Airalo vs Gigsky: Which eSIM to choose?

There is nothing worse than being without internet far from home. The best thing we can do is to plan how to remain connected during our trip. And one of the best options available is through the eSIM. However, not all eSIMs are the same, and much less, offer the same features. For this reason, in Roaming, we will show you the differences and similarities between Airalo and Gigsky eSIM. 

If you want to know everything about Airalo and Gigsky eSIM, in this article, we will show you everything you need to know about these two e-shops. So that you can compare them and decide which one best suits your needs.

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What is an eSIM?

Before starting the comparison between Airalo and Gigsky eSIM. The first thing you should know is what an eSIM is and how they work. Surely, you have heard about this new technology. But if this is not the case, don’t worry because, in short, eSIMs are a completely virtual product that you can use on specific smartphones to connect to the Internet and other cellular services.

To activate the eSIM, all you have to do is scan the QR code that comes on the card or in the email that is sent to you.

How Airalo works

To begin with, Airalo is an online store that offers products such as eSIMs to connect its users to the internet in multiple countries. These eSIMs are intended for business trips or vacations, so the time they usually provide internet is generally a maximum of one month. Airalo, in turn, also offers eSIM with cellular data for regions or groups of countries, in addition to offering a global eSIM with which you can connect in several countries at the same time.

To purchase your Airalo eSIM, all you have to do is go to its official website or install their application. It also serves as a store. This application is compatible with iOS and Android.

Airalo eSIM compatible phones

As we mentioned before, eSIMs can only be used on a select group of smartphones. Because, to be used, the cellphone has to be compatible with this technology through an integrated chip in its hardware. If your cell phone is not on the following list of smartphones, you will not be able to use eSIM. You will not be able to use Airalo eSIM.

iPhone

• iPhone SE (2020) and later than X, including XS.

Android

• Samsung Galaxy Fold, Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip
• Nuu Mobile X5
• Google Pixel 3 & 3 XL, Google Pixel 3a & 3a XL, Google Pixel 4 & 4 XL
• Gemini PDA
• Motorola Razr 2019
• Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro

Microsoft and other operating systems

• ACER Swift 3, ACER Swift 7
• ASUS Mini Transformer T 103 HAF, ASUS NovaGo TP370QL, ASUS Vivobook Flip 14 TP401NA
• Dell Latitude 7210 2-in-1, Dell Latitude 9410, Dell Latitude 7310, Dell Latitude 7410, Dell Latitude 9510
• HP EliteBook G5, HP ProBook G5, HP Zbook G5, HP Spectre Folio 13
• Lenovo Yoga C630, Lenovo Miix 630, Lenovo Yoga 520, Lenovo Yoga 720 convertible laptops
• Samsung Galaxy Book 2
• Surface Go 2

Countries covered by Airalo

Some countries with Airalo cellualr coverage include Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua, and Barbuda. Also, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Belarus, and Belgium. Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China. Christmas Island, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Denmark, Dominica. You’ll find Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, and, Georgia. As well as Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, and Guatemala. And also, Guernsey, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, and Jersey.

On the other hand, you can find Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao, and Malaysia. As well as Martinique, Mayotte, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Netherlands and Netherlands Antilles. Of course, you can find Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Pakistan, and Palestine. Also, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland,  U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS, United Kingdom. U.S. Virgin Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, and Vietnam.

You can check the country you want to travel to from Airalo’s official website.

Airalo Rates

The prices of the eSIM cards offered by Airalo can become more expensive depending on the country where you want to connect to the internet. In addition to this, the amount of data and the number of days of validity also influence the eSIM prices.

The price of an eSIM for a single country usually costs $8 for 1 GB of internet for 7 days. However, eSIMs that have coverage in more than one country, such as North America or Europe Airalo eSIMs, cost from $5 to $185. Finally, the Global Airalo eSIM costs from $9 to $90 and has coverage in 87 countries.

Advantages of the Airalo eSIM

• The large number of countries with coverage available.
• Affordable and varied pricing.
• 24/7 customer service

Disadvantages of Airalo

• They do not handle many languages.
• According to several users, cellular coverage in some countries is not so good.

Gigsky eSIM, how it works

In the same way as Airalo, Gigsky is dedicated to the online sale of products that provide connectivity to its users on their business trips or vacations abroad on operating systems such as iOS, Android, Windows, etc.  

Gigsky eSIM Compatible Cellphones

Gigsky with wide compatibility on different cellular devices. These devices range from iOS to Android, and even, they can also connect to Windows devices.

iPhone

• iPhone SE (2020) and those after the X, including the XS and XS Max.

Android

• Google Pixel 5, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4a, Google Pixel 4 XL, Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3 XL, Google Pixel 3a, Google Pixel 3a XL

iOS iPad

• iPad Pro 11-inch, iPad Pro 12.9-inch (third generation), iPad Air (third-generation), iPad (seventh generation), iPad Mini (fifth generation)

Gigsky compatible Android tablets

• Surface Duo
• Gemini PDA

Gigsky Compatible Laptops

• Acer Swift 7 Laptop SF713-51-M51W
• ASUS LTE
• HP LTE
• Surface Pro LTE, Surface Pro X
• Lenovo/Yoga C630

Countries where Gigsky has coverage

North American countries are Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States, and the Virgin Islands (US).

On the other hand, the countries in Europe are: Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, United Kingdom, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russian Federation, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, San Marino, Ukraine, and Holy See (Vatican City).

The Asian countries are: Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Christmas Island, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Republic of Korea, Sri Lanka, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Taiwan, Province of China, and Vietnam.

The Dutch Caribbean and Caribbean region includes the following countries: Sint Maarten (Dutch part), Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba, Curacao, Guadeloupe, Antigua, and Barbuda, Anguilla, Aruba, Barbados, St. Barthelemy, Bermuda, Dominica, Grenada, French Guiana, Haiti, Jamaica, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, St. Lucia, St. Maarten (French part), Martinique, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the British Virgin Islands.

Finally, Latin America is made up of: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, El Salvador, Uruguay, Bahrain, Ghana, Israel, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Nigeria, Oman, Palestine, State of, Qatar, Reunion, Rwanda, Chad, Tanzania, the United Republic of, Uganda, and South Africa.

Gigsky Rates

If you are traveling to a country that is in areas such as North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific, or Latin America, the price for 1 GB of data for 15 days is $20.

However, if your destination is in the Middle East/Africa, 1 GB of data for 30 days can cost you $50. While in Caribbean countries or the Dutch Caribbean, 1 GB of data for 15 days can cost 30 dollars.

Advantages of Gigsky

• Allows you to purchase multiple plans with a single eSIM profile
• It allows you to top up your plan when you run out of credit during your vacation.
• Allows you to share data.

Disadvantages of Gigsky

• Users report poor support service
• Poor internet connection in some countries.

Airalo vs Gigsky Which one to choose? Our recommendation

So, we already talked about Airalo and Gigsky eSIM, their advantages and disadvantages. Considering the wide variety of countries Gigsky has cellular coverage available. In addition to the reviews of the Airalo eSIM from users, and the reviews with the Gigsky eSIM. We can determine that Airalo is a better choice because of its compatibility with more cellular devices.

eSIM with operators

If you want to know another virtual store in addition to those we provide in this article, we recommend that you take a look at how you can get your eSIM from virtual stores like Holafly or from operators such as Orange.

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Leoneska Ruiz

Leoneska over here, your guide to travel connected. I'm a Venezuelan with over 4 years of sharing tips and tricks to keep mobile internet while traveling and make the most of your adventures. With me, you will be able to learn about the use of eSIMs, Pocket WiFis, and more.