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- Top eSIM for Albania: Comparison of the Best Providers
Top eSIM for Albania: Comparison of the Best Providers
Are you planning a trip to the beautiful Albania? Don’t let the Internet hassle ruin your trip. While most tourists use expensive roaming, seasoned travelers recommend the eSIM technology. With an eSIM in Albania, you remain connected and use the local Internet, as if you owned a local tariff. Considering the number of providers, choosing one can be complicated.
In this guide, you’ll compare the key factors of the leading companies: coverage, pricing, data volumes, and overall quality. To choose the best option for your trip, you are also offered special perks and features, including loyalty programs and discounts. Compare Yesim, Alosim, Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad. Afterward, manage to visit their official website to see the newest information about tariffs.
Why do You Need eSIM in Albania: Pros and Cons of the New Technology
eSIM technology has obvious advantages over traditional SIM cards. Buy and activate in online, choose one of many versatile plans, and don’t pay for roaming. Plus, most devices allow you to activate several eSIM plans at the same time. Finally, you can choose regional or even global plans to travel all over the world with one plan. No matter where you are, the eSIM provider will connect you to the local Internet.
In Albania, however, this technology is especially beneficial. The reason is expensive roaming. Overall, you would pay around $0.5 USD for each MB, used in Albania. At the same time, eSIM companies offer the whole day of unlimited Internet at $4.50, more or less. And for 1 GB of data, you can pay only $1.75.
To choose the best offers, see the comparison of the leading providers.
Yesim: the Best Unlimited Internet
Yesim is popular for its versatility. Usually, the provider offers both limited and unlimited Internet options. The Albanian eSIM, however, is only available in unlimited format.
Coverage and Speed
Yesim works with Vodafone – the largest provider in Albania. Famous for its speed and coverage, Vodafone is the best local choice. The Internet is available at 4g/5g/LTE, and 3G.
Pricing
As it was said, you can only purchase unlimited Internet in Albania. The cheapest pack costs $33 and lasts 7 days. Thus, you pay $4.71 a day. For a long trip, consider the 30-day plan for $64.90. In this case, you pay only $2.16 per day with unlimited Internet. This is extremely cheap, especially compared to roaming pricing.
Activation
You can easily activate Yesim via its application. Here, you can choose and buy a plan, invite friends, and activate the tariff straight away. Moreover, Yesim allows a postponed activation – the plan is available 365 after the purchase. With the referral program, you can also receive virtual points (Ycoins) by inviting friends.
Alternatively, activate via QR code. After you pay for a plan, Yesim emails you with a detailed guide and a code. Never share your code with anyone else.
Customer Reviews
Customer reviews prove that activation via Yesim is easy and friendly. Also, don’t worry about connection. Cooperating with Vodafone, the company provides excellent coverage.
Airalo: Cost-Effective Trips
Airalo is generally known for its cheap Internet. Let’s see how Albanian plans work.
Coverage and Speed
Airalo ensures connection with Voda AL (the local branch of Vodafone) and One.al. You will be connected to one of the providers depending on your location – Airalo automatically chooses which connection is the best at the moment. With the help of such technology, the coverage is quite good in any part of the country. Currently, Airalo supports only 4G in Albania.
Pricing
The pricing depends on a chosen plan:
- 1 GB for $4.50
- 2GB for $8.0
- 3GB for $11.00
- 5 GB for $15.50
- 10 GB for $26.00
The first two plans last for 7 or 15 days, accordingly. Others are available for 30 days. Within the longest plan, you pay only $2.6 per 1 GB. At Yesim, however, you pay the same price for the whole day of unlimited Internet.
Activation
Activate the plan in the app. Here, you can also buy and top up your tariffs. Note that Airalo is one of the few providers that have top-up functions. You can start with a 7-day plan and simply buy more data if needed. This is the best eSIM option for customers who are not sure about their trip’s duration.
Customer Reviews
Unfortunately, most reviews about Airalo in Albania are negative. People struggle to connect to the Internet since the coverage is poor. The provider claims to be working on this situation.
Alosim: Make Calls Freely
Alosim is one of the oldest eSIM providers with a huge network. In Albania, plans start at $4.50, but you also receive a virtual phone number with any plan.
Coverage and Speed
In Albania, Alosim supports Vodafone network. According to experience, this is the best local provider. A 5G connection is available.
Pricing
Currently, only prepaid plans are available. For 1 GB of data, you pay from $1.75 (in a 20 GB plan) to $4.50 (in a 1 GB plan). Note that a unique phone number is your gift from Alosim. Using other providers, you pay for it separately.
Activation
For activation, you need an Alosim account. The company creates it automatically once you buy a plan. Activate via the application using a unique QR code. Overall, there is nothing new – the procedure is the same in Yesim and Airalo. Don’t forget to check the list of compatible devices as well. It is available on the official website.
Customer Reviews
Clients don’t struggle with short-term plans, but after a top-up, the plan sometimes crushes. To make it work, some users needed customer support.
Holafly: The Best Customer Support
Holafly is popular for its excellent customer support – the team is available 24/7. The Internet commonly goes in an unlimited format, and Albania is not an exception.
Coverage and Speed
Holafly supports 4G and LTE, using Vodafone Albania and One Albania. The provider says, you’ll be well-connected in the largest cities and tourist destinations. As for other regions, there is no particular information.
Pricing
The plans start at 5 days:
- $27 for 5 days
- $34 for 7 days
- $37 for 10 days
- $47 for 15 days
- $54 for 20 days
Thus, one day costs from $5.4 to $2.7. As always, buying the long-term plan is the most beneficial.
Activation
Activate this plan via the application or a QR code. Note that phone calls are not included. Also, you cannot use a hotspot in this plan.
Customer Reviews
On Trustpilot, each review about Holafly in Albania is positive – a rare case indeed. Customers praise good connection and customer support.
Nomad: Versatile Plans
Nomad eSIM offers versatile tariffs, where you can choose all details up to the provider. Let’s see how Albanian plans work.
Coverage and Speed
Nomad works with Vodafone Albania in most plans. However, you can also buy a 1G-plan that supports Truphone. The coverage is available in 4G and 5G if possible. The company covers all the country, including small cities and distant locations.
Pricing
Choose among 4 plans:
- 10 GB for $52
- 3 GB for $29
- 1 GB for $10 or $25 (depending on the provider)
Compared to other providers, Nomad is the most expensive. Even in the 10 GB plan, you pay $5.2 per 1 GB. The 1 GB plan costs from $10 to $25, which is quite overpriced.
Activation
You need to install the eSIM manually. For this, download it via the QR code and activate it in your phone settings. The app, however, is available in the App Store and Google Play.
Customer Reviews
Customers like Nomad’s connection in Albania. Although it supports only Vodafone, this is more than enough for good coverage. The installation, however, is complicated.
Which Provider is Better After All?
To see the whole picture and choose the best eSIM for Albania, compare the providers’ key features.
| The eSIM company |  |  |  |  |  |
| Coverage in Albania | Vodafone, 4g/5g/LTE, and 3G | 4G with Voda AL and One.al | 5G, Vodafone | Vodafone and One, 4G internet and seamless connectivity | Vodafone and Truphone |
| Activation | via app or QR code (sent to email) | Via application | Via QR or an application | QR code or application | manually |
| Pricing | no prepaid data, only unlimited Internet | $2.6-$4.5 per 1 GB depending on the plan | $1.75-$4.5 per 1 GB depending on your plan | only unlimited Internet | from $5.2 to $25 per 1 GB |
| Unlimited connection pricing | from $2.16 to $4.70 per day. | no unlimited Internet | no unlimited Internet | from $5.4 to $2.7 per day depending on the plan duration (long-term plans are more beneficial) | no unlimited Internet |
| Unique features | referral programpostponed activationunlimited hotspot | top up through the app | loyalty program (gain points by buying plans)a phone number for free | the plan can be activated on several devices | top up available hotspot is unlimited |
| Advantages | easy activationVodafone coverage | two providers available relatively cheap Internet in long-term plans | the cheapest providereasy activationa phone number is free | unlimited datatwo providers | good coverage |
| Disadvantages | no prepaid data plans | no unlimited datapoor coverage according to reviews | problems with topping upno unlimited data plans | no hotspotno 1-day plans for Albania | expensive Internetcomplicated activation |
Final Thoughts: All You Must Know about Albanian eSIM
Albanian eSIM is a convenient way to stay connected without overpaying for roaming. Moreover, it helps to avoid hassle while searching for a physical card and spending the time of your trip. Purchase the eSIM online and activate it before your departure. Choosing the provider, focus on personal needs – coverage, pricing, and data volume. Luckily, there are plenty of options. Airalo, for example, is quite cheap, while Yesim offers more versatile plans.
Some providers offer virtual numbers with cell data. To use standard eSIM cards for calls, use WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and other apps for online calls.
Generally, the price is the same. Yet, you can purchase short-term eSIM plans. SIM cards only have monthly plans.
Consider the duration, coverage, and the data volume. Also, check discounts and special features.
