Pick Saily if you want built-in security tools and the 15% discount, which puts its 5 GB plans below Nomad’s in Turkey and Japan. Pick Nomad for the USA, where its list prices were lower even after the discount.
The catch: Saily plans are data only, so calls and texts need its separate phone number add-on.
Nomad and Saily both sell prepaid travel eSIMs that you buy and install before you fly. On paper they look alike, so the real differences come down to price per destination, extras and the activation rules. Here they are on the same plan sizes in three popular destinations.
Nomad vs Saily prices: 5 GB for 30 days
Prices from saily.com and nomadesim.com on 24 Oct 2026, in US dollars. Nomad shows whole-dollar prices.
| Price: 5 GB, 30 days | Turkey | Japan | USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saily | $9.99 | $10.99 | $13.99 |
| Saily with 15% off Best value | about $8.49 | about $9.34 | about $11.89 |
| Nomad | $9 | $10 | $9 |
In Turkey and Japan, Saily with 15% off costs less than Nomad. In the USA, Nomad is cheaper even after the discount: $9 against about $11.89.
The pattern holds for bigger plans. For 20 GB over 30 days, Saily lists $22.99 in Turkey, $24.99 in Japan and $36.99 in the USA. Nomad listed $20, $23 and $21, and its Japan and USA prices were marked “on sale” (from $26 and $38). With 15% off, Saily’s 20 GB comes to about $19.54 in Turkey and $21.24 in Japan, below Nomad. Nomad’s USA sale price is far lower.
For a short trip, both start low. A 1 GB, 7-day plan costs $3.99 on Saily in all three countries. Nomad listed $4 in Turkey and Japan and $5 in the USA.
Features side by side
| Feature | Saily | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Destinations | 200+ | 200+ |
| Time to activate | 180 days after purchase | Starts when it connects, or 60 days after purchase |
| Activation | Automatic on arrival | Automatic; a few eSIMs need manual activation |
| Hotspot | Yes, from your data balance | Yes |
| Phone number | Optional US number add-on | Some eSIMs include a local number |
| Extras | Virtual locations, ad blocker, web protection | Nomad Points on unlimited plans of 10+ days |
| Support | 24/7 chat in the app, plus email | 24/7 live chat and email |
Where Saily is stronger
- Security tools in the app. Saily has virtual locations, a DNS-based ad blocker and web protection against malware and phishing sites. See our guide to eSIMs with privacy features.
- More time to activate. You have 180 days after purchase, so you can buy well before a trip.
- Plan sharing. You can share a plan that isn’t activated yet with up to 4 more people in the Saily app (not Ultra or unlimited plans).
- Clear refund rule. If you haven’t installed the eSIM or activated the plan, you can ask for a full refund within 30 days.
- Backed by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN.
Where Nomad is stronger
- Lower list prices on many plans, especially in the USA, plus sale prices on some sizes.
- Bigger plans. Nomad lists 50 GB for 30 days ($31 in Turkey, $35 in Japan). In the USA it also lists 75 GB for 180 days ($89) and 100 GB for 365 days ($120).
- Points. An unlimited plan of 10 days or more earns 200 Nomad Points (worth $2) when it expires.
Which should you pick?
- A week in Turkey or Japan, lowest total price: Saily with 15% off.
- A trip to the USA: Nomad’s prices were lower on 24 Oct 2026. Check both before you buy.
- Privacy on public Wi-Fi and hotel networks: Saily, for its built-in security tools.
- A long stay or very heavy data use: Nomad’s 50 GB and longer US plans.
- Buying months ahead: Saily, with 180 days to activate.
Want Airalo in the mix too? Read Saily vs Airalo vs Nomad.
- 5 GB costs less than Nomad in Turkey and Japan with 15% off
- 180 days to activate
- Virtual locations, ad blocker and web protection
- Share a plan with up to 4 people
- Nomad is cheaper in the USA
- Data only without the phone number add-on
- Both sides’ prices and sales change, so check before you buy
FAQ
Is Nomad cheaper than Saily?
It depends on the country. On 24 Oct 2026, 5 GB for 30 days cost $9 (Turkey), $10 (Japan) and $9 (USA) on Nomad. Saily listed $9.99, $10.99 and $13.99, or about $8.49, $9.34 and $11.89 with 15% off.
Do Nomad and Saily include a phone number?
Saily plans are data only. Saily sells an optional US (+1) number add-on with calls and SMS in the app. Nomad says some of its eSIMs include a local number, so check the plan details.
Can I use my phone as a hotspot?
Yes, both support hotspot. On Saily, hotspot data comes out of your plan balance and its fair use policy applies.
How long do I have to activate the plan?
Saily gives you 180 days after purchase. Nomad’s plans start when they connect to a network, or 60 days after purchase.
5 GB for Japan is $10.99, about $9.34 with 15% off (saily.com, 24 Oct 2026).