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The Short Answer
Saily is the eSIM to check first if you want Nord Security's privacy pedigree at a competitive price. It won't blow you away with unlimited data or the widest country list, but you get clean pricing in the 5-20GB range (often undercutting Airalo), a privacy-respecting app, and solid 4G/LTE across 150+ countries. The trade-off is maturity — Saily launched in 2023, so the carrier network is still expanding and 5G support is limited. For most travelers buying a straightforward data plan, that gap won't matter.
What Is Saily?
Saily is owned by Nord Security, the Lithuanian company behind NordVPN and Surfshark — two of the biggest consumer VPN services in the world. Nord Security was founded in 2012 and serves millions of paying customers across its VPN products. Saily launched in 2023 as their entry into the eSIM market, leveraging the same infrastructure and privacy expertise that powers those products.
When I was researching eSIM providers to build AvailSim, Saily immediately caught my attention because of that Nord Security connection. It means Saily isn't some random startup trying to figure out mobile data on the fly — the team already knows how to build secure infrastructure, handle user privacy, and ship consumer apps at scale.
The product itself is straightforward: capped data plans across 150+ countries, activated via QR code, managed through a clean iOS or Android app. Plans start at $3.99, and the sweet spot is the 5-20GB range where Saily's per-GB pricing often undercuts Airalo. There are no unlimited options — every plan has a data ceiling.
Saily Plans & Pricing
Saily's pricing is competitive, particularly in the 5-20GB range that covers most travelers' actual usage. Plans start at $3.99 for small data packages, and the per-GB cost drops as you move to larger plans. For a 7-day trip to a popular European destination, expect to pay roughly $5-8 for 3-5GB or $12-18 for 10-20GB — on par with or slightly below Airalo's equivalent plans.
Sample local plan prices below, illustrative within Saily's published ranges. Prices vary by destination and change over time — check AvailSim's live comparison for current rates.
| Destination | 1 GB | 5 GB | 10 GB | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $3.99 | $8.50 | $14.00 | 30 days |
| France | $3.99 | $7.00 | $13.00 | 30 days |
| Thailand | $3.99 | $7.50 | $12.50 | 30 days |
| Mexico | $3.99 | $8.00 | $13.50 | 30 days |
| Australia | $4.50 | $9.50 | $15.50 | 30 days |
The value proposition is clearest for moderate data users. If you need 5-10GB for a week of maps, messaging, social media, and the occasional video call, Saily consistently lands in the top three cheapest options across the providers we track. For very small plans (1GB) or very large ones (20GB+), the savings over competitors narrow.
Coverage & Network Quality
Saily covers 150+ countries, which puts it behind Airalo (200+) but ahead of Holafly (60+). The major tourist destinations are all covered — Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Americas. Where you might run into gaps is in less-traveled regions like Central Asia, parts of Africa, and smaller Pacific islands.
Network quality runs on 4G/LTE in most markets, with some 5G availability in countries where carriers have rolled it out broadly. Based on user reports across European and Asian destinations, speeds are consistent — typically 20-60 Mbps on 4G, which is more than enough for maps, messaging, streaming, and video calls. Saily partners with established local carriers, so you're not getting routed through obscure networks.
Like most eSIM providers, Saily offers data-only plans. No phone number, no traditional calls or SMS. You'll use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or other VoIP apps for voice communication — standard across the industry and rarely an issue for travelers who are already messaging-app dependent.
App & Setup Experience
The Saily app is clean and functional on both iOS and Android. The purchase-to-activation flow takes about 2-3 minutes: pick your destination, choose a plan, pay, scan the QR code, and you're online. The interface is uncluttered — it does what you need without trying to upsell you on extras or bury you in menus.
Privacy is where Saily's Nord Security DNA shows up most clearly. The company applies the same privacy-first principles that drive NordVPN: minimal data collection, transparent privacy policies, and secure payment processing. For travelers concerned about handing over personal data and payment details to a random eSIM provider they found online, Saily's corporate backing provides genuine reassurance.
Buy before you travel, on solid Wi-Fi
Open the Saily app (iOS or Android), pick your destination, choose a plan in the 5-20GB range (the pricing sweet spot), and pay. Do this at home, not at the airport — the purchase-to-activation flow takes 2-3 minutes but you want a stable connection for it.
Scan the QR code to install the eSIM
Saily emails and displays a QR code after purchase. On iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code. On Android: Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM. Installation takes under a minute.
Keep your home SIM active for calls and texts
Saily is data-only — no phone number attached. Set your home SIM as default for calls/SMS and let Saily handle data. Both lines run simultaneously on any modern dual-SIM phone.
Switch data to Saily when you land, and watch the low-data alerts
At your destination, switch your active data line to Saily in Settings. The app shows exactly how much data you've used and sends alerts before you run out, so you can top up in the app before your connection cuts off.
New to eSIMs? Our step-by-step eSIM setup guide covers every phone model in detail.
Saily vs Alternatives
Here's how Saily stacks up against the main alternatives for a 7-day Europe trip at the 5 GB tier. Saily competes closest with Airalo on price and often wins there; the key differentiator against Airalo is coverage breadth and app ecosystem maturity, not cost.
| Provider | Data | 5 GB Europe | Countries | Top-Up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | Capped (1–20 GB) | ~$8 | 150+ | Yes |
| Airalo | Capped (1–20 GB) | ~$10 | 200+ | Yes |
| Nomad | Capped (1–20 GB) | ~$11 | 180+ | Yes |
| Holafly | Unlimited | ~$24 (7 days) | 60+ | No |
Want live prices across every provider and data tier for your specific destination? See AvailSim's Europe comparison or the full Saily provider page.
Who Should Buy Saily
Buy Saily if you're…
- Visiting a popular destination in the 5-20GB range — Saily's pricing sweet spot
- Privacy-conscious and want a provider backed by an established tech company
- A first-time eSIM user who wants a simple, no-upsell app experience
- Budget-focused and comparing prices against Airalo for the same trip
- Fine relying on WhatsApp/FaceTime for calls, since Saily is data-only
Consider alternatives if you're…
- A heavy streamer or hotspot user who'll use 15+ GB in a week — Holafly's unlimited may be cheaper
- Heading somewhere unusual — Airalo's 200+ countries covers more ground
- Someone who wants 24/7 instant support — Holafly is better here
- A frequent traveler who wants the most mature app ecosystem — Airalo has the edge
Pros & Cons
What we like
- Backed by Nord Security (NordVPN, Surfshark) — real infrastructure and privacy pedigree, not a random startup
- Sharp pricing in the 5-20GB range, often undercutting Airalo for the same destination
- Clean, uncluttered app — no upsells, clear real-time data tracking, low-data alerts before you run out
- Top-up available mid-trip without reinstalling the eSIM
- Privacy-first approach: minimal data collection, GDPR compliance, secure payment processing
- 150+ countries covers essentially every popular travel destination
What to weigh
- No unlimited data — every plan has a cap; heavy streamers should look at Holafly
- Fewer countries than Airalo (150+ vs 200+) — unusual destinations may not be covered
- Younger company (launched 2023) — carrier partner network still expanding, 5G support limited
- Support is competent but not exceptional — 30 minutes to a few hours, not 24/7 instant chat
The Verdict
Saily is the eSIM I'd point privacy-conscious travelers to first — the Nord Security backing is a legitimate differentiator in an industry where new providers appear and disappear regularly. Combine that trust factor with sharp pricing in the 5-20GB range and a genuinely clean app, and Saily earns a spot at the top of the comparison list for most popular destinations.
The trade-off is maturity: Saily launched in 2023, so the carrier network is still expanding and support doesn't quite match established players yet. If you're heading somewhere unusual or want the deepest app ecosystem, Airalo is still worth a look. But for a straightforward trip to a popular destination, Saily is a strong, trustworthy default.
See how Saily compares for your destination
Live prices from Saily, Airalo, Nomad, Holafly, and more — filtered by data tier and country.
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