Airalo vs Nomad eSIM: which is better in 2025?
Airalo and Nomad are both cost-effective eSIM options that offer coverage in numerous countries. They’re perfect for travelers who want to stay connected without the inconvenience of traditional SIM cards. After a thorough comparison between the two, it’s clear that Airalo tends to be more popular, dependable, and slightly more affordable than Nomad. However, Nomad eSIM has unique benefits that could be a better fit for some users.
Airalo is well-regarded for its budget-friendly pricing, wide range of regional choices, user-friendly app, and flexible plans, which make it a top pick for travelers looking to save on data expenses. In contrast, Nomad stands out for its fast internet speeds and reliable network quality, making it ideal for users who prioritize speedy connectivity. Nomad also offers a smooth user experience with various local, regional, and global plans.
I tested both services and explored the key differences between Airalo and Nomad in this eSIM comparison. In this article, I cover everything from pricing and coverage to network performance and device compatibility, helping you determine which service best suits your travel needs.
Airalo vs Nomad eSIM: comparison
Both Airalo and Nomad provide excellent eSIM services, each with distinct strengths tailored to different needs – this ensures there’s something for every traveler, from the day-tripper to the country-hopper. Here are a few quick highlights of each eSIM provider:
| 🥇Airalo | 🥈Nomad | |
| Rating | 9.3⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 8.4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Pricing | From $4.50/week | From $4/day |
| Countries | 190+ | 190+ |
| Cellular networks | 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE | 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE |
| Compatibility | iPhones, iPads, Android phones, Windows-based laptops | iPhones, smartphones, tablets, laptops, mobile routers |
| Phone calls | ✅Yes (Discover + Global plan) | ❌No |
| Mobile hotspot | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Customer support | Email, live chat, blog, FAQs, knowledge base | Ticket support, FAQ |
Airalo eSIM outperforms Nomad with a lower price, a larger selection of countries, available phone calls, and broader customer support. While Nomad might not be suitable if you need the ability to make calls, among its selection of 190+ countries, you can certainly find a plan that fits your needs, and its price may not differ much from Airalo. While the price of an Airalo eSIM plan starts at $4.50/week, Nomad starts at $4/day. However, the prices can be the same or very similar depending on the country, so you’ll need to compare the plans for your desired country to determine which one is cheaper.
eSIM plans and coverage
Airalo and Nomad offer eSIM options that include local, regional, and global plans. Both Airalo and Nomad cover over 200 countries, providing extensive global reach, and let users choose various amounts and lengths of internet data.
While Nomad has more focus on high-speed connectivity, Airalo offers more flexible plans than Nomad, with data options and tariff plans ranging from a day to several weeks or more. The pricing plans of each provider vary depending on the country, region, and service duration.
| Provider | Countries | Plan types | Flexibility | Price variation |
| 1. Airalo | 190+ | Local, regional, global | Highly flexible | From $4.50 for 7 days (1GB of data) |
| 2. Nomad | 190+ | Local, regional, global | Flexible | From $4 for 1 day (1GB of data) |
Airalo is generally cheaper and offers more options in broader regions. For instance, Airalo’s eSIM plan for Africa includes coverage in 36 countries with flexible data packages starting at $5 for 1GB, while Nomad’s Africa plan covers only 11 countries at $11 with similar data options.
Nomad vs Airalo eSIM pricing
Airalo and Nomad provide competitive pricing and tailored packages for travelers. However, Nomad tends to be more expensive than Airalo for local eSIMs across various countries. This cost advantage, combined with broader coverage, makes Airalo a better value for most people.
In the table below, I compared the prices of 7-day eSIM plans in popular travel destinations.
| Local eSIM plan | Airalo 7-day plan | Nomad 7-day plan |
| eSIM in Japan | $4.50 | $6.00 |
| eSIM in UK | $5.00 | $5.00 |
| eSIM in Canada | $6.00 | $5.00 |
| eSIM in Australia | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| eSIM in Indonesia | $5.50 | $6.00 |
| eSIM in Turkey | $4.50 | $4.50 |
| eSIM in Singapore | $4.50 | $4.00 |
In short, Airalo generally offers cheaper 7-day eSIM plans than Nomad across several popular travel destinations. For instance, in countries like Japan and Indonesia, Airalo’s plans are cheaper by $1.50 and $0.50, respectively. Nomad offers slightly better rates in Canada and Singapore. In Australia, the pricing is identical between the two providers. Notably, both Airalo and Nomad charge the same amount for eSIM plans in the UK and Turkey. Also, Airalo provides coverage across more countries with flexible data options, allowing you to tailor your plan to your specific needs without overspending.
| Region | Airalo Countries | Airalo price range | Nomad Countries | Nomad price range |
| Asia | 18+ | $5 – $185 | 21+ | $5.50 – $72 |
| Africa | 36+ | $27 – $59 | 11+ | $15 – $99 |
| Europe | 39+ | £4 – £147.50 | 35+ | $5.50 – $49 |
| North America | 3+ | $6.50 – $46 | 3+ | $6.50 – $53 |
Airalo’s eSIM plans are generally cheaper than Nomad’s in all countries and regions. Both providers have an impressive number of countries, plans and flexibility. Nevertheless, Airalo is more suitable for travelers because of its slightly lower tariffs and wider network coverage.
While Nomad has its merits, it stands out for its priority on speed and quality of Internet connection. It remains rather competitive and is worth considering depending on your needs.
Payment methods
Both Airalo and Nomad provide numerous payment options. These include credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Alipay. This makes eSIM plans flexible and convenient to purchase.
Whether you are a fan of traditional payment methods or modern online wallets, both providers adapt to your needs and make the purchasing experience as smooth as possible. Integrated payment systems like Alipay make these services more accessible to a wider audience.
Nomad vs Airalo supported devices
Both Airalo and Nomad support various devices, and this ensures compatibility for most users.
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Airalo-supported devices:
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Nomad-supported devices:
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Both of them support the most frequently used and newest models – Apple iPhones, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel. The inclusion of support for tablets and Windows laptops is a plus for any user requiring connectivity across different types of devices.
Nomad’s support for mobile routers can prove useful for users who demand high availability of the Internet in different locations.
Airalo vs Nomad: which eSIM provider offers the best connectivity
The speed of eSIMs from Airalo and Nomad largely depends on each country’s local carrier and network infrastructure. Factors such as network coverage, bandwidth, and the type of technology (3G, 4G, or 5G) supported by local carriers play a key role in determining your connection quality. Nomad and Airalo offer fast internet speeds in regions with advanced networks, thanks to their 3G, 4G, and 5G connectivity options.
In my testing across several countries, I found that both providers deliver similar performance, with speed variations depending on the local carrier and country. Whether you’re using Airalo or Nomad, you can expect reliable and consistent speeds while traveling.
Airalo and Nomad are solid options for travelers seeking high-speed internet access. Their support for 3G, 4G, and 5G networks ensures you’re covered in most regions, making it easy to stay connected wherever you go.
User experience
Both Airalo and Nomad offer a seamless experience for travelers looking to stay connected internationally without the hassle of traditional SIM cards, but their interfaces and features differ.
Airalo’s eSIM activation process:
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Download the Airalo app: Available on the Apple Store and Google Play.
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Purchase an eSIM plan: Browse and select a plan depending on your destination.
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Activate eSIM: Follow the on-screen prompts to install the eSIM profile on your device.
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Connect: After installation, navigate to the cellular settings on your device and select the Airalo eSIM network.
Nomad’s eSIM activation process:
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Download the Nomad app: Compatible with iOS and Android.
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Purchase an eSIM plan: Select a plan depending on the required travel duration.
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Activate eSIM: Scan the QR code in the app or manually input the eSIM information in your device settings.
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Connect: Turn on the eSIM networks on your device.
Customer support
Both Airalo and Nomad provide customer support through email and ticket-based systems, but Airalo also offers live chat, giving it an edge in responsiveness. While Airalo users can get real-time help through live chat, Nomad relies solely on ticket submissions for assistance. These differences in approach significantly affect how quickly and efficiently you can resolve issues.
| Customer support | |
|
| Live chat | ✅Yes | ❌No |
| FAQ | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Email support | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
| Ticket-based support | ❌No | ✅Yes |
| Knowledgebase | ✅Yes | ✅Yes |
When I contacted Airalo, their live chat responded within a few minutes, and their email support replied in about 2 hours. Their responses were quick, clear, and helpful, even for more technical questions. They also offer numerous informational resources, such as blogs, FAQs, and a knowledge base.
On the other hand, Nomad relies on ticket-based support. While thorough, it’s not as timely as live chat. Nomad doesn’t have a live chat feature, so users need to submit tickets and consult their FAQs or user guides for help. When I contacted Nomad, they replied in about 4 hours. Although their team was knowledgeable and resolved my issues well, the lack of live chat meant longer wait times than Airalo.
Overall, Airalo’s live chat and quick response times make it the better option for users who need immediate assistance. Nomad’s support is still reliable but might not be ideal for quick emergency help. In this category, Airalo clearly wins.
Nomad vs Airalo eSIM: additional values
Both Airalo and Nomad offer great eSIM features, but here’s what you need to know to pick the best one for you:
- Adding more data: You can easily top up your Airalo data whenever you need it. You’ll never be left without internet access. Nomad doesn’t have as many top-up options. They pack a lot of data into their plans, hoping you won’t need to add more often.
- Making calls: With Airalo’s Discover + Global plan, you can make regular voice calls and use data. This is a major advantage if you need to stay connected via phone. On the other hand, Nomad focuses solely on data and doesn’t offer voice call capabilities.
- Sharing your data: Airalo lets you share your data through mobile hotspots. Nomad supports data sharing too, but through mobile routers, which is great if you need strong internet across several devices for heavy use.
If you want flexibility, easy data top-ups, and call capability, Airalo is the way to go. But the Nomad is a fantastic choice if you need lots of high-speed data and plan to use it across many devices without worrying about topping up.
Conclusion: which eSIM is better?
Choosing between Airalo and Nomad wasn't an easy decision. After weighing their features, pricing, and global coverage, Airalo appears to be the top service. It excels in core eSIM features like affordability, extensive coverage in over 190 countries, and voice call options. With plans starting at just $4.50/week, Airalo’s Discover + Global plan offers exceptional value, making it ideal for travelers.
Nomad, on the other hand, shines with its fast internet speeds and support for multiple devices but comes at a higher price point. While Nomad is a strong contender, my comparison showed that Airalo takes the lead. Its competitive pricing, extensive global coverage, voice call options, and excellent customer support make it the better choice for most travelers. By offering a more comprehensive and budget-friendly solution, Airalo remains the best option for staying connected abroad.
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FAQ
What are the differences between Nomad and Airalo?
The main differences between Nomad and Airalo are their coverage, pricing, and additional features. While both offer eSIM plans compatible with mobile hotspots and tethering, Airalo excels with its broader global reach, offering plans that work in 190+ countries and can last up to 365 days. In comparison, Nomad’s global plans cover fewer countries and are typically valid for up to 30 days. Also, Airalo offers more competitive pricing while providing extra features like voice calls and live chat customer support, which makes it a more versatile option for many travelers.
Which one is better Nomad or Airalo eSIM?
Airalo is a better eSIM because of its wide global coverage, affordable pricing, and flexible plans that can last up to 365 days across 190+ countries. It also supports voice calls and provides responsive customer service, making it an excellent option for long-term and frequent travelers. While Nomad offers high-speed data and solid connectivity, it’s a bit pricier and has shorter plan durations.
Which eSIM is better for Europe, Nomad or Airalo?
Airalo is a better eSIM for Europe because of its extensive coverage across 39 European countries, affordable pricing, and flexible data plans. These features make it a more cost-effective and versatile option for travelers exploring Europe, providing great value and reliable service throughout the region.
Can Nomad eSIM be trusted?
Yes, Nomad eSIM can be trusted as it delivers consistent high-speed internet, is compatible with multiple devices, and offers excellent customer support. With its robust network performance, it ensures smooth connectivity and reliable service for travelers.
