The cheapest alternatives to Airalo are smaller sellers of the same kind of fixed-data plan. On 9 October 2026, 10 GB for 30 days cost $18.00 with Airalo in Japan, $16.50 with Ubigi and $7.00 with us; in Europe it was $31.00, $15.00 and $7.54. If you want unlimited data without a daily speed cap, Holafly is the alternative, at $27.50 for a week. Stay with Airalo if you need top-ups in its app or a plan with a phone number.
Airalo is a good product, and the brand most AI assistants recommend first. It is rarely the cheapest. Below are Airalo’s own prices next to Ubigi, Holafly and our own plans for the same trips in five destinations, and the cases where Airalo is still the right choice. We sell travel eSIMs, so we list our weak points too.
Airalo alternatives at a glance
| Alternative | What it sells | Pick it if |
|---|---|---|
| Code eSIM | Fixed-data and capped-unlimited plans from several networks, 190+ destinations | You want the lowest price for a set number of gigabytes |
| Ubigi | Fixed-data plans with top-ups | You want a cheaper fixed plan from a long-standing brand |
| Holafly | Unlimited data only, priced by the day | You stream video every day and do not want to count gigabytes |
The same 10 GB, five destinations
These are the prices on each provider’s own pages on 9 October 2026, in US dollars, for 10 GB valid for 30 days. Europe means each provider’s regional Europe plan, and the country lists differ.
| Destination | Airalo | Ubigi | Code eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $18.00 | $16.50 | $7.00 |
| South Korea | $19.00 | $14.00 | $7.20 |
| Thailand | $11.00 | $11.00 | $7.00 |
| USA | $22.50 | $14.00 | $9.80 |
| Europe | $31.00 | $15.00 | $7.54 (34 countries) |
The gap is smallest in Thailand, where Airalo’s 10 GB plan is $11.00, and largest in Europe, where it is $31.00. In South Korea all three use SK Telecom, so you pay different prices for the same network.
If you want unlimited data
Airalo’s unlimited plans are not fully unlimited: on the pages we checked, speed drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day in Japan and South Korea, and after 5 GB a day in Thailand and the USA. Holafly sells unlimited data with no daily allowance, but limits hotspot sharing to 1 GB a day.
| Unlimited, 7 days | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | $26.50 (3 GB a day) | $27.50 |
| South Korea | $29.00 (3 GB a day) | $27.50 |
| Thailand | $21.00 (5 GB a day) | $27.50 |
| USA | $25.00 (5 GB a day) | $27.50 |
| Europe | $27.00 (5 GB a day) | $27.50 |
For a week, the two cost about the same, so the speed rule decides it. Our Airalo vs Holafly comparison goes through the differences, and our own Japan unlimited week costs $19.00 but slows to 256 kbps after 3 GB a day.
When Airalo is still the better choice
- You want to top up in an app. Airalo plans are rechargeable from its app. Many of our plans can be topped up too, but not all; the plan page says which.
- You need a phone number. Airalo sells USA plans with minutes and texts, such as 10 GB, 100 minutes and 100 texts for 30 days at $30.00. The plans in our table are data only.
- You value a large brand. Airalo has far more independent reviews than smaller sellers like us.
- You are visiting Thailand for a short trip. Its 10 GB plan costs $11.00, close to the alternatives.
What to check with any alternative
- Network: the local carrier your plan uses. Our network guide explains why it matters.
- Where your data exits: some plans route data through another country. On our plans above, data exits in Japan, Hong Kong (South Korea), Indonesia (Thailand), the United States and the United Kingdom (Europe), as listed on each plan page.
- Speed after a daily cap: “unlimited” usually means a daily high-speed allowance.
- Hotspot: every plan in our table supports it; check before you buy elsewhere.
- Your phone: it must support eSIM and be unlocked. See our compatibility list.
For country-by-country picks, see our guides to the best eSIM for Japan and the best eSIM for international travel, and what a travel eSIM costs across 944 plans.
Frequently asked questions
What is cheaper than Airalo?
Smaller sellers of fixed-data plans. On 9 October 2026, 10 GB for 30 days cost $18.00 with Airalo in Japan, $16.50 with Ubigi and $7.00 with Code eSIM; in Europe it was $31.00, $15.00 and $7.54.
Is Ubigi better than Airalo?
On price, usually yes: Ubigi’s 10 GB plan for 30 days was cheaper than Airalo’s in Japan, South Korea, the USA and Europe on 9 October 2026, and the same price in Thailand. Airalo covers more plan types, including plans with a phone number.
Is Holafly a good Airalo alternative?
Only if you want unlimited data with no daily speed cap. A Holafly week cost $27.50 in all five destinations we checked, while Airalo’s 10 GB plans cost $11.00 to $31.00 for 30 days.
Is Airalo unlimited really unlimited?
No daily data cap, but a daily speed allowance. On the plans we checked, speed drops to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day in Japan and South Korea and after 5 GB a day in Thailand and the USA.
Can I keep my phone number with an Airalo alternative?
Yes. A travel eSIM is a second line, so your home SIM stays in the phone and keeps receiving calls and texts. Our guide to keeping your number with a travel eSIM shows the settings.
Why are Airalo prices higher?
Airalo pays for a large app, marketing and support. Smaller sellers often resell similar network access with less overhead, which is why the same 10 GB on the same network can cost less.
If you already know how many gigabytes you need, compare the price for that size, not the brand.
Last reviewed 9 October 2026. Airalo, Ubigi and Holafly prices and terms are from each provider’s own pages on that date, in US dollars; they change and can vary by country and promotion. Our prices come from our catalogue on the same date; product pages are authoritative. Airalo, Ubigi and Holafly are trademarks of their owners; this article is independent of them.