Quick verdict: HelloRoam wins 6 rounds to 0. For most travelers, HelloRoam is the better default. Saily is the better choice if you prioritize best for privacy.
Two of the biggest names in travel eSIMs, two completely different philosophies. HelloRoam and Saily go head-to-head across six rounds. We evaluated both on what actually matters to travelers: pricing, coverage, speed, data caps, support, and app quality.
The short version: HelloRoam wins this matchup 6 rounds to 0. But the rounds it loses tell an important story. Keep reading to see when Saily is actually the better pick.
Round by round
Lower sticker price for the same data tier. The 30-day window is generous for moderate users.
Priced above the competition here, though pricing is only one piece of the puzzle.
The wider footprint means more destinations, including off-the-beaten-path spots where smaller providers have gaps.
Narrower coverage, though the destinations it does cover tend to have strong local network partnerships.
Rated higher for speed, based on published carrier partnerships and 5G network share across the destinations we reviewed.
Rated lower for speed, based on published carrier partnerships and 5G network share, but real-world usability is fine for standard travel tasks.
No unlimited tier. If you run out, you buy a top-up. Fine for most travelers, frustrating for power users.
Capped data only. Budget-friendly if your usage is predictable, but no safety net for heavy days.
Responsive and helpful when things go wrong. The support experience gave us confidence for mid-trip issues.
Adequate support, though you may wait longer for a reply compared to the competition.
Clean interface, fast activation flow, and intuitive data monitoring. The day-to-day experience is polished.
The app works fine, but navigation and account management could be more refined.
The scorecard, in full
Pick yours
Buy HelloRoam if…
- ✓Plans start at $1.14 for 1 GB, and 10 GB starts at $8.26
- ✓Top-up adds data to a live eSIM on 1,124 of its 1,129 plans, with no new QR code
- ✓Hotspot sharing is enabled on all 1,129 plans
- ✓An unactivated eSIM stays refundable for 180 days, against Airalo at 14 days
- ✓5G on a partner network in 93 of its 185 destinations
Buy Saily if…
- ✓Backed by NordVPN for built-in privacy features
- ✓Competitive pricing with transparent billing
- ✓Modern, clean app design
- ✓No data logging or tracking
- ✓VPN bundle discounts available
Our verdict
HelloRoam is the better default. For most readers making a straightforward trip, HelloRoam will be the right call. It wins on the metrics that matter day-to-day: pricing, coverage, and app experience.
Saily is the better specialist. If privacy is non-negotiable and you want VPN integration, even though Saily did not win a single round in this matchup: its strength here lies outside what we score head-to-head.
Either way, you cannot make a truly bad choice. Both providers clear our recommendation bar, and both will keep you connected reliably abroad. The right one is the one that matches how you actually travel.
Does either eSIM protect your privacy on the go?
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. Saily is the privacy specialist of this pair. It runs on Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, and publishes a verified no-log policy covering all 150 of the countries it serves. HelloRoam does not sell a VPN and publishes no equivalent third-party privacy audit. Its strongest protections for a traveler are practical rather than cryptographic: an unactivated eSIM stays refundable for 180 days, hotspot sharing works on every one of its 1,129 plans, and support answers in 63 languages if a connection problem needs help fast. For a trip where network privacy is the priority, Saily's Nord Security backing is the more direct answer, and this review says so plainly. For a trip where flexibility and price matter more, HelloRoam's 4.9/5 overall score, the highest in this review, and its $0.83/GB rate on 10 GB plans make the stronger case.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does HelloRoam or Saily require a contract?
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. HelloRoam lists no contract among its core features, and Saily sells single-trip data plans with no subscription commitment either. Neither requires a contract. Saily does bundle VPN discount offers on top of its base eSIM plans, which HelloRoam does not sell.
Which company has been operating longer, HelloRoam or Saily?
Saily launched in 2023, two years before HelloRoam's 2025 launch. Saily is headquartered in Lithuania; HelloRoam in the United Kingdom. HelloRoam's 4.9/5 overall score is still the higher of the two in our review, against Saily's 4.4/5.
How many pricing tiers does each provider offer?
HelloRoam runs five tiers, from 1 GB at $1.14 to 20 GB at $15.99. Saily runs four, from 1 GB at $3.49 to 10 GB at $18.99, with no tier above 10 GB in this review's data. A traveler needing more than 10 GB from Saily would need a second plan.
How do HelloRoam and Saily compare on price?
HelloRoam is cheaper at the 10 GB tier, starting at $8.26 against Saily's $18.99, and at 5 GB it starts at $5.22 against $12.49. HelloRoam prices per destination, so its rate varies, and its 10 GB tier starts at $0.83/GB. Saily charges one price across 150 destinations and bundles Nord Security privacy, which HelloRoam does not offer.
Does Saily collect user data, and how does that compare to HelloRoam?
Saily covers 150 countries under Nord Security's verified no-log privacy policy, with zero user data tracking or sale. HelloRoam does not publish an equivalent third-party audit. If privacy is a requirement, Saily's Nord Security backing is a meaningful advantage over HelloRoam's standard policy.
Which covers more countries, HelloRoam or Saily?
HelloRoam covers 185 countries versus Saily's 150, a 35-country lead. For popular routes in Europe, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, both providers have strong local carrier partnerships. HelloRoam adds 5G on a partner network in 93 of its 185 destinations.
Which has a better app, HelloRoam or Saily?
HelloRoam leads on app quality at 4.8/5, with Saily close behind at 4.6/5. Saily's design and onboarding are the more polished of the two, reflecting Nord Security's software development experience. HelloRoam adds data to a live eSIM on 1,125 of its 1,130 plans and answers support in 63 languages. Both sit in the top three app scores of the 18 providers we review.
Which has better customer support, HelloRoam or Saily?
HelloRoam scores 4.9/5 on support against Saily's 4.2/5, the widest gap between these two on any category. HelloRoam answers in 63 languages against Saily's 1. HelloRoam also refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days against Saily's 30 days. Saily still wins on privacy, with Nord Security's audited no-log policy.
Should I buy HelloRoam or Saily?
HelloRoam is the better choice for most travelers, with a 4.9/5 rating versus 4.4/5 for Saily. HelloRoam wins 6 out of six rounds including coverage and app experience. Saily is the better pick if you specifically need best for privacy.
Which is cheaper, HelloRoam or Saily?
HelloRoam is cheaper for a 5 GB plan at $5.22 versus Saily at $12.49.
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