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Are you planning on taking a trip somewhere in 2025? Then you need to look at getting yourself an eSIM sorted before you go. eSIMs are the digital alternative to those old, tiny, fiddly physical SIM cards and they let you connect to mobile networks all over the world without swapping tiny bits of plastic.
Whether you’re a digital nomad, or a humble holidaymaker, eSIMs have quickly become the easiest, fastest and often cheapest way to stay connected when travelling abroad.
Among the many, many, many (oh too many) eSIM providers out there, Holafly and Airalo are two of the biggest names in the travel eSIM world. They both offer broad global coverage and easy-to-use apps, but they take very different approaches—especially when it comes to data limits, pricing, and features.
In this guide, we’ll help you compare these two giants side by side, so you can confidently pick the best option for your trip.
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
Holafly Overview
Meet Holafly
Founded in Colombia (but HQ’d in Ireland…the Emerald Tax Haven) with travellers in mind, Holafly focuses on making connectivity as simple as possible. Their standout feature? Unlimited data plans for over 200 destinations plus quite a few different ‘regional’ packages too.
So rather than charging you per gigabyte, Holafly lets you pay a flat daily rate to use as much data as you like. This novel approach to travel eSIMs makes them a favorite among travelers who don’t want to worry about usage caps or unexpected fees.
Holafly has also built a reputation for customer support and simplicity. Their setup process is straightforward: Buy a plan, install the eSIM, then activate it – and you’re ready to go. Plus, they offer 24/7 live chat in case you run into issues abroad.
Key Features
- Unlimited data in most destinations
- Fixed daily pricing (no per-GB costs)
- Simple setup via QR code and app
- Works with most eSIM-compatible devices
- 24/7 customer support available
Something else cool about Holafly is the Hola Coins exclusive reward program. Every time you make a purchase or refer a friend, you collect points that you can redeem for a Holafly discount on future purchases.
Pros & Cons
- Truly unlimited data—ideal for heavy users
- No risk of running out of data
- Easy, hassle-free setup
- Works alongside your regular SIM card
- Offers a 6 month refund policy!
- Higher cost than some competitors
- Data-only (no calls or texts)
- Hotspot/tethering restricted on some plans
Target Travelers
Holafly is best for:
- Heavy data users (e.g. streamers, remote workers, content creators)
- Travelers visiting multiple countries who don’t want to switch plans
- Anyone looking for the simplest, all-inclusive option
Airalo Overview
Meet Airalo
Whereby Holafly are about simplicity and unlimited access, Airalo are about flexibility and budget-friendly pricing. Airalo operates like a digital marketplace for eSIMs, offering a variety of plans for almost every country and region on Earth from various local providers. Their pricing model is more akin to pay-as-you-go—you purchase a set amount of data for a certain number of days, starting from as low as $4.50.
It’s useful for travelers who want control over their budget and don’t necessarily need unlimited data. Airalo also offers a loyalty program called Airmoney that gives cashback on every purchase.
Key Features
- Affordable plans with flexible data amounts
- Wide range of options: local, regional, and global
- Instant activation via app or QR code
- Airmoney cashback rewards
- Hotspot/tethering supported on many plans
Pros & Cons
- Very affordable, especially for light users
- Wide selection of plans for different regions
- Simple app with easy top-ups
- Loyalty cashback available
- No unlimited data on most plans
- No phone numbers, call minutes or text
You need to manage your data allowance - Support response times can vary
- Some BAD customer reviews
Target Travelers
Airalo is best for:
- Budget-conscious travelers who only need light to moderate data
- Short-term visitors who don’t want to overspend
- Those who truly value bad customer service
Airalo Vs Holafly Head-to-Head Comparison
Pricing Breakdown
Holafly
- Unlimited plans starting around $6.90 per day (Although the more days you purchase, the lower the daily rate becomes.)
- Example: 30 days unlimited in Europe ~ $74.90
- No overage charges—pay once and use freely
Airalo
- Plans start around $4.50 for 1GB/7 days
- Regional plans: e.g., Asia-Pacific 10GB for around $37
- Global plans available for multiple countries
- Cashback available on every purchase
Coverage & Destinations
Both providers cover 200+ destinations worldwide which is very impressive. eSIMs are currently not available in a few countries with limited telecom infrastructure or strict digital regulations, such as North Korea or Syria.
- Holafly specializes in unlimited plans for many of the most visited countries, making it great for longer trips or remote work.
- Airalo offers more granular options—you can pick specific countries, regional bundles, or global plans, with many small nations also included.
Data Speeds & Network Quality
Of course, an eSIM is only ever as good as its network. There is no point in getting unlimited data if the network is so bloody poor that you can never actually quite connect.
In honesty, eSIM unconnectivity has been an achilles heel of eSIM historically. On several occasions, I have purchased them to find that they barely worked. Culprits uncluded Nomad in India, Saily in Mexico and Airalo in Tunisia….
While eSIMS have improved, it’s still something of a lucky dip. Some providers do some destinations better than others.
- Holafly connects via local carriers and generally delivers good 4G or 5G speeds in major destinations.
- Airalo also partners with local providers (usually the cheapest…) but offers a wider range of options—some plans may have slower speeds or lower caps, so it’s worth checking before purchase.
Ease of Use & Activation
Getting started with an eSIM is surprisingly easy—as long as your phone is eSIM compatible (if it’s not, then unfortunately it won’t work at all). Both Holafly and Airalo offer simple setup processes, which generally involve two main steps: installation and activation.”
eSIM Setup Options:
1. Installation:
You can install your eSIM using one of these three methods:
- Scan a QR Code
- Manual Installation (enter details manually)
- One-Button Install (available on iOS 17.4+)
2. Activation:
Once installed, activation is turned on data roaming on the eSIM upon arrival in your destination.
Holafly focuses on simplicity—no need to top-up or track usage.
Airalo, however, requires you to monitor your data but gives you more flexibility with plan extensions – just note that plan extensions tend to cost more than original purchases.
Customer Support & User Reviews
In the event that your eSIM fails to activate or struggles to ever connect you might need to contact customer support from a random time zone at the far end of the earth.
How do Holafly and Airalo compare?
- Holafly is praised for its 24/7 live chat support and fast responses, plus strong Trustpilot ratings.
- Airalo has generally good reviews for app functionality and low prices, but some users report slower customer support in complex cases.
Which Provider Should You Choose?
By now you have probably made up your mind about which provider (if any) is right for you. However in case you have not, look at it like this;
Pick Holafly If:
- You want unlimited data for worry-free use
- You travel frequently or for long stays
- You need an easy, all-inclusive solution
Pick Airalo If:
- You’re traveling short-term or on a budget
- You only need light to moderate data
- You don’t mind managing your usage
Final Thoughts
Holafly and Airalo are both worthwhile eSIM providers — but for very different reasons.
Holafly is perfect for anyone who values unlimited data and simplicity, especially on longer trips or when you plan to stream, work, or tether often. They also offer that generous 6 month refund policy – Peace of Mind is after all one of the brand’s core values.
Airalo is ideal for budget-conscious travelers, those making shorter trips, or people who want the flexibility of paying only for the data they’ll use.
Ultimately, the best eSIM provider depends on your travel style and data needs. If you’re unsure, ask yourself: do I want unlimited peace of mind or maximum savings?
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this article may be affiliate links, meaning we could earn a commission if you choose to purchase—at no extra cost to you. We only recommend providers we trust and have tested.
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