Both sell unlimited-data travel eSIMs, and both work. The real difference is not speed or coverage — it is how they charge you, and what happens to the eSIM when your trip ends.
Holafly prices by day or by fixed block: USD 19.50 for five days, USD 36.90 for ten. HOLASIM starts at USD 1.70 and sizes the plan to your trip. And when you get home, one of them disappears and the other does not.
Quick verdict
Holafly is simpler for one long trip. HOLASIM is cheaper if you travel more than once.
If you take a single two-week trip a year and want one flat price with no decisions, Holafly’s fixed blocks are easy to understand and genuinely convenient.
If you travel a few times a year, the maths changes: HOLASIM starts at USD 1.70, and the eSIM does not expire — it stays installed and you top it up before the next trip instead of buying a new profile every time.
HOLASIM vs Holafly, side by side
| Feature | HOLASIM | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | From USD 1.70 | From USD 3.90 per day |
| Fixed-duration plans | Priced by days and data for your trip | USD 19.50 / 5 days · USD 36.90 / 10 days · USD 74.90 / 30 days |
| Unlimited data | Included in all plans | Included in daily plans |
| Does the eSIM expire? | No — it stays on your phone and you top it up | Yes, the plan expires at the end of the period |
| Coverage | 200+ countries and destinations | 160+ destinations |
| Calls | Via WhatsApp (no local number) | Via WhatsApp (no local number) |
| Support | 24/7 on WhatsApp, in your language | 24/7 chat |
| Rating | 4.8 / 5 on Trustpilot and Google Reviews | Publicly rated on Trustpilot |
Holafly pricing as published by the provider and compiled in July 2026. Plans and prices change — check both official sites before buying.
Pricing: where the difference shows
Holafly’s model is a flat block: USD 19.50 for five days, USD 36.90 for ten, USD 74.90 for thirty, the same across its destinations. It is easy to understand and there is nothing to calculate — which is precisely its appeal.
The trade-off is that you pay for the block whether or not you use it. A four-day trip still costs the five-day price. HOLASIM starts at USD 1.70 and scales with the days and data you actually need, which favours short trips and light use.
For heavy use over a long stay, the two get closer. Work out your own consumption first — our data sizing guide takes about two minutes and changes which column wins.
The difference nobody advertises: expiry
This is the one that rarely makes it into comparisons. With Holafly — and with Airalo, Saily and most of the market — the eSIM expires when the plan ends. Next trip, you buy and install a new profile.
The HOLASIM eSIM does not expire. It stays installed on your phone and you top it up before travelling again. If you fly once a year the difference is minor. If you fly three or four times, you are re-installing three or four times with one and never again with the other.
When Holafly is the better choice
Being straight about this matters, because you will find out anyway:
- One single long trip. If you are away for thirty days and want one price with zero decisions, the flat block is genuinely simpler.
- You want a monthly subscription. Holafly offers ongoing monthly plans, which suits long-term nomads better than a per-trip model.
- Brand familiarity. Holafly has heavy marketing presence in several markets. If you have used it before and it worked, that is a real reason to stay.
Where HOLASIM has the edge is the entry price, the per-trip sizing, and the eSIM that does not expire.
Which should you pick?
- One long trip a year, heavy use: Holafly’s flat block is simple and competitive.
- Short trip or light use: HOLASIM, from USD 1.70, avoids paying for days you will not use.
- You travel several times a year: HOLASIM, because you install once and top up instead of rebuying.
- Multi-country itinerary: compare the regional plans on both sides. Ours covers 200+ destinations — see the Europe plan as an example.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, HOLASIM or Holafly?
It depends on how you travel. Holafly is simpler for one long trip: a flat block, no calculations. HOLASIM starts at USD 1.70, sizes the plan to your trip and the eSIM does not expire, which favours anyone who travels more than once a year.
How much does Holafly cost in 2026?
Holafly publishes unlimited-data plans from USD 3.90 per day, with fixed blocks at USD 19.50 for 5 days, USD 36.90 for 10 days and USD 74.90 for 30 days. It also offers monthly subscriptions. Check its official site before buying, as pricing changes.
How much does HOLASIM cost?
Plans start at USD 1.70 and vary with the destination, the number of days and the data included. All plans include unlimited data.
Do both offer unlimited data?
Yes. Both include unlimited data in their travel plans, so that is not the deciding factor. The differences are the entry price, how the plan is sized, and whether the eSIM expires.
What happens to the eSIM after my trip?
With Holafly and most providers, the profile expires with the plan and you buy a new one next time. The HOLASIM eSIM stays installed on your phone and you top it up before your next trip.
Do I lose my phone number with either of them?
No. Both are eSIMs that run alongside the SIM already in your phone, so your usual number stays active for calls, SMS verification codes and WhatsApp while data comes from the travel plan.
Can I make regular phone calls?
Neither gives you a local number for traditional calls: both are data plans, so calls go through WhatsApp or similar apps. If you specifically need a local number, a local carrier SIM is the option to look at.
From USD 1.70. Install once, top up before every trip — it does not expire.