (includes VPN)📱 Compare on Airalo (200+ countries)🌍 View Yesim plans

Întrebări frecvente

Is Saily eSIM legitimate and safe?
Yes. Saily is developed by Nord Security (the company behind NordVPN), which has been operating since 2012 with tens of millions of subscribers globally. It is not a new or unknown startup — it benefits from Nord's established infrastructure, security expertise, and regulatory compliance across EU and UK markets. Data plans are provided through local network partners in each country. It holds a 4.7★ rating on Trustpilot with over 97,000 reviews.
Does Saily include a real VPN?
Saily includes a VPN that encrypts your connection on any network (not just public Wi-Fi), plus a built-in ad blocker and web protection against malicious domains. It is not the full NordVPN product — it lacks some advanced features like Threat Protection, dedicated IP, obfuscated servers, and split tunnelling. For travel purposes (securing public Wi-Fi, blocking ads to save data), the Saily VPN layer is sufficient for most users.
Is Saily cheaper than Airalo?
Varies by destination and plan type. For fixed-data plans (5-10 GB), Airalo is often slightly cheaper per gigabyte. But Saily's unlimited plans are significantly better value — $23.99 for 7 days of unlimited data (5 GB/day at full speed) vs $27.00 at Airalo (3 GB/day at full speed). Check both for your specific destination — the difference on standard plans is usually $1-3.
Can I use Saily for multiple countries in one trip?
Yes — Saily offers regional plans covering multiple countries simultaneously. The Europe plan covers 35+ European countries under a single plan, eliminating the need to buy separately for each destination. If your trip spans France, Italy, and Croatia, one European plan covers all three. Regional plans are slightly more expensive per GB than country-specific ones but save time and hassle on multi-country trips.
Can I install Saily and Airalo on the same phone?
Yes, if your phone supports multiple eSIM profiles (most modern phones do). You can install profiles from different providers for different destinations and activate them individually. Many frequent travellers maintain separate eSIM profiles for their regular destinations and activate the relevant one before each trip.
Does Saily work in Turkey?
Yes — but you must purchase and install before arriving. Since 2025, Turkish authorities block access to eSIM provider websites (including Saily, Airalo, and Yesim) from within Turkey. If you try to buy after landing in Istanbul or Antalya, the website will not load. Install the eSIM at home, and it activates automatically when you land.
What phones support eSIM for Saily?
Saily works on any eSIM-compatible phone: iPhone XS or newer (2018+), Samsung Galaxy S20 series and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and most Android phones released from 2021 onwards. Check by dialling *#06# on your phone — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM.
What happens when I run out of data on Saily?
When your fixed plan's data runs out, you can buy an additional plan directly in the app — it activates immediately without needing a new QR code. On unlimited plans, after exceeding 5 GB in a day, speed drops to ~1 Mbps (sufficient for messaging and basic browsing, but not for video streaming). Full speed resets the next day.
Is Saily Ultra worth it?
Saily Ultra is a monthly subscription that bundles eSIM data + NordVPN + NordPass + ClassPass. The Premium plan ($59.99/month) includes 30 GB at full speed, then unlimited at ~1 Mbps, plus all Nord products. It's worth it if you already need NordVPN and travel frequently — otherwise, individual per-trip plans are more cost-effective.

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