Saily eSIM review

Alex Beaney

Looking for a convenient way to stay connected while you’re abroad? An eSIM could help you avoid hefty roaming fees when travelling outside the UK.

That's why we've created a Saily eSIM review for 2024, covering all the information you might need. This includes how to activate the eSIM, what plans are available and how it works. We'll also highlight specific pros and cons of Saily eSIMs.

And if you need a cost-effective way to handle your finances across borders, check out the Wise international debit card. It lets you spend and withdraw cash like a local in 150+ countries - and all for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Discover the Wise card

What is an eSIM?¹

An eSIM is essentially a digital SIM that can offer all the features of a physical SIM card, along with a few extra perks. It can help you avoid roaming fees while travelling outside the UK and let you use multiple carriers and phone numbers at once.

eSIMs are a great option if a trip suddenly comes up, as they allow you to get international data coverage almost instantly. You also don’t need to remove your SIM card to start using an eSIM.

How does Saily eSIM work?

Saily is an eSIM provider offering hundreds of flexible data plans, helping you stay connected while travelling. Their data packages are available in more than 180 countries, so you’ll likely find exactly what you need.²

In order to start using one of their eSIM plans, you need to download the Saily app first. It’s available on both the App Store and Google Play.

Saily eSIMs are safe and reliable, with no hidden costs besides the plan you pay for upfront. Not only will you know exactly how much you're spending on data, but you'll also be notified once you've used 80% of it.³

Saily eSIM installation

Installing a Saily eSIM is simple and easy. All you need to do is open the Saily app, choose your destination country or region and select a data plan that suits your needs. You can also add any new destinations to your existing Saily eSIM, without going through the same installation process each time.³

In case you’re having trouble with setting up a Saily eSIM on your iPhone, you can also do it manually. Here are the steps¹:

  1. On your device, go to Settings
  2. Tap Cellular data or Mobile data
  3. Select Add cellular plan
  4. Tap Enter information manually at the bottom of the screen
  5. Paste the eSIM details shared by Saily

Keep in mind that your device needs to be carrier-unlocked and compatible with eSIMs. This applies not only to phones, but also to smartwatches, laptops, tablets and even some cars.⁴

How to activate Saily eSIM?³

You don’t have to do anything, as Saily eSIMs are automatically activated once you arrive in your destination country.

Saily eSIM plans and prices

Saily eSIM plans range from country-specific to regional and global options. The amount of data is flexible, going up to 100 GB. When it comes to the duration of their eSIM, it can last for months at a time.³

Here are a few examples of Saily eSIM plans and prices to consider, varying by destination, duration and data amount:

Countries coveredDurationCoveragePrice
USA⁵7 days1 GB3.99 USD
Global (105 countries)⁶365 days20 GB66.99 USD
Japan⁷30 days3 GB6.99 USD
Italy⁸30 days10 GB20.99 USD
Thailand⁹7 days1 GB2.99 USD
France¹⁰30 days3 GB8.99 USD
Canada¹¹7 days1 GB5.29 USD
Indonesia¹²7 days1 GB4.79 USD
Europe (35 countries)¹³180 days100 GB179.99 USD
Spain¹⁴30 days3 GB6.99 USD

Saily eSIM: Pros and Cons

Here’s a quick look at some of the pros and cons of the Saily eSIM:

Pros:

  • Variety of package durations and data amounts
  • Secure and reliable internet connection
  • Notifications available when you’ve used up 80% of data

Cons:

  • Suitable for data roaming only - not for calls or SMS
  • Your device must be compatible with Saily eSIMs
  • Moving your eSIM to another device is more complicated than swapping a physical SIM card

Saily eSIM FAQs

Here are some common questions about Saily eSIMs:

Can I make phone calls with Saily eSIM?

No, Saily offers data-only eSIMs.

Can I activate my Saily eSIM before travelling?

Saily eSIMs are activated automatically when you arrive at your chosen destination, so you don’t have to worry about that ahead of your trip.

Does Saily work on iPhone?⁴

Yes, Saily eSIMs work on many iPhone models. However, if you’ve bought your iPhone in China, Hong Kong or Macao, it’s likely that it doesn’t support eSIMs at all.

How long does it take for Saily eSIM to activate?

Saily eSIMs are automatically activated as soon as you reach your travel destination.

Does Saily eSIM work in the UK?¹⁵

Yes, the UK is one of Saily’s supported destinations.


Going abroad? Get the Wise Card for low-cost international spending

Getting an eSIM is a great way to ensure uninterrupted access to data when you're travelling abroad. As you can see from our Saily eSIM review, this is not only convenient, but possibly cheaper than using your UK roaming.

And if you want to spend abroad without worrying about exchange rates and hidden fees, the Wise international debit card might be the ideal travel companion.

You can use your card for international payments in 150+ countries. It automatically converts your pounds to the currency you need in your destination at the mid-market exchange rate with only a small, transparent currency conversion fee*. Open a Wise account online, hold and exchange 40+ currencies and order the Wise card for a one-time fee of £7.

You also get two free ATM withdrawals to the value of 200 GBP each month. After that, there is a charge of 0.5 GBP per withdrawal. There’s also a 1.75% fee on any amount you withdraw above 200 GBP.

Please see the Terms of Use for your region or visit Wise fees & pricing for the most up-to-date information on pricing and fees.

Sign up with Wise today


Sources used:

  1. Saily - what’s an eSIM?
  2. Saily - about Saily
  3. Saily - homepage
  4. Saily - supported devices
  5. Saily - United States eSIM
  6. Saily - global eSIM
  7. Saily - Japan eSIM
  8. Saily - Italy eSIM
  9. Saily - Thailand eSIM
  10. Saily - France eSIM
  11. Saily - Canada eSIM
  12. Saily - Indonesia eSIM
  13. Saily - Europe eSIM
  14. Saily - Spain eSIM
  15. Saily - destinations

Sources last checked on date: 18-Nov-2024


*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.

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