In short: the best alternative to Saily is one that fits your specific trip: check the actual price per GB (not the entry price), data expiration, and if human support is available when something goes wrong. For short stays in a single country, a small, cheap plan usually wins; for long routes or several countries in a row, a large plan with a good price per gigabyte is more appealing.
Saily is a decent and easy-to-install eSIM, but it's not the only option, nor is it always the cheapest, depending on the trip. If you're looking for an alternative to Saily, it's likely one of two things has happened: either you calculated the total cost of your trip and it came out more expensive than you expected, or you needed help late at night and didn't get it in your language. In this guide, we compare Saily with other eSIMs on the market, explain how to choose based on your type of trip, and what mistakes to avoid when switching.
Why people look to switch from Saily
There isn't just one reason, but several recurring ones. The first is the price per GB for long trips: on a three-day getaway, almost any eSIM will seem reasonable, but if you're going for three weeks or sharing a connection with your laptop, the cost per gigabyte starts to be much more noticeable than at first. The second is data expiration: some plans expire before the actual trip duration, and you end up buying a second package even when you still "had" days of stay left.
The third, and the most discussed when things go wrong, is support. When you arrive at an airport with no mobile coverage, you want to resolve it in your language and in minutes, not fill out a form in English and wait for a response the next day. Support that genuinely responds, and not just a chatbot with generic answers, carries much more weight than it seems until you need it in the middle of the night.
- Price per GB that skyrockets on long trips or with high data consumption.
- Short expiration of some packages, forcing you to buy extra "just in case."
- Total reliance on an app to manage purchases, installation, and recharges.
- Uneven coverage in secondary destinations, rural areas, or countries with few approved operators.
- Slow or English-only support, precisely when you need a quick resolution.
If you're looking for real experiences from other users before deciding, we have a separate analysis with reviews of Saily and its alternative that delves into this very topic.
Comparison: Saily vs. alternatives
This table is an indicative snapshot, not a fixed rate: prices vary by destination, season, and specific promotions, so always check the current price before purchasing. What remains more stable is each brand's positioning: where it's strong and where it's weak.
| Provider | Strong point | Price per GB | Data expiration | Spanish support |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | Integrated app, well-known brand (from NordVPN) | Medium-high on long trips | Variable by plan | Limited |
| PuraSim | Over 200 destinations, quick activation without an app | Competitive, with top-up plans | Clear, specified in each plan | 24/7 via email and WhatsApp |
| Holafly | "Unlimited" data for days | High (no clear GB to compare) | Fixed, by contracted days | Yes |
| Airalo | Very broad catalog of countries | Medium | Variable by plan | Partial |
If you're interested in a direct and detailed comparison, you can find the full head-to-head in PuraSim vs Saily. And if you've been looking at brands with "unlimited" data, it's worth knowing that this term often hides speed or fair usage limits after a certain consumption: we explain it in cheaper alternatives to Holafly.
How to choose based on your type of trip
There is no universal alternative to Saily: it depends on where you're going, how long you're staying, and how you use your phone there. This is the logic that makes sense to apply before buying any eSIM, regardless of the brand.
Practical rule: calculate 1 GB for every 2-3 days of normal use (maps, messaging, social media without continuous video). If you're going to make long video calls, watch series on the train, or share your connection with another device, increase to 1 GB per day.
- Short getaway to a single country (2-5 days): a small and cheap plan for that country, without ties or excess data you won't use.
- Route through several countries in a row: better a regional plan that covers the entire area at once, so you don't have to buy an eSIM at each border.
- Long stay or remote work from another country: a large plan with a good price per GB and a top-up option without having to buy the entire package again.
A specific case: if you're going to spend a weekend in Lisbon or any European city with data roaming included in your Spanish contract, you probably don't need to buy anything. Your operator already covers you under EU roaming regulations. Save your money for the next trip outside Europe, which is where the price difference compared to operator roaming really becomes noticeable. If you have doubts about when an eSIM is worth it and when it's not, the full comparison is in eSIM vs. classic roaming.
For routes crossing several European countries consecutively, you have a ready-made plan in eSIM for Europe, designed precisely so you don't have to buy a different eSIM at each border.
Common mistakes when switching eSIM providers
Switching from Saily to another eSIM is simple, but there are three recurring mistakes that spoil the experience. The most common is buying and installing the eSIM just upon landing, without Wi-Fi coverage to scan the QR code: install it at home, calmly and with your usual Wi-Fi, before you leave for your trip. The profile is saved on your phone, and you decide when to activate it, so there's no rush to do it at the airport.
The second mistake is forgetting to activate data roaming for that specific line in your phone's settings. This is the most typical cause of "the eSIM is installed but I have no internet": the profile is fine, but that line has roaming turned off by default. The third is not checking beforehand that your phone supports eSIM and has the correct purchase region: the vast majority of recent mobile phones allow it, but some models purchased outside the European Union come factory-locked for eSIM and it's best to rule that out before, not after, paying.
- Install and save the profile before traveling, with Wi-Fi and without rushing.
- Activate data roaming in the settings for that eSIM line upon arrival at your destination.
- Choose the eSIM as your primary data line and leave your usual SIM only for calls and SMS.
Confirm your device's compatibility in two minutes with the how to install an eSIM step-by-step guide and avoid surprises when you have the least time to solve them.
Myths about eSIMs that almost no one tells you
There are a few ideas circulating about eSIMs that are not entirely true, or that are only learned after making a mistake once.
"Unlimited" doesn't always mean what you think. Many "unlimited" data plans drastically reduce speed after a certain daily consumption, so for all practical purposes, after watching a couple of high-resolution videos, you're left browsing at old modem speeds for the rest of the day. Before choosing a plan based on the word "unlimited," look for the fine print about speed limits.
You can have several eSIMs saved at once, and that's an advantage, not a problem. Recent mobile phones allow saving multiple eSIM profiles, although only one is active at any given time. This means you can install a Saily alternative without deleting anything, try it on your next trip, and stick with the one that worked best for you, without committing beforehand.
The QR code doesn't expire immediately, but it's a good idea not to leave it until the last minute. Some travelers wait until the day before flying to buy, and if there's any issue with the email or payment, they run out of time to resolve it. Buying a couple of days in advance costs nothing and avoids last-minute stress.
Coverage doesn't depend so much on the eSIM brand as on the local operator it connects to. Almost all consumer eSIMs rely on the same operators in each country, so if a destination has generally poor coverage (rural areas of Morocco, certain Greek islands off-season), that doesn't change much from one provider to another. In the Medina of Fez or the covered alleys of Marrakech, for example, the signal drops significantly no matter what happens with your eSIM: download the offline map before entering, whatever your data operator.
Switching providers is not "breaking up" with the previous one. There's no need to cancel anything or give explanations: you simply buy the new plan, install it alongside the one you already had, and use the one that suits you best for each trip. There are no permanence commitments with this type of product.
How to switch from Saily to another eSIM, step by step
Switching providers does not erase your number or your primary line: the new eSIM coexists with it as a second line, dedicated only to data. As soon as you activate it, your usual number continues to receive calls and SMS normally, while you browse with the new data plan, more adjusted for that destination.
The usual flow is this: you choose the plan according to your destination and the GB you estimate you'll need, you receive the QR code or installation link by email in a matter of minutes, you install it at home with Wi-Fi, and you leave it saved until you land. Upon arrival, you activate data roaming for that line and that's it: no physical cards, no queues at the airport, and no relying on finding an open store upon arrival.
If you've never used an eSIM and all this talk of profiles and QR codes sounds like Greek to you, start by understanding what a virtual eSIM is and how it differs from a traditional physical card. And if you're still not clear on the difference between a data eSIM and your usual operator's roaming, it's worth reading first exactly what data roaming is, because it's the concept that makes everything else fit.
When NOT to buy a new eSIM
It would be easy to always sell an eSIM, but it wouldn't be honest. There are situations where buying a new eSIM, whether from Saily or any other brand, doesn't make sense. If you're going to be less than two days in an EU country and your Spanish plan includes roaming in the EU at no extra cost, don't buy anything: you're already covered and would only be paying twice for the same thing. If your destination is a place with very accessible Wi-Fi in almost all accommodations and you won't be moving much, a few GBs of reserve might be enough without needing a large plan.
It also doesn't make sense to buy a data eSIM if your phone doesn't support eSIM: there are models, especially those bought outside the European Union or older versions, that only accept physical SIMs. In that case, it's better to look for a local physical prepaid SIM or directly use your operator's roaming, and not waste time trying to install a profile that your phone won't accept.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Saily alternative is cheaper?
It depends on the destination and how much data you'll use, but generally, eSIMs with clear GB plans are more adjusted than "unlimited" data plans for short trips, because you don't pay for a margin you won't use. Always compare the actual price per GB for the plan you need, not the entry price of the smallest package.
Can I keep my phone number when switching from Saily?
Yes. The new eSIM functions as a second line dedicated to data and coexists with your main SIM or eSIM, which continues to receive calls and SMS with your usual number. The only thing that changes is how your mobile data browses.
Do I need to install an app to use a Saily alternative?
Not always. Many eSIMs are managed via email and from the phone's own settings, without the need for a mandatory app. You receive the QR code, scan or install it, and activate the line from the phone's configuration.
Is coverage worse with Saily alternatives?
Not necessarily. Most consumer eSIMs rely on the same local operators in each country, so coverage depends more on the destination and its available networks than on the specific brand. Before buying, check that your destination is well covered, regardless of the provider you choose.
Can I have Saily and another eSIM installed at the same time?
Yes, recent mobile phones support multiple saved eSIM profiles, although only one is active for data at any given time. You can try an alternative without deleting Saily and calmly decide, on your next trip, which one worked best for you.
What happens if I run out of data halfway through my trip?
It depends on the provider: some eSIMs allow you to top up the same plan without buying a new one from scratch, while others require you to purchase an entire package again. Before buying, check if the plan allows for top-ups, as it makes a real difference if your trip is extended or you consume more than expected.
Is it worth switching from Saily if I already have it installed and it works well?
If it works for you and the price is right, there's no reason to switch just for the sake of it. It makes sense to look for an alternative when the cost per GB skyrockets on long trips, when you need real support in your language and can't find it, or when you're going to a destination where another brand has better coverage or better expiration conditions for your specific case.
Conclusion
Saily is a valid option, but it's not the only one, nor is it always the most cost-effective: if you're looking for a better price per GB on long trips, more flexibility for topping up, or real support in your language when something goes wrong, there are alternatives that might be a better fit depending on your trip. Compare coverage, actual price per GB, and ease of activation before deciding, and remember that for many short getaways within Europe, the best decision is not to buy anything and use the roaming you already have included. For all other cases, choose the eSIM that best suits your specific itinerary and travel connected from the first minute.
