When you travel abroad, the last thing you want is expensive mobile data roaming or the stress of finding a local SIM card at the airport. That is where eSIM technology saves you time, money, and peace of mind.
Two big names dominate this space today, and the debate around Airalo vs aloSIM keeps getting louder among travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers. Both brands promise easy setup, solid 4G and 5G coverage, and prepaid data plans across multiple countries.
But which one truly fits your travel style and budget? Go through this write-up, and you’ll find out!
Quick Overview
Before jumping into features and pricing, you should understand who these companies are and how strong their foundations look in the eSIM industry.
| Particulars | Airalo | Alosim |
| Industry | Telecommunications, Travel | Telecommunications, Travel |
| Founded | 2019 | 2022 |
| Founders | Ahmet Bahadir Ozdemir (CEO); Abraham Burak (COO); Duran Akcaylier | Not publicly listed (operated by Digital Nomad Pte. Ltd.) |
| Headquarters | USA | Singapore |
| Area Served | Worldwide | Worldwide (200+ Countries) |
| Services | eSIM | eSIM (data plans with some voice/SMS options) |
| Members | Over 20 million | Not publicly disclosed |
| Number of Employees | 200-500 | Not publicly disclosed |
| Competitors | Saily, Holafly, Nomad, aloSIM, Yesim, Ubigi, etc. | Airalo, Saily, Holafly, Nomad, Yesim, Ubigi, etc. |
From a high-level view, Airalo and aloSIM operate in the same telecommunications and travel industry, offering eSIM services worldwide.
Airalo launched in 2019 and is headquartered in the USA, while aloSIM entered the market later in 2022 and operates from Singapore under Digital Nomad Pte. Ltd. Airalo clearly stands out in scale, with over 20 million users and a workforce of 200 to 500 employees spread across 55 countries. aloSIM keeps its numbers private, which often suggests a smaller, early-stage operation.
In the Airalo vs aloSIM debate, experience matters. Airalo’s longer market presence and massive user base give it credibility as an eSIM industry leader. aloSIM, on the other hand, positions itself as a focused alternative that competes on simplicity and targeted regional offerings.
Features Comparison: Airalo vs aloSIM
Features are where most travelers make their final decision. You want fast internet, stable connections, and flexible plans that suit short trips or long stays.
| Feature | Airalo | aloSIM |
| Global Plan | Discover plan covers 124+ countries with optional calls/texts via +43 number | No true global plan; the widest is a 34-country Europe pack |
| Regional Plans | Single Asialink (18 countries); limited bundles | Multiple targeted bundles (e.g., Asia 5-pack, Scandinavia, Mediterranean) |
| Phone Integration | Calls/texts on Discover+ at extra cost | Partners with Hushed app for US/Canada numbers, 30 free mins/50 texts |
| Unlimited Data | Available on some plans | Available on select destinations |
| Network Support | Includes 3G fallback | Focuses on 4G/5G; no 3G noted |
| Pricing Edge | Better rates in Latin/North America | Cheaper phone numbers overall |
| App Intuitiveness | Highly intuitive setup and navigation | Slightly less intuitive interface |
| Low Data Notifications | Alerts for running low on data | Similar alerts provided |
| Data Sharing | Supports hotspot tethering and sharing | Enables sharing across devices |
| Data Package Range | 1GB to unlimited, pay-as-you-go focus | 1GB to 20GB flexible options |
| Top-up Restrictions | Only for rechargeable eSIMs | Broader top-up availability |
| Long-term Plans | Low cost per GB for extended trips | Variety for short-term to monthly needs |
| Connection Stability | Weak in some destinations | Occasional cutouts in certain countries |
| Customer Support Depth | Live chat, email, FAQs, blog | Live chat, email, knowledge base, FAQs, blog |
| Setup Ease | Quick and easy activation | Simple but app-dependent |
| Speed Performance | Reliable 4G/5G worldwide | Stable but regionally variable |
In this Airalo aloSIM features breakdown, Airalo wins on global reach. Its Discover global plan covers over 124 countries and even offers optional calls and texts using a +43 number. aloSIM does not offer a true global plan, but it compensates with strong regional eSIM bundles, especially across Europe and Asia.
If you care about phone integration, Airalo allows calls and texts on select plans, while aloSIM partners with the Hushed app to provide US and Canada numbers with free minutes and texts. Both support hotspot tethering eSIM use, which is ideal if you want data sharing across multiple devices.
When it comes to network performance, Airalo includes 3G fallback in some destinations, while aloSIM focuses heavily on 4G and 5G coverage.
In real-world usage, aloSIM vs Airalo data speeds can vary by country, but both offer reliable traveler connectivity overall. Airalo’s app feels more intuitive, especially for first-time users, while aloSIM’s setup is simple but more app-dependent.
Business Comparison of Airalo vs Alosim
Looking beyond user features, the business side reveals how stable and future-ready each provider is.
| Business Aspect | Airalo | aloSIM |
| Market Valuation | Over $1 billion (unicorn status post-2025 $220M Series C) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Revenue Earned | $150M in 2023; estimated $58.9M annually | Not publicly available |
| Expenses | Not publicly disclosed | Not publicly available |
| Profits/Loss | Not publicly disclosed (growth-stage focus) | Not publicly available |
| Total Funding Raised | $280M+ across rounds (incl. $220M Series C) | None publicly announced (bootstrapped inferred) |
| Growth Stage | Series C unicorn, rapid VC-backed expansion | Early-stage private startup (2022-founded) |
| User Base | Over 20 million travelers | Not disclosed (smaller scale inferred) |
| Number of Employees | 200-500 (remote in 55 countries) | 11-50 |
| Countries/Regions Served | 200+ | 200+ |
| Primary Investors | CVC Capital, Peak XV, e& capital, others | None identified |
| Market Position | eSIM market leader with global dominance | Niche regional competitor |
Airalo dominates this section. With unicorn valuation eSIM status after raising over $220 million in a Series C round, Airalo is valued at more than $1 billion. It generated $150 million in revenue in 2023 and continues rapid VC-backed expansion. This makes Airalo a clear VC-backed unicorn and the strongest eSIM market position holder today.
aloSIM operates as a private, early-stage startup with no publicly announced funding. Its employee count remains between 11 and 50, suggesting a lean team and slower growth stage eSIM model. While that does not make aloSIM unreliable, it does indicate limited scale compared to Airalo.
If you are choosing between Airalo competitor aloSIM, business stability may matter to you, especially if you rely on long-term digital nomad eSIM usage.
Revenue Streams: Who has more money-making sources?
Understanding how these companies make money helps you judge pricing, sustainability, and future service quality.
| Aspect | Airalo | aloSIM |
| Primary Stream | Consumer eSIM sales (global/regional plans); 70-80% of total revenue | Consumer eSIM sales (regional bundles); nearly 100% of revenue |
| Secondary Streams | Business eSIMs (centralized billing for teams); affiliate partnerships | Minimal B2B portal; occasional gift card promotions |
| Payment Methods | Credit/debit, PayPal, Apple/Google Pay (broader global reach) | Credit/debit, Apple/Google Pay, crypto, bank transfer (niche options) |
| Pricing Tiers | $4.50+ starting; volume discounts on long-term plans | $4.50+ starting; flexible 1-20GB packs with top-ups |
Airalo earns 70 to 80 percent of its revenue from consumer eSIM sales, covering both global and regional plans. It also runs business eSIM plans for teams and earns from affiliate partnerships. aloSIM, in contrast, relies almost entirely on consumer eSIM sales, with minimal B2B presence.
Both brands start pricing around $4.50, but Airalo aloSIM pricing strategies differ. Airalo focuses on pay-as-you-go and volume discounts for long-term plans, while aloSIM emphasizes flexible 1GB to 20GB packs with broader top-up eSIM options. Payment methods also differ, with aloSIM offering niche options like crypto and bank transfers.
In the Airalo aloSIM difference, Airalo’s diversified revenue streams suggest stronger long-term sustainability, while aloSIM keeps things simple and consumer-focused.
Who Is the Winner?
So, in the ultimate Airalo aloSIM showdown, who wins?
If you want global coverage, long-term reliability, a massive user base eSIM, and strong customer support, Airalo is the clear winner. Its unicorn valuation, extensive countries served eSIM list, and intuitive app make it ideal for frequent travelers and remote workers.
However, if you mainly travel within specific regions and want cheaper phone numbers, flexible top-ups, and simple prepaid data plans, aloSIM can be a smart alternative.
In the best Airalo vs aloSIM decision, it really comes down to your travel habits and data needs!
Conclusion
The Airalo vs aloSIM debate has no one-size-fits-all answer. Airalo shines as the global giant with unmatched scale, funding, and worldwide coverage. aloSIM plays the role of a focused challenger, offering regional travel data and flexible bundles at competitive prices. If stability, reach, and business strength matter to you, choose Airalo. If affordability and regional simplicity are your top priorities, aloSIM may suit you better.
Either way, both providers eliminate the hassle of international SIM cards and keep you connected wherever you go!
FAQs
1. Which is better, Airalo or aloSIM?
Airalo is better for global travel and long-term use, while aloSIM works well for regional trips and flexible data packs.
2. Is Airalo more reliable than aloSIM?
Yes, Airalo generally offers better reliability due to its larger network support and global infrastructure.
3. Does aloSIM support unlimited data eSIM plans?
aloSIM offers unlimited data eSIM on select destinations, similar to Airalo.
4. Can you use hotspot tethering on both?
Yes, both Airalo and aloSIM support hotspot tethering eSIM features.
5. Which eSIM is cheaper, Airalo or aloSIM?
aloSIM often offers cheaper phone numbers and flexible packs, while Airalo provides better value for long-term and global plans.
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By the way, which SIM do you use? Feel free to comment down below! Thanks for reading 🙂
