Holafly vs Airalo (2026), why we chose Holafly
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If you just want the answer: Holafly is better for unlimited data and stress-free travel, while Airalo is better if you want the cheapest option and don’t mind tracking usage.
We used both Holafly and Airalo on multiple trips in Europe, Africa, and Indonesia.
Here’s exactly which one you should pick based on how you travel.
Holafly vs Airalo: Quick verdict
The more we compared these two popular travel eSIM providers, the more we realized how different their approach actually is.
In Indonesia, we ran out of our Airalo data, so we had to top up (not fun when you’re relying on Google Maps).
When we used Holafly in Kenya, we didn’t have to think about data at all. We were even hotspotting from our laptop and uploading videos without worrying. We even watched Netflix while sharing our hotspot with Laura’s brother.
THERE ARE A FEW THINGS TO CONSIDER before choosing between holafly vs airalo.
| Holafly | Airalo |
|---|---|
| UNLIMITED DATA in many destinations, so you buy by days, not gigabytes. Prices are more expensive than Airalo. | CHEAPER for light users, because you can buy small data packs. |
| Less “data anxiety”. No constant topping up, no second guessing hotspot use. | More manual management. Data caps often mean top-ups and monitoring usage. |
| Global and multi-destination options if you move around a lot. Connects within a few minutes once you arrive. | Works great when it works. But we often also had slow and difficult connections when entering a new country. Very annoying if you’re in a car and you need to navigate to your hotel and your eSIM is not working. |
| Clear and flexible refund policy. | Refund experiences are very confusing and inconsistent. They look at it case-by-case. |
Holafly vs Airalo: feature comparison
To make it simple, here is a clear Holafly vs Airalo comparison based on the key differences that stood out to us.
| Feature | Holafly | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Data | Unlimited data in most destinations, ideal for streaming, navigation, remote work, and hotspot use. | Pay-per-GB model. More budget-friendly for light data users, but requires monitoring usage and possible top-ups. |
| Coverage | 200+ destinations. Strong performance in Europe and Asia, great for multi-country trips. | 200+ destinations with local, regional, and global plans. Coverage depends on local partner networks. |
| Support | 24/7 multilingual support via app and WhatsApp. You speak to a real person, not a bot. | 24/7 support via app and chat. WhatsApp support available in many cases. |
| Rewards | HolaCoins rewards program. Earn points that can be redeemed for discounts or free eSIMs. | No comparable rewards system for frequent travelers. |
| Extras | Built-in VPN included in China, so you can access blocked apps without extra setup. | Some plans include calls and SMS, depending on destination and plan type. |
Why we switched from Airalo
There are a few reasons why we switched from Airalo to Holafly.
1) Setup felt irritating in real travel situations for us. Across multiple destinations, our Airalo eSIM took a while to ‘get connected’, and we spent the first 20 to 30 minutes refreshing settings, toggling airplane mode, and waiting for it to catch a network. It’s frustrating when it doesn’t work right away.
2) We kept running into data caps. Airalo doesn’t offer unlimited options in many countries, so we were constantly tracking usage and buying top-ups. That is fine if you are a light data user, but not if you navigate a lot, upload content, or tether your laptop as we do. It quickly felt more expensive as we had to top up two or three times a month.
3) Network options felt limited. In some locations, Airalo would only connect to specific networks, so we could not rely on “automatic switching” the way we wanted to when the signal dropped in low-service areas. This means we did not get the fastest network!
HOLALFY FIXED ALL THAT FOR US. Unlimited plans, a global option for hopping countries, and far less fiddling once it was installed.
What is Holafly
Holafly provides travel eSIMs that you install once, then use for mobile data abroad.
If you are using a dual-SIM phone (most modern iPhones and many Androids) as we do, you can keep your regular SIM active for calls and texts for MFA authentication, and use Holafly for data.
- Coverage: 200+ destinations worldwide covered by various plans
- Data: Unlimited data in over 200 destinations
- Ease of use: Truly “set and forget”, meaning NO TOPPING UP DATA EVER (!)
- Trustpilot Score: 4.6 ⭐ (the highest in the industry, 70,000+ reviews). You can find their page on Trustpilot here
Our experience with Holafly
We have been using Holafly for a few months now (read our full Holafly review guide), including while traveling through Kenya and Europe, and comparing it back-to-back with Airalo.
Overall, Holafly has been the more reliable “set it up once, then forget about it” option, which is exactly what we want after a long flight.
In this Holafly vs Airalo comparison, we are looking at the things that matter in real life:
- Device compatibility
- eSIM setup
- Network coverage
- Pricing
All about Holafly
Holafly’s main distinctive feature is simple: unlimited data packages.
You can map, stream, and scroll without checking your data balance. Many plans also allow hotspotting, which is perfect if your partner still needs to connect.
Holafly also offers monthly eSIM plans (Holafly Plans) aimed at frequent travelers.
Check your phone is eSIM compatible
Holafly will tell you to check compatibility before purchasing.
You can check your compatibility here.
eSIM setup
Install before you travel (when you still have stable WiFi)
We recommend installing the eSIM BEFORE your trip, when you still have WiFi.
Turn it on when you arrive
Your data plan will ONLY BEGIN once you arrive at your destination and turn on your eSIM.
👉 INSIDER TIP: Name your eSIM something obvious like “Holafly Kenya” or “Holafly Global” in your phone settings so you don’t mistake it for your primary SIM.
Network coverage review
So far, our network coverage with Holafly has been quite good in Kenya.
We just leave the network selection on automatic, so it changes over to other networks where necessary (it has done so a couple of times).
This means we often have LTE, as well as 4G and 5G (in cities).
When we were traveling through Kenya, a country with savannahs and mountainous regions around Mount Kenya, the network coverage with Holafly was surprisingly solid.
Connectivity only DROPPED TO ZERO during safari drives in very remote areas, where there are simply no nearby antennas, which is expected regardless of the provider.
Holafly eSIM pricing
Holafly pricing is usually based on duration (days), since most plans offer unlimited data.
| Region | Data | 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Unlimited | $74.90 ($2.50/day) |
| Mexico | Unlimited | $74.90 ($2.50/day) |
| Europe | Unlimited | $74.90 ($2.50/day) |
| UK | Unlimited | $74.90 ($2.50/day) |
| Asia | Unlimited | $74.90 ($2.50/day) |
| Kenya | Unlimited | $126.90 ($4.23/day) |
👉 KEEP IN MIND: With Holafly, you are paying for CONVENIENCE. If you are a heavy data user, unlimited often ends up feeling “cheaper” emotionally because you stop troubleshooting and topping up.
Holafly Plans subscription model
👉 DID YOU KNOW: With a monthly subscription, you get 10% off with our code LOSTBETWEENOCEANS and for the annual subscription 10% extra (on top of the standard 22% discount)!
You install one Holafly eSIM ONCE, pay monthly (or yearly), and your data refreshes automatically every billing cycle, so you can travel across multiple countries without buying a new eSIM each time.
With Holafly Plans, you can STAY CONNECTED in over 160 destinations without changing SIM cards.
There are two main options.
- The light plan includes 25 GB of data and a hotspot per month for $49.90 (€42.86)
- The unlimited plan gives you unlimited data for $64.90 (€55.75), plus unlimited hotspot usage.
👉 KEEP IN MIND: Only the unlimited plan includes the option to choose a local number from the United States, United Kingdom, or Canada, allowing you to receive SMS messages wherever you are.
Always On
Always On is the feature we wish had existed years ago.
As an extra benefit to Holafly Plans, Always On (ONLY AVAILABLE SINCE NOVEMBER 2025) gives you 1 GB of FREE DATA each month. It activates automatically when your main plan ends or you pause it.
When your main Holafly Plan ends, your eSIM switches to Always On so you still have connectivity (no configuration or eSIM reinstallation required).
Here are some KEY DETAILS:
- 1GB per month, refreshed automatically.
- 70+ destinations supported and no expiry date. It activates automatically when your main plan ends or you pause it.
- KEEP IN MIND: it is not instant; it can take a while before it activates.
👉 INSIDER TIP: Always On is not “scroll TikTok all day” data. Treat it as a safety buffer. We recommend using it only for the essential items.
All about Airalo
Airalo’s main feature is simple: flexible, fixed-data eSIM packages for almost every country in the world.
You can choose exactly how much data you need, whether that is 1 GB for a short city visit or 20 GB for a longer trip.
If you run out, you can top up directly in the app instead of buying a brand-new eSIM.
Airalo also offers regional and global eSIMs, and in some destinations even plans that include calls and SMS.
Check your phone is eSIM compatible
Airalo will first ask you to check compatibility before you purchase in the app.
eSIM Setup
Once you land, enable the Airalo eSIM in your phone settings and make sure Data Roaming is ON.
👉 INSIDER TIP: Rename your eSIM something obvious like “Airalo Japan” or “Airalo Europe” so you do not accidentally use your primary SIM for mobile data.
Network coverage review
Airalo connects to local partner networks in each destination.
In cities and well-covered regions, speeds are often 4G or 5G, depending on the country and local infrastructure.
However, coverage varies depending on the specific partner network in that country.
If the signal drops, you may not be able to manually switch to a different network, depending on the plan.
As with any provider, very remote areas such as national parks, rural regions, or mountains can experience limited or no coverage.
Airalo eSIM pricing
Airalo pricing is usually based on data allowance (GB) and validity period (days), not unlimited usage.
Some countries are more affordable than others, and pricing varies depending on how many gigabytes you choose.
| Region | Example Plan | 30 days |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 10 GB | $23 |
| Europe (42 countries) | 10 GB | $37 |
| Mexico | 10 GB | $18.50 |
| UK | 10 GB | $19.50 |
| Asia (regional) | 10 GB | $25 |
| Kenya | 10 GB | $49 |
👉 KEEP IN MIND: With Airalo, you are paying for LOWER ENTRY PRICES and flexibility.
Airalo subscription model
Airalo does offer unlimited plans (but only in a select number of countries and regions).
Airalo operates mainly as an on-demand eSIM marketplace, where you buy a new local, regional, or global plan when you need it.
Our final verdict
Overall, we are really happy that we switched to Holafly from Airalo.
The biggest win is peace of mind. We know we will have the data we need, wherever we are, thanks to unlimited plans.
I also love the flexibility. You can buy Holafly for a short trip without paying for a huge monthly bundle, or you can go longer and simplify everything with Holafly Plans.
For what I do, Google Maps on the go, WhatsApp media, hotspotting my laptop for calls, Holafly’s speeds and coverage have been strong enough. When speeds dip, it is usually in bad weather or remote areas, which happens with any provider.
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