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Airalo or Holafly: Which eSIM should I choose? | April 2024

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Last update: April 1, 2024
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Author: Roams UK
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In a nutshell

Are you comparing Airalo and Holafly eSIMs but don't know which one to choose? The offer of both companies is very similar, but there is an important difference: with Holafly many of their tariffs are unlimited and with Airalo you won't find this option. Read on to find out more.

Enjoy unlimited data by signing up for Holafly

Holafly vs Airalo: comparison of their eSIMs

Having a good internet connection can help you make the most of your time abroad. If your mobile phone supports this technology, an international eSIM may be your best option to stay connected outside your home country.

Virtual SIM cards come with an associated data plan, sometimes including calls, and allow the phone to be used without inserting a physical SIM. The forecast is that 2.4 billion smartphone connections will use eSIMs worldwide by 2025 (1) .

Everything about eSIM technology

Signing up for an eSIM is therefore a good way to avoid the expensive roaming charges that companies apply to certain destinations. If you have come this far, it is because you already know this and your question now is which eSIM to choose: Holafly or Airalo? The following table may help you to decide

Airalo vs Holafly: Which is better?
Service Holafly Airalo
Coverage More than 160 destinations More than 190 destinations
Technical department Yes Yes
Language English, spanish, german and french English
Unlimited data Yes No
Purchase Unregistered Internet Internet with registration
Compatibility Free devices Unlocked free devices
Offers 5% discount No

As you can see, Holafly and Airalo are two very similar companies, but one important difference is that with Holafly you can sign up for unlimited fares, and the best thing is that they are available for the most popular destinations. However, let's take a closer look at what both brands offer.

Sign up for Holafly eSIM with a 5% discount


Airalo vs Holafly: Which eSIM is cheaper

If we compare the prices of Holafly and Airalo, the latter company comes out on top. However, you might want to pay a little more to get an international tariff with unlimited data. Here you have two tables to two of the most popular destinations for you to compare:

eSIM United States: Holafly vs Airalo pricing
Product Price Data
Holafly USA £19/5 days Unlimited
Airalo USA £3,73€/7days 1GB
eSIM México: Holafly vs Airalo pricing
Product Price Data
Holafly Mexico £19/5 days Unlimited
Airalo Mexico £6,63/7days 1GB

In addition, to buy an eSIM from Holafly you don't need to register on their website and you can pay using Paypal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, a credit card or a European account. Airalo, on the other hand, requires you to do so and only supports cards, Paypal and UnionPay.

Want to know more about how to get internet abroad? Check out the following contents:

Internet in Canada: Which option to choose for mobile data from the UK?
Internet in Bangkok: what is the best option for mobile data?
How to get internet in Egypt in your trip: rates, services and coverage
eSIM in Istanbul, SIM card, roaming and other options to get Internet

Holafly vs Airalo: how it works

Airalo and Holafly eSIMs work in a very similar way. As they are virtual cards, you can buy them online and receive them in your email inbox. The eSIM will arrive with instructions and a QR code that you will need to scan to start using your data plan for travel.

One difference between the two is that Airalo has a mobile app for all types of devices, while the Holafly app can only be used with Apple. However, Holafly is working on launching its mobile app for Android.

In any case, if you have any problems activating your Holafly or Airalo eSIM, you can contact their respective customer services, which offer 24/7 support. With Airalo you can only communicate in English and with Holafly you can choose between English, German, Spanish and French.


Airalo vs Holafly coverage

In Airalo's catalogue you will find virtual SIM cards for travel to over 190 destinations, while Holafly's eSIMs cover over 160 countries and regions. Coverage is therefore very similar, although if you are travelling to a destination that is rarely visited, you may have to opt for Airalo.

In terms of connection speed, both companies offer a good service. Stability may be compromised in less technologically developed countries or in areas with poor coverage, but you should be able to enjoy 3G or 4G connection in most destinations.


Are Holafly's opinions better than Airalo's?

It is common practice for users to consult the opinions of other users before buying any product. We all want to know about other experiences in order to identify the pros and cons of the service we are about to purchase.

At Roams we always recommend to take this type of comments with caution and to take expert opinion into account. However, on this occasion we agree with the opinions you can find on the internet about Holafly and Airalo products.

Our expert opinion

Both companies are generally well rated by users, but Holafly wins in the comparison, mainly because of its commitment to unlimited international data plans to major destinations. In addition, Holafly is a reliable brand with good customer service.

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Holafly or Airalo? Roams recommendation

In our opinion, either option is a good choice, but if you want to be prepared for any unforeseen eventuality and enjoy your stay abroad without any worries, we recommend that you contract Holafly. Nowadays our dependence on the internet is very high and having an unlimited data tariff for travelling will give you security.

Holafly's unlimited eSIMs are available for popular destinations such as the United States, Turkey, Mexico, Japan, China, Thailand and many more. With Airalo, on the other hand, you will find some eSIMs with a lot of data, but none with unlimited data.

Sign up for an eSIM with Holafly Unlimited data and save 5%.

If you are still not convinced after reading this article, you can check other comparisons:

Nomad eSIM vs Holafly
Truphone vs Holafly
Mogo eSIM vs Holalfy
DENT eSIM vs Holafly

Frequently Asked Questions Holafly vs Airalo

What kind of destinations are Holafly and Airalo eSIMs for?

With both companies you can purchase travel eSIMs for a single country or opt for a virtual card that allows you to connect from several countries. Some of the most outstanding products, especially designed for backpackers, are the eSIM Europe, Latin America or Asia.

Can Airalo and Holafly eSIM data be shared?

Some Holafly eSIMs do allow you to share data with other devices via wifi connection, you just have to activate and configure tethering on your smartphone. With the Airalo eSIM you can also share your data, but don't forget that their plans are limited.

Do Airalo and Holafly eSIMs include calling?

No, but remember that with both Airalo and Holafly you can use your internet connection to call via Whatsapp, Skype and other VoIP telephony services.

Fuentes del artículo
  1. GSMA. (s. f.). eSIM Summit at MWC Barcelona 2022. ESIM. Consultado en https://www.gsma.com/esim/gsma_events/mwc22-barcelona-esim-seminar/
Our methodology
Roams offers a free information and comparison service, which tries to help anyone find the product that best suits their needs. To ensure that the data presented is correct, extensive market research and product analysis is carried out. Our database of mobile phone and internet rates is updated every day. The content is frequently reviewed by a team of writers with previous experience and/or specific training in telephony.

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Roams offers its advice on recurring-use services to enhance consumer savings. Its expertise is already valued by thousands of users, who trust Roams comparisons in different sectors to hire the best option.

Laura Burón
Edited and revised por Laura Burón