Saily Brazil eSIM Review 2026: Is It Worth It? (Honest Take)
- Best value per GB of any Brazil eSIM provider — plans from $1.75/GB at higher tiers
- Backed by the NordVPN team, giving it strong security credentials and reliable infrastructure
- Uses Claro's 4G/LTE network, which has the widest coverage across Brazil including Florianopolis
What Is Saily?
Saily is an eSIM provider developed by Nord Security — the same company behind NordVPN, NordPass, and Surfshark. If you've ever used a VPN, there's a good chance you've already interacted with their ecosystem.
The NordVPN connection matters because it signals two things: first, that the company behind Saily has deep experience in networking infrastructure and data security; and second, that they have the resources and reputation to build a product that actually works reliably. This isn't some fly-by-night startup.
Saily launched specifically to address the travel connectivity market. Their app is available on iOS and Android, and they cover 150+ countries, including Brazil. For Brazil specifically, they offer five data tiers ranging from a lightweight 1 GB plan to a generous 20 GB option — all running on Claro's 4G/LTE network.
What sets Saily apart from competitors like Airalo and Holafly is pricing. At most data tiers, Saily offers the lowest price per gigabyte, which is why we ranked it as the #1 eSIM for Brazil in our comparison guide.
Plans & Pricing for Brazil
Saily keeps it simple with five plans for Brazil. No confusing regional bundles or add-on fees — just pick your data tier and go.
| Data | Validity | Price | $/GB |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | 7 days | $4.49 | $4.49 |
| 3 GB | 30 days | $8.99 | $3.00 |
| 5 GB Best Value | 30 days | $12.99 | $2.60 |
| 10 GB | 30 days | $19.99 | $2.00 |
| 20 GB | 30 days | $34.99 | $1.75 |
The 5 GB / 30-day plan at $12.99 hits the sweet spot for most tourists. It gives you enough data for 1–2 weeks of maps, messaging, social media, and occasional photo uploads without worrying about running out. If you're a heavier user — video calls, hotspot sharing, lots of Instagram — the 10 GB plan at $19.99 ($2.00/GB) is excellent value.
The 1 GB plan works for weekend trips or as a backup, but at $4.49/GB it's the least efficient use of money. And the 20 GB plan is only worth it if you're genuinely staying a month and using data aggressively.
Important note: Saily is data-only. You won't get a phone number, local calls, or SMS. For most tourists this doesn't matter — WhatsApp handles everything in Brazil. But if you specifically need a Brazilian phone number, check our Brazil SIM card guide for alternatives.
Coverage & Network in Brazil
Which Network Does Saily Use?
Saily connects to Claro's 4G/LTE network in Brazil. Claro is one of the country's three major carriers (alongside Vivo and TIM), and it consistently ranks as having the best overall coverage in southern and southeastern Brazil.
In our testing, we saw download speeds between 15–45 Mbps in urban areas, which is more than enough for everything a tourist needs. Streaming, video calls, navigation, uploading photos — all worked without issues. Speeds drop in crowded areas (beaches during peak season, major events) but remain usable.
Coverage in Major Cities
We tested or verified Claro 4G/LTE coverage in the following cities, all of which worked well with Saily:
- São Paulo — Excellent coverage throughout the city and surrounding metro area. No dead zones encountered.
- Rio de Janeiro — Strong signal in Copacabana, Ipanema, Centro, and surrounding neighborhoods. Occasional drops in tunnels.
- Florianópolis — Reliable coverage across the island, including Lagoa da Conceição, Campeche, Jurere, and the city center. Some weaker signal in the far south of the island near Naufragados.
- Brasília — Full coverage across the Plano Piloto and satellite cities.
- Salvador — Good coverage in Pelourinho, Barra, and beach areas along the coast.
- Recife — Solid 4G in the city center, Boa Viagem, and Olinda.
Where coverage gets thin: If you're heading deep into the Amazon, the Pantanal, or very rural interior areas of the Northeast, don't count on consistent 4G from any carrier. This is a Brazil infrastructure limitation, not a Saily problem. For those destinations, consider downloading offline maps in advance.
Pros & Cons
What We Liked
- Best price per GB at most data tiers
- Backed by NordVPN — strong trust signal
- Clean, intuitive app (no bloat)
- Reliable Claro 4G/LTE network
- 24/7 customer support
- Hotspot/tethering supported
- Quick QR code installation
What Could Be Better
- Newer brand — fewer user reviews than Airalo
- No unlimited data option (Holafly wins here)
- No phone number or SMS included
- No regional or multi-country plans
- 20 GB plan is pricier per-GB than Airalo's
- 1 GB plan only valid for 7 days
The cons are worth addressing honestly. The lack of an unlimited data plan is the biggest gap — if you're a data-heavy user who doesn't want to think about limits, Holafly's unlimited plan is the better fit. And if you're visiting multiple South American countries, Saily only offers Brazil-specific plans, so a provider with regional options might serve you better.
That said, for the majority of tourists visiting Brazil for 1–3 weeks who need a reliable, affordable data connection, these cons don't outweigh the pricing advantage.
How to Buy and Install Saily
The entire process takes about 5 minutes. Here's how it works:
Check eSIM compatibility
Make sure your phone supports eSIM. Most iPhones from XS/XR (2018) onwards and Samsung Galaxy S20+ support it. Go to Settings → Cellular (iPhone) or Settings → Connections → SIM (Android) to verify.
Download the Saily app or visit saily.com
You can purchase through either the app (iOS/Android) or the website. Search for "Brazil" and choose your data plan. The 5 GB plan at $12.99 is what we recommend for most travelers.
Complete your purchase
Pay with credit card, debit card, or other supported payment methods. You'll receive a QR code immediately — no waiting for email delivery.
Scan the QR code to install
iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Add eSIM → Use QR Code. Android: Settings → Network & Internet → SIMs → Add eSIM. The eSIM profile will install in about 30 seconds.
Activate in Brazil
Enable data roaming for your new eSIM line. It connects automatically to Claro's network when you land. Keep your original SIM active for calls/texts on your home number if needed.
Pro tip: Install the eSIM before you leave home while you still have WiFi. Don't wait until you're at the airport scrambling for a connection.
Get Saily from $4.49 — Set Up in 5 Min →Saily vs Airalo
Airalo is the most established name in the eSIM space with over 1 million app downloads. Here's how they compare for Brazil:
| Feature | Saily | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| 5 GB Price | $12.99 | $16.00 |
| 10 GB Price | $19.99 | $22.00 |
| 20 GB Price | $34.99 | $28.00 |
| Network | Claro | Claro |
| Regional Plans | No | Yes |
| App Reviews | Newer | 1M+ downloads |
| Hotspot | Yes | Yes |
Bottom line: Saily wins on price at the 3–10 GB range, which is where most tourists land. Airalo wins if you need 20 GB or want regional South America coverage. Both use the same Claro network, so the actual connectivity experience is identical. Read the full Airalo review for more details.
Saily vs Holafly
Holafly takes a completely different approach — unlimited data at a flat daily rate. Here's the comparison:
| Feature | Saily | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Data | 1–20 GB (capped) | Unlimited |
| 7-day cost | $12.99 (5 GB) | $55.30 |
| 14-day cost | $19.99 (10 GB) | $110.60 |
| Network | Claro | Vivo |
| Hotspot | Yes | Limited |
| Data Anxiety | Some | None |
Bottom line: Holafly costs 3–5x more than Saily for the same trip length. The only reason to choose Holafly is if you genuinely cannot limit your data usage — constant video calls, streaming on the go, uploading high-res content. For 90% of tourists, Saily's capped plans are more than sufficient and dramatically cheaper. See our full Holafly review.
Who Should Use Saily?
- Budget-conscious tourists who want the most data for the least money
- First-time Brazil visitors who need reliable coverage in major cities and tourist areas
- Short to medium trips (5–21 days) where 3–10 GB is sufficient
- Travelers who want simplicity — buy, scan, connect, done
- Anyone who values brand trust — the NordVPN backing provides peace of mind
- Florianópolis visitors — Claro's coverage on the island is excellent
Who Should NOT Use Saily?
- Heavy data users who stream video or do video calls for hours daily — consider Holafly's unlimited plan instead
- Multi-country travelers visiting Brazil plus Argentina, Chile, etc. — Airalo's regional plans are better suited
- Users who need a phone number for local calls or SMS — Saily is data-only
- Long-stay travelers (30+ days) who need 20 GB or more — Airalo's 20 GB plan is cheaper, or consider a physical SIM
- People traveling to very remote areas only — if your entire trip is deep Amazon or rural interior, no eSIM will serve you well
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saily a legit company?
Yes. Saily is developed by Nord Security, the same company behind NordVPN, one of the most trusted cybersecurity brands in the world. They are headquartered in Lithuania and have been in the security and privacy space since 2012. Saily operates with the same infrastructure and customer support standards as their other products.
Does Saily work in all of Brazil?
Saily uses Claro's 4G/LTE network, which covers all major cities including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Florianópolis, Brasília, Salvador, and Recife. Coverage is excellent in urban and coastal areas. In very remote regions (deep Amazon, rural interior), signal may be limited — but this applies to all carriers in Brazil, not just Saily.
Can I use Saily for hotspot/tethering?
Yes. Saily's Brazil eSIM plans support hotspot and tethering, so you can share your connection with a laptop or other devices. Keep in mind that tethering uses data faster, so plan your data allowance accordingly.
How do I get a refund from Saily?
Saily offers refunds for eSIMs that haven't been activated yet. Once you install and activate the eSIM, it's considered used and typically cannot be refunded. Contact their 24/7 customer support through the app or website if you need assistance.
Is Saily cheaper than Airalo for Brazil?
At most data tiers, yes. Saily's 5 GB plan costs $12.99 versus Airalo's $16.00, and Saily's 10 GB plan is $19.99 versus Airalo's $22.00. However, Airalo's 20 GB plan ($28.00) is cheaper per-GB than Saily's ($34.99). For most tourists buying 3–10 GB, Saily is the better deal. See our full comparison for details.