Airalo vs Yesim: which eSIM should you use in 2026
Airalo covers 200+ countries with fixed data plans and the widest brand recognition. Yesim runs pay-as-you-go and includes a virtual phone number with SMS on every plan. Airalo suits predictable short trips; Yesim suits travelers who want a reachable local number.
Both are solid, dependable providers — the right pick comes down to whether you value a phone number over Airalo's broader coverage.
When Airalo wins
If your trip is short, predictable, or heads somewhere niche, Airalo's fixed plans and 200+ country coverage make it the safer default.
When Yesim wins
If staying reachable by phone matters as much as data, or your trip length is hard to predict, Yesim's pay-as-you-go credit and built-in virtual number solve both problems at once.
| Provider | Data | Validity | Price | Get plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | 1-20GB tiers | 30 days | From $4.50 | View plan |
| Yesim | Pay-as-you-go | Flexible | From $3 | View plan |
- Airalo: Widest country coverage, pay only for the data you need.
- Yesim: Includes a virtual phone number with SMS on every plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper for a short trip?
Airalo's fixed plans are usually cheaper for a predictable, short single-country trip, since you buy exactly the data you need.
Does either include a phone number?
Yesim does, on every plan, with a virtual number for SMS. Airalo only includes it on select global plans.