Esim70 vs Airalo: Which Travel eSIM is Better in 2026?

Last updated: 5 June 2026 · ~7 minute read

If you’ve begun searching for a travel eSIM, chances are Airalo is the first name you’ll come across. They’ve been in the game since 2019, lead the market in many ways, and their ads seem to be everywhere. On the other hand, Esim70 is a newer, smaller player that flies under the radar. But here’s the thing: for a lot of travelers, Esim70 actually offers a better balance between price and coverage. Let’s break down the real differences, side by side.

TL;DR

Go with Esim70 if you care most about getting the lowest per-day price in popular travel spots, want a simple checkout (no endless scrolling through hundreds of plans), and appreciate clear pricing with regional bundles that actually make sense for Europe, Asia, the Balkans, or CIS.

Choose Airalo if you need coverage in a less traveled country (like a remote Pacific island or certain parts of Africa) where their plan selection is much wider, you want the reassurance of using the biggest name in the business, or you already have some leftover Airmoney from a previous trip.

Both eSIMs work the same way, just scan a QR code and activate when you land. Ultimately, your choice comes down to price, coverage for your specific destinations, and which support style fits the way you like to travel.

Quick comparison

Coverage

Airalo’s biggest selling point is the sheer size of its country list and they boast plans in over 200 countries and territories, which is genuinely more than most competitors. So if your travels take you somewhere a bit off the beaten path then think Vanuatu, the Maldives, or Liechtenstein where Airalo probably has you covered, even when smaller providers don’t.

Esim70, on the other hand, covers 150+ countries. That means you’ll be set for just about every popular travel destination: Japan, the US, the UK, the entire EU, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Gulf states, and most of Africa. The real difference is in the long tail. Those rare, less-visited places most people aren’t heading to. If you’re traveling to mainstream destinations, you likely won’t notice any gap at all.

Airalo wins if you need maximum country breadth. Esim70 shines in the places most travelers actually go offering sharper prices for individual countries and more affordable regional plans, especially in Europe and Asia.

Pricing

This is where things get interesting. Airalo has built its reputation as a value brand, and you’ll often see some pretty competitive starting prices. But when you dig in and compare apples to apples, the story changes a bit.

Take a popular spot like Japan-Airalo’s 1GB/7-day “Moshi Moshi” plan is usually around $4.50. Esim70 offers similar plans for about the same price, but with a key difference: our per-day cost is always shown right on the plan card, so it’s easy to compare at a glance. (Keep in mind, prices on both sites change often, so it’s always smart to check the latest before booking.)

When it comes to regional plans like covering all of Europe for a two week adventure, Esim70 generally has tighter, more competitive prices. Plus, we offer bundles for regions Airalo doesn’t always split out, like the Balkans or CIS.

If you need larger data buckets (10GB or more, over 30 days), Airalo often has strong bulk pricing. Esim70 is in the same ballpark, but we’re more upfront about what you’re paying per day, making budgeting easier.

Both Airalo and Esim70 play in the same price range. Esim70 usually edges out for popular destinations and regional bundles, while Airalo’s prices can swing which is great for some countries, less so for others. The best move is to always compare prices for your specific destination instead of assuming one is always cheaper.

Activation and setup

The setup process for both Esim70 and Airalo is almost identical and super simple:

1. Pick your plan on the website or app.
2. As soon as you pay, you’ll get a QR code by email.
3. On your phone, go to Settings → Mobile/Cellular → Add eSIM.
4. Scan the QR code.
5. Activate the plan when you arrive, or set it to auto-activate.

The whole thing takes just 2–3 minutes, start to finish, no matter which provider you use.

Both services offer auto-activation: With Esim70, you can set your plan to kick in as soon as you connect to a network at your destination. Airalo’s “Direct” install does the same thing (or you can activate manually, if you prefer). Either way, your plan’s validity period only starts when your eSIM connects to a local network, so you won’t lose days if you install it ahead of time.

And if you run out of data in middle of the trip then no problem, both Esim70 and Airalo let you top up without needing to mess with your eSIM or reinstall anything. Just add more data and keep traveling.

Customer support

Esim70 gives you 24/7 support over email which is a real lifesaver when you hit a snag in a different timezone (because let’s face it, eSIM issues always seem to happen at 11pm after a long flight).

Airalo also has you covered 24/7. They’ve got a detailed help center and in-app chat that starts with a chatbot, but you can easily ask to talk to a real person. Their setup guides are especially clear and helpful.

It’s basically a tie. Both are ready to help you anytime, day or night. The main difference is in the approach: Esim70 keeps it simple with direct email support, while Airalo’s support usually starts with a chatbot before handing off to a human agent.

Mobile apps and account experience

Both Esim70 and Airalo offer iOS and Android apps, so you can manage your plans easily while you’re on the move.

Esim70’s app is newer to the scene it currently has a solid 4.3★ rating on Google Play, based on just over 100 reviews and 10K+ downloads. The iOS app is even newer, with only a couple of ratings so far (5.0★, but that’s too small a sample to read much into).

Airalo’s app, on the other hand, has been around for years and is much more established. They’ve reached over 20 million users and hit unicorn status with a $1 billion+ valuation. The app itself feels more polished and refined, thanks to all that extra time and user feedback.

So if a slick, mature app experience is important to you, Airalo definitely has the edge. But if you’re the type who mostly manages things through the website, this difference probably won’t matter much.

When to choose Esim70 over Airalo

• If your destination is one of the 150+ countries Esim70 covers which it almost certainly is if you’re headed somewhere mainstream you’re good to go.
• You appreciate clear per-day pricing Esim70 shows the daily cost right on every plan card, so it’s easy to compare options at a glance.
• You’re looking for regional plans (like Europe, Asia, the Balkans, or CIS) Esim70 offers specific regional options that Airalo often just bundles together, and our pricing for these regions is usually more competitive.
• You want a straightforward checkout no need to scroll through endless lists of country, regional, or global plans.
• You prefer to see prices upfront without creating an account Esim70 displays all pricing before you sign up.

When to choose Airalo over Esim70

• If your destination is outside Esim70’s 150+ country list for example, a Pacific island, a smaller African nation, or certain Eastern European territories Airalo’s broader catalog has you covered.
• You want the most established eSIM brand for extra peace of mind.
• You already have Airmoney credits from a previous Airalo trip so it makes sense to stick with Airalo for your next purchase.
• The plan you need happens to be cheaper on Airalo for your specific destination always worth double checking before you buy.

Verdict

For most travelers heading to popular spots like Japan, the US, Europe, Southeast Asia, Latin America, or the Gulf Esim70 stands out for its great value, with competitive pricing for each destination, clear per-day costs, and tighter regional bundles. Plus, you still get 24/7 support that’s on par with the big names.

Airalo is the go too if your destination is a little off the beaten path or if you simply want the peace of mind that comes with the biggest, most established eSIM brand.

Honestly, the best approach is simple: check the price for your specific destination on both sites, see which support style you prefer, and pick the one that fits how you like to travel. The differences are at the edges, both services work well, both are legit, and it’s more about the finer details than any big gaps.

Ready to compare prices? You can browse Esim70 plans here Esim70 all pricing is shown upfront and you don’t need to create an account.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use Esim70 and Airalo on the same phone?

Absolutely,if your phone supports multiple eSIM profiles. Most recent iPhones (XS and newer), as well as newer Pixel and Galaxy models, can store several eSIMs and let you switch between them in your settings. There’s no technical conflict between the two.

Which one has better coverage in Japan?

Both work reliably in Japan, connecting you through major local carriers. Their 1GB/7-day plans are similarly priced, so it’s best to check the current rates on each site for your exact travel dates.

Is one of them more secure or private than the other?

Both follow standard mobile network security protocols. Neither is specifically privacy focused ,if privacy is your top priority, you might want to check out providers like Saily that market themselves around privacy features.

Do they offer refunds?

Yes. Esim70 offers refunds as long as you haven’t scanned the QR code or started the plan. Airalo has a similar policy: you can typically get a refund before activating the plan, though the exact terms may vary depending on the plan.

Which one is cheaper overall?

There’s no blanket answer, prices vary based on destination and data amount. Esim70 is often a bit cheaper for mainstream destinations and regional bundles, while Airalo might have the edge for certain countries. Always compare for your specific trip to get the best deal.