Airalo vs. Holafly: A 2026 eSIM comparison

Airalo vs. Holafly: Overall comparison 

Here’s the headline information for each eSIM company (in case you’re panic-reading this next to your departure gate — we’ve all been there!).

The information in this comparison table was verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites on May 13, 2026. The Trustpilot ratings were also checked on their respective Trustpilot pages on the same date. This information is subject to change.

Airalo vs. Holafly: Differences at a glance 

When you compare Airalo and Holafly, three key differences become clear:

• Data allowances. The biggest difference is the amount of data offered on an average plan by these two companies. While some Airalo plans include unlimited data, most come with fixed amounts. On the other hand, almost all of Holafly’s eSIM plans come with unlimited data — the only exception being the Global Light plan, which includes 25 GB on a monthly contract. 

• Plan duration and flexibility. Like most eSIM services, Airalo provides a selection of plans with fixed durations for each destination, starting from three days. Holafly takes a different approach — when you buy a Holafly plan, you choose the specific period you want data for, from one to 30 days.

• Pricing. Airalo is cheaper than Holafly across most destinations. Holafly, of course, can’t offer plans as affordable as Airalo’s cheapest eSIMs, since it specializes in unlimited data. Comparing exclusively unlimited packages, however, Airalo still comes out as the lower-cost option. 

Airalo vs. Holafly: Plans and pricing 

To understand which eSIM app is right for you, compare the plans and prices they offer. Airalo and Holafly cover most of the same destinations, but which company provides better value? 

Airalo plans

Airalo lists plans for more than 200 destinations, including country, regional, and global deals. eSIM packages for these three location types usually come in two categories: standard (fixed amounts of data) and unlimited (no data caps).

• Country plans. Airalo’s standard country plans typically start at US$4 for three days with 1 GB. Exact durations and prices vary across locations, but a typical Airalo plan selection includes durations of three, seven, 15, and 13 days, with between two and four different data deals for each.  

• Regional plans. Airalo’s regional plans cover ten areas. These data packages, encompassing multiple countries, are referred to as Africa, Africa Safari, Asia, Caribbean Islands, Europe, European Union and United Kingdom, Latin America, Middle East and North Africa, North America, and Oceania. Airalo’s cheapest regional plans (starting at US$4) are those based in Europe (including one that covers the EU and UK).  

• Global plans. Covering “169 countries and networks” (according to Airalo’s website), Airalo’s global plan is called Discover Global and starts at US$8.50 for seven days with 1 GB. The largest and priciest Discover Global plan lasts for 365 days, includes 20 GB, and costs US$66. For a higher price, you can also purchase Discover Global plans with calls and SMS services included. These range from US$9 (1 GB for seven days, with 10 calling minutes and 10 text messages) to US$89 (20 GB for 365 days, with 200 minutes and 200 messages).

While Holafly sells just one plan with calls and text messages, Airalo offers these services for many of its packages, including its global eSIMs and a range of local plans. That’s more in line with Saily’s approach. WIth Saily, you can get an eSIM with a phone number as an optional add-on.

Holafly plans

Holafly offers country-specific and regional packages as well as its Unlimited and Light plans. On Holafly’s website, you can find these different options listed under Countries, Regions, and Plans.

• Countries. All of Holafly’s country plans include unlimited data, with durations of one to 90 days, though maximum duration may vary across some destinations (certain areas, like the UAE, cap out at 20 days). Pricing seems to vary slightly from one location to another, but for most — the majority of those we reviewed, at least — unlimited data costs US$3.90 for one day, US$27.30 for seven days, and US$74.90 for 30 days. 

• Regions. In Holafly’s regional plan list, you’ll find 20 packages, including continents like Africa and North America, specific country groupings (Japan and China, for example, or Scandinavia), and cruise-themed selections — Mediterranean Cruise and Alaska Cruise, to name a few. Most of these plans start somewhere between US$3.90 and US$9.90 for one day of unlimited data.

• Plans (Unlimited and Light). Two new options appeared on Holafly’s website in 2026 — Unlimited and Light plans. Both plans provide coverage for 160 countries, but the Light plan includes only 25 GB of data. With the Unlimited plan, you also get a local phone number. Both plans work on a rolling monthly contract, which you can cancel at any time.

Which one is cheaper? Airalo vs. Holafly

Airalo is almost always more affordable than Holafly. Since the majority of Holafly’s plans come with unlimited data, it only makes sense to compare these with Airalo’s unlimited deals. If you do that, you’ll usually find that Airalo is a few dollars cheaper than Holafly — that’s what we noticed across every destination we looked at. 

Let’s compare unlimited data plans for some popular destinations around the world.

The pricing information in this table was sourced from the websites of both providers and was accurate as of May 13, 2026. These details are subject to change.  

Airalo vs. Holafly: Coverage and speed 

Airalo and Holafly both offer coverage for more than 200 destinations and are likely to provide similar speeds to each other. It’s important to understand that eSIM apps rarely determine how fast your data moves — when you use an eSIM plan, your device connects to mobile providers in the locations you’re visiting. If your speed drops suddenly and your Airalo or Holafly eSIM isn’t working, it’s likely to be a problem with the local networks. 

Holafly and Airalo plans can both get you fast 5G connections, but only if local services are up to the job. As discussed in our Airalo review, the eSIM signal is usually better in cities than in rural areas. Fair usage limits may apply, based on the terms of local cell companies, which can cap your speeds if you use more than a certain amount of data each day — but this isn’t unique to either Airalo or Holafly. Since the key variable here is the company providing the data, here is a breakdown of the providers that Holafly works with in a few popular locations:

Airalo vs. Holafly: User reviews 

Airalo and Holafly both receive largely positive customer feedback, but one is still the clear winner here. Holafly holds a Trustpilot rating of 4.6 stars (as of May 13, 2026), while Airalo is on 4 stars. Let’s take a closer look at the feedback users left for the two companies.

• Of the more than 92,000 people who reviewed Holafly, the vast majority (84%) left five-star reviews. 

• Airalo has far fewer reviews — just under 27,000 in total — and of these, 57% include a five-star rating.

• While 7% of Holafly’s reviewers left ratings of one star, that percentage rose to 19% for Airalo.

These numbers are pretty clear. Not only is Holafly the more established brand (based on the total number of ratings, at least), but it has a far higher level of customer satisfaction. While more than 50% of Airalo’s reviews are five-star reviews, user feedback is notably less enthusiastic.

You can view the Trustpilot pages for both companies below:

• Holafly on Trustpilot

• Airalo on Trustpilot

Airalo vs. Holafly: Add-ons to consider 

Airalo and Holafly both include a handful of extra features designed to improve the overall user experience, but Airalo appears to offer more practical add-ons beyond its core eSIM service. While both providers include loyalty programs and 24/7 customer support (the first port of call if your Holafly or Airalo eSIM isn’t working), Airalo distinguishes itself with optional calling and texting features, whereas Holafly seems to focus more heavily on customer service.

• Calls and SMS services. Airalo offers call minutes and SMS functionality with some of its plans, which is relatively uncommon among eSIM providers, while Holafly mainly focuses on unlimited data-only plans.

• Rewards programs. Airalo runs a loyalty scheme called Airmoney, which lets users earn points through purchases, referrals, and promotions, and Holafly runs a similar system called the Holafly Travel Club (HTC), where customers earn HolaCoins for future discounts.

• Customer support. Both Airalo and Holafly provide 24/7 customer support, which is now pretty standard among eSIM brands. As we’ve discussed, customer feedback suggests Holafly’s support team is generally more effective at resolving issues and complaints.

Which is better — Airalo or Holafly?

If you plan to use a lot of internet while you’re on your trip, perhaps making regular video calls or downloading large files, Holafly is probably your best bet. Airalo’s unrestricted data options might be marginally cheaper, but Holafly’s customer satisfaction appears to be much higher than Airalo’s, and its unlimited plans cover more destinations. 

What if you don’t use a lot of mobile data while traveling? Maybe you want to spend your vacation relaxing in a resort with Wi-Fi. In that case, you may find Airalo’s cheaper eSIMs more suited to your trip. Different trips call for different internet solutions, so don’t just pick one brand because it works for someone else — define your needs and then go with the eSIM provider that meets them.

Don’t worry if neither service is quite the right fit. These are just two of the many eSIM providers out there, and others, like Saily, could also be a great choice for your next trip. To summarize: 

• Choose Airalo if you want a low-cost eSIM and your trip fits the fixed durations offered by one of Airalo’s plans.

• Choose Holafly if you need unlimited data for a specific period or a destination that Airalo’s plans don’t include.  

How does Saily compare to Airalo and Holafly?

Saily is a low-cost, feature-rich alternative to both Airalo and Holafly, combining affordable pricing with built-in online security tools. While Holafly tends to focus on unlimited data plans and customer support and Airalo emphasizes flexibility and broad coverage, Saily stands out for its competitive pricing, strong user reviews, and privacy-focused browsing features backed by the team behind NordVPN.

• Pricing. Saily is generally cheaper than both Holafly and Airalo, with some plans starting at US$1.99 and its standard entry-level package priced at US$3.99. Airalo’s basic plans begin around US$4.50, and Holafly’s eSIMs are usually more expensive still.

• Unlimited data. Holafly is known for its unlimited plans, but Saily now offers unlimited data for more than 60 destinations, generally at lower prices than Holafly’s equivalent packages. 

• Budget value. While Saily and Airalo are around the same price, both are more affordable than Holafly. Our Saily vs. Holafly article shows this with direct price comparisons.

• Brand reputation. Despite being relatively new, Saily has built a strong reputation, holding a 4.5-star Trustpilot rating from more than 8,000 reviews.

• Security features. Saily includes additional online safety tools developed by the team behind NordVPN, helping users block malicious websites, reduce online tracking, and limit ads while browsing.

• Browsing experience. Saily focuses not only on connectivity but also on providing a faster, safer, and more private internet experience for travelers, thanks to its ad-blocking feature.

Saily is affordable, flexible, and packed with useful security features. For most travelers, a Saily eSIM is the most cost-effective way to get online abroad. Just download the app, set up your plan, and connect the moment you land.

We do our best to keep everything accurate and up to date, but eSIM service provider prices, plans, and features can change quickly. If you spot something that seems outdated or incorrect, feel free to get in touch with us at [email protected] — we’d really appreciate the heads-up!