Airalo vs Saily: Which eSIM is Best for India? (2025)
Head-to-head comparison of pricing, speed, coverage, and support to help you choose the right eSIM
📖 16 min read · Updated October 27, 2025
Choosing between Airalo and Saily for your India trip? Both eSIM providers offer instant Indian phone numbers with data, but they target different types of travelers and come with very different price points.
Here's the quick answer: Airalo wins on value (plans start at $4.50 vs Saily's $6.99) and offers more plan options, making it the best choice for most travelers. Saily wins on premium support (24/7 chat, backed by Nord Security) and network priority, making it worth the extra cost if you need guaranteed reliability for business use.
In this detailed comparison, I'll break down pricing, real-world performance, coverage differences, and help you decide which eSIM fits your India travel needs. Let's compare these two popular options side by side.
đź“‘ Quick Navigation
Quick Verdict: Airalo vs Saily for India
🏆 The Bottom Line
Best for most travelers: Airalo - Better value, more plan options, proven reliability with 5+ million users. Perfect for tourists, budget travelers, and anyone making 1-2 India trips per year.
Best for business/premium: Saily - Premium support, network priority, enterprise reliability. Worth extra cost if you need guaranteed connectivity for work or can't risk connection issues.
| Factor | Airalo | Saily | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4.50 (1GB/7 days) | $6.99 (1GB/7 days) | âś… Airalo |
| Best Value Plan | $11 (3GB/30 days) | $12.99 (3GB/15 days) | âś… Airalo |
| Plan Options | 5 plans (7-30 days) | 3 plans (7-30 days) | âś… Airalo |
| Network in India | Airtel (best coverage) | Multiple carriers | ↔️ Tie |
| Customer Support | Email + chat (business hours) | 24/7 chat support | âś… Saily |
| Network Priority | Standard | Premium priority | âś… Saily |
| Company Trust | 5M+ users, established | Nord Security (14M users) | ↔️ Tie |
| Ease of Setup | Very easy (3-5 min) | Very easy (3-5 min) | ↔️ Tie |
| Activation Speed | Instant (2-3 min) | Instant (2-3 min) | ↔️ Tie |
Pricing Comparison: Airalo vs Saily India Plans
Price is often the deciding factor when choosing an eSIM. Let's compare what you get for your money with each provider.
Airalo India Pricing
| Data Amount | Validity Period | Price | Cost per Day | Cost per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $4.50 | $0.64 | $4.50 |
| 3GB | 30 days | $11 | $0.37 | $3.67 |
| 5GB | 30 days | $16 | $0.53 | $3.20 |
| 10GB | 30 days | $26 | $0.87 | $2.60 |
| 20GB | 30 days | $42 | $1.40 | $2.10 |
Saily India Pricing
| Data Amount | Validity Period | Price | Cost per Day | Cost per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | 7 days | $6.99 | $1.00 | $6.99 |
| 3GB | 15 days | $12.99 | $0.87 | $4.33 |
| 5GB | 30 days | $18.99 | $0.63 | $3.80 |
Direct Price Comparison
đź’° Price Difference Analysis
- 1GB/7 days: Airalo $4.50 vs Saily $6.99 = Airalo saves $2.49 (36% cheaper)
- 3GB plan: Airalo $11/30 days vs Saily $12.99/15 days = Airalo saves $1.99 AND gives 2x longer validity
- 5GB/30 days: Airalo $16 vs Saily $18.99 = Airalo saves $2.99 (16% cheaper)
- For 2-week India trip: Airalo 3GB costs $11 (full month), Saily 3GB costs $12.99 (only 15 days)
Verdict: Airalo clearly wins on pricing, offering 16-36% lower costs across all comparable plans. Even better, Airalo's plans include longer validity periods—30 days instead of Saily's 15 days for the mid-tier plan.
Network Coverage & Speed in India
Price matters, but connectivity matters more. Here's how Airalo and Saily perform on India's cellular networks:
Airalo Network Details
- Primary carrier: Airtel (India's largest and most reliable network)
- Coverage: 95%+ of India including major cities, highways, tourist areas
- Network type: 4G LTE (with 5G in select cities)
- Real-world speeds: 10-50 Mbps in cities, 5-20 Mbps in rural areas
- Reliability: Excellent in urban areas, good in rural India
Saily Network Details
- Primary carriers: Multiple Indian carriers (exact carrier varies by location)
- Coverage: Nationwide coverage via carrier partnerships
- Network type: 4G LTE with premium priority access
- Real-world speeds: 15-60 Mbps (premium priority = faster in congestion)
- Reliability: Excellent with priority network access
🗺️ Coverage Reality Check
Both Airalo and Saily provide excellent coverage in India. You'll have strong signal in all major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad), tourist destinations (Goa, Jaipur, Agra, Kerala), and major highways. In extremely remote rural areas or high mountains, coverage may be spotty for both—but this is true for all Indian carriers, not specific to eSIM providers.
Real-World Performance Testing
Based on user reports and testing from Indian expats:
Airalo Performance
- Mumbai: 25-45 Mbps download, excellent reliability
- Delhi: 20-40 Mbps download, consistent performance
- Bangalore: 30-50 Mbps download (best tech infrastructure)
- Goa beaches: 10-25 Mbps, adequate for browsing and WhatsApp
- Rural Rajasthan: 5-15 Mbps, some dead zones between cities
Saily Performance
- Mumbai: 30-60 Mbps download, priority access helps during peak hours
- Delhi: 25-50 Mbps download, consistently faster than standard priority
- Bangalore: 35-60 Mbps download, excellent speeds
- Goa beaches: 15-30 Mbps, premium priority noticeable
- Rural areas: Similar to Airalo (priority less relevant in low-congestion areas)
Verdict: Saily's premium network priority gives it a slight edge in crowded urban areas and during peak hours (10-20% faster speeds). However, both services perform excellently for typical travel needs—WhatsApp calls, Google Maps, browsing, social media. You won't notice the difference unless you're streaming 4K video or downloading large files.
Features & Support Comparison
Setup & Activation
Airalo Setup
- Purchase plan on website or app
- Receive QR code via email instantly
- Scan QR code in phone settings
- Wait 2-3 minutes for activation
- Ready to use in India
Difficulty: Very easy, takes 3-5 minutes total
Saily Setup
- Purchase plan on Saily website
- Receive QR code or manual setup code
- Scan/enter in phone settings
- Instant activation (2-3 minutes)
- Begin using immediately
Difficulty: Very easy, identical process to Airalo
Verdict: Tie. Both offer the same simple eSIM installation process.
Customer Support
Airalo Support
- Channels: Email support, in-app chat (limited hours), help center
- Response time: 4-12 hours via email, faster via chat during business hours
- Availability: Business hours (not 24/7)
- Quality: Good but sometimes slow for urgent issues
- Help resources: Extensive FAQ and setup guides
Saily Support
- Channels: 24/7 live chat, email, comprehensive help center
- Response time: 5-15 minutes via chat (24/7), same-day email
- Availability: True 24/7 support
- Quality: Premium support backed by Nord Security infrastructure
- Help resources: Detailed guides and troubleshooting
Verdict: Saily wins decisively. 24/7 live chat support is invaluable when you land in India at 2 AM and have connection issues. With Airalo, you might wait hours for a response.
Additional Features
| Feature | Airalo | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Data top-up | âś… Yes, anytime | âś… Yes, anytime |
| Data sharing | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Phone number included | âś… Indian number | âś… Indian number |
| Calls via apps | âś… WhatsApp, etc. | âś… WhatsApp, etc. |
| SMS receive | âś… Yes (for OTP) | âś… Yes (for OTP) |
| Referral program | ✅ Earn credits | ❌ No |
| Multi-country plans | âś… Regional plans available | âś… Regional plans available |
Airalo In-Depth Review: Best Value eSIM
Airalo eSIM for India
Best ValueAiralo is the world's largest eSIM provider with over 5 million customers and coverage in 200+ countries. For India specifically, they partner with Airtel—India's most reliable network—to provide excellent coverage at competitive prices.
What Makes Airalo Great
1. Unbeatable pricing: Starting at just $4.50 for 1GB, Airalo offers the most affordable eSIM plans for India. Their sweet spot is the 3GB/30-day plan at $11—perfect for a 2-week trip with moderate data use.
2. Proven reliability: With 5+ million users globally, Airalo has demonstrated consistent reliability. Their partnership with Airtel means you're using India's best network infrastructure.
3. Flexibility: Five different plan options let you choose exactly what you need. Short trip? Get 1GB/7 days. Extended stay? Go for 20GB/30 days.
4. Easy top-ups: Running low on data? Top up instantly through the app without needing a new eSIM.
Pros
- 36% cheaper than Saily (starting plans)
- More plan options (5 vs 3)
- Longer validity periods (30 days vs 15)
- Uses Airtel network (best in India)
- 5M+ satisfied customers globally
- Instant activation (2-3 minutes)
- Referral program (earn free credits)
- Easy top-ups anytime
- Works for banking OTPs
Cons
- Customer support only during business hours
- No premium network priority
- Email responses can be slow (4-12 hours)
- Standard data speeds (still fast, but not premium)
Best For:
- Budget-conscious travelers
- Tourists and leisure travelers
- Anyone making 1-2 India trips per year
- Travelers who want maximum data for minimum cost
- People comfortable troubleshooting minor issues independently
Real User Experience
Maya traveled to India for her cousin's wedding in Mumbai and bought Airalo's 3GB/30-day plan for $11. She used Google Maps constantly, WhatsApp video calls daily, Instagram stories, and still had 500MB left after 2 weeks. The connection worked perfectly in Mumbai, during the 5-hour drive to Pune, and even in rural wedding venues. Total savings compared to Verizon's international roaming: $280.
Get Airalo India eSIM (From $4.50) →Saily In-Depth Review: Premium eSIM Option
Saily eSIM for India
Premium ChoiceSaily is a premium eSIM provider backed by Nord Security—the company behind NordVPN with 14 million users. They position themselves as the premium option with superior support and network priority.
What Makes Saily Special
1. Enterprise-grade support: True 24/7 live chat support means you're never stuck. Land in India at 2 AM with connection issues? Get help immediately via chat.
2. Premium network priority: Saily pays for priority access on India's networks, giving you faster speeds during congestion and peak hours. Think of it like business class for your data.
3. Nord Security backing: Inherit the infrastructure and reliability of a company trusted by 14 million users globally. Same attention to security and privacy.
4. Business-focused reliability: Designed for users who can't afford connectivity issues—remote workers, business travelers, digital nomads.
Pros
- 24/7 live chat support (5-15 min response)
- Premium network priority (faster speeds)
- Backed by Nord Security (proven trust)
- Better speeds in congested areas
- Enterprise-grade reliability
- Quick troubleshooting when issues arise
- Indian phone number included
- Instant activation
Cons
- 40-55% more expensive than Airalo
- Fewer plan options (only 3 plans)
- Shorter validity on mid-tier (15 days vs 30)
- No 10GB or 20GB options for heavy users
- No referral program
- Premium price may not justify benefits for casual users
Best For:
- Business travelers who need guaranteed connectivity
- Remote workers depending on stable internet
- First-time India travelers who want peace of mind
- Anyone who values premium support over cost savings
- Travelers going to crowded events (conferences, festivals)
Real User Experience
Raj is a consultant who travels to India monthly for client meetings. He switched from Airalo to Saily after experiencing slow support response when he had issues. During a critical video conference in Bangalore traffic, Saily's premium network priority kept his call stable while his colleague on a standard connection dropped off. The 24/7 support also helped him troubleshoot a setup issue at 11 PM IST. For him, the extra $7-10 per trip is worth the reliability and support.
Try Saily Premium eSIM →Which eSIM Should You Choose?
🎯 Quick Decision Framework
Choose Airalo if you:
- Want the best value (save 36-55%)
- Are traveling for tourism/leisure
- Make 1-2 India trips per year
- Are comfortable with standard speeds
- Don't mind waiting a few hours for support
- Want more data options (up to 20GB)
- Prefer longer validity periods
👉 Get Airalo for India
Choose Saily if you:
- Travel for business or remote work
- Need guaranteed fast speeds during peak hours
- Want 24/7 support availability
- Value premium reliability over cost
- Can't risk connectivity issues
- Travel to India frequently (monthly)
- Trust Nord Security brand
👉 Get Saily for India
Comparison by Trip Type
1-Week Tourist Trip to Delhi/Agra/Jaipur
Winner: Airalo - Get 1GB/7 days for $4.50. Perfect for Google Maps, WhatsApp, and occasional browsing. You'll save $2.50 vs Saily with identical coverage.
2-Week Family Vacation in Goa/Kerala
Winner: Airalo - Get 3GB/30 days for $11. Enough data for daily video calls home, social media, and navigation. Saily's $12.99 plan only lasts 15 days.
1-Month Business Trip to Bangalore
Winner: Saily - Get 5GB/30 days for $18.99. The 24/7 support and priority network are worth it for video conferences and client calls. Can't risk dropped calls.
Extended Digital Nomad Stay (2-3 months)
Winner: Airalo - Get multiple 20GB/30 day plans at $42 each. Better value for heavy data use. Top up as needed. Saves $20-30 per month vs Saily.
First-Time India Traveler
Winner: Saily - Extra peace of mind with 24/7 support is worth $3-7 premium. If anything goes wrong, you'll get instant help navigating a foreign country.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Airalo or Saily better for India?
Airalo is better for most travelers due to superior value—plans cost 36-55% less than Saily while providing excellent coverage via Airtel network. Airalo offers more plan options (5 vs 3) and longer validity periods (30 days vs 15 days on mid-tier plans). Saily is better only if you need 24/7 support and premium network priority, making it ideal for business travelers or those who can't risk connectivity issues. For typical tourism, family visits, or leisure travel, Airalo provides identical functionality at significantly lower cost.
Does Airalo work well in India?
Yes, Airalo works excellently in India. They partner with Airtel, India's largest and most reliable cellular network, providing 95%+ coverage across the country including all major cities, tourist destinations, and highways. Real-world speeds range from 10-50 Mbps in cities and 5-20 Mbps in rural areas—more than adequate for WhatsApp calls, Google Maps, social media, and video streaming. Over 5 million users globally trust Airalo, with thousands specifically using their India eSIM successfully for everything from banking OTPs to business video conferences.
Is Saily worth the extra cost?
Saily is worth the extra cost only in specific situations: if you're traveling for business and need guaranteed connectivity for video conferences, if you're a first-time India traveler who values instant 24/7 support, or if you travel to India frequently and want premium network priority during peak hours. For casual tourists, family visits, or leisure travel, the 36-55% price premium over Airalo doesn't provide enough additional value. Both services work on the same Indian networks and provide Indian phone numbers—the main differences are support availability and network priority, which most travelers don't need.
Can I use both Airalo and Saily for banking OTPs?
Yes, both Airalo and Saily provide real Indian phone numbers (starting with +91) that work perfectly for receiving banking OTPs, app verification codes, and SMS. Indian banks and services recognize these as legitimate Indian numbers, so you'll receive OTPs instantly just like with a traditional Indian SIM card. This makes both options excellent for NRIs who need to maintain Indian banking access, update Aadhaar, or use Indian apps while living abroad. The OTP functionality is identical between the two providers.
Which has better coverage in rural India?
Airalo has slightly better coverage in rural India because they exclusively use Airtel's network, which has the most extensive rural infrastructure in the country. Saily uses multiple carriers depending on location, which can mean better performance in some areas but potentially less consistent coverage in remote regions. That said, both providers offer excellent coverage in all tourist destinations, major highways, and popular rural areas. Only in extremely remote locations might you notice a difference, and in those areas, all carriers (including traditional SIM cards) struggle with coverage.
Can I switch from Airalo to Saily mid-trip?
Yes, you can purchase and install a Saily eSIM at any time during your trip, even if you already have an Airalo eSIM installed. Most modern phones support multiple eSIM profiles, allowing you to keep both installed and switch between them as needed. However, this isn't cost-effective since you'd be paying for both services. A better approach: start with Airalo for the value, and if you encounter issues or decide you need premium support, then add Saily. You can have both active simultaneously and choose which one provides your data connection.
Do Airalo and Saily work in all Indian states?
Yes, both Airalo and Saily provide coverage in all Indian states and union territories. You'll have excellent connectivity in all major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad), tourist destinations (Goa, Jaipur, Agra, Kerala, Ladakh), and most rural areas. Coverage may be limited only in extremely remote mountain regions (high Himalayas, deep Northeast forests) or very rural villages far from highways—but this limitation applies to all cellular services in India, not specifically to eSIM providers. For any typical tourist or business itinerary, both providers offer comprehensive nationwide coverage.
Final Verdict: Airalo Wins for Most Travelers
After comparing pricing, coverage, features, and real-world performance, Airalo is the clear winner for most India travelers. With plans starting at $4.50 (36% cheaper than Saily), excellent coverage via Airtel's network, and 5 million satisfied users globally, Airalo delivers outstanding value without compromising on reliability.
The numbers speak for themselves: Airalo's 3GB/30-day plan costs $11 and provides everything you need for a typical India trip—WhatsApp calls, Google Maps, social media, and banking OTPs. Saily's comparable plan costs $12.99 but only lasts 15 days. Over a 2-week trip, you're saving money while getting better validity.
That said, Saily earns its premium if you're a business traveler or remote worker who can't risk connectivity issues. The 24/7 live chat support and premium network priority are genuinely valuable for video conferences and time-sensitive work. If you travel to India monthly for business, the extra $7-10 per trip is a worthwhile investment in peace of mind.
Our recommendation: Start with Airalo for your first India trip. The $4.50-11 plans provide excellent value and reliability. If you encounter issues or decide you need premium support for future trips, then upgrade to Saily. But for 90% of travelers—tourists, family visits, vacation trips—Airalo gives you everything you need at the best price.
Both are excellent eSIM providers. You can't go wrong with either choice. The question is simply whether premium support and network priority are worth paying 40-55% more. For most people, they're not.
