Waze is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.3. Waze wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Airalo on 1.
Drivers who want the fastest route right now on commutes and road trips
International travelers who want mobile data without roaming charges
Score by score
The details
| Feature | Waze | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Travel & Maps | Travel & Maps |
| Category rank | #5 of 10 | #7 of 10 |
| Developer | Waze (Google) | Airalo |
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Usable for free | Yes | Yes |
| iPhone & iPad | ✓ | ✓ |
| Android | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web | ✓ | ✓ |
Common questions
Is Waze better than Airalo?
Waze is the better app overall, scoring 8.5 to 8.3. Waze wins on 4 of the 5 scores, Airalo on 1.
Which is cheaper, Waze or Airalo?
Waze: Free, supported by ads on the map. Airalo: Free app; local eSIMs start from $4, with regional, global and unlimited plans. On value for money, Waze scores higher.
Do Waze and Airalo work on the same devices?
Yes, both run on iPhone & iPad, Android, Web.
Which is more private, Waze or Airalo?
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
Waze
- Reacts quickly to crashes and traffic jams
- Community reports catch hazards other apps miss
- Free, with music and podcast controls built in
- Ads appear on the map and when you stop
- Collects a lot of location data
Waze is the best app for drivers who want to dodge traffic. Other drivers report crashes, hazards, police and speed cameras in real time, and Waze reroutes you around slowdowns quickly. Newer touches include personalized routes, a quieter voice mode and Gemini-powered voice reports. It works well with CarPlay and Android Auto. The trade-offs are map ads, heavy location data collection and the odd side-street detour.
Full Waze review
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
