Last updated on April 10th, 2024 at 07:21 am
When comparing Airalo vs GigSky, while Airalo is considered the more popular eSIM, GigSky eSIM is better for trips to the Caribbean, Latin America, and Costa Rica. GigSky also offers a 100MB Free Plan to almost every location worldwide. This is great for testing GigSky before committing to a higher data plan and for quick data needs – free and reliable data!
Between Airalo and GigSky, GigSky is the only eSIM with in-cruise data plans and in-flight data plans, making it one of the strongest eSIM brands in 2024.
This guide is the most up-to-date information to help you choose between Airalo or Gigsky. We look at their coverages, updated data plans in 2024, new features, and real user reviews. Read here best eSIM for a Caribbean Cruise
In this article, we also discuss everything about eSIMs: Airalo eSIM, and GigSky eSIM’s pros and cons, and which eSIM between the two is the better choice for you.
Additional comparisons here: Airalo vs Holafly, Holafly vs Nomad, Holafly vs Gigsky and best eSim providers
Summary Comparing Airalo and GigSky
Coverage
Airalo: Offers extensive coverage in over 200 countries and regions, ensuring global connectivity with varying network speeds depending on the location.
GigSky: Expands its reach to provide eSIM services in over 200 countries and regions, catering to travelers worldwide with reliable global connectivity options. GigSky also offers unique data options like in-cruise and in-flight data plans which is currently unique in the market and not offered anywhere else.
Pricing and Plans
Airalo: Known for competitive pricing and a wide variety of plan options, including single-country, regional, and global plans. Their global plans start at $9 for 1GB for 7 days, emphasizing affordability.
GigSky: GigSky’s best offer is its 100MB free plan available in all countries. This plan helps you to test GigSky’s data before committing to a higher plan or for emergency data use.
GigSky offers a diverse range of local, regional, and global plans, and while Airalo has better Europe plans, GigSky wins over plans for the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Latin America. GigSky offers more affordable packages in its per country plans and regional plans in these areas.
In addition to its regular data plans, GigSky also offers in-cruise and in-flight plans, which are currently unique to GigSky in 2024.
Ease of Use
Airalo: The app simplifies the purchase and activation process, though some users may find the initial setup challenging. The platform is designed to be user-friendly, facilitating easy management of eSIMs.
GigSky: Also boasts a user-friendly app, making it easy to select, purchase, and activate eSIM plans. The process is streamlined for convenience, supporting instant connectivity.
Unique Offerings
Airalo: Introduces the Discover+ eSIM that supports data, calls, and texts, enhancing its service offerings. Airalo also has a loyalty program that rewards frequent users.
GigSky: GigSky’s most unique offer which is not available with any other eSIM brand is their free 100MB plan for any country in the world – we loved it so much! In addition to its regular data plans, GigSky also offers in-cruise and in-flight plans, which are currently unique to GigSky in 2024.
Airalo vs GigSky: Comparing Data Coverage
Now that we understand what eSIMs are, and you know whether your device is supporting the feature or not, let’s discuss major factors in deciding between Airalo vs GigSky.
GigSky
GigSky offers eSIM data coverage for consumers and eSIM solutions for businesses and manufacturers. For the sake of comparing Airalo vs GigSky, we’ll focus on their eSIM services for consumers.
GigSky’s biggest feature is its high-speed low latency offshore network easily accessible through the GigSky App. They have partnered with Tampnet, one of the world’s largest data connectivity services and offers high-speed internet to 190+ countries around the world.
With the GigSky App, the whole process is easy and seamless. You choose the data plan that you need from the app, and then you’re ready with your eSIM data.
This GigSky Plan covers all countries worldwide:
Coverage includes Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Aruba, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Curaçao, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Guiana, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guam, Guatemala, Guernsey, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kiribati, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macau, Malaysia, Martinique, Mayotte, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Montserrat, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Mariana Islands, Norway, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Russia, Réunion, Saint Barthélemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Sint Maarten, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City, Vietnam
Airalo
Airalo eSIM has coverage in over 200 countries, and regions. Check the countries covered below:
Afghanistan, Algeria, American Samoa, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria. Also, Bahamas, Bahrain, Barbados, Benin, Belarus, Belgium, Bermuda. Bolivia, Bonaire, St. Eustatius, and Saba. As well as Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Bulgaria, Canada, Cayman Islands, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, and Curaçao.
Airlalo also offers eSIM coverage in the countries of Germany, Denmark, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, The Faroe Islands, Finland, France, and French Guiana. As well as Georgia, Greece, Greenland, Grenada, Guadeloupe, and Guam. They are also covered in Guatemala, Guernsey, and Guyana. Of course, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, and Italy. As well as Jamaica, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kiribati. Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, and more.
These are best sellers in Airalo: United States eSIM, Canada eSIM and UK eSIM. Check those articles for specific blog posts about eSIM! And if you are traveling other destinations like Israel eSim, Brazil eSim, Singapore eSim and Australia eSim.
Airalo or Gigsky: Comparing Plan Prices
Between Airalo and GigSky, Airalo has the more affordable eSIM plans except countries in the Caribbean, Costa Rica and Latin America. For these 3 areas, GigSky is the better eSIM choice.
GigSky Costa Rica
GigSky offers a 100MB FREE Plan for all countries in the world. We think this is one of GigSky’s best features because travelers are usually afraid of buying an eSIM and later finding out that it has no signal in their area. With 100MB for free, you can test out GigSky practically anywhere before you purchase a full plan. 100MB may even be enough for some countries where you’ll basically have access to wifi most of the time and you just need a little data when you’re outside.
Free eSIM for 100MB valid for 7 Days
1GB for $6.99 USD valid for 7 Days
3GB for $19.99 valid for 15 Days
5GB for &29.99 valid for 30 Days
10GB for $55.99 valid for 30 Days
Airalo Costa Rica
Compared with Airalo’s Costa Rica eSIM plan below, you can see that 1GB is already more expensive starting at $9 USD.
GigSky Latin America eSIM
Again you can see above that GigSky starts its plans with a Free 100MB plan in the whole of Latin America. This is a regional plan from GigSky. See all plans below:
Free eSIM for 100MB valid for 7 Days
1GB for $8.99 USD valid for 7 Days
3GB for $24.99 valid for 15 Days
5GB for &34.99 valid for 30 Days
10GB for $65.99 valid for 30 Days
Airalo Latin America
With Airalo, there is no free plan and 1GB already starts at $15 USD which is double that of GigSky’s Latin America plans.
GigSky Caribbean eSIM
GigSky has a regional eSIM plan for the Caribbean and a local plan just for the Bahamas. The Caribbean regional plan is best if you are traveling to more than one Caribbean country in one trip.
Caribbean plans start at:
100MB for FREE for 7 Days
1GB for $13.99 USD valid for 7 Days
3GB for $40.99 valid for 15 Days
5GB for &63.99 valid for 30 Days
10GB for $119.99 valid for 30 Days
Now, these prices are definitely very high but Gigky’s plans are still more affordable than Airalo’s Caribbean regional plan and per country plan. You should understand how much data you’ll need outside of your accommodation in the Caribbean so you can make sure you’re only buying what you’ll need.
Airalo Caribbean
Airalo only offers 1GB data for $15 USD in the Caribbean which means apart from it being more expensive than GigSky’s plan, choosing Airalo means you’ll have to repurchase a plan every time you need more data which is not a preferred way of connectivity.
GigSky Unique Offers
One of the biggest pros of GigSky over Airalo and other eSIM brands is their various unique offers:
Free Data Plan
GigSky’s free 100MB plan is strong and reliable and best if you’re just starting out with GigSky and want to see how it works or just need a quick connection. This should work if you haven’t purchased the free plan previously. We tested this in Spain while traveling in a remote area 2 hours from Madrid and the connection is very strong despite being free. This gave us the chance to test the app and the data signal.
In Flight Data Plan
For those situations you just can’t wait to get a wifi signal once you land, GigSky offers an in-flight data plan.
This plan is unique and no other eSIM plan offers an in-flight data plan as of 2024. This plan has coverage with the following airlines:
A-C
Aer Lingus
Alitalia
Asiana Airlines
Biman
Bangladesh Airlines
Cathay Pacific
B – E
Egypt Air
EmiratesEtihad Airways
EVA Air
K – S
Kuwait Airways
Lufthansa
Malaysia Airlines
SAS Scandinavian Airlines
Singapore Airlines
Swiss International Airlines
T – V
TAP Air Portugal
Turkish Airlines
Uzbekistan Airways
Virgin Atlantic
In Cruise Data Plan
Gigsky’s in-cruise plan is perfect for all your cruise trips! If you need a trip during the cruise, with GigSky, you can easily get a subscription and have a reliable connection during your cruise. Make sure that you see your cruise in the coverage inclusions below. This covers cruises in the Caribbean and Europe cruises.
GigSky Pros
Expansive coverage in over 190 countries, including specialized plans for the Caribbean, Latin America, and Costa Rica.
Unique inflight and offshore plans cater to niche market needs.
Free 100MB plan allows users to test connectivity before making a purchase, ensuring satisfaction and suitability.
User-friendly app streamlines the purchase and activation process, providing a hassle-free experience.
GigSky Cons
Plans may be more expensive than some competitors, depending on the region and data requirements.
Some users may prefer more information on the network providers GigSky partners with in each country.
Airalo Pros
Competitive pricing structure with a wide variety of plans, making it a cost-effective option for many travelers.
Discover+ eSIM includes calls and texts, providing comprehensive connectivity.
Extensive global coverage ensures connectivity in over 190 countries and regions.
Loyalty program rewards frequent users, enhancing value over time.
Airalo Cons
Initial setup process may be challenging for some users, depending on device compatibility and user tech savviness.
Customer support response times can vary, which may affect user satisfaction during critical connectivity issues.
In summary, while Airalo offers extensive coverage and competitive pricing, GigSky’s unique offerings, such as the free 100MB plan and specialized plans for certain regions, make it an appealing choice for travelers with specific needs or those prioritizing ease of use and niche connectivity options. Your decision between GigSky and Airalo should be influenced by your specific travel destinations, data needs, and whether the unique offerings of GigSky align with your travel requirements.
Final Thoughts: Why GigSky Wins
- Unparalleled Coverage: With its service extending to over 200 countries and regions, GigSky offers an unmatched level of global connectivity. This wide-reaching coverage ensures that travelers, whether on business or leisure, have access to reliable internet almost anywhere in the world.
- Unique Value Propositions: GigSky’s distinct offerings, such as free 100MB plans for testing service quality and connectivity before making a purchase, place it a notch above in customer satisfaction. This unique feature alleviates the anxiety of purchasing an eSIM and discovering connectivity issues upon arrival at your destination.
- Specialized Data Plans: GigSky’s niche offerings, including inflight and offshore data plans, cater to travelers with specific connectivity needs not addressed by many other providers. For individuals working at sea or wanting to stay connected during flights, GigSky offers bespoke solutions that enhance its appeal.
- Ease of Use: The simplicity and intuitiveness of the GigSky app facilitate a seamless user experience, from plan selection and purchase to activation and usage monitoring. This ease of use is a significant factor for travelers who value convenience and minimal hassle.
- Regional Strengths: For travelers heading to the Caribbean, Latin America, and Costa Rica, GigSky’s tailored plans and competitive pricing make it the preferred choice. The company has strategically positioned itself as the go-to eSIM provider for these regions, offering plans that are both flexible and economical.
While Airalo provides robust competition with its own set of strengths, including competitive pricing and the Discover+ eSIM with calls and texts, GigSky’s specific advantages in coverage, unique offerings, and user experience set it apart for travelers with particular needs. Whether it’s the assurance of a free trial with the 100MB plan, the convenience of their app, or the specialized data plans, GigSky demonstrates a strong commitment to meeting the diverse and evolving needs of global travelers.
In conclusion, while the choice between Airalo and GigSky will ultimately depend on individual travel needs and preferences, GigSky’s distinctive features and commitment to broad and specialized connectivity secure its position as a preferred option for many international travelers.
About the Author: Ruben, co-founder of Gamintraveler.com since 2014, is a seasoned traveler from Spain who has explored over 100 countries since 2009. Known for his extensive travel adventures across South America, Europe, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and Africa, Ruben combines his passion for adventurous yet sustainable living with his love for cycling, highlighted by his remarkable 5-month bicycle journey from Spain to Norway. He currently resides in Spain, where he continues to share his travel experiences alongside his partner, Rachel, and their son, Han.