Saily alternatives for US data: Zap eSIM vs Saily
Saily is a travel eSIM app with mobile data in 200+ destinations. If you're looking for an alternative for US data, Zap eSIM is a narrower option: prepaid US data plans only (1, 3, 5 or 10 GB, or Unlimited for 7 days), paid with Bitcoin over Lightning, with no account needed and no KYC. Here's how they compare.
Plan-by-plan comparison
| Plan size | Zap eSIM | Saily (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB, 7 days | $5.50 | US$3.99 (the page headline says “starting from US$3.49”, but the cheapest plan listed is US$3.99) |
| 3 GB, 30 days | $8.49 | US$8.99 |
| 5 GB, 30 days | $11.99 | US$13.99 |
| 10 GB, 30 days | $19.99 | US$22.99 |
| 20 GB, 30 days | Not offered | US$36.99 |
| Unlimited | 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) | 15 days US$45.99 (5 GB a day without a speed limit, then up to 1 Mbps) |
| Phone number | Data only, no phone number; keep your current number on your main SIM | Optional US phone number with a call and text plan |
| Hotspot | Usually works, but depends on your phone and isn't guaranteed | “No hotspot restrictions or limitations” |
| Networks | Verizon and AT&T (multi-network) | See saily.com |
| How you set up | In the browser; eSIM delivered instantly on your order page | Download the Saily app, install the eSIM, pick a plan |
| When the plan starts | When the eSIM first connects to a supported network | 180-day activation period |
| Payment | Bitcoin Lightning | Card logos, Apple Pay and Google Pay shown on the page |
| Account / ID | No account needed to buy (an account is optional), no KYC | See saily.com |
| Extras | Top-ups from your saved order link (GB plans) | 3% back in Saily credits; security features (virtual locations, ad and tracker blocking) |
Prices checked on October 4, 2026 on each provider's own website: 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.
The honest verdict
Saily is cheaper at 1 GB; Zap eSIM is cheaper from 3 GB up. Saily's 1 GB / 7 days plan is $1.51 less than Zap eSIM's. Zap eSIM is $0.50 less for 3 GB / 30 days, $2.00 less for 5 GB / 30 days and $3.00 less for 10 GB / 30 days.
Saily also has a 20 GB plan, an unlimited plan with more full-speed data per day (5 GB a day vs Zap eSIM's 2 GB, though Saily's is 15 days at US$45.99 and Zap eSIM's is 7 days at $17.99, so they aren't directly comparable), and an optional phone number. Zap eSIM is the alternative if you don't want to install an app, create an account or pay by card: you pay a Lightning invoice in your browser and the eSIM shows up on the same page.
Who should pick which
- Pick Saily if you want the cheapest 1 GB plan, a 20 GB plan, a longer unlimited plan, a US phone number, one app for many countries, or its built-in security features (virtual locations, ad and tracker blocking). Zap eSIM doesn't include features like these.
- Pick Zap eSIM if you want 3 to 10 GB for a month at a lower price, or to pay with Bitcoin Lightning, with no account needed, no KYC and no app.
Other Saily alternatives we compared
We've also compared Zap eSIM vs Airalo and Zap eSIM vs RedteaGO, and rounded up the best 1 GB US eSIM plans. On the prices we checked, RedteaGO's data-only US plans were the lowest of all.
A private, secure connection, explained plainly: the private part is the checkout. You don't need an account or ID, and you pay with Bitcoin over Lightning instead of a card. The secure part is the standard encryption mobile networks use on the link between your phone and the network. It isn't a VPN and doesn't hide your activity from the mobile network. More in the FAQ, or read eSIM privacy: who can see what, what no-KYC means here and how paying with Bitcoin works.
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 Saily. Product names are used only to identify the services compared and belong to their owners.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zap eSIM cheaper than Saily for the US?
At 3 GB and up, yes; at 1 GB, no. On October 4, 2026, Saily was cheaper at 1 GB / 7 days (US$3.99 vs $5.50). Zap eSIM was cheaper from 3 GB up: 3 GB / 30 days $8.49 vs US$8.99, 5 GB / 30 days $11.99 vs US$13.99, and 10 GB / 30 days $19.99 vs US$22.99.
Does Zap eSIM have an unlimited plan like Saily?
Yes: Unlimited for 7 days at $17.99, with the first 2 GB each day at full speed, then up to 1 Mbps (best effort, often lower), resetting about every 24 hours. Saily's US page lists a 15-day unlimited plan at US$45.99 with 5 GB a day without a speed limit, then up to 1 Mbps.
Do I need an app to use Zap eSIM?
No. You buy in the browser, pay a Lightning invoice, and your eSIM is delivered instantly on your order page, where you can scan the QR code.
Does Zap eSIM need an account or ID?
No account is needed and there's no KYC. Save your order page link: it's your receipt and how you top up later.
Which should I pick if I need a US phone number?
Saily. Its US page offers an optional US phone number with a call and text plan. Zap eSIM plans are data only.
Is my connection private and secure?
Checkout is private: no account, no ID (no KYC), no email needed, and you pay with Bitcoin over Lightning instead of a card. Bitcoin payments aren't anonymous, but you don't hand over a name, card or ID to buy. The connection is a normal mobile data connection: traffic between your phone and the mobile network is encrypted as standard. It isn't a VPN or end-to-end encryption, and the mobile network still carries your traffic and can see connection details. For extra privacy online, use a VPN or encrypted apps on top. See our privacy policy for what we do collect.
How do I pay for Zap eSIM?
With Bitcoin over the Lightning Network from any Lightning wallet. Prices are in US dollars, charged in sats. More: how paying with Bitcoin works.