Airalo vs Holafly: by-GB vs "unlimited" — and a third option

"Airalo vs Holafly" is really a question about two business models, not two logos. One sells you a bucket of gigabytes and lets you top up. The other sells you a period of time and calls it unlimited, with the fine print doing some of the work.

This page compares the models honestly — we have not run a lab test and we do not quote anyone else's prices or ratings, because those change weekly. Check each brand's official site or app for current numbers. Then we show where VoaSim fits, including the cases where it is not the right pick.

How Airalo works (by the gigabyte)

Airalo is a Singapore-based eSIM marketplace. You buy a data package measured in GB — a local plan for one country, a regional plan for a group of countries, or a global plan — and the package has a validity window in days. Everything runs through its app: purchase, install, check how much data is left, top up.

What that means in practice:

• You have to estimate your usage before the trip. Maps, Instagram, WhatsApp video calls and Google Photos backups burn through a small bundle fast.
• If you run out mid-trip, you top up — which is easy, but it is a second decision and a second payment.
• If you overbuy, the leftover GB usually die with the validity window.

Airalo is a good fit for light users who mostly need maps and messaging, and for people who like tracking a counter. Check the current package sizes, validity and tethering rules in the Airalo app before you buy.

How Holafly works ("unlimited", with conditions)

Holafly, based in Spain, sells plans by number of days rather than by GB, marketed as unlimited. The important part is in its terms: there are usage conditions and tethering limits described there, and they can differ by destination.

So the model removes one worry — watching a data counter — and adds another: reading the fine print for the country you are going to. Before buying, look up on Holafly's official site:

• Whether the destination you picked is genuinely uncapped or has stated usage limits.
• What the hotspot/tethering allowance is, if you plan to share with a laptop or a travel partner.
• Whether the plan is data-only and how validity starts counting.

Holafly suits heavy users who would rather pay per day than per gigabyte, and people who hate mid-trip top-ups. As with any brand, buy from the official channel and keep the confirmation email.

Model vs model: what actually changes on your trip

Neither model is wrong. The mistake is buying 1 GB for a two-week trip with a phone that backs up photos automatically, or paying for unlimited when your hotel Wi-Fi covers 80% of your day. Decide by how you actually use your phone, then compare the brands inside that model. Our comparison hub covers other eSIM brands the same way.

Where VoaSim fits: truly unlimited, one price per duration

VoaSim sits in the by-day camp, but without the asterisks. Our travel eSIM has no data cap, no speed throttling and no hidden "fair use" policy. It is data-only: WhatsApp, app calls and maps work over data, and your physical SIM keeps your number.

The other simplification is pricing. One price per duration, identical for all 170 destinations — Tokyo costs the same as Lisbon:

Trips of 1–4 days pay the 5-day package; a second eSIM in the same order gets 10% extra off; maximum 90 days per eSIM. The Europe plan covers 50 countries with one eSIM, including the UK, Switzerland, Turkey, Norway and Iceland. Run the simulator for your exact dates.

When Airalo or Holafly is the better pick

Fair is fair. Choose another brand if:

• You are going to the island Caribbean. VoaSim has no coverage in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Aruba or Curaçao right now. Puerto Rico works, because it runs on US networks.
• You need guaranteed hotspot/tethering. We do not promise it — it depends on the plan, and you should confirm with our support before relying on it. If sharing with a laptop is non-negotiable, compare each brand's stated tethering rules.
• You barely use data. A 1 GB local package for a weekend can be cheaper than any unlimited day rate.
• You want mid-ocean cruise data. Our eSIM works on land, at ports — not at sea.
• Your phone has no eSIM. We do not sell physical SIM cards.

If none of those apply, unlimited at a flat per-day price usually wins on simplicity. See how we stack up against carrier plans in our roaming guide.

Buying, installing and getting help

Payment is by international credit or debit card in USD through Stripe, with no hidden fees and an invoice by email. The QR code arrives by email within minutes (plus a WhatsApp heads-up if you left a number), with step-by-step instructions for iPhone and Android.

Install before you fly, but keep the eSIM line off until you land — the days start counting at the first connection to a network at the destination. On Android, do not switch on the eSIM's data before the trip. Turn off your home carrier's data roaming and leave your physical SIM active so WhatsApp stays on your number.

Compatibility: iPhone XR or newer, Galaxy S20 or newer, Pixel 3 or newer, and most phones from 2020 on. Dial *#06# — if an EID appears, your phone supports eSIM. Carrier-locked phones must be unlocked first.

Stuck with no signal, even on another brand's eSIM? Use the free eSIM Rescue tool. Human support answers at hola@voasim.com and on chat. If the eSIM will not connect and we cannot fix it, you get a 100% refund — details on our trust page.

FAQ