Blog

Airalo vs Ubigi: My Honest Travel eSIM Experience

Airalo vs Ubigi – Which eSIM Should You Choose?

Hi, I’m Anna – a passionate traveler who has tested countless eSIM providers during my trips around the world. If you’re here searching for “Airalo vs Ubigi”, chances are you’re planning your next adventure and want to avoid expensive roaming fees.

I’ve personally tried both Airalo and Ubigi, and in this review, I’ll share my real travel experiences to help you decide which eSIM provider works best for your journey.

👉 Quick tip: If you want to skip straight to the best deals, I recommend starting with Airalo here.

What Are Airalo and Ubigi?

Before diving into my experience, let’s break down what these two providers offer:

  • Airalo

    • Founded in 2019, Airalo is one of the largest global eSIM marketplaces.

    • Offers coverage in over 200+ countries and regions.

    • Flexible prepaid data packages for short trips and long stays.

  • Ubigi

    • Owned by Transatel (a NTT Group company).

    • Provides eSIM services with a focus on global connectivity and business travelers.

    • Works in 190+ destinations with monthly and pay-as-you-go plans.

Both aim to replace physical SIM cards with a seamless digital solution, but the experience, pricing, and usability differ a lot.

Airalo vs Ubigi: A Detailed Comparison

Here’s my hands-on breakdown of both services:

1. Ease of Use

  • Airalo: Super easy. Download the app, pick a plan, install the eSIM, and activate. Took me less than 5 minutes on my iPhone.

  • Ubigi: Slightly more complicated, especially during setup. I had to scan a QR code and deal with some APN settings.

✅ Winner: Airalo – perfect for beginners.

2. Coverage and Speed

  • Airalo: Excellent in Europe and Asia. I used it in Italy, France, and Japan – the speeds were reliable enough for Google Maps, WhatsApp, and even Netflix.

  • Ubigi: Good coverage too, but I noticed slower speeds in rural areas of Spain and Thailand.

✅ Winner: Airalo – slightly faster and more stable overall.

3. Pricing

  • Airalo: Very affordable with flexible packages. Example: 1GB in Europe starts at just $4.50.

  • Ubigi: More expensive, often almost double the price for the same data.

✅ Winner: Airalo – best for budget-conscious travelers.

4. Plans

  • Airalo: Offers local, regional, and global eSIMs. Perfect if you travel across multiple countries.

  • Ubigi: Mainly global plans, good for long-term travelers but less flexible.

✅ Winner: Airalo – more choice.

5. App Experience

  • Airalo: Clean, modern, and super easy to recharge or switch plans.

  • Ubigi: Functional but outdated interface.

✅ Winner: Airalo again.

My Real Travel Experience

As someone who has tested over 5 eSIM providers while exploring Europe, I found that stability and flexibility matter more than just cheap prices.

While Ubigi worked fine in big cities, it didn’t perform well for my off-the-beaten-path adventures. Airalo, on the other hand, gave me peace of mind wherever I went.

👉 That’s why I personally lean towards Airalo when choosing between Airalo vs Ubigi.

Pros and Cons of Each

Airalo

✔ Affordable and flexible plans
✔ Easy installation and app interface
✔ Reliable global coverage
✘ Some smaller countries may have fewer data options

Ubigi

✔ Backed by a strong telecom group (NTT)
✔ Good for business travelers needing monthly plans
✘ Higher prices
✘ More complex setup

Quick Comparison Table

Feature Airalo Ubigi
Coverage 200+ countries 190+ countries
Ease of Use Very beginner-friendly Setup requires more steps
Pricing Budget-friendly More expensive
App Modern and easy to navigate Functional but outdated
Best For Tourists & frequent travelers Business & corporate users

FAQ: Airalo vs Ubigi

1. Which is cheaper, Airalo or Ubigi?
👉 Airalo is usually much cheaper, with flexible pay-as-you-go plans.

2. Which works better for Europe?
👉 From my experience, Airalo had more stable coverage across Europe.

3. Is Ubigi worth it?
👉 Yes, if you’re a business traveler needing corporate-level service. But for regular tourists, Airalo is the better option.

Conclusion: My Choice Between Airalo vs Ubigi

I’m Anna, and after testing both providers on my travels, my verdict is clear:

If you’re looking for affordable, flexible, and reliable eSIMs, go with Airalo.

Ubigi has its place for business travelers, but for most tourists and digital nomads, Airalo offers the best value.

👉 Try Airalo today and make your next trip smoother: Click here to get started.

RELATED ARTICLES:

Home – Airalo Esim Review – Airalo Reviews –  –  –  – 

Leave a Reply