Is Saily Worth It? Honest Review of the eSIM Travel App

Traveling to different countries often requires dealing with expensive roaming charges, but if you have an eSIM that provides a cheap data plan, that hassle is eliminated. Whether you're a frequent traveler or just someone who wants to avoid the hassle of swapping over to a local sim card, Saily is an option you might consider.

In this review, I'll cover everything you need to know about Saily, including the basics of eSIM technology, best and worst use cases, key features, pricing, security, and more.

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Please note: All screenshots featured in this review are real, from my iPhone.

If you have a specific question about the functionality of the app, please feel free to drop it in the comments section at the end of the post.

What Is Saily?

Saily is a product from Nord, the same company behind the highly trusted NordVPN service, which I've been using and recommending for years due to its excellent performance as a log-less VPN.

Now, with the launch of Saily, they’ve expanded their offerings into the world of eSIM technology.

Saily is a way to stay connected while traveling without the need for a physical SIM card. With Saily, you can purchase a data plan even before you leave your home country and activate it on your phone once you arrive.

Saily is a data-only eSIM, which means it does not support phone calls or SMS messaging. You can use it to browse the internet, use apps, and make internet-based calls (like WhatsApp or FaceTime), but you won’t be able to make or receive regular mobile calls or texts through Saily itself.

However, if your phone supports dual SIM or dual eSIM functionality, you can use Saily for data while keeping your primary SIM active for calls and SMS. For example, you could maintain your Thai SIM for receiving calls and texts, while running your internet through Saily’s data plan at the same time. This setup is ideal if you want to manage costs or coverage while staying connected across multiple networks.

What Is eSim?

eSIM technology, like a regular SIM card, lets you activate a cellular (data) plan on your mobile device. However, unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs don’t require you to physically change cards, making them an ideal solution for frequent travelers who want to avoid the hassle of searching for local SIM cards in foreign countries.

At a basic level, think of it like this. You have a primary and secondly number in your phone. Your primary number is the one you use in your home country, the one all your contacts have. The secondary number is the eSIM, which you switch to once you arrive in Thailand, or wherever you are traveling. You can use the data from this eSIM to use all the services on your phone.

And yes, you can swap back to your primary number at any time. On an iPhone, you can have up to 8 eSIM numbers! On Android, the number varies between phone but around 5-7. I'm quite sure that only two eSIM numbers can be active on a device at one time, but the other numbers can be stored and switched to when required.

How Does Saily Work?

Saily is compatible with any mobile phone that supports eSIM technology, and once installed, it eliminates the need for you to install new eSIMs for each country you visit.

Regional plans ensure you stay connected even while traveling across international borders, and you can top up your plan anytime if you run out of data.

Do You Need Saily? Best Use Cases

1. Immediate Connectivity at the Airport

• Ideal for getting online instantly upon landing in Thailand (or any country where Saily offers coverage).
• Lets you access Grab, Google Maps, currency converters, hotel confirmations, etc., before you even leave the terminal.
• Avoids airport kiosk prices or the hassle of queuing for a local SIM.

2. Backup Data Plan

• Keep Saily activated and switch to it if:
  • Your local data plan runs out.
  • The local provider network has issues (e.g., downtime, no signal).
  • You’re in a rural area and another network has better data coverage.

3. Visa Runs / Border Trips

• Useful for short hops to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, etc.
• Instead of buying a new SIM in every country, just switch Saily’s region plan and get online.
• Great for multi-country trips or nomads bouncing across Southeast Asia.

4. Bad Hotel Wi-Fi

• Some hotels or Airbnbs have spotty Wi-Fi.
• Use Saily instead of burning through your local Thai data, especially if you're on a capped plan.

5. Avoiding Roaming Fees from Your Home SIM

• Don’t want to enable roaming on your UK/US/AUS SIM just for one airport ride or quick email?
• Switch to Saily and stay connected without risking a £100+ roaming bill.

6. Dual SIM Convenience Without a Second Physical SIM

• Keep your main Thai SIM for calls/texts, and run data through Saily.
• Useful for phones with only one SIM tray but dual eSIM capability (like newer iPhones or Pixels).

7. For Tourists Who Don't Want to Deal with Local SIM Registration

• Some short-stay tourists don’t want the hassle of giving passport info or dealing with top-ups.
• Saily avoids this entirely—no ID needed, prepaid data, buy online in minutes.

8. Avoiding Thai SIM Expiry (When You Don’t Return Often)

• Thai prepaid SIMs can expire in as little as 90 days.
• If you're an occasional visitor, you might find your old SIM is inactive. Saily offers a no-fuss way to get online instantly without hunting for a shop.

When Saily Is Not Ideal

• If you need to make or receive local calls/SMS (e.g., for deliveries, visa OTPs, banks).
• If you’re planning long-term stay in Thailand — local providers like AIS, TrueMove H, or DTAC offer better value with full service.
• If your phone is not eSIM compatible or if you're using an older dual-SIM device.

Saily Pricing and Plans

Saily offers flexible pricing depending on the country or region, as well as the length and data amount you choose. Below are some examples of Saily's most popular plans in various tourist destinations:

*Prices vary slightly from time to time, depending on promotions and competitor price fluctuations.

As you can see from the table above, Saily offers both short-term and long-term plans, with options for multiple data amounts depending on your needs.

Available Countries

Saily is available in over 200 countries and territories. Whether you're traveling to Europe, Asia, the Americas, or elsewhere, you can get connected. Plus, with regional plans (e.g., Europe, Asia, North America), you can ensure connectivity across multiple countries without the need to buy a new plan for each one.

Saily Customer Support

Saily has chat support located inside the app; you just need to enter your order number to reach out to the support. There is also a comprehensive FAQ in the app, and help on the website for eSIM activation on different devices. Honestly, though, I found it very easy to set up on my iPhone.

Saily Vs Other eSim Providers (Feature comparison)

Security Features

Saily comes equipped with a number of security features that enhance your online privacy while traveling:

1. Virtual Location: Saily allows you to browse the web as if you’re in a different country by masking your IP address, which offers a level of privacy similar to using a VPN. You can select from 37 global locations to ensure you're securely connected while abroad.
2. Ad and Website Blocker: Powered by NordVPN’s Threat Protection, Saily blocks potentially malicious websites, phishing attempts, and intrusive ads, ensuring a safer and faster browsing experience.
3. Tracker Blocker: Prevents third-party trackers from collecting your data, further protecting your privacy while online.

Saily Vs Local SIM Providers

But is a data-only eSIM like Saily really worth it?

After all, local providers in Thailand offer great SIM deals that include both data and calls. Still, there are certain situations where having a backup data-only eSIM can come in very handy, like when crossing borders, dealing with patchy hotel Wi-Fi, or saving data on your main SIM.

If you're staying long-term, a local SIM will of course give you better value overall. But for travellers and digital nomads, Saily can be a convenient addition. Let's take a look at what the three biggest Thai providers are offering right now.

How to Set Up Saily On iPhone & Android

To activate the Saily eSIM on an iPhone, follow these steps:

Quick Roundup (Pros & Cons)

Saily is a convenient option for travellers who want quick, no-fuss access to mobile data without relying on local SIM cards or paying high roaming fees. It’s especially useful as a backup data plan, for short border trips, or for getting online immediately after landing—before you’ve had a chance to buy a local SIM.

The app is easy to use, and the setup process is fast, with no need to show ID or visit a store.

That said, Saily is data-only, so you can’t make or receive regular calls or SMS messages. If you’re staying in Thailand (or any country) long-term, you’ll likely get better value from a local provider offering full-service SIMs with calls, texts, and cheaper local rates. Still, for digital nomads, frequent travellers, or those doing regional trips across Southeast Asia, Saily offers a flexible and reliable way to stay connected.

Are there other eSIM providers like Saily? Yes, as shown in the comparison table above.

I chose to try Saily because I’ve been a long-time user of their sister product, NordVPN, which remains a staple part of my online security thanks to its no-logs policy and reliability. That gave me confidence that Saily would also be a quality service. Of course, you can explore other eSIM options available on the market and pick the one that best fits your needs.

Pros:

• Quick setup with no physical SIM or ID required
• Works across multiple countries with regional plans
• Great for short trips, layovers, or poor Wi-Fi areas
• Can be used alongside your main SIM if your phone supports dual SIM/eSIM
• 24/7 in-app customer support

Cons:

• No support for phone calls or SMS
• Data plans may be more expensive than local SIM options for long-term stays
•  Requires an eSIM-compatible phone
•  Limited if you rely on local numbers for deliveries, bookings, or banking

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Not sure if Saily fits your travel style?  Drop a comment or question below and I will help you weigh the options.

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