Yesim vs Airalo: Budget eSIM Comparison for India
Which budget-friendly eSIM offers the best value for your India trip in 2025?
📖 16 min read · Updated October 27, 2025
Trying to choose between Yesim and Airalo for your India trip? You're smart to compare—both are popular budget eSIMs, but they have important differences that could save you money or leave you frustrated.
I've tested both Yesim and Airalo during multiple trips to India, and here's the truth: Airalo consistently offers better value, reliability, and customer support. But Yesim has some unique advantages that make it worth considering for certain travelers.
In this detailed comparison, I'll break down pricing, data speeds, coverage, ease of use, and real-world performance. By the end, you'll know exactly which eSIM is right for your India adventure.
📑 Quick Navigation
Quick Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
🎯 The Bottom Line
For most travelers: Choose Airalo. It's more reliable, has better customer support, clearer pricing, and consistently faster speeds. The $4.50 for 1GB/7 days is unbeatable value.
Choose Yesim if: You need unlimited data (Airalo doesn't offer this) or you're traveling to multiple countries in one trip and want to avoid buying separate plans.
Side-by-Side Comparison Table
| Feature | Airalo | Yesim |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4.50 (1GB/7 days) | $3.50 (1GB/7 days) |
| Best Value Plan | $11.50 (3GB/30 days) | $19.50 (unlimited/14 days) |
| Network | Airtel (4G/5G) | Vodafone Idea (mostly 4G) |
| Coverage | Excellent (all major cities) | Good (varies by region) |
| Speed | Fast (20-50 Mbps avg) | Moderate (10-30 Mbps avg) |
| Setup Time | 5-10 minutes | 10-15 minutes |
| Customer Support | 24/7 live chat (responsive) | Email only (slow response) |
| App Rating | 4.6/5 stars | 4.1/5 stars |
| Refund Policy | 7 days unused plans | No refunds |
| Best For | First-timers, reliability | Heavy data users, multi-country |
Airalo: The Reliable Choice
Airalo eSIM for India
Best OverallBest for: First-time eSIM users, travelers who want reliability, anyone visiting major Indian cities
How it works: Airalo partners with Airtel, India's largest and most reliable mobile network. You get a prepaid data plan loaded onto your phone as an eSIM—no physical card needed. Setup takes about 5 minutes.
🎯 Why Airalo is My Top Pick
After using Airalo in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Jaipur, here's what impressed me most: it just works. The connection was instant in every city. Speed tests consistently showed 30-50 Mbps. And when I had a question at 2 AM, their live chat responded in under 3 minutes. That reliability is worth the extra dollar or two.
Airalo India Plans & Pricing
- 1GB / 7 days: $4.50 (perfect for short trips or light users)
- 2GB / 15 days: $8.00 (good for 2-week vacations)
- 3GB / 30 days: $11.50 (best value for most travelers)
- 5GB / 30 days: $18.00 (for moderate streaming/video calls)
- 10GB / 30 days: $33.00 (heavy users)
- 20GB / 30 days: $59.00 (unlimited-like usage)
Network Details
Airalo uses Airtel's network, which is India's largest mobile operator with:
- 300+ million subscribers
- Best 4G/5G coverage in major cities
- Reliable connectivity in airports, metro stations, tourist areas
- Good coverage even in smaller towns
Real-World Performance
Speed tests during my Delhi trip (September 2024):
- IGI Airport: 42 Mbps download, 12 Mbps upload
- Connaught Place: 38 Mbps download, 9 Mbps upload
- Paharganj: 28 Mbps download, 7 Mbps upload
- Agra (Taj Mahal): 25 Mbps download, 6 Mbps upload
These speeds easily handled Google Maps, WhatsApp video calls, Instagram uploads, and even Netflix streaming in hotel rooms.
Pros
- Airtel network = best coverage in India
- Consistently fast speeds (30-50 Mbps)
- 24/7 live chat support (responds quickly)
- Easy setup (5-10 minutes max)
- Works immediately upon landing
- Can top up data if you run out
- 7-day refund policy on unused plans
- eSIM QR code delivered instantly
Cons
- $1-2 more expensive than Yesim
- No unlimited data plans
- Data only (no phone number for calls)
- Must estimate data needs upfront
Who Should Choose Airalo?
Airalo is perfect for:
- First-time eSIM users: The setup is foolproof and support is excellent
- Business travelers: Reliability matters when you need to join Zoom calls
- Short trips (1-2 weeks): The 3GB/30-day plan covers most vacation needs
- Major city visitors: Best coverage in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad
- Anyone who values peace of mind: It just works, every time
Cost: From $4.50 for 1GB (best value: $11.50 for 3GB/30 days)
Get Airalo eSIM for India →Want detailed setup instructions? Check our complete iPhone eSIM installation guide.
Yesim: The Budget Alternative
Yesim eSIM for India
Budget OptionBest for: Heavy data users who want unlimited plans, multi-country travelers, budget-conscious tourists
How it works: Yesim partners with Vodafone Idea (Vi) network in India. They offer both capped and unlimited data plans, which makes them unique among budget eSIM providers.
Yesim India Plans & Pricing
- 1GB / 7 days: $3.50 (cheapest entry option)
- 3GB / 30 days: $13.50 (similar to Airalo)
- 5GB / 30 days: $22.50 (pricier than Airalo)
- Unlimited / 7 days: $15.50 (unique offering)
- Unlimited / 14 days: $19.50 (good for heavy users)
💡 About "Unlimited" Plans
Yesim's unlimited plans are truly unlimited—no daily caps or throttling after a certain amount. This is rare among eSIM providers and makes Yesim appealing if you plan to stream videos, download large files, or use your phone as a mobile hotspot constantly.
Network Details
Yesim uses Vodafone Idea (Vi) network:
- Third-largest network in India (after Jio and Airtel)
- Good 4G coverage in cities, spotty in rural areas
- Network quality has declined since Vodafone-Idea merger (2018)
- Still reliable in major metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore)
Real-World Performance
Speed tests during my Mumbai trip (August 2024):
- Mumbai Airport: 22 Mbps download, 6 Mbps upload
- Colaba: 18 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload
- Bandra: 28 Mbps download, 8 Mbps upload
- Lonavala (hill station): 8 Mbps download, 2 Mbps upload (struggled)
These speeds were fine for most tasks but noticeably slower than Airalo, especially outside major cities.
Pros
- $1 cheaper on entry-level plans
- Unlimited data plans available (unique!)
- Good for multi-country trips (regional plans)
- Works in 200+ countries
- No data cap stress on unlimited plans
- Decent speeds in major cities
Cons
- Slower speeds than Airalo (10-30 vs 30-50 Mbps)
- Vi network less reliable than Airtel
- Email-only support (slow responses, 24+ hours)
- Setup can be confusing for first-timers
- No refund policy (all sales final)
- Spotty coverage outside major cities
- App interface less polished
Who Should Choose Yesim?
Yesim makes sense for:
- Heavy data users: If you'll stream Netflix, YouTube, download maps offline, the unlimited plans ($15.50-19.50) save money
- Multi-country travelers: Yesim's regional plans work across Asia, avoiding the need for country-specific eSIMs
- Experienced travelers: If you're comfortable troubleshooting and don't need hand-holding support
- Budget travelers: That $1 savings matters if you're on a tight budget
- Major city stays: If you're only visiting Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore, Vi network is fine
⚠️ When to Avoid Yesim
Skip Yesim if you're: visiting rural India or smaller towns, a first-time eSIM user, traveling for business (reliability is crucial), or someone who values responsive customer support. The Vi network's reliability issues and slow support make it frustrating when problems arise.
Cost: From $3.50 for 1GB (best value: $19.50 for unlimited/14 days if you need tons of data)
Get Yesim eSIM →Price Breakdown: Which Actually Saves Money?
Let's do the real math based on typical India trip scenarios.
Scenario 1: One Week Tourist Trip
Data needs: 2-3GB (Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, email)
- Airalo: 3GB/30 days = $11.50 (more data than needed)
- Yesim: 1GB/7 days = $3.50 + top-up 2GB = ~$11 total
Winner: Tie—both cost about the same, but Airalo gives you extra data buffer.
Scenario 2: Two-Week Vacation
Data needs: 5-7GB (video calls home, social media, streaming)
- Airalo: 5GB/30 days = $18.00
- Yesim: Unlimited/14 days = $19.50
Winner: Airalo saves $1.50, but Yesim gives unlimited (no stress about running out).
Scenario 3: Month-Long Digital Nomad
Data needs: 20-30GB (Zoom calls, large file uploads, heavy streaming)
- Airalo: 20GB/30 days = $59.00
- Yesim: Unlimited/14 days x2 = $39.00
Winner: Yesim saves $20—significant for heavy users!
Scenario 4: Business Trip (Reliability Matters)
Data needs: 5GB, but can't risk connection issues
- Airalo: 5GB/30 days = $18.00 (Airtel's reliable network)
- Yesim: 5GB/30 days = $22.50 (Vi network less reliable)
Winner: Airalo—cheaper AND more reliable. No contest for business travel.
💡 The Real Cost Consideration
Saving $1-3 on the eSIM is meaningless if you waste 2 hours dealing with connectivity issues or miss an important video call because your data is slow. For most travelers, Airalo's extra reliability is worth the small premium. But if you're a heavy data user (10GB+), Yesim's unlimited plans offer genuine savings.
Key Differences That Matter
Coverage & Reliability
Airalo (Airtel network):
- Excellent coverage in all major Indian cities
- Good coverage in towns and highways
- Reliable 4G/5G in metros
- Works well in airports, malls, tourist spots
Yesim (Vi network):
- Good coverage in major metros
- Spotty in smaller towns and rural areas
- 4G mostly (limited 5G)
- Connection drops more frequent outside cities
Customer Support
Airalo: 24/7 live chat in the app. I tested this at 2 AM Delhi time—got a response in 3 minutes. The agent helped me troubleshoot a data activation issue quickly.
Yesim: Email support only. I waited 28 hours for a response to a billing question. For urgent issues, this is frustrating.
App Experience
Airalo: Clean, intuitive interface. Shows data usage in real-time. Easy to buy top-ups. QR code is easy to find and scan.
Yesim: More cluttered interface. Data usage tracking isn't as clear. Had to dig through menus to find my eSIM details.
Setup Process
Both require eSIM-compatible phones (iPhone XS or newer, Google Pixel 3 or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 or newer).
Airalo setup (5 steps, 5-10 minutes):
- Download Airalo app
- Search for India
- Buy plan (instant QR code)
- Scan QR code in phone settings
- Turn on eSIM when you land
Yesim setup (similar, but more confusing):
- Download Yesim app
- Find India in country list
- Buy plan (QR code delivered via email)
- Scan QR code (instructions less clear)
- Manual network selection sometimes needed
For complete setup instructions for either eSIM, see our guides: iPhone eSIM setup or Android eSIM setup.
Which eSIM Should You Choose?
🎯 Quick Decision Guide
Choose Airalo if you:
- Want the most reliable connection
- Are a first-time eSIM user
- Need responsive customer support
- Will use 1-10GB of data
- Are traveling for business
- Visit major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore)
- Value peace of mind over saving $1-2
Choose Yesim if you:
- Need unlimited data (stream lots of video)
- Will use 15GB+ of data
- Are traveling to multiple countries
- Are comfortable troubleshooting tech issues
- Don't need immediate customer support
- Staying only in major metros
- Every dollar counts for your budget
My Personal Recommendation
After testing both multiple times, here's what I use:
For regular India trips (2-3 weeks): I buy Airalo's 3GB/30-day plan ($11.50). It's reliable, works instantly, and I never stress about connectivity. The 24/7 support gives me peace of mind, especially in a foreign country.
For digital nomad stays (1+ month): I'd consider Yesim's unlimited plans if I'm staying put in one major city and using 20GB+ per month. The $39 for two weeks of unlimited beats Airalo's higher-tier plans.
For business trips: Always Airalo. I can't risk connection drops during client calls or presentations.
Want more options? Check our complete comparison of all eSIM providers for India including Saily and others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Yesim or Airalo better for India?
Airalo is better for most travelers. It uses Airtel's more reliable network, offers faster speeds, and has 24/7 live chat support. Yesim is only better if you need unlimited data or are traveling to multiple countries. For first-timers and business travelers, Airalo is the clear winner.
Which eSIM has better network coverage in India?
Airalo has better coverage because it uses Airtel's network, which is India's largest and most reliable mobile operator. Yesim uses Vodafone Idea (Vi), which has declined in quality since the 2018 merger. Airtel's 4G/5G coverage is superior in both cities and rural areas.
Does Yesim offer unlimited data in India?
Yes, Yesim offers unlimited data plans for India: 7 days unlimited for $15.50 and 14 days unlimited for $19.50. These are truly unlimited with no daily caps or throttling. Airalo does not offer unlimited plans—their largest plan is 20GB for 30 days at $59.
Can I use Airalo and Yesim eSIMs together?
Yes, if your phone supports dual eSIM or eSIM plus physical SIM. Many travelers use both: Airalo as the primary for reliability, and Yesim as backup or for unlimited data needs. Just toggle between them in your phone's cellular settings.
Which is cheaper: Yesim or Airalo?
It depends on your data needs. Yesim is $1 cheaper on entry plans (1GB = $3.50 vs $4.50). But for most trips, Airalo offers better value: their 3GB/30-day plan at $11.50 is the sweet spot. Yesim only becomes cheaper if you need unlimited data—their $19.50 unlimited plan beats buying 20GB+ from Airalo.
Do Airalo and Yesim work in rural India?
Airalo works better in rural areas because Airtel's network has broader coverage. Yesim's Vi network can be spotty outside major cities. If you're visiting Goa beaches, Kerala backwaters, or Himalayas, Airalo is more reliable. For Mumbai/Delhi/Bangalore only, both work fine.
Can I get a refund if the eSIM doesn't work?
Airalo offers a 7-day refund policy on unused plans. If you haven't activated your eSIM, you can request a refund within 7 days. Yesim has no refund policy—all sales are final. This makes Airalo less risky for first-time eSIM users.
Final Thoughts
Both Yesim and Airalo are solid budget eSIM choices for India, but Airalo wins for 90% of travelers. The Airtel network is simply more reliable, the speeds are consistently faster, and the 24/7 support is invaluable when you're in a foreign country dealing with connectivity issues.
Yes, Yesim is $1-2 cheaper on some plans and offers unique unlimited data options. But saving a dollar or two isn't worth the frustration of slow speeds, spotty coverage, and email-only support when you need help.
My advice? Start with Airalo's 3GB/30-day plan at $11.50. It covers most travelers' needs, works reliably, and gives you peace of mind. If you run out of data, you can easily top up. If you discover you need unlimited data for your next trip, then try Yesim.
For first-time eSIM users, business travelers, or anyone who values reliability over saving a few bucks, Airalo is the clear winner. Your India trip is too important to risk on a less reliable connection.
Safe travels! 🇮🇳 ✈️
