GOAN eSIM vs Airalo: Pricing, Coverage, Real Number, Setup
I used Airalo for my first year of nomading. Then I switched to GOAN. I've been on GOAN for about 18 months now. This isn't a hit piece on Airalo. They're a solid company and their product works. But after extensive use of both, I have a clear preference.
Here's the honest comparison.
The Fundamental Difference
Airalo is a marketplace. They aggregate eSIM plans from local carriers around the world. You browse by country or region, pick a plan, and install it. Think of it like an app store for mobile data.
GOAN is a single multi-country product. One plan covers 105+ countries. You install it once and it works everywhere.
This difference shapes everything: pricing, setup, border crossings, and how much admin you deal with as a traveller.
Pricing
This is where people usually start, so let's get into it.
Per-Country Plans (Airalo's model)
| Country | Airalo Plan | Data | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 10GB / 30 days | 10GB | $16 | $1.60 |
| Vietnam | 10GB / 30 days | 10GB | $19 | $1.90 |
| Japan | 10GB / 30 days | 10GB | $26 | $2.60 |
| France | 10GB / 30 days | 10GB | $26 | $2.60 |
| Global (Airalo) | 10GB / 30 days | 10GB | $35 | $3.50 |
Multi-Country Plan (GOAN's model)
| Plan | Data | Price | Per GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| GOAN (group, 2+) | 20GB / 30 days | $29 | $1.45 |
| GOAN (single) | 20GB / 30 days | $39 | $1.95 |
The maths:
If you're staying in one country for a month, Airalo's per-country plans can be cheaper. Thailand at $16 for 10GB beats GOAN at $29 for 20GB on raw price (though GOAN gives you double the data).
But the moment you cross a border or visit 2+ countries, Airalo's model gets expensive fast:
4-country SEA trip (1 month):
- Airalo: $16 (Thailand) + $19 (Vietnam) + $13 (Cambodia) + $15 (Indonesia) = $63 for 40GB across 4 plans
- GOAN: $29 for 20GB across all 4 countries on one plan
3-country Europe trip (2 weeks):
- Airalo: $26 (France) + $26 (Italy) + $26 (Spain) = $78 for 30GB across 3 plans. Or their Europe regional plan at $37 for 10GB.
- GOAN: $29 for 20GB across all countries
GOAN wins on multi-country trips. Airalo wins on single-country stays if you need minimal data.
Coverage
| GOAN | Airalo | |
|---|---|---|
| Total countries | 105+ | 200+ (varies by plan) |
| Coverage model | One plan, all countries | Per-country or regional |
| Includes non-EU Europe (UK, Switzerland, Turkey) | Yes | Varies by plan |
| Includes SEA + Europe + Americas | Yes (one plan) | Need separate plans |
Airalo technically covers more countries because they aggregate from many carriers. But each plan covers a limited set. You might need 3-4 different Airalo plans to cover what one GOAN plan covers.
Check GOAN's coverage map for the full list.
The Phone Number Difference
This is the biggest gap between the two.
| Feature | GOAN | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Real phone number | Yes | No (data only) |
| Can make calls | Yes | No |
| Can receive SMS | Yes | No |
| Can call emergency services | Yes | Only through home SIM |
Airalo plans are almost entirely data-only. No phone number. No ability to make or receive calls or SMS on the eSIM line.
I've written a full article on why this matters, but the short version: if you need to call a landlord, verify a bank account via SMS, book a restaurant by phone, or call emergency services, a data-only eSIM can't help you.
This was actually the reason I switched from Airalo to GOAN. I got locked out of my Wise account in Chiang Mai because the verification SMS went to a number that couldn't receive it. That was the last straw.
Setup and Border Crossings
Airalo Setup
- Download the Airalo app (or use their website)
- Browse plans by country or region
- Buy a plan
- Install the eSIM profile (scan QR code)
- Activate when you arrive
For each new country, repeat steps 2-5. In my first year, I went through this process about 8 times.
GOAN Setup
- Buy a plan on goanesim.com
- Scan QR code (one time)
- Done. Works in every covered country.
Border crossings: nothing to do. Cross from Thailand to Cambodia and your data keeps working. Fly from Bali to Portugal and your data keeps working. No new plan, no new installation, no thinking about it.
I set up my GOAN eSIM once, 18 months ago. I've crossed 14 borders since then. I haven't opened a settings menu once.
Speed Comparison
Real-world speeds I measured with both providers in the same locations:
| Location | Airalo (Mbps) | GOAN (Mbps) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bangkok | 25 down / 8 up | 30 down / 12 up | Both solid |
| Lisbon | 22 down / 10 up | 28 down / 12 up | GOAN slightly faster |
| Bali (Canggu) | 18 down / 6 up | 20 down / 8 up | Similar |
| Da Nang | 20 down / 7 up | 25 down / 10 up | GOAN better upload |
Speeds are comparable. GOAN tends to have slightly better upload speeds, which matters for video calls and screen sharing. Neither provider delivered unusable speeds in any location I tested.
When Airalo Makes More Sense
I'm being fair here. Airalo wins in a few scenarios:
Very niche destinations. If you're going to a country GOAN doesn't cover (check their coverage map), Airalo's marketplace probably has a plan for it.
Single-country, short trip. A weekend in Tokyo where you just need 3GB? Airalo has plans starting at $5-8 for small data amounts.
Data-only is fine for you. If you genuinely don't need to make calls or receive SMS (all your communication is WhatsApp/iMessage), the data-only limitation doesn't matter.
When GOAN Makes More Sense
Multi-country trips. Any trip involving 2+ countries. One plan, no border drama.
Long-term travel. Monthly renewal, consistent pricing, no plan shopping every time you move.
You need a phone number. Calling landlords, banks, restaurants, emergency services. Real calls, not VoIP.
Group travel. The $29 group price for 2+ eSIMs beats any comparable Airalo plan.
You value simplicity. Set it up once, forget about it. No app, no marketplace browsing, no plan management.
My Verdict
I started with Airalo and it served me well for a year. But the constant plan shopping, the border-crossing dead zones, and the Wise lockout incident pushed me to GOAN.
18 months later, I haven't looked back. One plan, every country, real phone number, and I haven't opened an eSIM settings menu since the day I installed it.
If you're a single-country tourist, Airalo is fine. If you're a multi-country traveller, nomad, or anyone who needs more than just data, GOAN is the better choice.
