Truely vs Airalo: Which eSIM is Better & Why?

I’ve used Airalo for a few years now, but recently tested Truely while traveling in Canada.

Canada’s mobile data prices are some of the highest in the world, so finding a good-value eSIM can make a real difference. I’ve relied on Airalo across dozens of trips, but this time I wanted to try Truely’s plans, which got my attention from their “Switchless eSIM”, and a promise of global coverage in 200+ destinations, and of course, unlimited data options.

Over the past few years, I’ve tested many eSIMs from Southeast Asia to Europe, so I know how much small differences in speed, coverage, and usability can matter on the road. In this guide, I’ll break down how Truely compares to Airalo in pricing, coverage, ease of use, and extra features—plus share where I think each one makes sense. By the end, you’ll know exactly which I’d choose for my next trip.

What is Truley eSIM?

After testing many eSIMs, including Holafly, Airalo, Sim Local, and JetPac, to name a few, it's nice to test out an eSIM with some unique benefits. Truely caught my eye as an eSIM provider since they let you install one digital SIM, once, and stay online in over 200+ destinations without needing to swap profiles or hunt for local SIMs (and of course avoid roaming charges)

It uses what it calls Switchless technology. This is pretty neat since the idea is to install it once, then just select your destination in the app and connect. It's great if you travel to a lot of different countries frequently like me since you won't need to juggle QR codes or reinstall eSIMs on the road for every new country.

Their plan structure is simple but also quite unique. It ranges from single-country to regional and all offering unlimited data over a duration you pick (from 1 to 30+ days). I found that the longer the plan, the lower the daily rate, which works especially well for longer trips, or if you travel a lot.

As I found out and will show you in the eSIM setup section of this post, the Truley app is also quite handy since it supports one‑click install, shows usage clearly, and offers 24/7 help via WhatsApp or a live chat, and they actually answer (without naming names) compared to a few other eSIM companies I've had to deal with before.

What is Airalo?

Similarly to Truely, Airalo is an eSIM provider that’s been around for a few years now and is becoming quite a popular option for travelers. I’ve used Airalo a couple of times across a few different countries and it’s always done the job of getting online quickly without hunting for a local SIM card.

Airalo is quite similar to Truley in that it also covers over 200 countries and regions and their sims come with options from multiple local carriers. This means you can often choose between the cheapest plan, the fastest network, or a balance of both.

Unlike Truely’s Switchless setup, Airalo issues a separate eSIM profile for each country or region, so you’ll need to install a new one whenever you change destinations. It’s not difficult, but it does take a couple more steps when moving between countries.

Plans range from 1 GB short-term packages to large multi-GB regional bundles, and pricing is decent but I've noticed it has been increasing in recent years, especially for single-country plans in popular travel destinations.

Data is usually prepaid and follows a conventional sim structure, with set expiries after the set duration, and limited data you can top up in-app.

Airalo also has an app that is simple and reliable, features clear data tracking, plan management, and in-app top-ups. Support is available through the app as well, though in my experience, responses can take longer compared to Truely’s instant chat.

Truley vs Airalo: Destinations & Pricing

Both Truely and Airalo cover over 200 countries and regions, so you’ll be able to stay connected almost anywhere you travel. The main difference is how their plans are structured and how you connect when moving between destinations.

• With Truely, you install the eSIM once and then just switch destinations in the app. So when I went from Canada into the U.S., I didn’t have to set up anything new. This is especially handy if you’re crossing borders often since you’re not juggling multiple eSIM profiles.
• Airalo also has excellent coverage, but each country or region requires a separate eSIM profile. That means if you’re moving between countries, you’ll need to install a new one each time. It’s still quick to do, but adds an extra step compared to Truely’s Switchless setup.

Pricing is where things start to differ more. Truely focuses on unlimited data plans from one to 30+ days, with daily rates getting cheaper the longer you buy. When I tested this in Canada, I found it much easier to budget compared to watching my gigabytes disappear.

Airalo works on fixed-data packages, like 1 GB for seven days or 5 GB for 30 days. These can be cheaper for light users or short trips, but if you need more data you’ll need to top up, which can add up quickly, especially in countries with higher rates like Canada or the US.

Truley vs Airalo: SIM Setup Process

Both Truely and Airalo require you to download their app to purchase and install your eSIM, but the setup experience is slightly different.

With Truely, once you’ve purchased your plan, you can use the one-click Install eSIM option in the app.

In my case, this worked instantly in Canada without needing to touch my phone’s settings. If that doesn’t work, you can fall back to scanning a QR code or manually entering the SM-DP+ address and activation code shown in the app.

The process is the same on iPhone and Android: add a new eSIM in your phone’s network settings, activate mobile data and roaming, and you’re set. I also liked that Truely’s WhatsApp support was quick to respond when I tested it, though I didn't really need the support.

With Airalo, you purchase your plan in the app and then go to My eSIMs to view the installation instructions.

The easiest way is the Direct install method, which sets everything up for you.

If that fails, you can also scan a QR code or manually enter the details. After installation, you’ll need to label the eSIM in your settings and select it for mobile data. I’ve found Airalo’s setup reliable, but responses from support can take longer compared to Truely’s instant chat when I tried it.

Quick Comparison:

App required?	Yes – purchase & install in app	Yes – purchase & install via My eSIMs
Quickest method	One-click “Install eSIM”	Direct install from app instructions
Fallback options	QR code or manual entry	QR code or manual entry
Support	24/7 live chat & WhatsApp – fast reply	In-app ticket system – slower reply

Truely vs Airalo: Pricing

Since both companies offer huge coverage across hundreds of destinations, it's hard to pinpoint which eSIM provides the best value for money. However, after a bit of searching through the options and the specific options I tested in Canada, I can say that Truely is cheaper overall if you prefer unlimited data. However, this varies depending on how much data you need and how long you’re staying.

In Canada where I tested, Airalo offers tiered data packages, starting from 1 GB for 7 days at around US $6, up to 20 GB for 30 days at around US $49. This can be good value if you’re a light user, but these days it’s easy to burn through data quickly. Think maps, social media, and even background updates can chew through a gig in no time. Once you run out, you’ll need to top up, which adds to the total cost.

Truely takes a different approach with unlimited data plans across Canada (or North America), where the daily rate gets cheaper the longer you buy. For example, unlimited data starts at around US $6.45 for 2 days, US $36.89 for 7 days, and US $93.93 for 30 days. That’s about US $5.27 per day for a week, or US $3.13 per day for a month, which is easy to budget, and no worrying about running out mid-trip.

If you’re a light user and just need a few gigabytes, Airalo’s smaller plans can work out cheaper. But if you use a lot of data or want the peace of mind of not having to track usage, especially in a high-cost country like Canada then I’ve found Truely’s unlimited plans to be the better value.

Truley vs Airalo: Connectivity & Speed Tests

Perhaps my tests weren't the best to compare connectivity on both Truely and Airalo since coverage in Canada is excellent, espcially in Vancouver. There were no dropouts, strong signal, and reliable data on both plans.

Because Canada generally has good urban network coverage, it’s hard to judge how either would perform in more remote or rural regions, or in countries with less developed infrastructure.

However, in my speed tests, Truely consistently delivered faster download and upload speeds compared to Airalo. (See screenshots below.) That said, for my day-to-day use which was browsing, calls, social media, and tethering to my laptop for work, the difference wasn’t noticeable in real-world performance.

Both handled everything I needed without interruptions.

If raw speed is your top priority, Truely edged ahead in my testing. But if you just need a stable, reliable connection for typical travel use, both providers perform well in a place like Canada.

Truley vs Airalo: Managing Plans & Using the Apps

Both Truely and Airalo make it easy to manage your eSIM through their apps. You can view your active plans, check data usage, and top up in just a few taps. In my experience, both are reliable and straightforward, with no confusing menus or hidden settings.

That said, I found Truely’s app slightly nicer to use. The layout is clean, the one-click install works well, and because the plans are unlimited and priced by the day, it’s easier to keep track of what you’re spending without watching your data counter drop.

Airalo’s app works almost the same way, but since plans are fixed-data, you’ll need to keep an eye on usage and top up if you run low. This isn’t difficult, but it does mean one extra thing to manage compared to Truely’s set-and-forget approach.

Below are screenshots of what the apps look like.

Final Verdict

I’ve been using Airalo for a few years now, mainly because it was one of the first eSIMs I tried and it consistently got the job done. Over that time, it’s been a solid option for quick connectivity in dozens of countries, and I still think it’s a dependable choice especially if you’re looking for smaller, cheaper data packages for short trips.

That said, after testing Truely in Canada and spending more time with their system, it’s clear they’re a strong competitor. The Switchless setup makes multi-country travel much smoother, the unlimited daily pricing is easy to budget for, and the app feels a little more streamlined. In my testing, Truely’s speeds were also better, though in day-to-day use the difference was hardly noticeable for regular browsing, calls, and work.

For me, the real strength of Truely is in simplifying connectivity when I’m on the move full-time for work. I don’t have to watch my usage, top up mid-trip, or re-install eSIM profiles every time I cross a border, it just works. That’s a big plus when you’re moving quickly and juggling flights, deadlines, and unpredictable travel schedules.

That doesn’t mean I’m switching exclusively. I’ll still be comparing plans from Truely, Airalo, and other providers for each trip, because pricing and value can vary a lot by destination. But after this test, Truely has earned a permanent spot in my travel toolkit, and I expect it’ll be the one I reach for most often when I know I’ll be using a lot of data or hopping between multiple countries.