Airalo vs Holafly: Choose the Best Travel eSIM!

When we travel, we usually want to have internet as soon as we land in a new country, an eSIM is one of the easiest options to get that. No need to look for local SIM cards or pay high roaming fees—just install it as soon as you land and connect to airport wifi. Right now, the two most popular eSIMs are Airalo and Holafly. Both are great, but they work differently: Airalo offers cheaper plans with limited data, while Holafly gives you unlimited internet at a higher price.

We already wrote a full article about how Airalo works, but in this post, we’re focusing on the real comparison: Airalo vs Holafly. From data limits to prices and coverage, here’s everything you need to know to choose the right one for your trip.

Key Difference: Limited Data vs Unlimited Data

The biggest difference between Airalo and Holafly is how they handle data.

• Airalo offers limited data plans (like 1GB, 5GB, 10GB, etc.). These plans are usually cheaper and perfect if you just want to check maps, use WhatsApp, or browse occasionally.
• Holafly, on the other hand, offers unlimited data in most destinations. It’s more expensive, but great if you plan to use the internet all day—watching videos, uploading stories, or working remotely.

Airalo vs Holafly: Price Comparison

When it comes to price, Airalo is usually the more affordable option.

For example, in Europe:

• Airalo: ~$5 for 1GB (valid 7 days)
• Holafly: ~$19 for unlimited data (valid 5 days)

Airalo is ideal for budget travelers or short stays. Holafly is better if you don’t want to worry about data usage and are willing to pay more.

For example, if you go to Costa Rica for 2 weeks, eSIM Holafly will cost you $48.90 for unlimited data.

In Airalo, for the same trip, you have more options to choose from, the cheapest fro 15 days starts from $15 but for only 2GB.

Can You Use Hotspot?

This is a big one, especially if you travel with a laptop or want to share internet with someone else.

• Airalo: Yes, hotspot works in most cases. You can share your data with other devices.
• Holafly: In many destinations, hotspot is not allowed or doesn’t work well. If it does, it’s often limited.

✅ If hotspot is important for you, Airalo is the safer choice.

Can You Receive SMS or Calls?

This is a common question for travelers who need to get codes from banks or apps.

• Airalo: Depends on the plan and country you’re visiting, in some of them you can receive SMS and calls.
• Holafly: Similarly, For some destinations (like Europe or the U.S.), Holafly offers eSIMs with a phone number, so you can receive SMS. It doesn’t support voice calls.

This can be helpful for two-factor authentication or messages from your bank.

Installation

Installing an eSIM should be quick—and both providers make it simple, but they do it differently.

• Airalo: You just follow the steps in the Airalo app, and it installs the eSIM automatically.
  👉 Important: You should be in your destination country and have Wi-Fi when installing it.
  
• Holafly: After you buy the eSIM, they send you a QR code by email. You scan it with your phone to install it manually.

Feature	Airalo	Holafly
Data	Limited data (choose your plan)	Unlimited data (with fair use)
Price	Cheaper, ideal for short trips	More expensive, good for heavy users
Hotspot	Allowed without limits	Allowed, but with daily limit
Setup	No QR code, install from app	QR code installation required
App	✅	✅
Support	Email + WhatsApp support	Live chat + email support

Conclusion: Airalo vs Holafly – Which eSIM is better?

Both Airalo and Holafly are great options, but they’re made for different types of travelers. For example, in our case, I don’t like to use too much internet when I travel and prefer to just focus on the moment. That’s why I would choose Airalo — when I’m on the go, I mostly use the internet for maps or to look up information I need in the moment. Then in the evening, I’ll use social media with the hotel Wi-Fi.
On the other hand, Ignacio prefers more flexibility and likes to share photos and videos with family and friends while we’re visiting places, so he usually goes with Holafly or local SIM card.

Choose Airalo if:

• You want the cheapest option.
• You don’t need unlimited data.
• You plan short trips or travel to multiple countries.
• You want to share data via hotspot freely.

Choose Holafly if:

• You use a lot of data (like for videos, Google Maps, or work).
• You prefer unlimited internet without worrying about limits.
• You’re staying in one country for several days or weeks.

In short:
➡️ Airalo is better for light users and budget travelers.
➡️ Holafly is better for heavy data users and longer stays.

Pick the one that fits your travel style and internet needs best. Either way, both are super convenient and way better than paying for roaming!

This article is not sponsored by any of the brands — we’re simply sharing our honest review and personal experiences with both. However, if you use our referral code, you can get $3 off your first eSIM with Airalo. Just click on this link or use the code: KATARZ5298

Have you used any of these eSIMs? Or maybe you’re using an eSIM from Revolut Ultra or Metal? Share your experience with eSIMs while traveling in the comments!