Saily eSIM Review 2025: Honest Traveler’s Experience, Worth Buying or Not?

November 14, 2025
3:47 pm
4-5 min read

Hi, I’m Elena Carta, a frequent traveler who lives half her year in airports, cafés, and Airbnb apartments. In this Saily eSIM review, I’ll walk you through my real experience using Saily on multiple trips, what worked brilliantly, what annoyed me, and whether I honestly think it’s worth your money in 2025.

If you just want the short verdict, here it is

“Saily eSIM review” – My 30-Second Verdict

If you want fast setup, competitive prices, and wide country coverage in a polished app, Saily is easy to recommend.

It’s data-only (no local phone number).
Performance is good but not perfect and can vary by country (like all travel eSIMs).
Heavy callers or business travelers who need voice/SMS and rock-solid coverage everywhere might still prefer a local SIM or a provider that includes calling.

For casual travelers, city-hoppers, and even many frequent flyers who care about price, simplicity, and some extra security perks, Saily is a strong pick that I personally keep on my phone.

What Saily Is (and Isn’t) – From a Traveler’s Perspective

What Saily Is

Saily is an app-based travel eSIM service from the team behind Nord Security (the same people behind NordVPN).

From my point of view as a traveler, Saily is:

A digital data plan you buy directly in the app
An eSIM you install on your phone (no physical SIM card)
A way to get data when you land in 200+ destinations
A service that offers country, regional, and global plans, with some plans supporting 4G/5G speeds

You open the app, choose your country or region, pay, install the eSIM, and your data kicks in at your destination. It’s very “set it and forget it.”

What Saily Is Not

Saily is not:

A traditional mobile plan with a local phone number
A service that includes voice minutes or SMS

It is data-only. That means:

Your main SIM (physical or eSIM) keeps your primary number for calls and SMS
All your travel calls happen over WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram, or other VoIP apps

If you rely heavily on normal phone calls and SMS, this is a big thing to understand before buying.

Why I Would Recommend Saily eSIM (My Positive Takeaways)

1. Clean, Quick Setup (Even When You’re Tired at the Airport)

The first time I used Saily, I was exhausted after a late-night flight. The good news:

The iOS/Android app is clean and simple
You can buy a plan, install the eSIM, and manage everything in one place

Activation usually starts when you arrive at the destination (destination-based activation), which I really like, no wasting days of validity while you’re still at home.

For someone like me who hates fiddling with settings after a long flight, this is a big win.

2. Wide Destination Coverage (Good for Multi-Country Trips)

Saily claims 200+ destinations, plus:

Regional plans (like Europe)
Global plans (around 121 destinations at the time I checked)

For my own trips where I cross several borders in one week, this is the main reason I tried Saily in the first place.

Instead of juggling multiple local SIMs, I can:

Use one app
Use one eSIM
Move across countries with less stress

Is it always cheaper than local? Not always. But for the convenience alone, it’s often worth it.

3. Competitive Pricing (Especially for Light to Moderate Users)

From what I’ve seen:

Country plans often start at just a few dollars for 1–3 GB
You can top up the same eSIM instead of buying a new one

If you’re a light to moderate user (maps, messaging, social media, some emails), Saily’s pricing is usually very fair, and the ability to add data on the same eSIM is super handy.

4. Security-Minded Extras (Nice if You’re on Public Wi-Fi a Lot)

Because Saily comes from the Nord Security ecosystem, it leans into:

Web protection
Ad-blocking or tracking protection
Occasional VPN-related promos or bundles

As a traveler who spends a lot of time on airport Wi-Fi, hotel networks, and random cafés, I do care about privacy and security.

Is this the main reason to buy Saily? No. But it’s a very nice bonus if you’re already into the Nord universe or you value security.

Note: Promotions and bundles change frequently, so always check the current offers in the app.

5. Refund Policy That’s Clearer Than Some Competitors

Another thing I appreciated as a customer:

Non-activated plans are usually refundable within 30 days
If you used only a small amount of data, partial refunds can sometimes be considered (case-by-case)

This doesn’t mean you can binge on data and then expect a full refund, but compared to some travel eSIM providers with very strict policies, Saily feels more transparent.

Always read the latest refund policy before you pay, terms can change.

Why Saily Might Not Be for You (Honest Downsides)

No Saily eSIM review would be honest without talking about the negatives.

1. Data-Only – No Local Number

If you absolutely need:

Local voice minutes
Traditional SMS for bank codes (OTP), work systems, or older services

then relying only on Saily might frustrate you.

You can still:

Keep your original SIM active for SMS
Use WhatsApp/FaceTime/Telegram for calls

But if your workflow is built around normal calls and SMS to local numbers, a local SIM or another provider with voice support might be better.

2. Coverage ≠ Performance (Varies by Country)

Saily may be available in a country, but that doesn’t guarantee:

The fastest speeds
Perfect consistency everywhere

Like almost every travel eSIM, speeds and stability depend on:

Local partner networks
The area you’re in (city vs rural)
Network congestion

For casual use (maps, social media, ride apps), I was usually fine. But if your job depends on mission-critical, non-stop connection, I would:

Research the specific destination
Consider a local SIM as a backup

3. Policy Details You Should Actually Read

A few important points:

Once you activate and use data, you might not qualify for a full refund
There may be fair-use policies (FUP) depending on the plan
Validity, roaming behavior, and top-up rules can differ by destination

My tip as a traveler: install the eSIM before you leave, but try not to activate it (or use data) until you’re close to arrival or need it. That way you:

Protect your validity period
Keep the option for a refund if plans change last-minute

4. Country-Specific Restrictions (e.g., Site/App Blocks)

In some countries, authorities have temporarily restricted access to certain international eSIM providers. In these cases, travelers have had to:

Install and activate before entering that country
Or use a VPN / local solution

The situation can change over time, so if you’re traveling to regions known for internet restrictions, double-check:

Whether you need to set up Saily before arriving
Whether a local SIM might be simpler

My Real-Life Experience: What Using Saily Actually Feels Like

Let me walk you through what the typical Saily journey is like from my perspective.

Before the Trip

Here’s what I usually do a day or two before flying:

Download the Saily app (iOS/Android).
Check that my phone is:
- eSIM compatible
- Unlocked
Choose a country, regional, or global plan that matches my itinerary.
Install the eSIM profile from the app (no QR code needed on most modern phones).
Set Saily as my data line, but avoid triggering activation if the plan starts at destination.

On Arrival

When I land:

I turn on Saily’s line in my phone settings.
Enable Data Roaming for the Saily eSIM.
Wait for it to connect to a local partner network.
If needed, I follow the APN instructions (rare but sometimes necessary).

Within a few minutes, I usually have working data and can:

Order a ride
Check hotel directions
Message family/friends

During the Trip

While traveling, I use the app to:

Monitor data usage
Top up if I’m running low
Switch mobile networks manually if speeds aren’t great (when the option is available)

If the connection drops, I typically:

Toggle airplane mode on/off
Try a different network in settings
Move to a more open area (underground trains are always tricky)

If Something Goes Wrong

I personally appreciate having 24/7 chat support inside the app.

If:

The plan hasn’t activated
Speeds are unusable
Or my plans change and I haven’t activated the eSIM yet

I reach out to support and, when applicable, consider the 30-day refund for non-activated plans.

Who I Think Should Buy Saily eSIM (and Who Should Skip It)

Saily is a Good Fit If You:

Like simple, app-based setup with minimal tech stress
Often visit multiple countries in one trip
Want competitive pricing with the ability to top up instead of juggling new eSIMs
Appreciate security features and being in the Nord ecosystem
Primarily need data (maps, messages, social media, emails, VoIP calls)

You May Want Alternatives If You:

Need a local phone number for calls/SMS
Travel to destinations where international eSIM providers face restrictions
Expect maximum performance in one specific country and don’t mind buying a local SIM
Want the absolutely widest global coverage footprint (some competitors cover more countries but can be more expensive)

Pricing & Plan Snapshot (At the Time I Used It)

Country plans: often start from just a few USD for small data bundles (1–3 GB).
Global plans: start around US$8.99 for 1 GB / 7 days, covering about 121 destinations, not literally everywhere.

Refunds:

Non-activated plans: usually refundable within 30 days.
Lightly used plans: sometimes partial adjustments possible, depending on support and usage.

Always double-check inside the Saily app for the latest prices and policies, as they can change.

Saily Pros & Cons at a Glance

Advantages

✅ Wide coverage in 200+ destinations
✅ Regional & global plans for multi-country trips
✅ Smooth apps on iOS/Android; easy install
✅ Destination-based activation avoids wasted days
✅ Competitive starting prices for light/moderate data use
✅ Easy top-ups on the same eSIM
✅ Security-focused branding and occasional VPN/web-protection perks
✅ Clear 30-day refund window for non-activated plans

Disadvantages

❌ Data-only, no local phone number
❌ Performance varies by country and local network
❌ Global plan doesn’t cover every country
❌ Country-specific internet restrictions can complicate usage
❌ No full guarantee of refund if you’ve already activated and used data

Practical Tips Before You Buy (From One Traveler to Another)

To make your Saily experience smoother:

Check compatibility first
- iPhone: Settings → General → About → look for EID / Digital SIM
- Ensure your phone is unlocked
Install before departure, activate at destination
- Preserve validity; keep refund options open.
Estimate your data realistically
- Maps, ride-hailing, social media, emails, backups, video calls—it adds up.
- I usually buy a bit more than the bare minimum to avoid stress.
Take screenshots of APN and instructions
- Helpful if you lose signal and need to troubleshoot offline.
Have a backup plan
- Public Wi-Fi + VPN, or a cheap local SIM for mission-critical trips.

Final Saily eSIM Review: My Honest Conclusion

To wrap up this Saily eSIM review as honestly as possible:

Saily hits a really nice sweet spot for travelers who want:

No-drama connectivity
Fair pricing
A user-friendly app
A brand that cares about security and privacy

If you absolutely need:

A local number
Guaranteed top-tier speeds in every corner of one country
Or the maximum country coverage from a single global plan

then you should compare Saily with local SIMs and a few other global eSIM providers.

But for most leisure travelers, weekend explorers, and many frequent flyers (like me), Saily is absolutely worth putting on your shortlist and very likely in your phone.

Plan to Buy Saily? Calculate Your Data First

Before you pick any Saily package, I strongly recommend:

👉 First calculate your expected eSIM data usage, then choose the closest plan so you don’t overpay or run out mid-trip. Data Calculator for eSIM Users