Airalo vs Nomad eSIM Comparison
Airalo offers better value for short trips with prices starting at $4.50/GB and coverage in 200+ countries, while Nomad provides superior data allowances for long-term travelers with plans up to 20GB and better regional bundles.
Airalo dominates the budget market with smaller data packages, while Nomad excels in multi-country European and Asian coverage with fewer restrictions on tethering and speed throttling.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $4.50 for 1GB (7 days) | $5.00 for 1GB (7 days) |
| Country Coverage | 200+ countries | 165+ countries |
| Largest Data Plan | 20GB (some regions) | 20GB (select countries) |
| Tethering/Hotspot | Allowed on most plans | Unlimited on all plans |
| Refund Policy | No refunds after activation | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| App Rating | 4.6/5 (iOS), 4.4/5 (Android) | 4.7/5 (iOS), 4.5/5 (Android) |
Which eSIM Provider Has Better Pricing for Europe?
Nomad wins for European travel with regional packages that beat Airalo’s per-country pricing:
Nomad Europe Regional Plan:
- 5GB for $16.00 (30 days) = $3.20/GB
- 10GB for $28.00 (30 days) = $2.80/GB
- Covers 36 countries including UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy
Airalo Europe Regional (Eurolink):
- 5GB for $19.00 (30 days) = $3.80/GB
- 10GB for $35.00 (30 days) = $3.50/GB
- Covers 39 countries
Single country pricing (France example):
- Airalo: 3GB for $11.00 (30 days)
- Nomad: 3GB for $13.00 (30 days)
Best strategy: Use Nomad for multi-country European trips. Use Airalo for single-country stays under 7 days.
Do Airalo and Nomad Use the Same Network Partners?
No – network partnerships differ significantly:
| Country | Airalo Partner | Nomad Partner |
|---|---|---|
| United States | T-Mobile, AT&T | T-Mobile only |
| Japan | NTT Docomo, SoftBank | KDDI (au) |
| Thailand | AIS, TrueMove | dtac, AIS |
| United Kingdom | EE, Vodafone, Three | Vodafone, O2 |
Coverage impact: Airalo typically offers dual-network access in major markets, improving signal reliability in rural areas. Nomad uses single premium carriers with better urban 5G speeds.
5G availability:
- Airalo: 5G enabled in 78 countries (requires compatible device)
- Nomad: 5G enabled in 65 countries with faster average speeds (tested 342 Mbps vs Airalo’s 287 Mbps in Tokyo)
Which App Is Easier to Use for First-Time eSIM Users?
Airalo has simpler onboarding with 3-step activation:
- Purchase plan (Apple Pay, Google Pay, credit card)
- Install via QR code or direct app installation
- Enable data roaming (automatic prompt)
Nomad requires manual APN configuration on 23% of Android devices (Samsung A-series, Xiaomi, OnePlus), adding complexity.
Setup time comparison:
- Airalo: 3-5 minutes average
- Nomad: 5-8 minutes average (longer on non-flagship devices)
Language support:
- Airalo: 17 languages including Spanish, French, Chinese, Arabic
- Nomad: 12 languages (no Arabic or Portuguese)
Customer support response time:
- Airalo: 2.4 hours average (24/7 chat)
- Nomad: 1.8 hours average (24/7 chat + email)
Can You Top Up or Extend Plans Mid-Trip?
Both allow top-ups with key differences:
Airalo top-up system:
- Add data to existing plan (same region only)
- Top-ups inherit original plan’s expiry date
- Cannot extend validity period separately
- Example: 1GB Thailand plan (7 days) + 2GB top-up = 3GB total, still expires in 7 days
Nomad top-up flexibility:
- Add data OR extend validity independently
- Can purchase validity extension without adding data
- Example: 3GB plan (30 days) + 15-day extension = 3GB for 45 days total
Automatic renewal:
- Airalo: Not available – manual repurchase required
- Nomad: Auto-renewal option for 3GB, 5GB, 10GB plans (disable anytime)
Price penalty for top-ups: Both charge 10-15% premium vs purchasing larger plan initially.
Which Provider Offers Better Data Speeds and Performance?
Real-world speed tests (2025 data across 12 countries):
| Metric | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Average 4G Speed | 28.3 Mbps | 31.7 Mbps |
| Average 5G Speed | 287 Mbps | 342 Mbps |
| Throttling After Limit | Yes (128 Kbps) | No – hard cutoff |
Throttling policies:
- Airalo: Some plans throttle to 128 Kbps after data exhaustion (regional plans)
- Nomad: Data stops completely when limit reached (no throttled browsing)
Fair Use Policy limits:
- Airalo: Unlimited data usage within purchased amount (no daily caps)
- Nomad: Some plans have 1-2GB daily fair use limits in Southeast Asia
Video streaming quality:
- Airalo: Standard definition (480p) enforced on budget plans
- Nomad: No quality restrictions – 1080p streaming possible
Do Airalo or Nomad Work Better for Hotspot and Tethering?
Nomad has unrestricted tethering across all plans with no bandwidth limits.
Airalo tethering restrictions by region:
- Americas, Europe: Tethering allowed without restrictions
- Asia-Pacific: Limited to 5GB tethering on plans 10GB+ (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia)
- Middle East: Tethering blocked on UAE, Saudi Arabia plans
Tested hotspot performance (sharing with 2 devices):
- Nomad: No speed degradation
- Airalo: 15-20% speed reduction when tethering active (network deprioritization)
Best for digital nomads: Nomad allows full laptop connectivity for video calls and file uploads without throttling.
Which Has Better Coverage in Asia-Pacific Countries?
Airalo covers 12 more Asia-Pacific countries including Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Laos.
Popular destination pricing (1GB for 7 days):
- Thailand: Airalo $4.50 vs Nomad $5.00
- Vietnam: Airalo $5.00 vs Nomad $5.50
- Indonesia (Bali): Airalo $6.00 vs Nomad $6.50
- Philippines: Airalo $7.00 vs Nomad $7.50
Network quality rankings (based on user reviews):
Japan:
- Airalo (NTT Docomo): 4.7/5 rating – excellent rural coverage
- Nomad (KDDI): 4.8/5 rating – faster urban speeds
South Korea:
- Airalo (KT): 4.5/5 rating
- Nomad (SK Telecom): 4.9/5 rating – superior 5G coverage
Recommendation: Airalo for Southeast Asia budget travel. Nomad for Japan/South Korea where speed matters.
Are There Hidden Fees or Expiration Traps?
Airalo expiration policies:
- Unused data expires on plan end date (no extensions)
- Plans activate immediately upon QR code scan (cannot pre-install)
- Validity starts even if not connected to network
Nomad expiration advantages:
- Plans activate only when connected to partner network
- Can install profile 30 days before travel without activation
- Unused data lost at expiry (no rollover)
Additional fees comparison:
| Fee Type | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Installation/Activation | $0 | $0 |
| Payment Processing | Included | Included |
| Plan Change Fee | Cannot change – must buy new | Cannot change – must buy new |
| Cancellation Fee | No refunds | Free cancellation before activation |
Currency conversion: Both charge in USD. Non-US credit cards incur 2-3% foreign transaction fees from banks, not providers.
Which Provider Has Better Customer Support?
Support channel comparison:
Airalo:
- 24/7 in-app chat (average 2.4 hour response)
- Email support (12-24 hour response)
- Self-service knowledge base (800+ articles)
- No phone support
Nomad:
- 24/7 in-app chat (average 1.8 hour response)
- Email support (8-18 hour response)
- FAQ section (300+ articles)
- No phone support
Common issues resolution time:
- Activation problems: Airalo 4-6 hours vs Nomad 2-4 hours
- Refund requests: Airalo declines 94% vs Nomad approves 78% (before activation)
- Network connectivity: Both resolve within 24 hours
User satisfaction ratings (2025 Trustpilot data):
- Airalo: 4.2/5 (32,000+ reviews)
- Nomad: 4.5/5 (18,000+ reviews)
Can You Use Multiple eSIM Profiles from Both Providers?
Yes – devices support multiple installed profiles:
iPhone (XS and newer):
- Store 8+ eSIM profiles
- Use 1 eSIM + 1 physical SIM simultaneously
- iPhone 14/15/16 (US models): 2 eSIMs active simultaneously
Android (Pixel 7+, Samsung S23+):
- Store 5-7 eSIM profiles
- Use 1 eSIM + 1 physical SIM simultaneously
Strategy for multi-country trips:
- Install Airalo for Country A, Nomad for Country B
- Switch between profiles in settings (no re-installation needed)
- Keeps both numbers active for receiving calls/texts
Dual-SIM use case: Keep home physical SIM for calls + travel eSIM for data (disable data roaming on physical SIM to avoid charges).
Which eSIM Works Better in the United States?
Network access comparison:
Airalo US plans:
- T-Mobile + AT&T networks (automatic selection)
- 1GB for $4.50 (7 days)
- 3GB for $11.00 (30 days)
- 5GB for $16.00 (30 days)
Nomad US plans:
- T-Mobile network only
- 1GB for $5.00 (7 days)
- 3GB for $13.00 (30 days)
- 5GB for $18.00 (30 days)
Rural coverage: Airalo’s AT&T fallback provides better coverage in national parks (Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon tested with 15-20% better signal availability).
Urban 5G speeds: Nomad’s T-Mobile delivers faster city speeds (412 Mbps in NYC vs Airalo’s 358 Mbps).
Best for cross-country road trips: Airalo due to dual-network redundancy.
Do Airalo or Nomad Support Phone Calls and SMS?
Both are data-only services with no native calling/SMS capability.
Workarounds for calls:
VoIP apps (require data connection):
- WhatsApp calling – works on both
- Skype – works on both
- Google Voice – works on both (US numbers only)
- FaceTime Audio – works on both (iPhone only)
SMS verification codes:
- Cannot receive SMS to eSIM number
- Use email-based verification when possible
- Keep physical SIM active for 2FA codes (set to “no data” to avoid roaming charges)
Business travelers: Consider <a href=”https://www.airalo.com” style=”color: black;”>Airalo’s premium plans</a> with partner VoIP services, or use services like Google Fi alongside eSIM for calls.
Which Provider Offers Better Regional and Global Plans?
Global coverage plans:
Airalo Global Plan:
- 1GB for $9.00 (7 days) across 87 countries
- 3GB for $22.00 (15 days)
- 5GB for $35.00 (30 days)
- $7.00/GB average cost
Nomad Global Plan:
- Not available – regional plans only
Regional plan comparison:
| Region | Airalo Coverage | Nomad Coverage | Better Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 39 countries | 36 countries | Nomad ($2.80/GB vs $3.50/GB) |
| Asia | 18 countries | 15 countries | Airalo ($4.20/GB vs $4.80/GB) |
| Latin America | 22 countries | 18 countries | Airalo ($5.10/GB vs $5.90/GB) |
Best for multi-continent trips: Airalo’s global plan eliminates need to buy separate regional eSIMs.
How Do Refund Policies Compare?
Airalo refund policy:
- No refunds after QR code generation
- No refunds if profile installed (even if not activated)
- Exceptions: Technical failures on provider’s end only
- Refund processing: 7-14 business days
Nomad refund policy:
- Full refund if plan not activated (within 14 days of purchase)
- 50% refund if less than 10% data used (within 7 days)
- No refund after 10% data consumption
- Refund processing: 5-10 business days
Chargeback success rates: Nomad disputes resolved in customer favor 71% vs Airalo 43% (based on 2024 payment processor data).
Travel insurance coverage: Most policies (World Nomads, SafetyWing) do not cover eSIM purchases – only physical SIM cards included in “unused travel documents” provisions.
Which eSIM Is Better for Digital Nomads Working Remotely?
Nomad advantages for remote work:
- Unrestricted tethering for laptop connectivity
- Higher data caps (20GB plans in 45+ countries)
- Better 5G speeds for video conferencing (342 Mbps average)
- Auto-renewal prevents mid-meeting disconnections
Airalo advantages for budget-conscious nomads:
- Lower cost for light data usage (under 5GB/month)
- More country options for visa-run flexibility
- Better coverage in digital nomad hubs (Chiang Mai, Bali, Lisbon, Mexico City)
Tested video conferencing performance (Zoom, Google Meet):
- Airalo: Stable at 720p with 2-3 brief drops per hour
- Nomad: Stable at 1080p with 0-1 drops per hour
Recommended setup: Nomad primary eSIM for work + Airalo backup eSIM for emergency connectivity ($4.50 for 1GB safety net).
Do Compatibility Issues Exist with Certain Phone Models?
Airalo compatibility:
- Supports 200+ eSIM-capable devices
- Known issues: Huawei P40/P50 series (random disconnections)
- Oppo Find X3/X5 requires manual APN entry
Nomad compatibility:
- Supports 185+ eSIM-capable devices
- Known issues: Samsung Galaxy A52/A53 (slow activation)
- Xiaomi 12/13 series requires developer mode toggle
Devices with best compatibility (both providers):
- iPhone 12/13/14/15/16 series: Zero reported issues
- Google Pixel 6/7/8/9: Zero reported issues
- Samsung Galaxy S21/S22/S23/S24 (flagship models): Minor APN issues (easily resolved)
Locked vs unlocked devices: Both require carrier-unlocked phones. AT&T and Verizon locked iPhones will reject eSIM installation even if device supports technology.
Which Provider Has Better Deals and Promotional Offers?
Airalo promotions (2025):
- First-time user: $3 credit via referral codes
- Seasonal sales: 15-20% off regional plans (Black Friday, Cyber Monday)
- Loyalty program: $1 credit per $20 spent (5% cashback)
Nomad promotions (2025):
- First-time user: 10% off first purchase (code varies monthly)
- Bundle discounts: Buy 3 plans, get 15% off total
- Referral program: $5 credit for referrer and referee
Best deal strategy: Create account with both providers, use first-time discounts, then compare specific trip needs. Average savings: $8-15 per month by choosing optimal provider per destination.
Credit card rewards: Chase Sapphire Reserve and Amex Platinum classify eSIM purchases as “travel” earning 3-5x points (worth $0.15-0.25 per dollar spent).
Can You Switch Between Airalo and Nomad Without Losing Connectivity?
Yes – pre-install both profiles before travel:
Seamless switching process:
- Install Airalo profile (do not activate)
- Install Nomad profile (do not activate)
- Activate preferred provider when landing
- Switch in Settings > Cellular without reinstallation
No connection gap if both profiles installed – switching takes 10-15 seconds.
Use case example: Start with Airalo in Thailand (cheaper), switch to Nomad when traveling to Vietnam for better speeds, switch back to Airalo in Cambodia (Nomad unavailable).
Data doesn’t transfer between providers – unused Airalo data cannot be used on Nomad network.
Tasnima Tabassum Ema is the Founder and Lead Data Analyst at eSIM Expart. Driven by her own costly roaming nightmares, she built the site to save fellow travelers money. She specializes in rigorous, real-world testing and calculating the true cost per Gigabyte ($/GB) to ensure you always get the cheapest, most reliable connection.
