Buying a the United States eSIM on Airalo costs more than it needs to. We put both sites' published prices side by side, plan for plan.
On 8 matching plans altesim.com came out cheaper than Airalo, by 35% to 80%.
How we compared
Both columns are the prices each site published on 11 September 2026, listed in US dollars. We used each site's actual selling price, not a struck-through list price.
Every comparison uses altesim.com's full price, ignoring the 10% site-wide discount it runs one day in three — the strictest reading against ourselves.
A "matching plan" means the same number of days and the same data allowance, with per-day plans compared only against per-day plans.
A detailed comparison: How much does altesim.com differ from Airalo?
| Plan | altesim.com | Airalo | You save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 days · 10GB total | US$4.34 | US$21.5 | 80% |
| 15 days · 10GB total | US$4.9 | US$22 | 78% |
| 30 days · 10GB total | US$5.22 | US$22.5 | 77% |
| 7 days · 5GB total | US$2.9 | US$12.5 | 77% |
| 15 days · 5GB total | US$3.18 | US$13 | 76% |
| 30 days · 5GB total | US$8.75 | US$13.5 | 35% |
| 15 days · 20GB total | US$8.67 | US$36 | 76% |
| 30 days · 20GB total | US$18.9 | US$36.5 | 48% |
When traveling in the United States, choosing the right eSIM is crucial. According to the public pricing on September 11, 2026, altesim.com offers 8 US eSIM plans that are cheaper than Airalo, with savings ranging from 35% to 80%. The most striking example is the "7 days, 10GB total" plan. altesim.com sells it for US$4.34, while Airalo charges US$21.5, a saving of 80%. If you're planning a 7-day trip to the US, primarily using your phone for maps and staying in touch with friends, this plan is ideal. Although the savings decrease as the duration increases, they remain significant. For instance, the "10GB total" plan is 80% cheaper for 7 days and 77% cheaper for 30 days. This means that regardless of the length of your stay, altesim.com will be cheaper than Airalo.
If you mainly rely on Wi-Fi at your accommodation and occasionally use maps and communication, the "5GB total" plan should suffice. The 7-day plan from altesim.com costs US$2.9, while Airalo charges US$12.5, saving you 77%. Whether you're visiting the US for a short or long trip, altesim.com's eSIM is a cost-effective choice.
How to use a data-capped plan without running out of data
With a data-capped eSIM, you don't need to worry about daily data usage, offering more flexibility. This approach is suitable for those who prefer to have a flexible itinerary.
The most data-intensive activities include using navigation, uploading photos, streaming videos, or live streaming. These activities can quickly consume your data allowance, so plan carefully.
To estimate how many GB you need, consider the following: with Wi-Fi at your accommodation and primarily using maps and communication, 1GB per day should be enough; if you frequently use navigation, upload photos, and watch some videos, plan for approximately 5GB to 10GB per week; if you share a hotspot with others and frequently watch videos or live stream, you might need around 20GB for a 10-day trip.
It's important to note that with altesim.com's daily plans, once your high-speed data is used up, the speed will be reduced to 128kbps, but you won't lose connectivity. The speed will be restored the next day. So even if you're on a data-capped plan, you can use it with peace of mind.
The variety of options on altesim.com's US page
altesim.com's US page offers 58 plan options, ranging from 5 days to 30 days. These plans are divided into data-capped and daily plans, allowing you to choose based on your itinerary.
For example, if you're planning to visit multiple countries, including the US, altesim.com's multi-country plans can cover multiple destinations, and these plans also include the US.
The website offers over 2,300 plans across 84 destinations, so no matter where you're traveling, altesim.com can provide a suitable option.
How much data do you actually need in the US? Three itineraries to consider
The first itinerary is Itinerary A: If you have Wi-Fi at your accommodation and mainly use your phone for maps and communication, the "5GB total" plan should be sufficient. Based on general experience, this itinerary typically uses about 1GB per day.
The second itinerary is Itinerary B: If you frequently use navigation, upload photos, and watch some videos, the "10GB total" plan would be more appropriate. Based on general experience, this itinerary typically uses about 5GB to 10GB per week.
The third itinerary is Itinerary C: If you share a hotspot with others and frequently watch videos or live stream, the "20GB total" plan would be more suitable. Based on general experience, this itinerary typically uses about 20GB for a 10-day trip.
It's important to note that the length of your trip will affect your data usage choice. If you're planning a longer stay in the US, you might need to consider choosing a higher data total.
The benefits of using altesim.com
altesim.com offers a variety of options, allowing you to choose based on your needs. You can buy up to 10 eSIMs in a single purchase, which is perfect for a group of friends or a family. This feature is very convenient, allowing you to handle all your eSIMs in one go.
Every 3 days, there is a 10% discount across the site, which is a great benefit for budget-conscious travelers, helping you save a significant amount.
Opening an account is free, and members who buy 10 eSIMs get one free, which encourages you to continue using altesim.com.
Three things to do before purchasing
The first thing to do is to check if your phone supports eSIM. Recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy S series, and Google Pixel phones support it, but older models and some China-version phones may need further checking.
The second thing to do is to check if it's a discount day. If it is, you can save an additional 10%, which can help you save even more.
The third thing to do is to revisit the destination page to confirm the current price. Since prices on various platforms can change at any time, it's best to double-check before your departure. altesim.com offers many options and benefits, making it a worthwhile eSIM choice to consider.
Prices are as published on 11 September 2026 and can change at any time; check the page on the day you buy.