Yesim vs. Airalo: Which eSIM Provider Wins

Yesim vs. Airalo: Which eSIM Provider Wins in 2025

Yesim Team
Yesim TeamUpdated 29 May 2025
6 minutes to read

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The right eSIM provider can make or break your travel experience. With international roaming charges still sky-high and patchy WiFi everywhere, having reliable mobile data abroad isn't just convenient – it's essential.

Two names keep popping up in the eSIM space: Yesim and Airalo. Both promise global connectivity, but which one actually delivers? After diving deep into features, pricing, and real user experiences, here's what you need to know before your next trip.

Key Points: What Makes Yesim Unique

  • Yesim's international SIM works across 200+ countries with one purchase – eliminating the need for multiple eSIM juggling.
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing means you only pay for data you actually use, not wasted package deals.
  • User satisfaction ratings reveal a massive gap: Yesim scores 4.3/5 vs. Airalo's concerning 2.6/5 on Trustpilot.
  • Unique business features like virtual numbers give Yesim a competitive edge that Airalo simply can't match.

Airalo Review

Airalo logo

Airalo has built a solid reputation as one of the first major eSIM providers. Founded in 2019 and based in Singapore, they've managed to attract over 5 million customers with a straightforward approach to international connectivity.

Airalo's Main Features

  • Wide coverage: Data plans for 200+ destinations.
  • Local and regional options: Choose between country-specific or multi-country plans.
  • Phone calls available: Their global plans include calling features.
  • Established support: Email and live chat with comprehensive FAQs.

The reality? Many travelers find Airalo's approach frustrating. You need to buy a new eSIM for every country or region you visit. Planning a Europe trip that includes a quick stopover in Turkey? That's multiple eSIMs cluttering your phone settings.

Yesim Review

Yesim logo

Yesim launched the same year as Airalo but took a smarter approach. Instead of forcing travelers to juggle multiple eSIMs, they created solutions that actually work how people travel.

Yesim Company Overview

  • Founded: June 1, 2019.
  • Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland (with offices in UAE and Europe).
  • Coverage: 200+ destinations worldwide.
  • Customers: 1+ million satisfied users.
  • Specialties: Unlimited data plans, virtual numbers, business solutions.

The Yesim Advantage

Yesim's international SIM is their game-changer. Buy it once, use it everywhere. No need to research and purchase new plans for each destination. Your phone stays organized, and you stay connected.

  • Pay-As-You-Go Pricing. Unlike Airalo's fixed packages that often leave you with unused data, Yesim lets you pay only for what you actually use. Starting from just €2 per day, with competitive rates that often match or beat competitors on larger packages.
  • Business Features Nobody Else Has. Need virtual numbers for business? Yesim has you covered. Most competitors, including Airalo, don't offer this crucial feature for business travelers and remote workers.
  • B2B Solutions. Companies get their own admin panel to manage eSIMs and virtual numbers for employees. Track usage, manage access, and handle billing from one dashboard.

The Multi-Country Travel Problem

Modern travelers don't stick to single destinations. A typical European trip might include Paris, Rome, and Barcelona. A business trip could span Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. This reality exposes the fundamental flaw in traditional eSIM approaches.

Airalo's Model

Airalo follows the old-school telecom model: one plan per destination. Planning that European trip? You'll need:

  • One eSIM for France;
  • Another eSIM for Italy;
  • A third eSIM for Spain.

Each purchase means:

  • Separate research for optimal plans;
  • Multiple installations and configurations;
  • Cluttered phone settings with unused eSIMs;
  • Potential gaps in coverage during border crossings.

Yesim's Model

Yesim's international SIM eliminates the multi-country hassle entirely. One purchase, one installation, seamless connectivity across 200+ countries. No switching, no gaps, no complications. This isn't just convenient – it's transformative for how you travel.

Head-to-Head Comparison Yesim vs. Airalo

Let's break down how these providers actually stack up:

FeatureYesimAiraloAdvantage
Countries Covered200+ destinations200+ destinationsYesim - Massive convenience
Unique Selling PointOne international SIM for 200+ countriesIndividual plans per destinationYesim - No waste, transparent
Starting Price€0.40 for 1GB$0.55 for 500MB (3 days)Yesim - Save money and stay connected
Virtual Numbers✅ Available❌ Not availableYesim - Proven reliability
B2B Solutions✅ Full admin panel❌ Consumer-focused onlyYesim - Professional capabilities
Network Switching✅ Switchless technology❌ Fixed networkYesim - Better service
VPN Included✅ Free VPN❌ No VPNYesim - Full protection
Trustpilot Rating4.3/52.6/5Yesim - Proven reliability

Pricing Breakdown Airalo vs. Yesim

Yesim Pricing Structure:

  • International SIM: Pay-as-you-go from €4.50.
  • Regional unlimited plans available.
  • Special business packages.
  • Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.

Airalo Pricing Structure:

  • Country-specific: Starting $0.55 for 500MB.
  • Regional plans: Varies by destination.
  • Global plans: Higher cost for calling features.
  • Multiple purchases needed for multi-country trips.

User Satisfaction Speaks Volumes: Review of Yesim vs. Airalo

Yesim vs. Airalo

The most telling evidence comes from actual users. Trustpilot ratings reveal a stark contrast:

This 1.7-point gap represents thousands of real travel experiences. But let's look at what users actually say.

Yesim Users Feedback

"It's the first time I use Yesim for a trip abroad and I can confirm that the service offered is truly remarkable. At the first problem contacting support they immediately responded and solved."

"Yesim provided us with fast internet on our trip to Thailand. The customer service is on point and is quick to respond to any issues. eSIM setup was quick and easy."

"I had an excellent experience using mobile internet while roaming! The connection was fast and reliable. It was so convenient not having to worry about slow speeds or sudden disconnections."

Airalo Users Feedback

"2/5 is generous. Have bought twice. Once for Japan and then for Turkey. First time worked in UK while on WiFi, but failed completely when I needed it most."

"My recent experience in Mexico was disappointing. The eSIM works reliably only in larger cities, while much of the country has no coverage."

"In the past it worked for me. On January in the UK, it didn't. I used a new phone so I was not completely sure it was their fault. Now I am travelling again. I have another eSIM and it works great with the same phone."

The pattern is unmistakable: Yesim delivers consistent reliability while Airalo struggles with fundamental connectivity issues.

Coverage and Network Quality: Yesim vs. Airalo

Both providers offer similar geographic coverage, but the experience differs significantly.

Yesim Network Technology

  • Switchless Network: Automatically connects to the strongest available 5G/4G network.
  • Smart routing: Optimizes connection based on location and usage.
  • Consistent speeds: 4G LTE and 5G where available.

Airalo Network Technology

  • Fixed network assignments: Stuck with one carrier per destination.
  • Coverage gaps: Particularly problematic in rural areas.
  • Inconsistent performance: Varies significantly by location.

How to Choose the Right eSIM Provider

Picking the right eSIM provider is important if you want a smooth and reliable mobile connection. The best provider will give you good service, affordable prices, and easy ways to manage your plans.

Geographic Coverage

Both offer 200+ destinations, but ask yourself: Are you visiting multiple countries? Yesim's international SIM eliminates the hassle of managing multiple eSIMs.

Cost Considerations

  • Single destination: Airalo might edge out on price for very short trips.
  • Multiple countries: Yesim's international SIM becomes much more cost-effective.
  • Business use: Yesim's B2B features justify the investment.

Ease of Use

Both offer simple installation processes.

  • Management: Yesim's unified approach means less juggling between different eSIMs.
  • Support: Yesim's higher satisfaction ratings suggest better customer service.

Refund Policies

Both providers have strict refund policies, making the initial choice even more important. This is where user reviews become crucial – you want to get it right the first time.

The Bottom Line: Yesim Wins

The evidence across user satisfaction, technology, pricing, and features consistently favors Yesim. While Airalo helped pioneer the eSIM market, they've been surpassed by a more advanced, user-focused competitor.

Choose Yesim because:

  • User ratings prove superior reliability (4.3 vs 2.6 stars);
  • One international SIM eliminates multi-country complexity;
  • Advanced network technology delivers better performance;
  • Pay-as-you-go pricing prevents waste;
  • Business features support professional needs;
  • Customer support consistently receives praise.

Consider Airalo only if:

  • You travel exclusively to single destinations;
  • You prioritize lowest possible upfront cost over reliability;
  • You don't need business features like virtual numbers.

For most travelers – especially those visiting multiple countries or requiring professional connectivity – Yesim offers the more sophisticated, reliable solution. The evidence from real users, technical capabilities, and feature sets makes this choice clear.

Seamless mobile internet in 200+ countries –– at a cup of coffee price!
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Seamless mobile internet in 200+ countries –– at a cup of coffee price! Take away!

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FAQ

Can I use Yesim's international SIM in all 200+ destinations?

Yes, Yesim's international SIM works in 200+ countries with one purchase. For other destinations, they offer specific regional plans.

Is Yesim better than Airalo?

Yes, Yesim often provides better data rates, broader international coverage, and smoother activation compared to Airalo.

Is there a significant speed difference between Airalo vs Yesim?

Both offer 4G LTE and 5G speeds, but Yesim's switchless network technology often provides more consistent performance.

Which provider offers better customer support?

Based on user reviews and ratings, Yesim consistently receives higher marks for customer service responsiveness and problem resolution.

What is the best eSIM provider in the world?

Yesim offers top global coverage, competitive pricing, and user-friendly features—making it a leading eSIM provider.

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