Airalo eSIM review 2026: plans, pricing, top-ups and refunds
A summary of Airalo's plan types, pricing model, app purchase flow, top-ups and refund rules, taken from what the brand publishes.
En bref
- Airalo is an eSIM store covering 200+ countries and regions, which suits travellers visiting several countries who want to manage everything in one app.
- Most plans are data only with no phone number, and a refund for a change of mind comes back as Airmoney only, so read the terms before paying.
- Do not buy months ahead: networks may recycle an eSIM that was never installed, often 90 days after purchase according to Airalo.
This review is based on the plans, policies and help pages Airalo publishes, as of October 2026, and not on a test trip. Prices change often, so there are no price figures here. This site also sells eSIMs, which is worth keeping in mind as you read.
Who runs Airalo and what it sells
Airalo calls itself the world's first eSIM store and says it covers 200+ countries and regions. You can buy on the web or in the iOS and Android app, which is offered in 53 languages, and there is a Thai-language website at airalo.com/th. The product is prepaid data packages, split into single-country, regional and global. The network a package uses is shown on that package's page, so read it before paying, especially if you prefer one operator.
Types de forfaits
| Type | What the page says | Ce qu'il faut vérifier |
|---|---|---|
| Pays | Prepaid data for one country | GB size, days and the network named on the package page |
| Regional and global | One package that works across several countries | Whether the country list includes every stop |
| Data, Voice & Text | A few plans include voice and text; most are data only | Whether a phone number is included |
| Illimité | After 3GB in a day, speed drops to 1 Mbps until the 24-hour period resets | The 24-hour period counts from activation, plus the hotspot rule |
On hotspot, Airalo says tethering works if your device and the network support it, and unlimited plans have no device limit. For China trips, Airalo says packages that cover China (country, Asia regional and Global) need no VPN because traffic is routed through gateways outside mainland China.
How pricing works and what Airmoney is
Standard packages are priced as a block of GB for a number of days, while unlimited plans are priced per day. The site has a currency selector with US dollars shown by default; whether baht is offered could not be verified, so open the selector yourself and compare the current price for your exact travel dates.
- Airmoney is reward credit pegged to the US dollar
- It can expire since 1 February 2025, but the expiry resets to one year with each purchase
- It cannot be used for renewals
Buying and installing through the app
- 1Pick a packageChoose the country, GB size and days, then read that package's validity policy, since it differs between packages.
- 2PayezPay in the app or on the web and the eSIM appears in your account.
- 3InstallInstall on Wi-Fi through the app or by QR code. Airalo recommends installing as early as possible.
- 4Activer à destinationMost plans start counting when the eSIM connects to a supported network in the coverage area; some start at installation.
Top-ups, validity and recycling
Airalo offers top-up packages for many eSIMs, though not all, so check your eSIM's page for a top-up option. On buying ahead, Airalo gives no fixed install deadline but warns that networks may recycle unused eSIMs, often 90 days from purchase, and that Airalo has no control over this.
Refunds and support
The refund button only appears on eligible orders. Expired or fully used eSIMs are not eligible. Reasons such as a wrong purchase or changed plans are refunded as Airmoney only, while installation problems or an eSIM that does not work can go to Airmoney or the original payment method.
Support is 24/7 live chat in the app and on the web, plus email and WhatsApp. Airalo does not state whether agents answer in Thai.
Strengths and limitations
Avantages
- 200+ countries and regions in one store
- A Thai-language website, and an app in 53 languages
- Publishes its unlimited threshold in clear numbers: 3GB a day, then 1 Mbps
- 24/7 live chat and WhatsApp
Inconvénients
- Most plans have no phone number
- A change-of-mind refund is Airmoney only
- An eSIM bought long before the trip risks being recycled
- Thai-speaking agents are not stated, and payment in baht is not verified
À qui cela convient
Airalo suits people visiting several countries or regions on one trip, who like checking usage and topping up in an app and are fine paying in a foreign currency. If you need a phone number or want to buy many months ahead, compare other options first. This site also sells eSIMs: plans priced in baht, no app needed, QR sent by email, support in Thai, English and Chinese, and a self-service refund within 14 days if the eSIM is not installed.
Questions fréquentes
Does Airalo come with a phone number?+
Most plans are data only. A few Data, Voice & Text plans include calls and messages, so check the package page, and keep your Thai SIM for bank OTP texts.
How far ahead can I buy?+
There is no fixed install deadline, but networks may recycle an eSIM that was not installed, often from 90 days after purchase, so buying closer to departure is safer.
What can Airmoney be used for?+
It is credit for buying later packages. Its expiry resets to one year with each purchase, but it cannot be used for renewals.
Do I need a VPN with Airalo in China?+
Airalo says packages covering China need no VPN because traffic goes through gateways outside mainland China. That applies to eSIM data, not hotel Wi-Fi.
About the author
Porsch Kunnipat Siramanakul
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- Digital marketer
- Performance marketing and marketing planning
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