Yesim vs. Saily eSIM app: Which is better for travel?

Yesim and Saily: Differences at a glance

Both eSIM services give you access to more than 200 destinations and offer straightforward pricing. But when it comes to how they approach features, security, and customer experience, the differences start to show. Let’s check how they compare at a glance before crunching the details.

This data was taken from each eSIM service provider’s website on June 9, 2025.

*As of June 9, 2025, Saily’s US$1.99 price applies to the 1 GB, 7-day plan for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic (Czechia), and Mayotte. As of June 9, 2025, Yesim’s US$0.60 price applies to the 500 MB, 3-day plan for Bulgaria, Greece, Turkey, Thailand, and the United States. 

Yesim vs. Saily: Which offers better data plans 

Looking at individual countries, both Yesim and Saily offer a lot of options, including smaller data plans like 1 GB or 500 MB, which can be handy if you’re near the end of a trip and just need a small top-up. 

When comparing unlimited data plans for a tourist hotspot like Japan, Saily offers more plan durations — 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 days — while Yesim offers unlimited plans only for 10, 15, or 30 days. That extra granularity can be useful if you’re planning a trip that doesn’t fit the usual mold.

In general, if you’re after flexibility, Saily’s variety of data plans and durations has the edge. One standout feature of Yesim is the option to purchase a virtual number for select countries (Canada, Israel, the Netherlands, and the US). Saily approaches the same need from a different angle. You can set up an eSIM with a US phone number in the Saily eSIM app and use that line for calls and texts while traveling. Users can always rely on VoIP apps like WhatsApp or Skype without needing a separate number, but a second line may be helpful if you want to receive SMS messages or calls from people who don’t use those apps, make reservations, or avoid sharing your personal number on the road.

Which one is cheaper: Saily or Yesim?

Pricing can vary by region and date, so it's hard to say one provider always wins. To give you a snapshot, we checked the latest offerings for three popular destinations on June 9, 2025. Here’s how the numbers lined up:

When it comes to prepaid data plans, Saily generally wins on price. For popular destinations like Japan, Italy, or Thailand, its prices tend to be lower for all plans that offer more than 1 GB of data. Budget-conscious travelers can stretch their money further with Saily, especially on shorter trips or when keeping data usage in check is a priority.

Now let’s compare regional 5 GB plans:

The information about eSIM prices in this comparison was last verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites on June 9, 2025.

*Asia and Oceania is the name of a Saily plan, while Yesim’s equivalent is its Asia Pacific plan.

Regional plans tell a more mixed story. Yesim offers slightly better prices for North America and Europe, while Saily comes out ahead in Asia and Oceania. Ultimately, if your travels take you across multiple countries, either provider works well regionally. But for single-country trips, Saily often gives you more flexibility for less.

Is Saily or Yesim more trustworthy?

Both Saily and Yesim have strong reputations. Saily’s Trustpilot rating is 4.2, based on over 3,000 reviews. Yesim’s Trustpilot rating is slightly higher — 4.3, but from a much smaller pool of reviewers. While both scores are respectable, Saily’s larger sample size reflects a wider and more consistent user base.

And there’s more beneath the surface. Saily was built by the company behind NordVPN, a name trusted by millions when it comes to digital security. That backing brings not only experience, but also long-term reliability.

Yesim hasn’t faced any major issues and remains a reliable choice, but Saily’s connection to one of cybersecurity leaders gives it an advantage.

We’ve compared other eSIMs’ trustworthiness, including our Saily vs. GlobaleSIM review.

Which one offers better network speed?

Technically, both apps rely on local mobile providers, so the network speed you get depends more on the infrastructure in the country you’re visiting. But that doesn’t mean all eSIM services are created equal.

Saily includes a built-in ad blocker that filters out malicious and intrusive ads from loading. With these unnecessary elements removed, pages load faster and you use less of your data allowance. In fact, Saily’s ad blocker can reduce your data usage by 28.6% by simply blocking ads. That also means less lag, smoother navigation, and fewer interruptions while traveling.

Yesim doesn’t offer a similar feature, so if performance and data efficiency are priorities, Saily takes the lead here.

Unique features and benefits

On the surface, all eSIM apps aim to solve the same problem — getting you online quickly and easily while abroad. But Saily goes several steps further.

Its ad blocker strips out intrusive ads, making your mobile browsing faster and more efficient. You’re not just saving bandwidth, you’re getting a smoother, cleaner experience, especially when switching between apps or websites.

Saily’s web protection helps block malicious sites and limit tracking, which is especially valuable when you're hopping between unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks abroad. It’s a small setting that can make a big difference when your digital life is exposed in transit. 

Then there’s the virtual location feature, which allows you to choose and change your virtual location to 115+ locations worldwide. This gives you more freedom to browse more privately and access your paid home content while abroad.

NordVPN’s infrastructure and the company’s other products can also be accessed by subscribing to the Saily Ultra plan. In addition, the plan provides access to lounges at airports worldwide and fast-track services, and, of course, data to let you stay connected on your travels!

Behind the curtain, Saily also benefits from some of NordVPN’s infrastructure, so you know your connection is handled by a team that understands digital privacy. And with 24/7 customer support, easy plan activation, and affordable top-ups, the app is made to be simple for anyone to use, even on the go.

Yesim offers the option to add a virtual number for four countries, which can come in handy for specific use cases, such as expecting calls or messages from people who don’t use popular messaging or VoIP apps or needing to verify your identity on platforms that require a number from that country. Saily, by comparison, combines mobile data, built-in security tools, and an optional US phone number in one travel-focused app.

Saily vs. Yesim: The verdict

Saily and Yesim both offer global coverage and flexible plans, but their strengths appeal to different travelers.

Yesim may be the better choice if you need a virtual number. It also has strong unlimited data options in select locations and a VPN feature (albeit it’s only available to iOS users as of writing). 

If you’re looking for value and privacy, Saily takes the lead. It has better data efficiency tools, and is backed by a company with a strong security pedigree. The interface is simple, and the setup is quick. Even for first-time eSIM users.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!