ESIM Packages Tested & Compared
- Traveling abroad often involves the hassle of securing reliable and affordable mobile data.
- for those unfamiliar, an ESIM is a digital SIM card embedded directly into a phone or other connected device.
- The primary advantage of using an ESIM for international travel is the ability to purchase and configure a data plan before arrival, ensuring immediate connectivity. While ESIM plans...
ESIM Comparison: Saily, Holafly, and Airalo Tested in Morocco
Table of Contents
- ESIM Comparison: Saily, Holafly, and Airalo Tested in Morocco
- ESIM Comparison: Saily, Holafly, adn Airalo Tested in Morocco – Your Questions Answered
- What is an ESIM?
- What are the Main Advantages of Using an ESIM for International Travel?
- Which ESIM Providers Were Tested in Morocco?
- How Does Purchasing an ESIM Work?
- Which app Offers the Easiest and Best User experience For Each ESIM Provider?
- How Do You Install and Activate an ESIM?
- Activation Process: Any Drawbacks?
- Are There Any Special Offers?
- What Are the Key ESIM Installation Tips to Avoid Issues?
- Summary Comparison of Saily, Holafly, and Airalo
Traveling abroad often involves the hassle of securing reliable and affordable mobile data. ESIMs (embedded SIMs) offer a convenient choice to traditional SIM cards. This article compares three popular ESIM providers – Saily, Holafly, and Airalo – based on a recent test conducted during a two-week trip to Morocco.
Understanding ESIM Technology
for those unfamiliar, an ESIM is a digital SIM card embedded directly into a phone or other connected device. It functions like a traditional SIM but eliminates the need for physical swapping. This allows users to switch between mobile carriers or data plans without physically changing a SIM card.
The primary advantage of using an ESIM for international travel is the ability to purchase and configure a data plan before arrival, ensuring immediate connectivity. While ESIM plans may not always be the cheapest option, they save valuable time and effort on the ground.
Crucially, ESIMs handle cellular data, leaving your primary SIM card active for calls, SMS, and other services associated with your original phone number.
Several ESIM services have emerged in recent years, including Holafly, Saily, Airalo, Ubigi, and Gomoworld. Even fintech companies like Bunq and Revolut now offer ESIM options within their applications.
Note: The ESIM packages used in this test were provided by the respective companies.
ESIM Plan options
Here are some ESIM plan options:
- Unlimited calls, 200GB in France, 30GB in Europe
- Unlimited calls, 50-70GB in France, 15GB in Europe, starting from 4.99€/month
- Unlimited calls, 6GB in France, 6GB in Europe
Test Methodology
During a two-week trip to Morocco, three individuals tested and compared ESIM services from Airalo, Saily, and Holafly. Each ESIM was installed and used on a separate phone to provide independent performance data.
- Paul used an iPhone 11 with a Saily ESIM, providing 10 GB of data for 30 days.
- Clément used an iPhone 14 with an Airalo ESIM, offering unlimited data for two 10-day periods.
- Maxime used an iPhone 16 Pro with a Holafly ESIM,providing unlimited data for 16 days.
The comparison focused on purchase and activation processes, network quality, and the overall data/price ratio.
Purchasing an ESIM: A Straightforward Process
ESIM packages from Holafly, Airalo, and Saily can be purchased either through a web browser or directly from their respective mobile applications. While Saily initially required users to download its app for purchase, this is no longer the case.
The purchase process is similar across all three services: select a country, choose a data plan, and proceed to checkout. Once purchased, the ESIM is visible within the app and requires manual activation. This allows travelers to prepare in advance and activate their ESIM upon arrival.
Holafly stood out by offering a promotional discount. Shortly after the initial purchase, a follow-up email offered a 10% discount on a second ESIM package for 48 hours. This could be beneficial for group travel or multi-destination trips.
Mobile Applications: Saily’s Extensive Approach
The mobile applications for each service offer varying levels of functionality. Saily provides a minimalist yet comprehensive experience, leveraging the expertise of its parent company, Nord Security (known for NordVPN). The Airalo app is considered slightly less modern, while Holafly’s app falls somewhere in between.
In addition to data usage monitoring,the Saily app offers a virtual location change (VPN),ad and tracker blocking,and web protection features. These features,drawing on Nord Security’s expertise,differentiate Saily from Holafly and Airalo.
While the other two apps are less feature-rich, all three provide quick access to purchased ESIMs and plan details.
ESIM Installation and Activation
Activating a purchased ESIM plan is typically done through the dedicated mobile application or via a link in a confirmation email. two installation methods are generally available, depending on the phone’s operating system:
- Direct installation on the phone (through the app or phone settings).
- Installation from another device by scanning a QR code.
The phone’s operating system (iOS in this case) guides the user through the activation and configuration process.
During the test, Saily provided a confirmation message upon triumphant activation. Holafly and Airalo, however, remained on a loading screen for several minutes, requiring a manual check in the iPhone’s network settings to confirm activation. This was a minor inconvenience.
Essential ESIM Installation Tips
To ensure a smooth ESIM installation and avoid unexpected charges, consider these tips:
- Activate the ESIM.
- Rename the ESIM to distinguish it from the primary line (e.g., “Saily” or “Vacation ESIM”).
- Designate the ESIM as the line for cellular data.
- Disable automatic switching between lines to prevent the primary SIM from connecting to foreign networks and incurring roaming charges.
- Disable data roaming on the primary SIM.
ESIM Comparison: Saily, Holafly, adn Airalo Tested in Morocco – Your Questions Answered
Are you planning a trip to Morocco and want to stay connected? ESIMs offer a convenient way to get mobile data without dealing with physical SIM cards. This guide answers your most pressing questions about using ESIMs, based on a real-world test of Saily, Holafly, and Airalo during a two-week trip to Morocco.
What is an ESIM?
An ESIM, or embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone or other device.Unlike customary SIMs, you don’t have to physically swap them out. This lets you switch between mobile carriers and data plans easily. For travelers, it’s a great option because you can often set up your data plan before you even arrive at your destination.
What are the Main Advantages of Using an ESIM for International Travel?
The main advantages are:
- Convenience: Purchase and configure your data plan before you leave home.
- Immediate Connectivity: Be online as soon as you arrive at your destination.
- Dual SIM Functionality: Keep your primary SIM active for calls and SMS while using the ESIM for data.
Which ESIM Providers Were Tested in Morocco?
This review focuses on three popular ESIM providers: Saily, Holafly, and Airalo. The test was conducted during a two-week trip to Morocco.
How Does Purchasing an ESIM Work?
Where can you buy an ESIM? You can typically purchase ESIM packages either through a web browser or directly from the provider’s mobile application.
What’s the purchase process like? The steps are generally similar: select your destination country, choose a data plan, and proceed to checkout. After purchase, the ESIM is visible within the app, ready for activation. This enables you to plan ahead and activate your ESIM upon arriving at your destination.
Which app Offers the Easiest and Best User experience For Each ESIM Provider?
Saily Mobile App
Saily’s app is described as minimalist yet thorough. It includes features like a virtual location change (VPN), ad and tracker blocking, and web protection, leveraging the expertise of its parent company, Nord Security (NordVPN).
Airalo Mobile App and Holafly Mobile App
The Airalo app is considered slightly less modern, while Holafly’s app falls somewhere in between Saily and Airalo with regards to user experience.
How Do You Install and Activate an ESIM?
You typically activate your ESIM through the mobile application or a link in a confirmation email.There are generally two installation methods available:
- Direct Installation: Directly on the phone (through the app or phone settings).
- QR Code Installation: Install from another device by scanning a QR code.
Your phone’s operating system (like iOS) will then guide you through the activation and configuration.
Activation Process: Any Drawbacks?
During the test, saily provided a confirmation message upon triumphant activation. With Holafly and Airalo,the activation remained on a loading screen for several minutes,requiring a manual check in the iPhone’s network settings to confirm activation. This was considered a minor inconvenience.
Are There Any Special Offers?
Yes. Holafly offered a promotional discount. Shortly after the initial purchase,a follow-up email offered a 10% discount on a second ESIM package for 48 hours. The article states this is beneficial for group travel or multi-destination trips.
What Are the Key ESIM Installation Tips to Avoid Issues?
Here are the essential tips:
- Activate the ESIM.
- Rename the ESIM to distinguish it from your primary line (e.g.,”Saily” or ”vacation ESIM”).
- Designate the ESIM as the line for cellular data.
- Disable automatic switching between lines. This prevents your primary SIM from connecting to foreign networks, perhaps incurring roaming charges.
- Disable data roaming on your primary SIM.
Summary Comparison of Saily, Holafly, and Airalo
Here’s a quick comparison, summarizing the key aspects from the provided text:
| Feature | Saily | Holafly | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purchase | Through App or Web | Through app or Web | Through App or Web |
| App Features | VPN, ad/tracker blocking, web protection (Nord Security) | App functionality in between Saily and Airalo | Less modern App |
| activation Process (Test) | Instant Confirmation | Loading screen. Manual check required | Loading screen. Manual check required |
| Deals/Promotions | Likely | Promotional Discount for second ESIM | Likely |
note: The provided text does not contain information on data plan pricing, data speeds or network quality of those ESIM providers.
We hope this breakdown, based on real-world testing, helps you decide which ESIM is the best fit for your Moroccan adventure!