Home Β· Compare providers Β· Airalo vs Ubigi
Airalo vs Ubigi eSIM (2026)
By LTE.app Editorial Β· Updated June 2026
Side-by-side
| Airalo | Ubigi | |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 | 2017 |
| Countries | 200+ | 200+ |
| Starts at | $4.50 | $7.00 |
| Popular plan | 5 GB Β· $16.00 | 3 GB Β· $17.00 |
| Unlimited plans | No | No |
| Hotspot / tethering | Plan-dependent | Yes |
| Phone number included | No | No |
Pricing approximated from each provider's public pricing page. Always verify current rates for your specific destination before purchase. Last reviewed: June 2026.
Strengths and weaknesses
Airalo
The largest eSIM marketplace by country count and brand recognition.
Strengths
- Brand recognition β the most-cited eSIM brand on travel YouTube
- Largest country catalog (200+) and broadest regional plans
- Frequent first-time-customer discount codes
Weaknesses
- No unlimited plans on most destinations
- Hotspot/tethering is plan-dependent and not always documented up front
- Per-GB cost on smaller plans is high vs raw carrier wholesale
Ubigi
Telecom-veteran (Transatel/NTT) eSIM with strong in-flight options.
Strengths
- Owned by NTT (Transatel) β established telecom infrastructure
- In-flight Wi-Fi plans on partnered airlines
- Native iOS support since iOS 12 β early eSIM mover
Weaknesses
- Higher entry price point than newer competitors
- App UX feels dated vs newer entrants
- Limited regional bundle options
Which one is right for your trip?
Pick Airalo ifβ¦
Travelers who want the best-known brand and don't mind paying ~25% more per GB.
Pick Ubigi ifβ¦
Frequent flyers who use in-flight Wi-Fi on Ubigi-partnered carriers.
Which is cheaper β Airalo or Ubigi?
Airalo has the cheaper entry-level plan, starting at $4.50. Pricing varies by destination and plan size; the table on this page reflects each provider's entry-level and most-popular plans as published on their own pricing pages. Always check current rates for your specific destination.
Does Airalo or Ubigi have unlimited data?
Airalo: No unlimited tier. Ubigi: No unlimited tier. Most travelers using 3β8 GB per week pay significantly less on capped plans than equivalent unlimited offerings.
Does Airalo or Ubigi support hotspot/tethering?
Airalo: Plan-dependent. Ubigi: Yes. Hotspot support is a hard requirement if you want to share data with a laptop or travel companion β verify on the specific plan page before purchase.
How many countries does each provider cover?
Airalo covers approximately 200 countries. Ubigi covers approximately 200 countries. Country counts shift over time and include destinations that may have only a single regional plan; check the provider's destination list for the specific country you need.
Will my phone work with both Airalo and Ubigi?
Both providers deliver eSIMs as QR codes that work on any eSIM-capable phone β iPhone XS or newer, Pixel 3 or newer, and most modern Samsung Galaxy devices. You can store both providers' eSIMs on the same phone simultaneously and switch between them in Settings without removing anything.