Embedded connectivity comparison
Bird vs Gigs for embedded connectivity
Bird brings eSIM data purchases and customer communication into the product you build. Embed package selection and installation in your app. Add renewals when the selected offer supports them. Gigs offers a dedicated telecom stack with hosted checkout and subscription management.
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Which service model fits your business?
Compare how each platform connects the offer, purchase and first use. Then match coverage, service terms and integration options to your business.
| Capability | Bird | Gigs | Who wins? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Offer selection | Coverage, allowance, validity and price come together in the customer offer. | Project plans declare allowances, coverage, requirements and price. | Even |
| Additional data | Top-up offers match the customer’s existing eSIM, with a clear additional purchase. | Eligible add-ons attach additional allowance to a subscription. | Even |
| Installation | Private QR codes and supported same-phone setup guide the first connection. | Gigs Connect provides device setup guidance, QR codes and installation links. | Even |
Where Gigs fits
Hosted checkout and mobile subscriptions.
Gigs provides Connect for checkout and subscriber management, Payments for billing, and APIs for plans, subscriptions, SIMs and number porting. Teams adopting that stack can use its hosted customer journey.
Hosted customer journeys
Gigs Connect accepts customer payments, stores payment methods for recurring billing and offers plan-management controls. Review its supported payment methods and self-service changes against your requirements.
An API integration
Gigs documents number porting and subscription changes alongside its plan and SIM resources. Check the provider’s requirements before promising a number transfer or plan change.
Employee phone plans
Gigs for Work combines employee line administration with provisioning and integration options. Compare the actual countries, plans and support arrangement for your team.
Where Bird fits
Put connectivity beside the customer relationship.
Use Bird to buy mobile data for your customers and deliver installation and support messages through Bird channels. Build the customer experience around offers, orders, eSIMs and packages, with your own account and purchase flows.
Data packages and renewal
Purchase mobile data, add compatible top-ups and schedule package renewal where the offer supports it. Review the offer’s included services and validity; automatic renewal does not by itself guarantee uninterrupted connectivity.
Customer accounts and checkout
Build customer sign-in, checkout and access controls in your app. Your organization wallet funds Bird purchases. If you charge customers, handle that payment separately from the eSIM order and reconcile both outcomes.
A team that can operate it
Use order, profile and package references to investigate a purchase. Include the source and freshness of observations in your evaluation, and agree the support responsibilities for the proposed service.
Make the comparison concrete
Test one happy path and one recovery path.
Select the same destination and a compatible device. Complete an approved data purchase, install the profile and verify mobile data. Then test an interrupted purchase or setup and compare the recovery information available to customers and support.
Compare the exact offer
Review the exact allowance, speed policy, coverage, roaming, validity and renewal terms. A larger headline country count does not establish a better offer for your customer.
Follow the financial result
Inspect the published amount and currency, settlement arrangement, refunds and recurring obligations. Include ongoing support and integration responsibilities in the decision.
Read the observations accurately
Purchase, installation, network attachment and usage are separate signals. Both an unknown state and a delayed usage report need an understandable customer experience.
Migration planning
Plan a new eSIM installation.
Bird does not import an installed profile or transfer an existing mobile number. Plan a new Bird eSIM purchase and installation, verify data on the intended device, and keep the existing line available for calls and messages. Review existing subscriptions and payment arrangements separately before ending a service.
Questions about Bird and Gigs
Can I move a Gigs eSIM or phone number to Bird?
How does renewal work with Bird?
Which provider is cheaper?
Does a usage dashboard provide an immediate spending cap?
Continue your evaluation
Read the product documentation
Put it into practice.
Continue with the documentation, guides and examples for this topic.
Plan your first Bird data purchase.
Choose a destination and compatible device, then plan customer checkout, wallet funding and installation. Verify the data connection before changing an existing service.