Airalo Alternative 2026: A Cheaper eSIM for Japan, Korea, Europe, the US and More
A country-by-country look at where the Fizen app comes in below Airalo, using prices read on 2 November 2026, and where Airalo is still the better pick.
Quick answer: Yes: on 2 November 2026 a new Fizen app user paid up to 30% less than Airalo on most plans in Japan, South Korea, Europe, the United States, Taiwan, Australia and New Zealand, and China, thanks to US$10 of eSIM credit with no code. Airalo is still the better pick for a 1 GB short trip and for countries the Fizen app does not list.
Key takeaways
- The saving comes from the welcome credit. US$10 of eSIM credit lands in the eSIM tab the moment a new user joins and pays for up to 30% of each plan until it is used.
- Biggest gaps are on 3 GB to 50 GB plans. 10 GB for 7 days in Japan: US$11.94 against US$17.00. 50 GB for 30 days in South Korea: US$34.44 against US$49.00.
- Airalo still wins in places. Its 1 GB, 3-day plan starts at US$4.00, and its catalogue is larger.
- Pay your way. In the app you can pay with USDT or by card through Stripe.
You searched for an Airalo alternative because the total at checkout felt higher than it should. It is a fair reaction, and the answer is not a different brand of the same plan. It is usually a better price on the same days and gigabytes.
Below is each destination with the strongest winning rows. Airalo prices were read from airalo.com on 2 November 2026. Fizen figures are new-user app prices. If a row is not here, it is because Airalo is level or lower on that plan.
Is there a cheaper eSIM than Airalo for Japan?
Yes, on every fixed-data plan from 3 GB up. See also the Japan comparison.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 3 GB, 3 days | US$7.50 | US$5.61 SAVE 25% |
| 5 GB, 7 days | US$10.00 | US$7.02 SAVE 30% |
| 10 GB, 7 days | US$17.00 | US$11.94 SAVE 30% |
| 20 GB, 15 days | US$24.00 | US$16.88 SAVE 30% |
For Japan unlimited over 3 days, Airalo and the Fizen app are within a few cents of each other, so we do not claim a saving there.
What about South Korea?
South Korea has the most consistent gap, including unlimited. Our South Korea guide has the carrier detail.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 3 GB, 3 days | US$8.00 | US$5.62 SAVE 30% |
| 10 GB, 7 days | US$18.00 | US$12.63 SAVE 30% |
| 50 GB, 30 days | US$49.00 | US$34.44 SAVE 30% |
| Unlimited, 3 days | US$12.00 | US$8.56 SAVE 29% |
Airalo's unlimited plan states full speed for the first 3 GB each day, then 1 Mbps. Read the speed rule on any unlimited plan.
Is there a cheaper eSIM than Airalo for Europe?
Across 33 countries on a regional plan, fixed data shows the biggest gap. Unlimited is closer. See the Europe guide.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 5 GB, 7 days | US$18.50 | US$12.98 SAVE 30% |
| 20 GB, 15 days | US$47.00 | US$32.98 SAVE 30% |
| 50 GB, 30 days | US$70.00 | US$49.14 SAVE 30% |
| Unlimited, 3 days | US$11.50 | US$10.04 SAVE 13% |
Check the country list of any regional plan before you buy.
What about the United States?
The gap is widest on 10 GB and 20 GB plans. The US rows come from the Fizen price sheet of 1 October 2026 after the new-user credit and can differ by a few cents in the app.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 5 GB, 7 days | US$12.50 | US$9.13 SAVE 27% |
| 10 GB, 15 days | US$22.00 | US$15.40 SAVE 30% |
| 20 GB, 15 days | US$36.00 | US$25.20 SAVE 30% |
For US unlimited plans the gap is smaller, between 10% and 15% on the lengths we compared.
Taiwan
Taiwan rows also come from the 1 October 2026 price sheet and can differ by a few cents in the app.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 3 GB, 7 days | US$9.00 | US$6.30 SAVE 30% |
| 10 GB, 15 days | US$18.00 | US$12.60 SAVE 30% |
| 50 GB, 30 days | US$49.00 | US$34.30 SAVE 30% |
If you are visiting for a few days with light use, a 3 GB plan is the one to compare.
Australia and New Zealand
These rows compare the Oceania plan on both sides, so the coverage is like for like. Airalo also sells Australia-only and New Zealand-only plans, which can come in lower than its Oceania plan, so check the one you need.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 10 GB, 7 days | US$23.50 | US$16.45 SAVE 30% |
| 20 GB, 15 days | US$47.00 | US$32.90 SAVE 30% |
| 50 GB, 30 days | US$72.00 | US$50.40 SAVE 30% |
Prices from the Fizen price sheet of 1 October 2026 after the new-user credit, which can differ by a few cents in the app.
China
China has one clean like-for-like row, 3 GB over 3 days. Set up your eSIM before you arrive, because activation pages can be blocked once you land. Our China guide explains how.
| Plan | Airalo | Fizen app, new users |
|---|---|---|
| 3 GB (1 GB a day), 3 days | US$9.50 | US$6.46 SAVE 32% |
Other Fizen China plans are larger buckets with no same-size Airalo plan to compare against, so we leave them out.
When is Airalo still the better pick?
- A 1 GB, 3-day trip. Airalo's 1 GB, 3-day plan starts at US$4.00 on its Japan page, and we do not claim a saving there.
- Countries the Fizen app does not list. Airalo says it covers 200+ locations. Check the eSIM tab in the app for the country you need.
- Top-ups in the same eSIM. Airalo supports top-ups. Most Fizen eSIMs cannot be topped up, so more data means installing a new eSIM.
- Cashback you already hold. If you have Airmoney from past orders, it can pay part of an Airalo order. Airalo's loyalty page says new users earn 5%.
We wrote more about Airalo's own rewards on our Airalo discount code page. Also read how to avoid eSIM scams before buying anywhere. For the Philippines see the Philippines guide.
How does the Fizen offer work?
Exclusive to new Fizen app users: US$10 of eSIM credit lands in the eSIM tab the moment you join and pays for up to 30% of each plan until it is used. In the app you pay with USDT on Solana or BNB Chain, or by Visa or Mastercard through Stripe. Fizen is the stablecoin neobank for travelers, digital nomads and online workers. Your money. Your freedom. No borders. Be online the moment you land.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Airalo alternative?
For price on fixed-data plans, the Fizen app for new users: up to 30% less than Airalo on the plans we compared on 2 November 2026. Airalo remains the better pick for 1 GB trips and wider coverage.
Is there a cheaper eSIM than Airalo for Japan?
Yes for fixed data from 3 GB up. 10 GB for 7 days was US$11.94 for a new Fizen app user against US$17.00 on Airalo.
What do people on Reddit suggest instead of Airalo?
We did not copy forum threads. Compare the exact country, days and gigabytes on each app, and read the speed rule on any unlimited plan.
Do I need a code to get the Fizen price?
No. US$10 of eSIM credit lands in the eSIM tab the moment a new app user joins, and it pays for up to 30% of each plan until it is used.
Can I top up a Fizen eSIM?
Most Fizen eSIMs cannot be topped up. Buying more data means installing a new eSIM.
Can I pay with crypto?
In the Fizen app you can pay with USDT on Solana or BNB Chain, or by Visa or Mastercard through Stripe.
Your travel eSIM gift is waiting: US$10 of eSIM credit
Exclusive to new Fizen app users: save up to 30% on each plan, and pay with USDT or by card via Stripe. Be online the moment you land. Your money. Your freedom. No borders. Not offered to US Persons.
Terms and conditions
- Information only. This article compares published mobile data prices. It is not an offer or sale of any product or service, and it is not financial, legal or tax advice.
- For readers in the United States. This article provides information only. It is not an offer, solicitation or sale of any product or service, and it is not financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Fizen is not offered to US Persons.
- Trademarks. Airalo, Holafly and Saily are trademarks of their owners. Fizen is not affiliated with them. Prices were read from each provider's public site on the date shown. This page is written by Fizen.
- Independent, and not neutral. Fizen sells one of the products compared here. Competitor prices are what each public site displayed on 2 November 2026 in USD, and they change. Fizen figures are app prices for a new user after the US$10 eSIM credit.
- Full terms. See the Master Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Disclaimer on the Fizen website.
Sources
- Airalo: Japan eSIM plans
- Airalo: South Korea eSIM plans
- Airalo: Europe eSIM plans
- Airalo: United States eSIM plans
- Airalo: Taiwan eSIM plans
- Airalo: Oceania eSIM plans
- Airalo: China eSIM plans
- Airalo: loyalty program
- Fizen eSIM welcome credit terms
Airalo prices were read from airalo.com on 2 November 2026 in USD. Fizen figures for Japan, South Korea, Europe and China are new-user app prices on that date. US, Taiwan and Oceania figures come from the Fizen price sheet of 1 October 2026 after the new-user credit.
