Saily eSIM Data Roaming Review
Our guide explores this innovative data roaming service, now available to New Zealanders travelling abroad. Saily offers significantly lower data costs than traditional providers such as Spark, 2 Degrees, and One NZ.
Updated 11 November 2024
In this guide, we explain Saily, how eSIM plans work, how much plans cost, and the pros and cons of using their services.
Our guide covers:
Know This First: What is eSIM?
Advertising disclosure: This review includes affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, MoneyHub may earn a commission. Rest assured, we only partner with trusted providers whose services we have thoroughly evaluated and believe in. Notably, Saily offers competitively priced data roaming plans, significantly undercutting those available from NZ mobile networks. Our Advertising Policy explains more.
In this guide, we explain Saily, how eSIM plans work, how much plans cost, and the pros and cons of using their services.
Our guide covers:
- What is Saily and Can I Use Saily on My Mobile?
- Saily eSim Plans and Prices
- Comparison with Overseas Roaming Data Plans from 2 Degrees, One NZ and Spark
- How Do I Buy and Use an eSIM Plan From Saily?
- Pros and Cons of Saily
- Frequently Asked Questions
Know This First: What is eSIM?
- An Embedded SIM (eSIM) is a digital SIM that allows users to activate a mobile plan from a mobile network without needing a physical SIM card. Embedded directly into your device, eSIM technology simplifies the process of switching between mobile networks and managing multiple accounts.
- Unlike traditional SIM cards, eSIMs are built into your smartphone, tablet, or wearable device, and can be reprogrammed as needed, offering unparalleled flexibility and convenience. Visit our eSIM guide to learn more about this technology.
Advertising disclosure: This review includes affiliate links. Should you click through and make a purchase, MoneyHub may earn a commission. Rest assured, we only partner with trusted providers whose services we have thoroughly evaluated and believe in. Notably, Saily offers competitively priced data roaming plans, significantly undercutting those available from NZ mobile networks. Our Advertising Policy explains more.
What is Saily?
Saily is an innovative eSIM provider that offers seamless mobile services globally without the hassle of physical SIM cards. With Saily, users can activate and manage their mobile data plans directly through an app, making it an ideal choice for travellers, digital nomads, and anyone looking for an easy, flexible mobile connectivity solution.
Saily was designed by Nord Security, a leader in digital security solutions known for products like NordVPN. Saily caters primarily to international travellers, providing a wide range of flexible travel data plans across over 150 countries. It’s designed to replace the need for roaming packages from Spark, One NZ and 2 Degrees if you only need data roaming. The roaming plans offered by phone companies are almost always more expensive and arguably less flexible around data than what Saily offers. Saily ensures a quick setup and offers 24/7 chat support to help users maintain a steady and secure internet connection while abroad.
Much like VPNs, which safeguard your privacy on various networks, the eSIM technology Saily offers international travellers a secure and dependable internet connection. This makes it a convenient choice for staying connected seamlessly and safely during trips. As part of Nord Security's family, which includes the trusted (and MoneyHub-trusted) NordVPN, NordPass, and Incogni, Saily benefits from a strong pedigree in digital security and privacy.
We have reviewed other Nord products in the past and consistently find them to provide good value. They are featured in our guides for the Best VPNs in New Zealand, Best password managers, and Best antivirus software.
Please note: Saily offers data-only, country-specific plans. This means that you won’t get a local phone number from which to make or receive phone calls or texts; you will need to use a tool like Skype or some other VoIP software to place calls to local numbers. Your Saily plan is specific to the country selected, so for example, if you’re travelling around Europe and spend five days in Spain and six days in Italy, you won’t be able to use your Spain eSIM data in Italy; you’ll need to buy two different Saily plans: one for Spain and one for Italy.
Saily was designed by Nord Security, a leader in digital security solutions known for products like NordVPN. Saily caters primarily to international travellers, providing a wide range of flexible travel data plans across over 150 countries. It’s designed to replace the need for roaming packages from Spark, One NZ and 2 Degrees if you only need data roaming. The roaming plans offered by phone companies are almost always more expensive and arguably less flexible around data than what Saily offers. Saily ensures a quick setup and offers 24/7 chat support to help users maintain a steady and secure internet connection while abroad.
Much like VPNs, which safeguard your privacy on various networks, the eSIM technology Saily offers international travellers a secure and dependable internet connection. This makes it a convenient choice for staying connected seamlessly and safely during trips. As part of Nord Security's family, which includes the trusted (and MoneyHub-trusted) NordVPN, NordPass, and Incogni, Saily benefits from a strong pedigree in digital security and privacy.
We have reviewed other Nord products in the past and consistently find them to provide good value. They are featured in our guides for the Best VPNs in New Zealand, Best password managers, and Best antivirus software.
Please note: Saily offers data-only, country-specific plans. This means that you won’t get a local phone number from which to make or receive phone calls or texts; you will need to use a tool like Skype or some other VoIP software to place calls to local numbers. Your Saily plan is specific to the country selected, so for example, if you’re travelling around Europe and spend five days in Spain and six days in Italy, you won’t be able to use your Spain eSIM data in Italy; you’ll need to buy two different Saily plans: one for Spain and one for Italy.
Can I Use Saily On My Mobile?
To use Saily, you need to have a device capable of eSIM. Saily has a comprehensive list of devices compatible with eSIM, but we mention below the models compatible with the major manufacturers.
Most modern smartphones, including many Apple, Samsung, and Google models, support eSIM functionality. Here's a breakdown of compatible devices across major brands:
To get an eSIM working without issues, you'll need to make sure your device’s firmware is updated to the latest version and not locked. Device manufacturers often provide detailed instructions on how to activate eSIM on their websites.
Most modern smartphones, including many Apple, Samsung, and Google models, support eSIM functionality. Here's a breakdown of compatible devices across major brands:
- Apple: Starting with the iPhone XS, XS Max, and XR, all subsequent iPhone models, including the latest iPhone 12, 13, and 14 series, support eSIM. Apple's iPads, starting from the iPad Pro 11-inch (1st generation) and iPad Air (3rd generation), also support eSIM.
- Samsung: Many of Samsung’s flagship devices, such as the Galaxy S20, S21, S22, and their respective Plus and Ultra models, along with the Galaxy Z Fold and Galaxy Z Flip series, offer eSIM compatibility.
- Google: Google’s Pixel devices, starting from the Pixel 2, support eSIM, with newer models like the Pixel 5 and Pixel 6 series enhancing their eSIM capabilities.
- Other Brands: Various models from Huawei, Motorola, Xiaomi, Sony and Oppo also embrace eSIM technology.
To get an eSIM working without issues, you'll need to make sure your device’s firmware is updated to the latest version and not locked. Device manufacturers often provide detailed instructions on how to activate eSIM on their websites.
Which Countries Does Saily Cover?
- Saily offers data-only, country-specific plans in over 150 countries across all continents.
- As outlined above, you won’t get a local phone number from which to make or receive phone calls or texts. You will need to use a tool like Skype or some other VoIP software to place calls to local numbers. For most people who just need data and rely on WhatsApp, this won’t be an issue.
- Please note that Saily does not offer regional or global plans at the moment; they are specific to the country selected.
Saily eSIM Plans and Prices
- We selected a handful of countries that are popular destinations for New Zealand travellers. Below are the prices of plans available for each country, with the amount of data and validity of each plan organised by region.
- Please note that while most mobile plans from New Zealand mobile networks include calls and texts to Australia, they do not usually include data roaming, so we have presented the data plan for Australia in our table as well:
| Region | Country | 1 GB (7 days) | 3 GB (30 days) | 5 GB (30 days) | 10 GB (30 days) | 20 GB (30 days) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australasia | Australia | $3.99 | $7.99 | $10.99 | $17.99 | $29.99 |
| Pacific | Fiji | $7.49 | - | - | - | - |
| North America | United States | $4.39 | $9.89 | $15.39 | $25.29 | $40.69 |
| North America | Canada | $5.29 | $12.99 | $17.99 | $30.99 | $43.99 |
| North America | Mexico | $5.99 | $14.99 | $22.99 | $39.99 | $69.99 |
| South America | Argentina | $5.29 | $9.99 | $16.99 | $29.99 | $46.99 |
| Europe | United Kingdom | $4.49 | $8.99 | $12.99 | $19.99 | $31.99 |
| Europe | France | $3.99 | $8.99 | $11.99 | $19.99 | $31.99 |
| Europe | Italy | $3.99 | $8.99 | $12.99 | $20.99 | $28.99 |
| Asia-Pacific | Japan | $3.99 | $6.99 | $9.99 | $15.99 | $22.99 |
*All prices above are quoted in US dollars.
Comparison with regional plans from Airalo
- As outlined above, Saily only offers country-specific plans, so if you’re travelling around Europe or Asia for example, you’ll need to buy a separate plan for each of the countries where you’ll want to use data on your mobile.
- For reference, we also looked at the plans offered by Airalo (another provider that offers local, regional and global eSIM plans) and found that their regional plans are considerably more expensive for a similar amount of data when including additional countries in the region, which we show below:
| Region | Saily’s Local Plan | Saily’s Local Price (10 GB) | Airalo’s Regional Plan (10 GB) | Airalo’s Regional Price | Price Difference (Airalo’s Regional vs Saily’s Local Plans) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | United States | $25.29 | Americanmex, 10 GB | $46.00 | 82% |
| Europe | Italy | $20.99 | Eurolink 10 GB | $37.00 | 76% |
| Asia-Pacific | Japan | $15.99 | Asialink, 10 GB | $37.00 | 131% |
- The pricing above suggests that buying individual plans in each country visited would be more cost-effective than buying a regional plan that covers the same places with a similar data allowance.
- Returning to the example of someone travelling around Europe, if they were to spend five days in Italy and six days in Spain and consume 5 GB of data in each country, buying two 5GB plans from Saily would cost around $25. In contrast, the regional 10 GB plan from Airalo that covers both Spain and Italy would cost $37.
Comparison with Overseas Roaming Data Plans from 2 Degrees, One NZ and Spark
We have USD a NZD:USD FX rate of 0.60 and chosen relevant plan as examples from all providers.
| Region | Destination | Saily 1 GB / 7 days (USD) | Saily 1 GB / 7 days (NZD) | 2 Degrees charge per day (NZD) | One NZ Prepaid 1GB / 7 days (NZD) | Saily 3GB / 30 days plan (USD) | Saily 3GB / 30 days plan (NZD) | Spark Prepaid 2 GB/14 days (NZD) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North America | United States | 3.99 | 6.66 | 8 | 17.25 | 8.99 | 15.01 | 25 |
| Europe | Italy | 3.99 | 6.66 | 8 | 17.25 | 8.99 | 15.01 | 25 |
| Asia-Pacific | Japan | 3.99 | 6.66 | 8 | 17.25 | 6.99 | 11.67 | 25 |
| Asia-Pacific | Australia | 3.99 | 6.66 | 8 | 17.25 | 7.99 | 13.34 | 25 |
Roaming on pay-monthly plans
Roaming on prepaid plans
- 2 Degrees offers roaming services aimed at customers on their pay-monthly plans for $8 per day per device, One NZ charges $9 for that service. This allows up to 1GB of data per day at full speed, after which the speed drops to 128 Kilobytes per second. These plans include the ability to send and receive texts or calls while abroad. Please keep in mind this charge is per day (0:00 to 23:59 NZ time) and independent of how much data is used.
- Saily offers a 1GB data-only plan for less than $8 NZD across these regions. This fee is a one-time charge, and the data remains available until fully used or until the end of the 7-day period. Additionally, the connection speed is not throttled, and the plan allows other devices to connect to the internet via hotspot from the mobile device using the Saily plan.
Roaming on prepaid plans
- Spark offers a prepaid plan of 2 GB that can be used over a period of 14 days for the countries mentioned above. If the roaming plan is not selected, data is charged at $11.50 for a block of 200MB (1GB would require 5 data blocks, costing $57.5).
- One NZ offers roaming prepaid data-only plans of 1 GB for $17.25.
- Saily’s plans are considerably cheaper than both Spark and OneNZ. Saily’s 3GB plan is priced lower than Spark’s 2GB offer while also allowing for a longer period of use, up to 30 days. When assessing cost and duration, Saily’s larger data package presents a potentially more economical option for users with extended data needs or longer travel plans, compared to the cost per GB of Spark’s prepaid plan, and much cheaper than the aggregate expense of multiple 200MB blocks.
How Do I Buy and Use an eSIM Plan From Saily?
We outline the steps you would follow to purchase, install and activate your eSIM plan with Saily:
Buying a Saily eSIM:
Activating a Saily eSIM:
Once these steps are completed, your Saily data plan will be ready to use abroad. If you encounter any issues, you can contact Saily's customer support.
Buying a Saily eSIM:
- Check compatibility: Verify that your mobile is compatible with eSIM.
- Download the Saily App: Go to the App Store or Google Play Store, search for the Saily app, and install it on your device.
- Register: Open the Saily app and sign up using your Google account or Apple ID.
- Select Your Travel Destination: In the app, choose which country you will be visiting.
- Choose a Data Plan: Look through the data plans offered for your destination and pick one that matches your needs and the length of your stay.
- Complete Your Purchase: Use the app to securely pay for your plan with Google Pay or a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX).
- After purchasing, your eSIM will appear under the eSIMs tab in the app, which is also where the activation process starts.
Activating a Saily eSIM:
- Access Your eSIMs: Open the Saily app and go to the eSIMs section.
- Start Activation: Find and tap the activation button, which will be marked as Activate eSIM or Install eSIM.
- Install eSIM Profile: By clicking the installation button, you will be redirected to your phone settings to install the eSIM profile. This might involve responding to some prompts.
- Finalise Activation: After the eSIM installation, return to the Saily app and activate your data plan. Activation is usually instant, so do this when you have an internet or WiFi connection but as close to your departure as possible.
- Enable Mobile Data: Follow the in-app instructions to enable the eSIM for mobile data in your phone settings.
Once these steps are completed, your Saily data plan will be ready to use abroad. If you encounter any issues, you can contact Saily's customer support.
Pros and Cons of Saily
Pros:
Cons:
- Lower Roaming Charges: Saily's eSIM allows you to access local mobile networks overseas and avoid expensive NZ network roaming fees for data.
- Flexible Plans: Choose plans that match your trip duration and data needs, like a 7-day, 3 GB plan for a short stay, which can help you save money.
- Enhanced Security: eSIMs can reduce cybersecurity risks by preventing unauthorized SIM use and avoiding the need to use public WiFi connections.
- Multiple Profiles: Store several profiles on one device, easily switching between mobile networks without physical SIM swaps.
- Eco-Friendly: Using an eSIM means less plastic waste than traditional SIM cards.
- Global Coverage: Saily is available in over 150 countries.
- Ease of Use: The app is intuitive and works on both Android and iOS platforms.
- Quick Activation: Setting up and activating your eSIM takes just a few minutes.
- Transparent Pricing: No hidden charges to worry about.
- Customer Support: Access to 24/7 live chat support for any inquiries or issues.
- Tethering Capability: Supports the use of a mobile hotspot for sharing your data connection.
Cons:
- Data-Only Service: Saily does not support traditional phone calls or SMS.
- Initial Setup Requirement: You need an internet connection to set up the eSIM.
- No Regional plans: If you’re visiting more than one country during your trip and want to use mobile data, you’ll need separate plans for each country.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our list of common queries is comprehensive, but if you have any other questions, you can visit Saily's help centre.
When does my eSIM data package begin?
Your eSIM data plan will only start once you activate your plan within the app. Simply installing the eSIM does not trigger the start of your data usage period. Keep in mind: If you don't manually activate your plan via the Saily app, it will automatically activate 30 days after purchase.
When does my eSIM data package end?
The data package will end either when the allotted time frame runs out or when you have used all the data provided in your plan, whichever comes first. Generally, eSIM data packages last for either seven or thirty days from activation. However, if you consume all the data included in your package before this period is over, you will not be able to use the plan any longer, even though it's not technically expired.
How do I check my current data usage?
To monitor your data usage:
- Launch the Saily app.
- Navigate to the "My eSIMs" section.
- Look for the "Data used" information to see your usage.
When should I activate my data plan?
Although you can activate your eSIM any time after your purchase, it's advisable to do so one day before your trip starts, considering that an internet connection is required to activate the plan. Activation happens instantly when you click "activate".
How many Saily eSIMs can I install?
Depending on your device's capability, you can install multiple Saily eSIMs. For instance, some iPhone models can accommodate up to ten eSIM profiles, whereas many Android phones can hold up to seven. It's important to note that while you may install several eSIMs, you can generally only use two of them actively at the same time.
Can I install the same eSIM on multiple devices?
You cannot use the same eSIM on more than one device simultaneously. However, you can transfer the eSIM to another device, but only after removing it from the first device. This action will allow you to reinstall it on a different device via the Saily app.
Can I use tethering (a personal hotspot)? Are there limits?
Yes, you can use a personal hotspot with your device as you would with a traditional SIM card. Saily does not limit the speed or amount of data used through hotspotting or tethering to other devices.
Which network provides the connectivity once my eSIM is activated?
1Global is the network provider for Saily, offering connectivity in over 150 locations worldwide.
Can I access all apps and websites with my eSIM mobile data?
The Saily eSIM lets you access all apps and websites, unless there are location-based or security restrictions. For instance, certain websites might be inaccessible from your current location.
How can I find out if my device supports eSIM?
To determine if your device is compatible with eSIM, consult your manufacturer or refer to Saily's list of eSIM-compatible devices.
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