Airalo is the better app overall, scoring 8.3 to 7.6. Airalo wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Hopper on 0, with 1 tied.
International travelers who want mobile data without roaming charges
Travelers with flexible dates who want help timing flight bookings
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Airalo | Hopper |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel & Maps | Travel & Maps |
| Category rank | #7 of 10 | #10 of 10 |
| Developer | Airalo | Hopper |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Airalo better than Hopper?
Airalo is the better app overall, scoring 8.3 to 7.6. Airalo wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Hopper on 0, with 1 tied.
Which is cheaper, Airalo or Hopper?
Airalo: Free app; local eSIMs start from $4, with regional, global and unlimited plans. Hopper: Free to search; you pay for bookings and optional add-ons like Cancel for Any Reason. On value for money, Airalo scores higher.
Do Airalo and Hopper work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Airalo or Hopper?
Airalo scores higher on privacy (7.0/10). App Store label: identifiers and usage data may be used to track you; financial info, contact info, identifiers and usage may be linked to you. Google Play lists location shared for analytics.
Strengths and weaknesses
Airalo
- Online as soon as you land
- Plans for single countries or whole regions
- Home number stays active for calls and codes
- Needs an eSIM-capable, unlocked phone
- Most plans are data-only
- Tracks identifiers and usage
Airalo saves you from roaming fees and airport SIM kiosks. Pick a destination, buy a data package and install the eSIM in the app before you leave, and you're online when you land. It covers 200+ destinations with local, regional, global and unlimited plans, and you can top up and track usage as you go. Your home SIM can stay active for calls and codes. You need an eSIM-capable phone, and most plans are data-only.
Full Airalo review
Hopper
- Price predictions help you time a booking
- Flexible add-ons for uncertain plans
- Simple, friendly interface with no ads
- Paid add-ons quickly raise the real price
- Changes go through Hopper instead of the airline
Hopper tells you whether to book a flight now or wait, using price predictions and alerts, and its color-coded calendar shows the cheapest dates at a glance. It also sells hotels, homes and rental cars, plus paid flexibility like Cancel or Change for Any Reason. The predictions are handy, but add-ons raise the real price and changes go through a middleman. Use it to watch prices, then compare before you buy.
Full Hopper review
