How Airalo and Simsurf drove 600% growth while helping travelers save abroad

In 2023, Airalo partnered with Monito, a trusted global comparison platform helping cross-border people save on international money transfers and foreign exchange mark-ups. 

What started as a blog article based on personal experience quickly evolved into a robust, data-driven eSIM comparison product and the launch of Simsurf.com. 

Today, Monito, Simsurf, and Airalo are making it easier than ever for travelers to stay connected abroad.

Results at a glance

• 600% growth in eSIM sales during peak travel season
• 2.4M sessions on Simsurf in the past 12 months
• Airalo ranked as a top-rated provider

From a blog post to a global platform

The spark for Simsurf came from travel itself. During a Monito offsite in the French Alps, an editor tried Airalo for the first time and was struck by how easy and affordable it was to get connected.

That initial experience led Monito to join Airalo’s Affiliate Program and start creating content for their global audience of migrants, expats, and travelers. Within two years, a simple blog post had grown into a dedicated eSIM comparison product — and by 2025, the launch of Simsurf.com.

Why Airalo stood out

For Simsurf, choosing the right partner was about trust, performance, and user experience. Airalo delivered on all fronts:

• Reliable product quality (rated 9.3/10 by Simsurf experts)
• Affordable connectivity in 200+ countries and regions
• Intuitive app experience for first-time users
• Strong conversion rates among the best in class
• Dedicated affiliate support, including API access, coupon codes, and creative assets

“Airalo is a clear leader and pioneer in the industry,” adds François Briod, CEO at Simsurf. “It was the first brand we thought to seek a partnership with.”

What success looks like: +600% growth and viral demand

Between January and August 2024, Simsurf and Airalo saw +600% growth in eSIM sales at the peak of the travel season.

“We hit the limit on coupon redemptions without realizing it at first,” François shares. “That highlighted just how quickly this partnership was accelerating.”

The growth was fueled by two key factors:

• Traveler demand for affordable roaming alternatives
• Simsurf’s content engine, which met users with the right guidance at the right time

Airalo’s competitive pricing, global coverage, and seamless app experience turned that demand into conversions — making it one of Simsurf’s top-rated providers.

Why the partnership worked

Simsurf’s mission is simple: help travelers save money and stay connected. Partnering with Airalo made that possible.

“Airalo’s affiliate team is very professional. They provided everything we needed — API access for real-time comparison data, coupons for our users, and collaborative support to help grow the partnership.” — François Briod, Simsurf CEO

But what stood out most?

• Reliable product quality (rated 9.3/10 by Simsurf experts)
• Intuitive app experience for first-time users
• Cost savings with affordable connectivity in 200+ countries and regions
• Strong conversion rates, with click-to-sale among the best in class

Driving growth through content

Simsurf’s strategy was simple: meet travelers where they search. By producing clear, practical content — from in-depth guides to YouTube tutorials — they helped first-time users feel confident switching to eSIMs.

Their step-by-step YouTube tutorial on using Airalo has reached nearly 500K views, helping thousands of travelers get set up before their trips.

“Simsurf has been incredible at meeting travellers where they are with clear, practical content,” says Shamark Nur, Affiliate Manager at Airalo. “Their tutorials and comparisons make it easy for first-time users to understand the value of Airalo, which drives stronger engagement and conversion.”

Looking ahead

With Simsurf.com now fully launched, both teams see exciting opportunities ahead. As demand for eSIMs grows worldwide, Airalo and Simsurf are continuing to work together to help millions of travelers save money, stay connected, and travel smarter.