Saily eSIM Review

I tried to use an eSIM once before. I paid the money and then tried to install it. Nothing worked. I figured I’d try again the next day in case it needed time to register. Nothing. Then, when I tried to get my money back, the company was a pain. I had to email them constantly, and it took months.

I figured I didn’t need to get up to speed with eSIMs. We usually travel slowly and spend several months at least in a country, so buying a local SIM is usually of better value.

But what happens when you’ve got a stopover somewhere? I had a quick trip to Malaysia planned for some appointments when Saily reached out and asked if I wanted to try their eSIM.

I was reluctant after the previous attempt with another company, but they gifted me 1GB of data to try, so I figured I didn’t have much to lose.

I was travelling somewhere I knew, so I wasn’t too worried about not being connected if it didn't work.

Saily surprised me, and I recommend them to people who travel. But only under the right conditions!

Here’s my review of Saily, when you should consider an eSIM, and what to look for.

What is Saily eSIM?

Saily eSIM was launched in 2024 by NordVPN. NordVPN is a reliable service, which helped me put faith in their new eSIM product.

This new eSIM is available in 150 countries, so they probably have you covered no matter where you travel!

What is an eSIM?

First things first, what exactly is an eSIM?

eSIM stands for embedded SIM, which allows you to use cellular data from your device without needing a physical SIM card. When travelling, this can be a lifesaver because you don’t need to find a store or negotiate local complications of signing up. Some countries do make this complicated!

Most companies offer this through an app on your phone. You download the app, purchase your plan, and you’re ready. It's a much more simplified process, as anyone who’s tried to purchase a SIM overseas can tell you.

Pros of Saily’s eSIM:

Locations. If you’re a frequent traveller, you don’t want to have to find a new eSIM provider for each country or region you visit. Instead, Saily is available in over 150 countries, simplifying your life.
Easy to use. No one wants to learn to use a complicated system to save a few dollars. The Saily app, available for iOS and Android, is intuitive and quick to set up.
Pricing. Roaming fees can be extortionate. Skip the hefty phone bills and keep scrolling on the go.
Support. I didn’t need additional support when I set up my Saily account, but I’ve heard good reports about how responsive the team is.
Hotspot. Working on the go? Don’t get stuck with a SIM that doesn’t allow you to hotspot. A Saily eSIM has you covered.
Trusted Brand. Plenty of small eSIM brands are popping up, but going with a big player, like Saily’s parent company, NordVPN, brings peace of mind.
Wifi on arrival. Having reliable connectivity as soon as you land and until you sort out a local option can bring peace of mind. eSIMs can be a great temporary solution when landing in a new country.

Cons of Saily’s eSIM:

Cost. If you’re in a country for more than a few days, purchasing a local SIM card may be more cost-effective.
Limited functionality. Yes, you’ll have data, but you won’t be able to make calls or send texts. But who does that these days anyway?

Saily eSIM Data Plans:

When choosing your data plan, you need to consider two variables: size and number of days. These increase together, with small packages only valid for a day. Larger packages can be available for up to 180 days.

First, you want to consider the length of your trip. Even if you have data left, you won’t be able to use it if you're over your allocated timeframe.

This can be frustrating if you know you’ll mostly be on wifi but want a small amount of data that is always available for emergencies. You must still purchase a large package to access the data for a more extended trip.

You can only do the initial set-up to access your data when Wi-Fi is available. So, if you purchase a plan as a backup, you might be unable to switch it on.

Various plans allow travellers to select the option that best suits their travel plans. However, if you need a large amount of data, you may need to look at local options for better prices.

Saily eSIM Packages Coverage

Saily offers three different types of packages, depending on what sort of trip you’re taking.

Local eSIM. These are valid for use in a specific country. These are ideal if you have a stopover for a few days on your way to your final destination. You can buy them in various allowance sizes depending on how much you’re likely to need so you can tailor it to your trip.
Regional eSIM. These are great if you’re hopping through a few countries in a specific region, e.g. Asia, Africa or the Middle East. Rather than having to organise a new SIM in each country and work out how much data you need each time, buy a single package to cover you for the whole trip.
Global eSIM. Bouncing around the entire globe? You can purchase a package for multiple continents to cover the entire trip.

Saily eSIM Pricing

Pricing is a crucial factor when considering eSIM or SIM options.

From my travels, I have found that if you travel slowly (which I always recommend!), there are better answers than an eSIM.

For many Southeast Asian countries, you can purchase a local SIM card and load it with a data package. Vendors at airport arrivals and in most towns offer this service.

However, an eSIM offers a cost-effective option if you have a short stopover.

Before departing, I would always research some local providers and compare their packages with an eSIM option. Alternatively, you can do this at the airport if you have wifi available when you land.

Saily’s prices are very reasonable, starting at $3.99 USD. However, there are regional differences in what Saily offers. For example, 1GB in Asia is just $4.99 USD, but in Barbados, the same package is $8.99 USD. Before purchasing, review all the options available for your itinerary and plan accordingly.

Remember, though, you’re paying for convenience. Even if an eSIM is more expensive, sometimes it is worth it for peace of mind, even if it’s just until you purchase a local SIM.

Saily’s Operators, Coverage and Data Speeds

As you’re not purchasing directly from a local provider, the details of your service will vary depending on Saily's regional partners. You may wish to search for your specific destination before making a decision. Just because Saily provides coverage in a specific country doesn’t mean it will be reliable.

I can confirm that I have never had any issues with coverage or speed throttling in Malaysia.

Although Saily offers a range of networks from LTE up to 5G, the availability of services will depend on your destination. Remember too, Saily won’t allow you to make or receive calls or texts.

Additional Features

Here’s a list of a few additional features of the Saily eSIM.

Data Management. Knowing how much data you have left is important. You don’t want to run out before your trip is up. The Saily app clearly shows how much data you’ve used so you can manage your usage.
Customer Support. This is key to any service. All the reviews I’ve read have said that they provide excellent service. I found their service simple, and I didn’t have any issues with my purchase, so I didn’t have a chance to use their customer support functions.
Setup Guides. The first attempt to install my credit didn’t work, so I did refer to their setup guides. These are clearly laid out and quickly helped me work out what I was doing wrong so I could access my data.

Summary

When you’re travelling, there are a few times you will want to consider getting an eSIM:

You have a stopover on your way
You want to have data as soon as you arrive
You’re stopping in multiple countries for a short time each
Local data options are expensive

If this is you, you should choose Saily as your go-to eSIM option. There are a range of packages to suit different trips, coverage almost everywhere on earth, and the app is super simple to set up and use.