Choosing between MerrSIM and Saily for internet in Bulgaria? Here is the honest comparison.
Price (10 GB / 30 days)
| Provider | 10 GB / 30 days | Note |
|---|---|---|
| MerrSIM | €9.99 | local 4G/5G, hotspot, EUR, Albanian support |
| Saily | ≈ US$19.99 | built-in security (NordVPN) |
Saily’s price is a USD reference from its site (2026); MerrSIM bills in EUR. Check the live price before buying.
Why MerrSIM
Saily has a built-in VPN, but its 10 GB price is higher. Without a VPN need, MerrSIM saves money. For a coastal holiday, a 10 GB plan covers maps, photos and video calls home.
- Fixed price in EUR, no roaming surprises
- Hotspot included and Albanian support
- Instant QR activation
- No ID or passport registration
MerrSIM plans for Bulgaria
| MerrSIM plan | Price | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 GB | €1.99 | 7 days |
| 5 GB | €5.99 | 30 days |
| 10 GB | €9.99 | 30 days |
| 20 GB | €19.99 | 30 days |
Ready for Bulgaria? See plans at MerrSIM — Bulgaria eSIM, from €1.99, instant QR activation, no physical SIM and no roaming.
How much data you really need
For normal use — maps, messaging, social media and the odd video — budget about 300–700 MB a day. A light traveller is fine with 3–5 GB for a week, while anyone doing video calls, streaming or laptop hotspot will want 10–20 GB. In Bulgaria, download offline maps and use hotel WiFi for big downloads; that way a 10 GB plan comfortably lasts two weeks. If you run out, you buy a new plan in the app with no waiting.
Does your phone support eSIM?
Before you buy, check two things. First, the phone must be eSIM-compatible: iPhone XR/XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many recent Motorola, Huawei and Oppo models. Second, it must be carrier-unlocked. You can verify by dialling *#06# — if an EID number appears, your phone supports eSIM. This saves you any surprises when you arrive in Bulgaria.
Coverage and 5G speed in Bulgaria
The eSIM connects to the main local operators, so you get the same coverage as a local, including 4G/LTE and 5G where available. In the cities and tourist areas of Bulgaria the signal is strong and stable; in very remote villages or mountains it can weaken, as with any operator. Hotspot is included, so you can share the connection with your laptop or a travel companion at no extra cost.
Tips to save data
A few small habits make your gigabytes last in Bulgaria. Download Google Maps offline before you head out, set video quality to “Auto” or 480p, and turn off background app refresh. Use hotel WiFi for big updates and high-resolution photo uploads. With these steps, even a modest plan covers the whole trip, and your hotspot stays free for the moments you really need it.
How an eSIM works
An eSIM is a digital SIM built into your phone: there is no physical card to insert. You buy it online, get a QR code by email and scan it in your settings. Once installed, the profile lives on your phone and activates when you reach Bulgaria, connecting automatically to a local partner network. You can keep your main SIM at the same time, so your number still gets calls and texts while the eSIM handles data.