Holafly eSIM Review: Is Holafly A Good eSIM Provider?
I share my experience (good and bad) using Holafly eSIMs while traveling to 5 countries as a digital nomad. Here’s the results!
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Matthew Metcalfe
June 12, 2024
Are you considering buying a Holafly unlimited eSIM plan for your next trip?
Read this Holafly eSIM review first!
We tested Holafly in 6 different countries across Asia, North America and Europe as digital nomads who travel full-time.
Holafly offers unlimited eSIM data plans in more than 160+ destinations around the world. The best part is the eSIMs are really affordable.
This all sounds very attractive…
But is Holafly a good eSIM provider?
The truth is that Holafly is a very reliable eSIM provider and offers affordable eSIM data plans you can use in most countries around the world. They have a reputation for offering excellent customer support and a massive 4.7 rating from over 28,000 reviews on TrustPilot.
In this Holafly eSIM review, I will share with you our experience using Holafly in 6 different countries as digital nomads who travel full-time.
I will also break down all of Holafly’s top features, what we like about using Holafly eSIMs and what we don’t.
Let’s jump in!
Holafly Review: What Is Holafly?
Holafly is a popular eSIM provider that offers reliable and affordable internet connectivity while traveling.
Best Unlimited Data eSIM:
- eSIMs in 160+ Countries
- Unlimited eSIM Plans
- No roaming charges
- Easy Installation Process
- 24/7 Live Customer Support
Use Holafly discount code “TWOTICKETSANYWHERE” to get 5% off.
With Holafly’s unlimited eSIM cards, users can enjoy unlimited data packages in over 160+ destinations worldwide without worrying about roaming charges or surprise bills when they return home.
Pretty good, right?
The best part is that Holafly eSIMs can be installed and activated in minutes. You simply buy the eSIM before you leave your home country and install it when you land in your travel destination.
Holafly also offers a ton of additional great features including dual SIM card capabilities, making and receiving calls in select destinations and 24/7 customer support.
This is what has made Holafly become one of the best eSIM providers available.
Review of Holafly eSIM Features & Plans
There are a ton of eSIM providers to choose from.
Below I will review some of the top features that Holafly offers. I’ve also included some of the downsides to using Holafly.
Speed Test & Performance Results
We used and tested Holafly across 6 different countries:
- South Korea
- Austria
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- France
- United States
For South Korea and the United States, we purchased the individual country eSIM plans.
For Austria, Netherlands, Belgium and France we purchased the Holafly Europe eSIM which works in 33 European countries.
Here are the speed test results for each of the Holafly eSIMs in each country:
Country | Speed Test | Network |
South Korea | 112 Mbps | 5G |
Austria | 48 Mbps | 5G |
Netherlands | 67 Mbps | 5G |
Belgium | 56 Mpbs | 5G |
France | 38 Mbps | 5G |
United States | 88 Mbps | 5G |
© Original table created by Two Tickets Anywhere.
I was really impressed with the quality of the Holafly South Korea eSIM. You can see from the speed test results above that we had 112 Mbps on the South Korean 5G network.
This was the fastest result we had of all the Holafly eSIMs we tested!
When it came to the Europe eSIM, The benefit of buying a Europe regional eSIM from Holafly meant that we didn’t need to change SIM cards when we entered a new country.
For example, we took the train from the Netherlands to France. Even though we crossed through Belgium, the eSIM worked flawlessly. I didn’t notice any drops in performance as we crossed the borders of each country.
The only downside was that sometimes the network would drop off in more remote parts of Europe. But this is probably more to do with the infrastructure of the mobile network across Europe, so it would happen regardless of what SIM card/eSIM you have.
The Holafly Europe eSIM also came with call minutes which was a nice bonus! You can make and receive calls within Europe for up to 60 minutes.
The truth is I was really impressed with the speed and performance results with each of the Holafly eSIM cards we tried. The networks were stable, we had decent coverage (even in more remote areas) and the speed was good in most places.
Unlimited Data Plans
The biggest benefit to Holafly is that most of their plans are completely unlimited.
This is what has made them so popular.
While other eSIM providers offer a range of different eSIM data plans, Holafly primarily offers unlimited data in most of their plans around the world. You receive the eSIM QR code within seconds of purchasing and immediately install it to receive unlimited data.
Pretty cool, right?
This is a huge benefit – especially if you are traveling to a country you have no experience with. The fact that you won’t “run out of data” offers peace of mind that you’ll always be connected.
If you are someone who doesn’t want to worry about how much data you’re using, then Holafly will be perfect for you!
But there is something you need to keep in mind…
All Hoalfly eSIMs come with a fair use policy attached.
What does that mean?
Your data speed may be throttled (reduced) if you use too much data too quickly. The threshold will depend on the Holafly eSIM you purchased. Throttling is also applied on a daily basis and resets within 24 hours.
You will still have unlimited data – but it might slow down for a few hours.
Here’s how a Holafly customer service attendant (Alejandro) explained it in a reply to one of their reviews on the Apple App Store:
“However I must be clear that the fair usage policy applies when a certain amount of data per day is exceeded, the local operator may take action to decrease data usage, however it is restored the next day at 00:00.”
We never experienced any data throttling and for most people, it probably won’t be an issue. But just keep it in mind!
Duration of Plans
This is something that I really like about Holafly.
They offer a huge range of eSIM plan durations depending on your trip length.
Here’s what I mean:
Most of Holaflys eSIMs are valid from 5 days up to 90 days.
The above image is for the United States unlimited eSIM plan. You just choose the length you need and you don’t end up overpaying for days you don’t need the eSIM for.
This allows you to save money that you might have otherwise wasted.
Now compare this with your average tourist SIM card that people buy at the airport.
Most local SIM card companies will make you choose a tourist SIM for either 14 days or 30 days. If you are just heading on a 5-day trip you’ll still have to pay for the longer SIM.
But with Holafly you don’t have to worry about that!
The flexibility you get with Holafly in terms of plan durations is the best that we’ve seen from any other eSIM provider!
Pricing
How much does a Holafly eSIM cost?
The price of Holafly eSIMs depends on the destinations you are visiting and the duration of the plan. Holafly’s eSIMs prices start at $19 USD for 5 days and go up to about $99 USD for 90 days.
To give you a better idea of Holafly prices I’ve created a table below for some of the most popular travel destinations right now:
Country | Duration (days) | Price (USD) |
France | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
Spain | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
United States | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
Turkey | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
Mexico | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
Thailand | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
Japan | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
United Arab Emirates | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20 | $19 – $54 |
© Original table created by Two Tickets Anywhere.
Not bad, right?
Remember that these plans all include unlimited data!
That means you can pay as little as $1.10 for unlimited data per day. That’s a very good deal!
Holafly also has regional plans that will offer the best value for money.
For example, if you are traveling to multiple countries in Europe, you can buy the Holafly Europe eSIM which covers 33 countries in Europe. It also includes a European phone number and 60 minutes worth of calls!
That means you don’t have to buy an individual eSIM for each country you visit!
Cool, right?
The table below shows the prices for each of their regional eSIM plans:
Region | Countries Included | Duration (days) | Price (USD) |
Europe | 32 | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $19 – $99 |
Asia | 11 | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30 | $27 – $79 |
North America | 3 | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $27 – $214 |
South America | 14 | 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 60, 90 | $27 – $214 |
Caribbean* | 16 | 15 | $54 |
*Caribbean eSIM is limited to 7 GB – all other regional eSIMs are unlimited. © Original table created by Two Tickets Anywhere.
These regional eSIM plans are a massive benefit!
Ashley and I used the Holafly Europe eSIM while spending 3 weeks traveling around Europe. It worked perfectly in each country we visited. Even as we crossed the borders of each country by train, we didn’t notice any downtime or delay in the data speeds.
Holafly is one of the best eSIMs for Europe travel right now!
It is true that Holafly is more expensive than other eSIM providers.
But what you get included with Holafly is more than worth what you pay. In terms of value for money, Holafly eSIMs score one of the highest for us.
Holafly App
Not every eSIM company has an app.
But to be completely honest, the best eSIM providers have developed apps that allow you to manage your plan on the go. I would now consider this an essential feature when choosing an eSIM for your next trip!
Holafly has a simple and easy-to-use app that allows you to buy, manage and install your eSIM on the go.
The Holafly app is available on IOS and Android devices.
You simply type in the destination (or region) you are visiting and purchase your eSIM through the app. It is much faster than using their desktop version and the checkout process is relatively smooth.
There’s also a range of payment methods available like Apple Pay and Google Pay to make the payment process even easier.
What about managing your eSIM in the app?
Here’s what it looks like when you purchase an eSIM and view it in the app:
Holafly will show you how many days you have left and there’s also a bunch of helpful guides and information about eSIMs.
You can also customize the app and use it in 6 different languages!
I think that Holafly has developed a decent eSIM app. It’s straightforward to use and has everything you need to manage your eSIM.
Customer Support
Customer service and support is another area where Holafly stands out from its competitors.
Put simply: The support you receive is amazing.
Holafly has 24/7 live support so you can contact them any time of the day for help. Responses are usually within less than 1 minute and their teams speak a number of different languages, including English, German, French, Italian, Japanese and Spanish.
Impressive, right?
We recently had to contact Holafly support because we had an issue with our eSIM. So we put the support to the test to see if they really do respond as quickly as they claim.
It took them 11 minutes to reply to my message when we message through their desktop chat. They also solved the issue instantly and the customer service agent, Santiago, was friendly and efficient. You can see the chat in the image below:
The best part is the number of ways you can contact them…
Holafly has a live chat widget on their desktop website. But if you’re on the go, you can simply message them through WhatsApp and they’ll help you there.
The service that Holafly offers provides peace of mind wherever you travel and whatever eSIM option you choose.
Top Up Data Plan
If you are traveling to a country and need to add more data to your eSIM, some companies make you install an entirely new eSIM. That means going through the same setup process all over again.
Annoying to say the least!
Holafly has recently released a Top Up feature that allows you to add data on the go.
Simply log in to your Holafly account, find your eSIM, click ‘add data plan’ and choose the amount you want to top up.
That’s it!
The whole thing should take less than 2 minutes!
Most of Holafly’s online eSIM plans are unlimited. The top-up feature applies here as well.
Let’s say you extended your trip and your unlimited eSIM is expiring. You can simply extend the duration of the eSIM in the same way you top up.
It’s a great feature that makes your Holafly travel eSIMs even more convenient!
Data Sharing & Hotspot
This is probably the biggest downside to Holafly…
The unlimited Holafly eSIM plans DO NOT include data sharing or hotspots.
That means if you want to connect your laptop to your phone through the tethering/hotspot feature – you can’t.
While for most travelers I don’t think this will cause a huge problem, as digital nomads we often use hotspots while at a cafe. It might not be a deal breaker but it is something to keep in mind.
Our Experience Using Holafly In 6 Different Countries As Digital Nomads
We’ve used Holafly in 6 different countries across three different continents.
And honestly…
Holafly is one of the best eSIM providers we’ve used.
When you are traveling, the last thing you want to worry about is finding a reliable physical SIM card to buy. With Holafly you simply purchase the eSIM before you leave and install it as soon as you arrive at the airport.
For us, that means we’ve always had data from almost the moment we land in a new destination!
The other reason we recommend Holafly is because of the customer support. If you have any issues, Holafly is there to help 24/7.
Their team has always been super friendly and it really feels like they care about the issue. Even if you just have a question, you can reach out and they will answer it quickly.
The value for money with unlimited data is an absolute bonus! It’s amazing how much we rely on our phones and internet connection when traveling abroad.
Holafly’s eSIM makes traveling even more convenient and at a really affordable rate!
The only downside for us is that you can’t data share or hotspot. That means if we want to connect our computers to the internet, we need to find a reliable Wi-Fi network. This can be annoying but it is something that we can work around.
Other than that, our experience with Holafly has been nothing short of perfect!
Holafly Pros & Cons
Here is a list of Holafly eSIM pros and cons to help you decide if a Holafly eSIM is right for you.
- Most eSIMs have unlimited data
- Huge range of durations available for eSIM plans
- Regional-based eSIM packages that work in multiple countries
- Buy before you leave and install when you arrive
- 24/7 live chat support in 6 different languages
- Easy eSIM activation process by QR Code
- eSIM cards are available in 160+ countries worldwide
- Unlimited data speeds can be throttled
- Not tethering and hotspot available
- More expensive than other eSIM providers
Holafly eSIM Purchase & Installation Process (+ Discount Code)
Ready to buy your Holafly eSIM?
We have a 5% off Holafly discount code: TWOTICKETSANYWHERE
It works for every purchase – just apply it at checkout!
Here’s how the purchase and installation process works:
Head over to Holafly’s website and choose your eSIM:
Check out using your desired payment method and don’t forget to apply the Holafly discount code: TWOTICKETSANYWHERE
Within a minute you will receive your eSIM via email. It should look something like this:
On your phone go to Settings > Mobile > Add eSIM and scan the QR code on the email:
It will take about 30 seconds to activate and will automatically connect to the local network provider.
That’s it! You are connected to the internet!
Alternatives to Holafly eSIM Cards
There are alternatives to Holafly.
We’ve tried and tested more than 10 different eSIM providers over the last couple of years as digital nomads. The main alternatives to Holafly are Airalo, Nomad and Airhub.
Here’s a quick review of how they compare to each other:
Provider | Countries | Price | Phone App | Unlimited Data | Our Rating |
Holafly | 160 | $19 – $99 | Yes | Yes | 4.5 |
Airalo | 190 | $5 – $185 | Yes | No | 4.5 |
Nomad | 165 | $5 – $125 | Yes | No | 4.3 |
Airhub | 190 | $4 – $129 | Yes | Some | 3.9 |
© Original table created by Two Tickets Anywhere.
The biggest difference is that Holafly offers unlimited data plans which most of their key competitors don’t. Holafly also has the best customer support and service in the industry.
Below is a brief overview of each Holafly alternative and how they stack against Holafly.
Airalo
Airalo is the most popular eSIM provider in the world at the moment.
We’ve used them in 7 countries around the world and always found them to offer reliable eSIMs with good speeds.
Airalo currently offers eSIM data plans in over 190+ countries worldwide.
Airalo offers a range of local, regional, and global eSIM data packages, providing affordable options for travelers. The Airalo app is user-friendly and probably the best app out of all the eSIM providers we’ve tested.
The big difference between Airalo and Holafly is that Holafly offers primarily unlimited data plans. Airalo has a large range of eSIMs with limited data. Airalo is usually a bit cheaper, but you will end up with less data overall.
Make sure you check out our complete Airalo review to learn more.
Nomad
Nomad is another popular eSIM provider that offers similar services to Airalo.
They have eSIM data plans in over 165+ countries worldwide.
Nomad provides affordable data plans, including local, regional, and global options. Nomad also has a user-friendly app, a seamless activation process and great customer support which is why it has become such a popular choice.
Nomad doesn’t offer any unlimited eSIMs. They have only limited data plans that can start from as low as $5 for 1 GB for 7 days.
Want to learn more about Nomad? Make sure you check out our complete Nomad eSIM review.
Airhub
Airhub is a relatively new eSIM provider that has flown under the radar with most people.
But they are quickly growing and offer some really competitive eSIM deals.
Airhub has a huge range of plans in 190+ countries around the world – including local, regional and global international eSIM plans. They also have both limited prepaid plans and some unlimited plans depending on the country you are traveling to.
The only major downside to Airhub is that their customer support can be really slow. Their app is also a little bit buggy and doesn’t offer the seamless experience that Hoalfly does.
Airhub isn’t our go-to eSIM provider, but we do use them from time to time and I feel like they are quite underrated.
Read through our Airhub eSIM review to see why.
Check If Your Phone Is eSIM Compatible
Is your phone eSIM compatible?
Before purchasing an eSIM for your travels, you need to verify two things:
- Is your phone unlocked?
- Does your phone support eSIM technology?
In the US, phones purchased through major internet and mobile service providers like AT&T and T-Mobile are often initially locked. To confirm whether your device is unlocked, contact your current data service provider.
If you’re an iPhone user, you can check if your iPhone is unlocked right now:
- Navigate to Settings > General > About
- Scroll down to the “Carrier lock” section
- If it states “No SIM restrictions” your phone is unlocked
If your mobile phone isn’t unlocked, you won’t be able to install an eSIM. So, ensure you check first.
Once that’s settled, you need to verify if your phone is compatible with eSIM technology.
Here’s a brief list of eSIM-compatible phones:
- iPhone XS & XR or later
- Samsung Galaxy S20 or later
- Samsung Galaxy Fold & Z Fold
- Google Pixel 3 & 3XL or later
- Huawei P40, P40 Pro & P50 Pro
Check this complete eSIM compatible phones list to see if your phone supports eSIMs.
If you’re still uncertain, consult with your phone provider!
Holafly eSIM Review Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of our complete Holafly eSIM review!
Traveling overseas is already challenging enough. The last thing you want to have to worry about is running out of data.
That’s why we recommend Holafly!
You get unlimited data in most eSIMs, they are easy to use and all of that at an affordable price. We’ve used Holafly multiple times while traveling overseas and have never had an issue.
Anytime we’ve had any questions their customer support has always been quick and friendly!
Just remember: Holafly eSIMs don’t include data sharing or tethering.
If you want to hotspot your phone data, then you will need to look at an alternative company like Airalo.
If you’re heading overseas and have never used an eSIM before, then Holafly is one of the best options. The convenience Holafly offers and the fact you won’t have to worry about running out of data is too good to pass up.
Get your Holafly eSIM here and don’t forget to use the promo code: TWOTICKETSANYWHERE at the checkout for a 5% discount!
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holafly any good?
Holafly is a very good eSIM company to use when traveling overseas. Holafly has an average rate of 4.7 on Trustpilot, with more than 20,000+ reviews. They also offer 24/7 customer support through live chat and generally respond in less than 1 minute. In our experience, their eSIMs have always been reliable, offering good speed and performance.
Which is better: Airalo or Holafly?
Both Airalo and Holafly are very reliable eSIM providers. Holafly is better if you want unlimited data and don’t want to worry about running out of data while overseas. Holafly generally has better customer support than Airalo. Airalo’s eSIMs are better if you want to save money and don’t need as much data. They have a wider range of plans covering over 190+ countries worldwide.
Does Holafly give you a phone number?
Holafly only offers a mobile number in select destinations. For the Holafly Europe eSIM, you will receive an Austrian (+43) number that can be used to make and receive up to 60 minutes of calls across Europe. Holafly doesn’t offer any plans with SMS at this time.
What is an eSIM?
An eSIM (or embedded SIM) is like a digital SIM card. Unlike traditional SIM cards, it’s built directly into your device, removing the need for a physical card. It identifies your phone virtually to a local network connection. eSIMs offer many more benefits than physical SIM cards, including taking up no space in your phone, supporting multiple mobile accounts at once and allowing for easier switching between network providers.
Can anyone use an eSIM?
Anyone can use an eSIM as long as they have an eSIM-compatible device that’s unlocked. If you have a device that works with eSIMs, you can purchase an eSIM from a reliable company like Holafly or Airalo. Even if you have a physical SIM card, you should still be able to install your eSIM without removing your other SIM card.