Airalo vs Holafly eSim Comparison
Airalo vs Holafly comes down to priced-per-GB flexibility vs unlimited data simplicity. Airalo is usually cheaper for light and moderate users because plans start around $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days in popular destinations, while Holafly is better for heavy users who want unlimited data and do not want to track usage, with typical USA unlimited plans from about $6.90 per day or $74.90 for 30 days. 4
Quick summary: which is better for you?
| Best for… | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Typical use case | Budget and light/medium data (maps, messaging, social) | Heavy data / unlimited-style use (hotspot, video, remote work) |
| Key strength | Low per‑GB prices, huge plan variety, some plans include calls/SMS | Unlimited data in many destinations, simple day/month pricing |
| Main trade‑off | Need to monitor data or top up; most plans are data‑only | Higher price, fair‑use caps and potential speed slowdown on heavy use |
How do Airalo and Holafly compare on price?
Typical 2025 example pricing
Note: Prices vary by country; these are representative “anchor” prices for common trips.
| Metric | Airalo (example) | Holafly (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest local plan | Around $4.50 for 1 GB / 7 days in markets like India or Thailand. | Around $6.90 for 1 day unlimited USA. |
| Mid‑range 10 GB / 30 days | Often $24–26 for popular countries or regions. | No strict 10 GB; closest is unlimited 10–15 days around $36.90–$50.90 for USA. |
| Long‑stay option | Regional / global plans like 3 GB global / 30 days ~ $24 or 10 GB Asia‑Pacific ~ $37. | Monthly “Travel Unlimited” global plans from about $49.90 (25 GB Light) to $64.90 (unlimited). |
Key takeaways:
- For short trips and light data, Airalo is typically cheaper per trip and per GB.
- For long trips with very heavy usage, Holafly’s monthly unlimited‑style plans can become competitive versus repeatedly topping up Airalo.
Which one has better coverage and speed?
Both brands cover 200+ destinations with country, regional, and global eSIMs.
- Airalo coverage and speed
- Uses multiple local and regional partners (for example: Grameenphone 4G in Bangladesh, Orange / Ooredoo 5G in Tunisia).
- Tests and reviews report generally consistent speeds, especially where 5G is available; shaped more by the local partner than Airalo itself.
- Holafly coverage and speed
- Also covers 200+ destinations with a focus on unlimited data rather than fine‑grained data tiers.
- Independent comparisons note that Holafly sometimes prioritises unlimited access over raw speed, so heavy users may see slowdowns when fair‑use thresholds are reached.
If you care most about peak speed and paying only for what you use, Airalo usually wins; if you care more about always‑on unlimited access, Holafly is simpler.
How do plans differ: data caps, hotspot, and calling?
| Feature type | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Data model | Mostly metered data: fixed GB amounts (1–20+ GB) per validity period. | Primarily unlimited‑style data for fixed day ranges or monthly global plans. |
| Fair‑use / throttling | Standard prepaid caps – when data is used, the plan stops until you top up. | Uses unlimited with soft caps (for example US: first ~90 GB at full speed, then possible slowdown).. |
| Hotspot / tethering | Hotspot allowed on many plans; some depend on local network policy. | Hotspot support varies by destination; USA plans mention up to about 500 MB per day for sharing, with limits on some unlimited global plans. |
| Calls & SMS | Some plans include local numbers and voice/SMS, or at least limited call/SMS bundles, especially on regional/global products. | Historically data‑only, but newer global monthly plans include a European phone number for SMS verification and some calling options. |
For hotspot‑heavy users (laptop tethering, video calls), both work, but checking destination‑specific hotspot rules is important.
Which eSIM is easier to set up and manage?
Both work through mobile apps and QR codes and are compatible with most modern iOS and Android devices.
- Airalo setup
- Buy in the app, receive eSIM profile instantly, then add in iOS/Android settings using the system eSIM wizard.
- Fine‑grained controls: pick country, region, or global; choose 1–20 GB or more; top‑up directly in the app.
- Holafly setup
- Purchase destination or global plan, receive a QR code or activation link, and install profile.
- User experience tuned around simple choices such as “unlimited Europe for 15 days” or “global unlimited monthly”.r
From usability reviews, Airalo feels like buying a local prepaid SIM with lots of options, while Holafly feels like a streaming subscription: pick unlimited, pick duration, and forget about data counting.
How do they compare by traveler type?
| Traveler type | Prefer Airalo if… | Prefer Holafly if… |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend city‑break | You mainly use maps, ride‑hailing, messaging, and a bit of social. A 1–3 GB plan for $4.50–$11.50 is usually enough. | You plan to stream, post a lot of video, or hotspot, and want unlimited data for 3–7 days, accepting higher costs. |
| Digital nomad / remote worker | You stay long in one country with good local eSIM deals and can estimate usage; regional or global metered plans may be cheaper overall. | You move between many countries and need predictable unlimited global data (for example $49.90–$64.90 per month) and do not want to track data. |
| Family or couple trip | Each person can buy small Airalo bundles; cost stays low if everyone is a light user. | One or two Holafly unlimited plans can support multiple devices with hotspot for kids’ tablets, within the hotspot fair‑use limits. |
Do Airalo and Holafly work well in Europe, Asia, and the US?
- Europe
- Both offer strong coverage across EU and non‑EU countries.
- Comparisons generally find Airalo cheaper for modest data, while Holafly often provides simpler unlimited options for rail trips across multiple countries.
- Asia
- Airalo has competitive regional Asia packages with 10 GB from roughly the mid‑$30 range and local packs from $4.50.
- Holafly is often highlighted for reliable connectivity in Asia with unlimited‑style plans, useful for nomads and content creators.
- USA / North America
- Airalo offers country and regional options (for example North America 1 GB / 7 days from about $6.50).
- Holafly lists multiple unlimited USA eSIMs from $6.90 for 1 day to around $139.90 for 90 days, with 5G where available and a soft cap around 90 GB before speeds may be reduced.
What about reliability, support, and refunds?
Independent reviews show both providers are widely used and generally dependable, but with different reputational edges.
- Airalo
- Frequently praised for transparent pricing and wide plan catalog; some users mention that support and refunds can feel strict and slower for edge cases.
- Strong choice if price and flexibility matter more than concierge‑style support.
- Holafly
- Often rated highly for straightforward setup and responsive support, particularly for unlimited plans and long trips.
- Some reviewers question value when heavy use triggers throttling or when a cheaper metered plan would have sufficed.
Suggested images to include
- A side‑by‑side screenshot of the Airalo and Holafly mobile apps showing plan selection screens for the same destination (for example Europe or USA).
- A simple world map highlighting regions (Europe, Asia, Americas) where both Airalo and Holafly offer coverage, with icons marking “budget‑friendly” for Airalo and “unlimited” for Holafly.
Tasnima Tabassum Ema is the Founder and Lead Data Analyst at eSIM Expart. Driven by her own costly roaming nightmares, she built the site to save fellow travelers money. She specializes in rigorous, real-world testing and calculating the true cost per Gigabyte ($/GB) to ensure you always get the cheapest, most reliable connection.
