The short version
Both stores sell prepaid data eSIMs that you install before your trip and use alongside your normal SIM. Neither choice changes how an eSIM works on your phone. The differences are in destination coverage, plan sizes, what each plan allows, and price per gigabyte for the destination you are visiting.
| What to compare | Flowsus | What to check on Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Destinations | More than 160 countries, plus regional and global plans | Airalo lists 200+ countries and regions |
| Plan sizes | Fixed data from 1 GB to 20 GB | The packages offered for your destination |
| Validity | 7 or 30 days, shown on each plan | The validity of each package and when it starts |
| Hotspot | Allowed on every plan in our current catalog | Whether tethering is allowed on the package you pick |
| Network | 4G/5G listed on each plan | The network and speed listed for the package |
| ID checks | None required on our current plans | Whether your destination’s package requires verification |
| Price shown as | Package price and price per GB | Package price; divide by GB if no per-GB figure is shown |
Compare price per GB, not package price
A $5 package and a $9 package are not comparable until you know the data and validity behind them. Divide the price by the gigabytes, then compare plans with the same validity. A cheap 1 GB plan is poor value if you will need 5 GB, because buying several small plans usually costs more than one larger one.
Flowsus destination pages show the price per GB next to each plan. For example, open the Japan, Thailand or Europe page and compare the per-GB figure with the equivalent Airalo package for the same number of days.
If you are unsure how much data you need, the travel data guide gives typical figures for maps, messaging, video and hotspot use.
Check when validity starts
Two plans with “30 days” on the label can behave differently. Some start counting when you install the eSIM, others when your phone first connects to a supported network at your destination. Read the plan details on either store before installing, especially if you plan to install a week or more before departure.
Hotspot and laptops
If you will share data with a laptop, a tablet or travel companions, confirm tethering is allowed before you buy. Every plan in the current Flowsus catalog allows hotspot. On any store, check the package details rather than assuming, and read our laptop hotspot article for how much data that adds.
Coverage and networks
Store-level destination counts matter less than whether the specific country and region on your route are covered. Before buying from either store:
- Search for every country on your itinerary, not just the first one.
- For multi-country trips, compare a regional plan against separate country plans. Our Southeast Asia regional eSIM article walks through that trade-off.
- Expect weaker signal in mountains, national parks and on remote islands whichever eSIM you choose. That depends on local networks, not on the store.
When Airalo may suit you better
- Your destination is not in our catalog. Flowsus does not currently sell plans for every country, Taiwan for example. If we do not list your destination, buy from a store that does.
- You want a package size we do not offer. Our plans run from 1 GB to 20 GB on fixed data. If you need something outside that range, compare what Airalo offers for your destination.
- You already use Airalo’s app and credit. If you have loyalty credit or saved eSIMs there, staying put can be simpler.
When Flowsus is a good fit
- You want the price per GB shown on every plan so you can compare quickly.
- You want hotspot allowed without checking each package’s fine print.
- You prefer reading plan details and guides in your language. Flowsus is available in 10 languages, including Vietnamese, Japanese, Korean and Brazilian Portuguese.
- You are travelling to one of our covered destinations, such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, the United States or Europe.
Checklist for any eSIM store
- Confirm your phone supports eSIM and is carrier-unlocked. See the compatibility guide.
- Compare price per GB for the same validity.
- Check when validity starts.
- Confirm hotspot is allowed if you need it.
- Check every country on your route is covered.
- Install on stable Wi-Fi before you leave, following the installation guide.
- Keep your home SIM on for calls and SMS, and set the eSIM as your mobile data line.
Whichever store you pick, these checks matter more than the brand name. If Flowsus covers your trip, browse all destinations and compare the plans side by side.