Short answer: On 17 October 2026, eSIM Signal was cheaper than Saily in 51 of 55 matching plans across Italy, the USA, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Europe. On fixed-data plans the gap was usually 40–65%, and it was widest on Europe-wide plans. Saily's strengths are elsewhere: security features from the company behind NordVPN, an optional US phone number, a 180-day window to start your plan, and cheaper 30-day unlimited plans in Italy, Turkey and Thailand. If price per gigabyte matters most, eSIM Signal usually wins. If you want built-in privacy tools or a phone number, Saily offers things we do not.
Saily vs eSIM Signal at a glance
Both sell prepaid travel data on an eSIM that sits next to your usual SIM, so your number and WhatsApp keep working. Here is how they differ.
- Who is behind it: Saily comes from Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. eSIM Signal is an independent travel eSIM shop.
- Coverage: Saily lists 200+ destinations. eSIM Signal covers 210+ countries.
- Installing: Saily's setup runs through the Saily app. eSIM Signal emails you an install link and a QR code within minutes, so no app is needed, though we have one for iPhone and Android.
- Security features: Saily includes virtual locations, malicious-site blocking and an ad and tracker blocker. eSIM Signal offers plain mobile data, and any VPN app you already use works on it as on any other connection.
- Phone number: Saily sells an optional US phone number with a call and text plan. eSIM Signal plans are data-only.
- Starting your plan: Saily gives you 180 days to start a plan before it activates by itself. On most eSIM Signal plans, the days start counting when the eSIM first connects at your destination, and we recommend using it within 30 days of purchase.
- Credits: Saily returns 3% of a purchase as Saily credits. eSIM Signal gives 5% cashback on purchases made in our app.
- Payment: eSIM Signal charges in euros and takes cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
Saily prices vs eSIM Signal, destination by destination
We compared the public euro prices on both websites on 17 October 2026, for the same destination, data and validity. How much less eSIM Signal cost:
- Italy: 5 GB for 30 days was 47% less, 10 GB for 30 days 48% less, 20 GB for 30 days 38% less. See Italy plans
- USA: 5 GB for 30 days was 55% less, 10 GB for 30 days 59% less, 20 GB for 30 days 59% less. See USA plans
- Japan: 3 GB for 30 days was 40% less, 5 GB for 7 days 48% less, 5 GB for 30 days 43% less. See Japan plans
- Turkey: 5 GB for 30 days was 45% less, 10 GB for 30 days 45% less, 20 GB for 30 days 39% less. See Turkey plans
- Europe (regional plans): 5 GB for 30 days was 60% less and 10 GB for 30 days 65% less. See Europe plans
Small plans follow the same pattern: a 1 GB, 7-day plan cost 40–48% less with eSIM Signal in every destination where both sell one.
Coverage of the Europe plan differs too. Saily's Europe plan lists 35 countries. eSIM Signal's covers 41, including the UK, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Turkey and much of the Balkans. Our guide to one eSIM for all of Europe explains how regional plans work at borders.
Saily unlimited vs eSIM Signal unlimited
Unlimited is closer:
- 7 days: eSIM Signal was cheaper in all six destinations, from 3% less in Italy to 32% less in the USA.
- 15 days: eSIM Signal was cheaper in all six, from 5% less in Italy to 35% less in the USA.
- 30 days: Saily was cheaper in Italy (about 16%), Turkey (8%) and Thailand (27%), and the two were level in Europe. eSIM Signal was cheaper in the USA (13%) and Japan (6%).
At the time of writing, Saily describes its Italy unlimited plan as 5 GB a day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps. Every unlimited travel plan, ours included, has a fair-use policy like this, so check the daily allowance before you buy. See what unlimited really means.
Where Saily is the better choice
- You want privacy tools built in. Virtual locations and ad and tracker blocking come with the app.
- You need a phone number. Saily's optional US number covers calls and texts. Our plans are data-only.
- You buy far ahead. A 180-day window to start the plan is longer than ours.
- A month of unlimited data in Italy, Turkey or Thailand, where Saily's 30-day plans cost less.
- Refund flexibility. Saily offers a full refund within 30 days if the eSIM was not installed or the plan not activated. eSIM Signal's window is 24 hours, before activation.
Where eSIM Signal is the better choice
- Fixed data at a lower price. The biggest savings in our comparison, often half price or better.
- Europe-wide trips. More countries on one plan, and about 60% cheaper for 5–10 GB.
- No app required. Install from the email link or QR code, and manage the eSIM on the website if you prefer.
- Shorter unlimited trips. Cheaper for 7 and 15 days in every destination we checked.
Saily vs Airalo vs eSIM Signal
If you are also weighing Saily against Airalo: on 17 October 2026, their fixed-data prices were within a few percent of each other in most destinations, and eSIM Signal was cheaper than both on almost every fixed-data plan. See our Airalo vs eSIM Signal comparison and, for unlimited-only plans, Holafly vs eSIM Signal.
How we compared: we used the public euro prices shown on the Saily and eSIM Signal websites on 17 October 2026, for the same destination, data allowance and validity. Prices change often, so treat the percentages as a snapshot and check the live price before you buy. Saily and NordVPN are trademarks of their owners. eSIM Signal is not affiliated with Saily or Nord Security.
Frequently asked questions
Is eSIM Signal cheaper than Saily?
In most cases, yes. On 17 October 2026, eSIM Signal was cheaper in 51 of 55 matching plans across six destinations, usually by 40–65% on fixed-data plans. Saily was cheaper for 30-day unlimited in Italy, Turkey and Thailand.
Who owns Saily?
Saily is made by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. That is why its app includes security features such as virtual locations and ad and tracker blocking.
Do I need the Saily app to use a Saily eSIM?
Saily's setup runs through its app, where you install the eSIM and manage your plans. eSIM Signal sends an install link and QR code by email, so you can install without any app.
Is Saily cheaper than Airalo?
They are close. In our 17 October 2026 check, Saily and Airalo charged within a few percent of each other for most fixed-data plans, with each cheaper in some destinations. eSIM Signal was cheaper than both on almost every fixed-data plan we compared.
Can I use a VPN with an eSIM Signal plan?
Yes. eSIM Signal plans are ordinary mobile data, so any VPN app you already use works on them, just as it does on Wi-Fi or your home network.
Does Saily give you a phone number?
Saily sells an optional US phone number with a call and text plan. eSIM Signal plans are data-only: you call and message over WhatsApp, FaceTime or similar apps, and your usual SIM keeps your own number.