One of the most important things to keep in mind when traveling is the way we connect to the internet during our trip. Currently, many options have emerged, such as international roaming or data eSIMs in other countries. These eSIMs have been quite useful for travelers, as they are much cheaper than roaming. However, not all eSIMs offer the same thing, or at the same price. So today we will show you all about Airalo and YeSIM eSIMs.
We will be talking about each of these virtual shops, their advantages, and their disadvantages. And of course, our opinion about which one of these two to choose. Keep reading to find out!
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Contents
What is an eSIM?
You probably already know what an eSIM is. However, if this is the first time you hear about this product don’t worry, as the eSIM is quite simple to understand. In a nutshell, an eSIM is a virtual SIM card that is only compatible with a specific group of smartphones. The purpose of the eSIM is exactly the same as the normal SIM card because its purpose is to provide an internet connection.
To activate this product and begin using it, all you have to do is scan the QR code that you receive in the mail after purchasing it from Airalo or YeSIM.
How Airalo works
Airalo is a virtual store that offers multiple products to its users in order to provide them with an internet connection during their travels. Among its products are regional eSIMs, which provide internet for a certain period of time in more than one country at a time. It also has eSIMs for a single country and even global eSIMs.
To purchase any type of eSIM you are interested in with Airalo, all you have to do is go to the official Airalo website or install the Airalo cellphone app. Currently, available on iOS and Android.
Airalo eSIM compatible phones
We previously mentioned that eSIMs can only be used on a certain group of smartphones. This is because, in order to use the eSIM profiles offered by Airalo, your smartphone must have an integrated chip that allows it to process these profiles.
Here are the devices you can use Airalo eSIM with.
iPhone
- iPhone SE (2020) and later than X, including the XS and XR.
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
With Airalo you can travel and connect in more than 180 countries, including Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, and Austria. Also, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba, Brazil, and the British Virgin Islands. Countries like Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, and Curaçao. Of course, don’t forget about Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, and French Guiana.
On the other hand, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guyana, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, and Japan. Also, Jersey, Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Martinique, Mayotte, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, and Nicaragua. Finally, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, 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 offered by Airalo on its eSIM cards depend on the country you want to visit, especially on the amount of data and days of validity you need. The price of the eSIM for a single country with 1 GB of data and 7 days of validity can be $8 on average.
However, regional eSIMs can cost from 5 to 185 dollars depending on the amount of data. On the other hand, Airalo’s global eSIM ranges in price from $9 to $90 and provides coverage in 87 countries.
Advantages of Airalo eSIM
- Allows you to connect to several countries at the same time
- Greater variety of prices
- Good customer service
Disadvantages of Airalo
- They do not support Spanish on their website or app.
- Some users report slow internet connection in some countries.
YeSIM eSIM, how it works
YeSIM is a virtual store that offers eSIM cards to provide internet to its users in different parts of the world. It is a brand of Genesis group AG which is located in Switzerland and you can purchase their products by downloading their YeSIM APP application from their website. It is available in two languages, English and Russian.
YeSIM eSIM compatible cell phones
YeSIM and Airalo have fairly similar compatibility in smartphones that can use their eSIMs. However, if you want to know whether your smartphone can use this product, we recommend you to look for your cellphone or device among the following list.
iPhone
- iPhone SE (2020) and those after the X, including the XS and XS Max.
Android
- Samsung Galaxy Note 20, Samsung Galaxy Note 20+, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 5G, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy Fold, Samsung Galaxy Fold LTE, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2, Samsung Galaxy Z Fold2 5G, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip, Samsung Galaxy Flip 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20+, Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, and Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G
- Huawei P40, Huawei P40 Pro
- Motorola Razr 2019, Motorola Razr 5G
- Nuu Mobile X5
- Google Pixel 2, Google Pixel 2 XL, Google Pixel 3, Google Pixel 3A, Google Pixel 3 XL, Google Pixel 3A XL, Google Pixel 4, Google Pixel 4A, Google Pixel 4 XL, Google Pixel 4A 5G, Google Pixel 5
- Microsoft Surface Duo.
Countries covered by YeSIM
North American countries are: Canada, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the United States, Virgin Islands (USA).
On the other hand, the European countries are: 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, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Ukraine.
Asian countries are: Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, China, Guam, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, and Vietnam.
The Dutch Caribbean and Caribbean region includes the following countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Barbados, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, Cayman Islands, Montserrat, St. Vincent, and the Grenadines.
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, United Republic of, Uganda, and South Africa.
YeSIM Rates
YeSIM and Airalo rates are quite similar. However, since YeSIM also offers eSIM cards with data for more than one country, these eSIMs can cost between 4 dollars to 45 dollars depending on the region you want to go to and the amount of data you would like to have.
Meanwhile, if you want to travel to a single country, the average cost is between 4 dollars and 43 dollars. Depending on the country.
Advantages of YeSIM
- Internet in more than one destination.
- Variety of options and prices
- You can share data
Disadvantages of YeSIM
- You have to install the app.
- Very high prices in some destinations.
Airalo vs YeSIM Which one to choose? Our recommendation
Despite the advantages that YeSIM offers us. Airalo has a large number of cellular devices that can use the Airalo eSIM. Plus it gives us the option to access the internet in many regions at the same time with the Global eSIM. Not to mention that the prices with Airalo are much cheaper. So Airalo is a better option over YeSIM.
eSIM with other operators
If Airalo didn’t convince you either. We recommend that you take a look at other virtual stores that also offer you a number of quite extensive advantages, such as the eSIM virtual store Holafly. In addition to this, remember that you can purchase your eSIM with Orange or purchase the Vodafone eSIM.
