Airalo vs Nomad: which travel eSIM suits your trip?

These two don't sell the same size of plan, so start there. We compare Airalo's 10 GB plan with Nomad's 20 GB plan, both for 30 days in the US.

The two plans

Airalo's US plan, which it labels Change, is $22.50 for 10 GB. It runs on T-Mobile, Verizon. Nomad's United States plan is $38 at list for 20 GB, on AT&T, Verizon. Both are data only. Prices checked November 2, 2026 and November 2, 2026.

Per gigabyte, Nomad's list price ($38 for 20 GB) works out lower than Airalo's ($22.50 for 10 GB). If you need only 10 GB, that doesn't help. Nomad's own page also sells a 10 GB US plan, so compare like for like in the calculator.

Nomad's US page showed the 20 GB plan with an "on sale" tag on Nov 2, 2026. The figure above is the list price. A sale ends. Don't plan around it.

When validity starts

Airalo's help page says each package has a validity policy. Most start when the eSIM connects to a supported network in its coverage area, and some start as soon as you install. Read the package details.

Nomad's help center says validity begins only once activated, not at installation. The US page says you can leave the plan unstarted for 60 days after purchase, after which it activates on its own.

For anyone installing at home before a flight, Nomad's rule is easier to plan around.

Unlimited

Airalo's US page listed unlimited packages of 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 and 30 days. It displayed euros, and the 7-day plan was EUR 23.50 on Nov 2, 2026. Nomad's US page listed 3, 5 and 7 days, with the 7-day plan at $23. I read Airalo in euros and Nomad in dollars, so there's no verdict on which is cheaper.

The caps differ in size. Nomad's 7-day plan carries this rule in its plan data: "2GB/day at 4G/5G. 1 Mbps after 2GB". Airalo's US page data says 1 Mbps after 5 GB of usage per day. Airalo's allowance is the larger one before the slowdown.

Hotspot, top-ups and support

Airalo's help page says hotspot works if your device and the network support it. Nomad's FAQ says its eSIMs support tethering and hotspot. Even.

For top-ups, Airalo says "in many cases" you can top up and that renewals can trigger at 10 percent data remaining. Nomad adds data through its Manage page, and the add-on starts when your original data is gone or expired. Leftover data from an expired plan isn't carried over. Some Nomad eSIMs don't accept add-ons. Airalo's US page also promises 24/7 support.

Which to buy

Pick Nomad for a start date you control and a lower list price per gigabyte. Pick Airalo if you'd rather use one store for local, regional and global eSIMs covering 200+ locations, or want renewals. Full write-ups: Airalo review and Nomad review. The wider field is in the best travel eSIMs, and every plan sits under eSIM plans.