Before you buy the Airalo eSIM card, let us ask you a question: have you considered any other option? No? Alright, if that’s your case, you’re in the right place! In this article, we are going to show you all the alternatives you have to connect abroad, without needing to buy the Airalo eSIM card. Hopefully, it will help you pick the best option.
The alternatives you will find are the following: Holafly, Ubigi, Gigsky, Nomad, Truphone, Knowroaming, and Keepgo. You will read the advantages and general characteristics of each company and its products. We will show you a comparison table and finally, we are going to give you our recommendation for the best connectivity option while abroad.
Contents
How is the Airalo eSIM card?
Before we start analyzing the other alternatives you have, let’s read a little about Airalo, learn how it works and a bit about its characteristics. This company offers technological telecommunication services through its eSIM card.
This virtual card is known for having coverage in more than 190 countries, also it has regional or global eSIM cards that let you connect in many countries at the same time, without having to change your eSIM card. The speed depends on the zone, but usually, it is 4G LTE. Also, there’s the possibility of making calls for an additional price.
Holafly eSIM card
Now you know a little bit more about the Airalo eSIM card it’s time you read about your first alternative: Holafly. This virtual store has an Unlimited data eSIM for different destinations around the world. You buy it online, and when you finish the purchasing process, you receive the QR code for its activation in your email. Once you have it, you only have to scan it, and that’s it!
One of the main reasons why this company is such a great option is the advantages it has. With this card, you can use the eSIM card and the SIM card at the same time, you have service and support 24/7, and a high-speed connection at your destination. These are just some of the many benefits of this company.
Ubigi, another alternative
This company is in the second place, an interesting virtual store. Ubigi is an online international eSIM card seller, and one of the first companies that started offering global international eSIM cards ever. Some of its advantages are that you can top up your data plan whenever you want, and it can last days, weeks, or even years!
Also, it is compatible with Android and iPhone, and it provides coverage in more than 180 countries around the world.
Gigsky virtual SIM card
Gigsky has an app, available for Android and iOS. When you install this app, you can see the main characteristics of this company. The best thing is that you can control your eSIM card with the official Gigsky app. Also, it has coverage in more than 170 countries, and provides 24-hour service and support, either on the website or through the app.
Nomad, an option you should consider
The fourth alternative we are going to show you is Nomad. It is not one of the well-known companies, but that does not make it less important. Nomad is an app that works as a virtual store. There you will find eSIM cards that provide cellular services in countries, regions, or even globally in more than 100 countries.
You can either buy this eSIM card on Nomad’s app or the official website. Once you buy it, you will receive the QR code that you will have to scan to access the internet.
Truphone: another alternative
Different from Nomad, Truphone is a well-known company based in the United Kingdom. This company offers solutions, with coverage in more than 60 countries around the world. Even though it is not such a big company, (because it does not have more than 500 employees!), the truth is that it is becoming more and more popular.
Truphone does not only offer eSIM cards for travelers. This company sells eSIM cards for business trips as well. Another advantage is that you can change your eSIM profile, without needing to take out the SIM card, you can keep many eSIM profiles, and it lets you install a lot.
Knowroaming eSIM card
Knowroaming is a virtual store too, that sells international eSIM cards with cellular data, that have coverage in more than 200 destinations, such a great advantage if you are not traveling to a unique place, or if you need to connect on your holidays or your business trip.
Other advantages are the following: 4G LTE speed of connection, compatibility, you keep your SIM card, and there is no minimum clause.
Keepgo virtual SIM card
This virtual store offers international eSIM cards, with cellular data, or an eSIM with not the best coverage. Also, Keepgo is one of the smaller and new options. This is the reason why it only has coverage for 60 countries, mostly European.
Some of its advantages are the following: you can top up this eSIM card whenever you have to, and this eSIM card has an unlimited validity period, which means it never expires. Also, you can download it for free from the official website of this company.
MTX Connnect: Pay as you go eSIM
MTX Connect is a company with which you can choose between three different eSIM plans directly on their website or through their app for iOS and Android.
Among their plans, you find “Pay As You Go Start,” where you will pay €0.012 per MB. You can also find “Instant Access 24H,” which gives you unlimited data for 24 hours, or you can choose their latest plan, “2GB Start,” which for 20 euros will provide you with 2GB of data for seven days.
Although MTX Connect has coverage in different regions, its eSIM product is relatively new, so it does not really offer a wide variety of plans. In addition, you must purchase its eSIM and separate the eSIM plan.
Flexiroam: International eSIM
The last alternative we are going to talk about is Flexiroam. This company offers a variety of plans up to 11GB for the whole year, which means their eSIM usually lasts longer than usual with other companies.
In this case the eSIM is free and you will pay exclusively for the data plan, just like Holafly. You can buy and download their eSIM through their official website or download their mobile app on iOS or Android.
Airalo alternatives: a comparison
You’ve read about all the alternatives possible. Now we are going to give you more detailed information, for you to see which option is best for you, and for you to have made up your by the time you buy your eSIM card.
| Company | Account | Share data | Keep your SIM card | QR code | Service and support | App | Texts and calls |
| Holafly | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Keepgo | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Ubigi | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Nomad | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Knowroaming | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes | No |
| Truphone | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Gigsky | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| MTX Connect | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Flexiroam | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Our recommendation
The choice is up to you, but either way, we want to recommend what, we think, is the best alternative for you. We are talking about Holafly. With this company, you will fully enjoy your trip, for a good price and with many advantages. Holafly is definitely what you need if what you want is to be connected all the time.
