How does Airalo work? Your guide to staying connected abroad

Accessing data on the go makes travel abroad so much easier. In years past, you had to either find a physical SIM card at your destination or pay high fees for international roaming. Now, eSIMs have become game-changers for tourists worldwide, allowing you to instantly download an eSIM onto your smartphone and connect to the regional telecom network like a local.

Airalo is one of the world's first and most extensive travel eSIM providers. In this guide, I explain how Airalo works, if it's worth buying, and how it compares to traditional physical SIM cards. Let’s dive in.

What is Airalo?

Airalo is a Singapore-based company that provides eSIMs for travelers, offering affordable mobile data in over 200 countries. Unlike traditional SIM cards, Airalo’s eSIMs are virtual, meaning you don’t need a physical card to connect to local networks.

Instead, you just need to download their smartphone app. With a few taps on your phone, you can buy, install, and activate an eSIM. This lets you use data in your destination for maps navigation, translation apps, social media, or browsing the web.

Airalo partners with local mobile networks to deliver reliable, cost-effective data plans. Connection strength will vary by local network, but you can usually expect 5G in Europe and North America, 4G in East Asia, and 3G LTE and most other countries.

What is an eSIM?

An eSIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital version of a traditional SIM card built directly into your phone. It lets you connect to a mobile network without inserting a physical card. With an eSIM, you can switch between network providers or plans through your phone’s settings, making it perfect for travelers who need temporary data plans abroad. With an eSIM, you'll be able to use apps like WhatsApp, FaceTime, or iMessage for communication.

Airalo’s eSIMs are typically data-only, meaning they don’t support traditional calling or texting. You can still use your existing phone number or SIM for calls and texts, but you'll pay high fees for calling and texting internationally.

The one plan that comes with a unique phone number for calls and texts is the Discover+ plan. This is Airalo's global plan, which covers 137 countries with just one eSIM.

What’s the difference between a physical SIM and an eSIM?

The main difference is that a traditional SIM card is typically tied to one mobile network. To switch providers, you need to swap out the card. An eSIM, on the other hand, is a programmable chip already in your device. You can activate or change plans digitally, without needing to visit a store or handle tiny cards.

Here’s a quick comparison:

• Traditional SIM: Physical, requires swapping, often locked to one provider.
• eSIM: Digital, activated via software, supports multiple plans at once.

Does my phone support an eSIM?

Most modern smartphones support eSIM technology, including:

• iPhone: iPhone SE and later
• Android: Samsung Galaxy S20 and later
• Google: Pixel 4 and later

Most new models (post-2020) by Huawei, Sony, Sharp, Oppo, Motorola, Xiaomi, Rakuten, Honor, Nokia, and Vivo manufacture eSIM-compatible phones.

How does Airalo work?

Airalo's app simplifies staying connected abroad with a straightforward process. Here’s how it works, step by step:

What can I do once my Airalo eSIM is on?

Airalo’s data-only eSIMs are perfect for most travel needs.

Here’s what you can do:

• Navigate: Use Google Maps or Apple Maps
• Stay Connected: Message friends via WhatsApp, iMessage, or Telegram
• Share Moments: Post photos and videos on Instagram, TikTok, or X
• Work Remotely: Check emails, join Zoom calls, or use Slack
• Stream Media: Watch Netflix or YouTube (data limits apply)
• Wi-Fi Calling: Make calls using apps like FaceTime or Skype over data
• Hotspot: Set up a hotspot to give data to a friend

What you can’t do:

• Traditional Calls/Texts: Most Airalo eSIMs don’t support standard calling or SMS unless you purchase the Discover+ plan with those features

Airalo versus its eSIM competitors

I recommended Airalo for its mobile app, which has an intuitive, clean interface with straightforward navigation, allowing you to browse, purchase, and activate eSIM plans easily. Its data usage tracking provides real-time updates, and easy top-ups let you add data. It covers over 200 countries. Pricing is middle-of-the-road, less cost-effective for short-term small plans, but competitive for regional and large data plans.

Here's a competitor comparison:

• Holafly: Premium-priced unlimited data plans, covers 200+ countries, ideal for heavy data users.
• Jetpac: Most budget-friendly, 100+ countries, offers airport fast-track and lounge passes.
• eSIM4Travel: Cheapest for small plans, no app (web-based), covers ~180 countries.
• AloSIM: Reasonably priced, 200+ countries, money-back guarantee, business plans.
• GigSky: Mid to premium-priced, 200+ countries, offers free 500MB eSIM, cruise/in-flight data, Visa cardholder discounts.