If you're deciding between Ubigi and Airalo for your next trip, the doubt is legitimate: they are two of the most well-known eSIMs and work similarly, but they are not the same. In this guide, we compare them by price, coverage, activation, and app so you can see which one better suits your type of trip and where each one falls short.
Ubigi vs Airalo in one sentence
Ubigi focuses on data plans with app-based top-ups and strong regional profiles; Airalo is a massive marketplace of country-specific eSIMs with very low entry prices. Ubigi often wins in recharge experience and Airalo in variety and initial price, but both charge for unused data if it expires.
The practical difference lies in the details. Airalo sells you a fixed package (e.g., 3 GB for 15 days) and when it runs out, you buy another; its catalog covers over 200 destinations, and you can find plans from almost symbolic amounts. Ubigi, on the other hand, is designed for frequent travelers: you install a profile and top up when you need it without rescanning anything. If you fly once a year, that convenience won't matter to you; if you travel every two months, you'll notice it. Another little-discussed difference is that Ubigi offers some plans with data without clear expiration as long as you have credit, something Airalo almost never does. Neither is "the best" in the abstract: it depends on how much you travel and how much you value not having to manage multiple eSIMs on your phone.
Prices and plans: who is cheaper
For entry price, Airalo usually wins the first battle with very cheap small packages, but the real cost per gigabyte depends on the destination. Ubigi is better for longer stays and regional profiles, where its price per GB drops. The table summarizes what you usually find for the same European destination.
| Aspect | Ubigi | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Smallest plan | Usually starts at 1 GB | Very small packages from minimal amounts |
| Cost per GB (long stay) | Competitive in regional plans | Increases when buying multiple packages |
| Unlimited data | In some destinations | In selected destinations |
| Top-up | Without reinstalling the profile | Sometimes implies a new eSIM |
The trick is not to just look at the price of the first package. A very cheap 1 GB plan that runs out in two days of maps and WhatsApp with videos forces you to repurchase, and that's where Airalo can end up costing more than a medium Ubigi plan. Before buying, calculate your actual gigabytes; if you're on a tight budget, check how much data you need for your trip so you don't run short or pay too much.
Tip: always compare the cost per GB of the full plan you will use, not the price of the tempting 1 GB package. That number is misleading.
Coverage and network quality
Both rely on local operators, so coverage depends more on the country than the brand. Airalo usually lists the network you connect to before purchasing; Ubigi tends to prioritize networks with good data roaming. In practice, in large cities, both work well; differences appear in rural areas, where the underlying operator dictates performance. If your destination has poor mobile coverage in general, no eSIM will fix it.
One point worth noting is speed. Many travel eSIMs limit the connection to 4G even if your mobile supports 5G, and that affects downloads and streaming. If it matters to you, check the plan details to see if it includes high-speed network; we discuss this in eSIM and 5G: real speed when traveling. To find out if your phone will take advantage of these networks, first review which mobiles are compatible with eSIM, because an older model will leave you stuck with 4G regardless.
Activation and ease of use
The process is almost identical: you buy, receive a QR, scan it in the eSIM settings, and activate data upon landing. Airalo adds a direct installation option for many recent mobiles without a QR; Ubigi makes it easy to install the profile from its app. In both cases, the key is to install before leaving home with Wi-Fi and activate only upon reaching your destination.
Where Airalo can confuse a novice is that each purchase can generate a different eSIM that accumulates on the phone; over time, you end up with several dormant lines. Ubigi maintains one profile that you top up, so the phone stays cleaner. If it's your first eSIM and you want a general step-by-step, you have the guide on how to activate an eSIM which works for any provider. And remember: activating the eSIM doesn't erase your physical SIM, so you still receive calls from your home number.
App, top-ups and support
This is where each one's philosophy is evident. Ubigi's app focuses on managing your profile and topping up in two taps without scanning another QR, which is convenient for frequent travelers. Airalo's app works like a store: you browse by country, purchase, and manage each eSIM separately. For a one-off trip, it doesn't matter; for ten trips a year, Ubigi's saves friction.
For support, both offer help via chat, though not always in English and with varying hours. This is precisely where an alternative like PuraSim makes a difference: 24/7 support in Spanish, clear prices, and hassle-free top-ups. If you're comparing major brands, you might also be interested in seeing PuraSim vs Ubigi and the three-way comparison of Holafly, Airalo, and PuraSim to get the full picture before deciding.
Who each one is for
Choose Airalo if you're taking a single trip, want the lowest entry price, and don't mind managing multiple eSIMs. Choose Ubigi if you travel frequently, value topping up without reinstalling, and often move between several regions. And consider a third option if what you're looking for is support in your language and a simple app without surprises.
- Once-a-year traveler: Airalo for initial price, or an eSIM with Spanish support for peace of mind.
- Frequent multi-country traveler: Ubigi for convenience of top-ups and regional profiles.
- Those who hate complications: an eSIM with 1-minute activation and help in Spanish when something goes wrong.
Whatever your profile, don't marry yourself to a brand name: look at the specific plan you're going to use. If you're still unsure about the general landscape, the guide to the best eSIM for travel in 2026 puts them all head-to-head.
Frequently asked questions
Ubigi or Airalo, which is cheaper?
It depends on the destination and how much data you use. Airalo usually has the cheapest entry package, but if you consume a lot or travel for a long time, Ubigi might be better due to its cost per gigabyte in regional plans. Always compare the price of the full plan you'll use, not the small, tempting package.
Do Ubigi and Airalo work on any mobile?
Only on eSIM-compatible mobiles: iPhone XS or later, most Samsung Galaxy S models, and recent Pixel models, among others. Check first by dialing *#06# and seeing if an EID appears. If your phone doesn't have it, neither will work, and you'll have to resort to a physical SIM.
Can I have both eSIMs installed at the same time?
Yes. Modern mobiles store multiple eSIM profiles, although only one can be active at a time. You can install one from Ubigi and one from Airalo and choose which one you use in the settings. However, accumulating too many dormant eSIMs clutters the menu; delete those you no longer use.
Do these eSIMs provide a number for calls?
Not in most of their plans: they are data eSIMs. With that data, you can use WhatsApp, Telegram, or internet calls without a problem, but you won't receive calls or SMS from a new number. For that, you keep your physical home SIM, which remains active in parallel.
What happens if I run out of data in the middle of my trip?
With Airalo, you buy another package or a new eSIM for the same destination. With Ubigi, you top up your existing profile from its app without rescanning. In both cases, you need a moment of connection (hotel Wi-Fi or remaining data) to complete the top-up.
Conclusion
Ubigi and Airalo are solid options: Airalo excels in entry price and catalog, Ubigi in top-up convenience for frequent travelers. Neither is perfect, and both fall short in Spanish support. If you want clear prices, 1-minute activation, and help in your language when needed, an eSIM designed for Spanish-speaking travelers will save you a lot of headaches. Compare the specific plan, calculate your gigabytes, and choose based on data, not brand name.
