Airalo vs. Ubigi (2026 review)

Higher entry price. Lower real cost once the phone number is counted.

aloSIM starts at $3.50; Ubigi’s entry is lower on paper, around $2 for 500MB. But Ubigi is strictly data-only with no rewards, while every aloSIM plan bundles a free Hushed number, $3 calling credit and 5% aloCASH back. On real, all-in value, the lower sticker price doesn’t hold up.

A low entry price, undercut by everything the plan leaves out.

Ubigi’s 500MB starter runs about $2, and its network quality is real. But the plans are strictly data-only with no rewards and no bundled number, so the low headline price buys just data. aloSIM starts at $3.50 and returns 5% on every purchase, so the all-in value lands in its favour.

The biggest network in the category, and the deepest track record.

Airalo’s reach and maturity are its strongest cards: 200+ destinations, years of operational history, and local plans in places newer providers skip. It doesn’t disclose the carrier before purchase and has no European sub-zones, but on raw breadth and reliability at scale it leads.

Data straight from a real operator, with 5G across dozens of destinations.

This is Ubigi’s category. As an NTT company running its own mobile infrastructure, it delivers fast, reliable data with 5G in 65+ destinations and unlimited plans in around 75. The network pedigree is genuine and consistently praised. On raw connectivity quality, Ubigi earns the win over aloSIM here.

Ten million-plus installs and one of the deepest review bases.

Airalo carries 4.6 on the App Store from 33,793 ratings and 4.35 on Google Play across 182,713 reviews, on more than 10 million installs, with 4.1 on Trustpilot. The volume alone signals trust; criticism centres on data-only plans and peak-season support waits.

Solid Trustpilot standing, dragged down by a weak Google Play score.

Ubigi holds 4.1 on Trustpilot across 45,144 reviews and 4.4 on the App Store. But Google Play sits at just 3.77 from 7,530 reviews, a real weak point that reflects app and account frustrations. aloSIM’s app-store scores are higher and more consistent across platforms.

A mature app, but strictly data-only, with no number or calculator.

What Airalo does, it does cleanly, but the feature set stops at data. There’s no phone number, no calling credit, no data calculator, and no security tools. The appeal is reliability and choice at scale rather than bundled extras, which simply aren’t part of the product.

Strong core connectivity, but almost nothing bundled around it.

Ubigi offers 5G and unlimited options, which matter, but the plans are data-only: no phone number, no data calculator, no security tools. aloSIM’s free Hushed number and Data Calculator are concrete inclusions on every plan that Ubigi’s network-first model simply doesn’t carry.

Available on most plans, with no separate add-on.

Airalo permits tethering on most of its plans without an add-on, which covers the majority of trips. The gap is consistency: it isn’t guaranteed across the entire catalogue, so a specific plan is worth checking, but for most travellers hotspot works as expected.

Unrestricted tethering, one of the genuinely consumer-friendly touches.

Ubigi places no restriction on hotspot use, which suits laptop-heavy travellers and is as open as aloSIM’s policy. aloSIM matches it and extends the same no-cap promise across every plan and destination, edging ahead only on breadth of guarantee.

Airmoney credit and referrals, but a thin everyday return.

Airalo’s Airmoney and refer-a-friend credits exist, but the everyday return is modest next to a flat percentage. For an occasional traveller little accrues; the rewards are a small bonus on top of the core product rather than a reason to choose it.

Effectively none, beyond an occasional welcome code.

Ubigi runs no loyalty program and no standing referral; the most you’ll see is an occasional WELCOME10-style promo. For a repeat traveller, nothing accrues. aloSIM’s 5% aloCASH on every purchase and no-cap $3/$3 referral make this one of the widest gaps on the page.

24/7 chat and WhatsApp at real scale, with peak-season waits.

Airalo staffs support around the clock across chat and WhatsApp, and at its scale the help centre is thorough. Reviewers do report slower responses in peak season, and live help sits inside the app, but the operation is broad and generally reliable.

A slow, portal-based email channel with no live lifeline.

Ubigi’s support runs largely through an email portal, and slow responses are a recurring complaint. There’s no 24/7 live chat and no web-reachable channel for when the eSIM won’t connect. aloSIM’s 24-hour chat, reachable from the web, and money-back guarantee are far ahead here.

A polished, well-worn app that does what a scaled product should.

Years of iteration show: Airalo’s app is fast, familiar and reliable, with smooth install and top-up flows and a compatibility check. It’s one of the most refined experiences in the category, and a big part of why the brand is the default choice for many.

Capable, but the app and account tools show their age.

Ubigi works, but the consumer experience trails the field: the app and account management feel dated, and setup is fiddlier than newer rivals. aloSIM’s 90-second install, in-app top-ups and carry-over eSIM profile are a clearly more modern, consumer-first experience that reviewers notice.