Airalo Alternatives UK: Saudi 10GB eSIM From £17

Last updated: Sunday 25 October 2026 (Europe/London).
Next update: when Breeze, Mozillion or Airalo change their Saudi Arabia, USA, Thailand or Spain prices, and before the Christmas travel rush.
By: Switch Editorial Team, Switch Squid Ltd

Is Airalo the cheapest eSIM for UK travellers? Not always. As of 25 October 2026, the cheapest 10GB, 30-day Saudi Arabia eSIM we can send you to is Breeze at £17 (shown against £21), while Airalo lists its 10GB, 30-day Saudi plan at US$25.50 and eSIMania at US$32.08. For the USA and Spain, Mozillion’s Travel eSIM is cheaper still at £11 and £9 for 10GB. Airalo remains a big, well-known name with plans in more than 200 locations, but its prices are shown in US dollars, so your bank’s exchange rate and any card fee sit on top. This SwitchSquid guide compares Airalo with three alternatives for four popular trips from the UK, explains what you actually get for the money (hotspot, top-ups, validity), and shows how to set up an eSIM before you fly. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page; it doesn’t change the price you pay.

Sources: Breeze Saudi Arabia eSIM, Mozillion Saudi Arabia Travel eSIM, Airalo’s and eSIMania’s own Saudi Arabia plan pages, all checked on 25 October 2026.

Why look for an Airalo alternative?

Airalo made travel eSIMs mainstream. It says more than 30 million people have used it, it covers 200+ countries and regions, and its app is available in 53 languages. In Saudi Arabia its local plans run on STC, one of the country’s main networks. Those are real strengths, and if you already have the app and credit on your account, staying put can be the easy choice.

The reasons UK travellers shop around are more practical:

• Pounds, not dollars. Airalo and eSIMania list prices in US dollars on their websites. Breeze can show prices in pounds, and Mozillion charges in pounds, so what you see is what leaves your account.

• Price per gigabyte varies by country. No single provider is cheapest everywhere. In our checks Airalo was the cheapest of the four for Thailand, but one of the dearest for Saudi Arabia and the USA.

• Validity rules differ. Some plans start counting days when you install, others when you first connect abroad. That matters if you buy a week before you travel.

• Short trips need small plans. If you are in Riyadh or Jeddah for three nights, a 3GB plan may be all you need, and the cheapest small plan is not always from the same company as the cheapest large one.

If you are still deciding whether an eSIM is right for your phone at all, our what is an eSIM guide covers the basics, and eSIM vs physical SIM explains the trade-offs.

Airalo vs the alternatives: 10GB prices compared

We compared the 10GB, 30-day data-only plan for four trips UK travellers often book in autumn and winter: Saudi Arabia, the USA, Thailand and Spain. Prices were checked on each provider’s website on 25 October 2026. Breeze prices are its pound prices; Airalo and eSIMania prices are in US dollars as shown on their sites, so we have not converted them.

How to read the table: the pound prices are what you pay at checkout. For the dollar prices, your card provider converts them on the day, and some cards add a non-sterling transaction fee on top, so check your own card’s terms. Prices change often, which is why we date every check.

What the numbers say: for Saudi Arabia, Breeze at £17 is the cheapest 10GB option of the four in pounds, and it is £6 less than Mozillion’s 10GB plan. For the USA and Spain, Mozillion is the cheapest we can link to at £11 and £9. Thailand is the one trip where Airalo’s US$11 plan competes head-on with Mozillion’s £11, so compare the two at today’s exchange rate before you buy.

Which is the cheapest eSIM for Saudi Arabia?

For a typical week-long work trip or Umrah visit, 10GB is a sensible amount if you use maps, messaging and the odd video call. Here is what each option costs for Saudi Arabia, checked on 25 October 2026:

• Breeze: 5GB £11 (shown against £13), 10GB £17 (against £21) and 20GB £25 (against £30), each for 30 days. Breeze says its Saudi plans use the Zain network, which covers Riyadh, Jeddah, Mecca and AlUla, and the validity clock starts when you first use data in Saudi Arabia, not when you buy.

• Mozillion: 1GB for 7 days £6, 3GB for 30 days £10, 10GB for 7 days £22 and 10GB for 30 days £23. The 3GB plan is the cheapest way in for a short trip if you mostly use Wi-Fi at your hotel.

• Airalo: 5GB for 30 days US$15, 10GB for 30 days US$25.50 and 20GB for 30 days US$42, plus unlimited-data plans from US$12.50 for three days.

• eSIMania: 5GB for 30 days US$22.80 and 10GB for 30 days US$32.08 after a 10% promotion.

If you are visiting several Gulf countries on one trip, Breeze also sells a Middle East and North Africa plan covering Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Egypt on one eSIM, which can be simpler than buying one per country.

Is Airalo cheaper for the USA, Thailand or Spain?

For the USA, no: Airalo’s 10GB, 30-day plan is US$22.50, while Mozillion charges £11 and Breeze £12. For Spain, Mozillion’s 10GB for £9 and Breeze’s £10 both undercut Airalo’s US$14. Thailand is closer, because Airalo’s 10GB plan is US$11 against Mozillion’s £11 and Breeze’s £16. If you are heading to Bangkok or the islands, check both at today’s exchange rate.

For USA trips in particular, our Saily eSIM review compares another dollar-priced brand with the same pound-priced alternatives, and our best travel eSIM deals page lists the strongest offers by destination this month.

What do you actually get with each eSIM?

Price per gigabyte is only part of the story. Before you buy, check these four things on the plan page:

1. When validity starts. Breeze says Saudi plans start on first use in the country. Mozillion says its eSIM activates automatically on arrival. If a plan starts on installation instead, install it close to departure.

2. Hotspot. Breeze includes tethering on its Saudi plans, so you can share data with a laptop. Check the plan details for the others if you need it.

3. Top-ups. All four let you add data, but the price of a top-up can differ from the price of the first plan.

4. Data only. Travel eSIMs like these are usually data only. You keep your UK number on your main SIM for calls and texts, and WhatsApp and iMessage keep working over data.

One limitation applies to all of them: you need an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone. Most iPhones from the XS onwards and recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models support eSIM, but check your exact model before you pay.

How to set up a travel eSIM before you fly

1. Check your phone is unlocked and eSIM-ready in your settings or with your UK network.

2. Buy the plan for your destination and wait for the QR code or in-app install button.

3. Install it at home on Wi-Fi. Label it something clear like “Saudi data”.

4. Leave data roaming off on your UK line so you don’t run up roaming charges by mistake.

5. When you land, switch mobile data to the travel eSIM and turn on data roaming for that eSIM only.

Moving to a new phone soon? Do it before you travel, because transferring an eSIM between handsets usually needs a fresh install from the provider.

Fit summary

• Good fit for Breeze: you are going to Saudi Arabia or travelling as a group, and want pound pricing, hotspot and a validity clock that starts on arrival.

• Good fit for Mozillion: you want the cheapest 10GB for the USA, Thailand or Spain, or a small 3GB plan for a short Saudi trip.

• Consider staying with Airalo: you already have the app and account credit, or the price for your destination is close once converted.

• Consider eSIMania: you need a long-validity plan, such as 180 days, for an extended stay.

Not sure how much data you need? Squid AI, SwitchSquid’s AI assistant, can help you estimate it from how you use your phone at home.

Important conditions

• Prices were checked on each provider’s website on 25 October 2026 and can change at any time.

• Breeze “shown against” prices are the higher prices Breeze displays beside its current price; the 10% saving applies when you buy two or more eSIMs.

• Airalo and eSIMania prices are in US dollars; your card provider’s exchange rate and any fees apply.

• Travel eSIMs are data only and need an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone.

• Coverage depends on the local network partner; check the network listed on the plan page.

FAQ

What is the cheapest alternative to Airalo for Saudi Arabia?

Among the providers we compared on 25 October 2026, Breeze was the cheapest for 10GB in Saudi Arabia at £17 for 30 days. Airalo listed the same allowance at US$25.50. For a very short trip, Mozillion’s 3GB plan for £10 is the cheapest way to get connected.

Is Airalo a good eSIM?

Airalo is one of the largest travel eSIM brands, with plans in more than 200 locations and an app in 53 languages. It is a reliable choice, but it is not always the cheapest. Its prices are shown in US dollars, so compare the converted price with pound-priced alternatives.

Do travel eSIMs give me a UK phone number abroad?

No, the plans compared here are data only. You keep your UK number active on your main SIM for calls and texts, and messaging apps such as WhatsApp keep working over the travel eSIM’s data. Turn off data roaming on your UK line to avoid charges.

Can I use a travel eSIM as a hotspot?

Often yes, but check the plan. Breeze says hotspot is included on all its Saudi Arabia plans at no extra cost. Some providers limit tethering on certain plans, so read the details before you buy.

When should I install my travel eSIM?

Install it at home on Wi-Fi a day or two before you fly, and switch to it when you land. Breeze’s Saudi plans and Mozillion’s eSIM only start counting days when you first connect at your destination. If a plan starts on installation, install it as close to departure as you can.

Will my phone work with an eSIM?

Most recent iPhones, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones support eSIM, but the phone must also be unlocked. Check your settings or ask your UK network if you are unsure. A locked phone will not accept another provider’s eSIM.

Is a regional eSIM better for a multi-country trip?

It can be. Breeze’s Middle East and North Africa plan covers Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Jordan and Egypt on one eSIM. It costs more than a single-country plan, so it only pays if you are crossing borders.

Final decision card

For Saudi Arabia, Breeze is the best-value Airalo alternative we can link to, at £17 for 10GB over 30 days with hotspot included and validity that starts when you land. For the USA, Thailand and Spain, Mozillion’s 10GB plans from £9 to £11 are hard to beat. Airalo is still worth a look for Thailand, where its US$11 plan is close on price, and for anyone who already has credit in the app.