Cheaper alternatives to Airalo for the USA, and where Zap eSIM fits
Airalo is a popular way to get a US eSIM, but it isn't always the cheapest. We compared Airalo's US plans with three alternatives, RedteaGO, Saily and our own Zap eSIM, using each provider's own prices. Short version: RedteaGO was cheaper than Airalo on every plan size, Saily was cheaper at 1 GB and 3 GB, and Zap eSIM was cheaper from 3 GB up but not at 1 GB.
US plan prices side by side
| Plan size | Airalo | RedteaGO (data-only) | Saily | Zap eSIM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | $4.00 / 3 days | $1.60 / 30 days | $3.99 / 7 days | $5.50 / 7 days |
| 3 GB | $9.00 / 7 days ($8.50 / 3 days) | $3.00 / 30 days | $8.99 / 30 days | $8.49 / 30 days |
| 5 GB | $13.50 / 30 days | $4.60 / 30 days | $13.99 / 30 days | $11.99 / 30 days |
| 10 GB | $22.50 / 30 days | $8.30 / 60 days | $22.99 / 30 days | $19.99 / 30 days |
| Unlimited | 7 days $25.00 (3 to 30 days available) | Pay by the day from $0.70/day | 15 days $45.99 | 7 days $17.99 (first 2 GB each day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps (best effort, often lower); resets about every 24 hours) |
Prices checked on October 4, 2026 on each provider's own website: Airalo United States eSIM, RedteaGO United States eSIM, Saily eSIM for the USA. All prices in US dollars as shown on those pages. Prices, taxes and promotions change and can differ by region or currency, so check the provider's site before you buy.
Which alternatives are actually cheaper than Airalo?
- RedteaGO: cheaper on every size we compared, with longer validity too. Its 1 GB plan was $2.40 less than Airalo's, and its 10 GB plan $14.20 less.
- Saily: cheaper for small plans. 1 GB was $0.01 less than Airalo's but lasts 7 days instead of 3; 3 GB was $0.01 less than Airalo's 7-day plan but lasts 30 days. At 5 GB and 10 GB, Airalo was cheaper by $0.49.
- Zap eSIM: cheaper than Airalo from 3 GB up. It was $1.50 more at 1 GB (but lasts 7 days instead of 3), $0.51 less at 3 GB (30 days vs Airalo's 7), $1.51 less at 5 GB and $2.51 less at 10 GB. Its 7-day Unlimited is $7.01 less than Airalo's, but with a smaller full-speed allowance (2 GB a day; Airalo's US 3-day package lists 5 GB a day). Checkout is a Lightning invoice with no account needed and no KYC.
Who should pick which
- Lowest price: RedteaGO.
- Small plan in an app, with an optional US number: Saily.
- Calls and texts, very large plans, more full-speed data per day on unlimited, 200+ destinations: Airalo is still a strong choice.
- 3 to 10 GB for a month for less than Airalo, paid with Bitcoin Lightning, no account, no KYC: Zap eSIM.
Detailed comparisons: Zap eSIM vs Airalo · Zap eSIM vs RedteaGO · Zap eSIM vs Saily · best 1 GB US eSIM.
More on how Zap eSIM works: what no-KYC means here · how paying with Bitcoin works · eSIM privacy: who can see what.
Zap eSIM plans: 1 GB for 7 days ($0.90) · 3 GB for 30 days ($8.49) · 5 GB for 30 days ($11.99) · 10 GB for 30 days ($19.99) · Unlimited for 7 days ($17.99), with the first 2 GB each day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps · compare all plans.
See Zap eSIM plans Top up an existing Zap eSIM
Zap eSIM is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Airalo, RedteaGO or Saily. Product names are used only to identify the services compared and belong to their owners.
Frequently asked questions
What's cheaper than Airalo for a US eSIM?
On prices checked October 4, 2026, RedteaGO's data-only US plans were cheaper than Airalo's at every size we compared (for example 1 GB for 30 days at $1.60 vs Airalo's 1 GB for 3 days at $4.00). Zap eSIM was cheaper from 3 GB up. Saily was slightly cheaper at 1 GB and 3 GB, with longer validity.
Is Zap eSIM cheaper than Airalo?
From 3 GB up, yes; at 1 GB, no. Airalo was cheaper at 1 GB ($4.00 vs $5.50, though Zap eSIM's lasts 7 days instead of 3). Zap eSIM was cheaper at 3 GB ($8.49 for 30 days vs $9.00 for 7 days), 5 GB ($11.99 vs $13.50) and 10 GB ($19.99 vs $22.50).
Why would I choose Zap eSIM then?
If you want 3 to 10 GB for a month at a lower price than Airalo, or you want to pay with Bitcoin over Lightning, with no account needed and no KYC. Your eSIM is delivered instantly on your order page.
Do these prices include taxes?
They're the prices shown on each provider's US page in US dollars on October 4, 2026. Taxes, promotions and prices can change or differ by region, so check the provider's site before buying.