4S eSIM vs Airalo

At a glance

Whole-catalog figures — every active plan each provider sells today.

Price check in popular destinations

The cheapest plan each provider sells for two realistic trip sizes, in the destinations both cover that travelers check most. Every price is a live plan you can buy.

Plan types on offer

4SAiralo

Unlimited data ✓ Yes ✓ Yes

Regional bundles ✓ Yes No

Global bundles (50+ countries) ✓ Yes No

Cruise / at-sea plans No No

Pay as you go No No

Comparison by eSIMKart

Policies compared

Confirmed from each provider's own site — see the trust card on each provider page for the verification date.

4S Airalo

ID verification

4S: Not confirmed yet

Airalo: Required for some countries (passport/ID)

Refund policy

4S: Refund eligibility is reviewed case-by-case based on order/eSIM status and reason — no fixed window stated; contact support to request review.

Airalo: Self-service refund request from your account (My eSIMs > Package History > Request Refund) for wrong purchase, changed plans, installation issues, or a non-working eSIM — expired or fully-used eSIMs aren't eligible. Wrong-purchase/changed-plans refunds go to Airmoney (their in-app credit) only; installation-issue/not-working refunds can go to Airmoney or your original payment method, taking 7-10 business days (up to 30 depending on your bank).

Validity starts

4S: Most plans start counting on first use, when the eSIM connects and begins using data (checked on your 4S service page).

Airalo: Validity starts either when the eSIM connects to the destination network or at the moment of installation, depending on the specific plan — check 'Additional Information > Activation Policy' on the plan page before buying to see which applies.

Fair-use limit

4S: Unlimited plans include a high-speed data quota for the full validity period; after it is used, speed drops to up to 1 Mbps until the plan expires.

Airalo: Unlimited plans default to a 3GB-per-day full-speed allowance before throttling to 1 Mbps for the rest of that 24-hour period (counted from activation, not purchase); a different daily threshold is stated on the specific plan's page when it applies instead of the 3GB default.

Top-ups & rollover

4S: Self-serve top-up (same destination/region only) adds high-speed data to the current plan and extends its validity by the top-up package's own validity period.

Airalo: Only plans marked 'rechargeable' (checkable under Additional Information before buying) can be topped up, via the My eSIMs > Top Up option in the app — a non-rechargeable eSIM or one that changed carriers requires buying a new eSIM instead.

Lost device / reinstalling

4S: Each eSIM QR/activation code can only be installed once; a deleted eSIM usually cannot be reinstalled with the same code — contact support for a replacement.

Airalo: Most Airalo eSIMs can't be reinstalled once deleted -- the app checks each plan under My eSIMs > 'Deleted your eSIM?' and walks you through reinstall if allowed, otherwise you'll need a new eSIM or Support.

Billing currency

4S: Checkout supports multiple currencies (USD, EUR, GBP, JPY, CNY and others via a currency selector); USD is the default.

Airalo: Airalo lets you check out in 16 real currencies (USD, AUD, CAD, EUR, GBP, JPY, PLN, SGD, NOK, DKK, SEK, CHF, NZD, MXN, ZAR, THB) — not just a USD default; if your currency isn't listed, your bank handles the conversion at checkout.

Support

4S: Email · Live chat · Help center

Airalo: Live chat · Help center · 24/7

Payment

4S: Google Pay · Alipay · Card · PayPal · Crypto

Airalo: Card · PayPal · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Alipay

Headquarters

4S: Kowloon, Hong Kong

Airalo: Singapore

Legal entity

4S: Wans Technology Limited

Airalo: AirGSM Pte Ltd

Founded

4S: Not confirmed yet

Airalo: 2019

Comparison by eSIMKart

Discount codes

4S -15% ESIMKART15

Airalo No live code

4S eSIM vs Airalo — common questions

Figures on this page come from both providers' live catalogs and are re-checked automatically every day.

Compare 4S eSIM and Airalo by destination

Head-to-head prices for the destinations travelers check most.