VoaSim vs Holafly: two unlimited eSIMs side by side

Both brands sell the same basic idea: buy an eSIM, land abroad, use data without counting gigabytes. The difference is in the fine print — how "unlimited" is defined, how the price is built, and what happens when something goes wrong at 2 a.m. in a foreign airport.

This is a comparison of business models based on public information, not a lab speed test. We do not quote Holafly prices or ratings here; those change and you should check them on Holafly's own site. What we can state precisely is how VoaSim works.

The short version: what actually differs

Both companies sell unlimited-data travel eSIMs, data only, delivered as a QR code by email. Neither gives you a foreign phone number — WhatsApp and app calls run over data, on your own number.

• Unlimited definition. VoaSim is truly unlimited: no data cap, no speed throttling, no hidden fair-use policy. Holafly describes usage conditions and tethering limits in its terms — read them for the country and duration you want.
• Pricing logic. VoaSim uses one price per duration, identical for every destination. So Japan costs the same as Brazil or a 39-country Europe plan.
• Coverage. VoaSim reaches 170 destinations on every continent. Island Caribbean (Dominican Republic, Cuba, Jamaica, Bahamas, Aruba, Curaçao) is not covered today; Puerto Rico works on US networks.
• Hotspot. VoaSim does not allow tethering. Holafly sets its own rules. On either brand, check before you rely on it.

VoaSim prices: one table, every destination

There is no country tier and no early-booking discount on the English site. The price you see is the price you pay, in USD, today's promo included.

Trips of 1 to 4 days pay the 5-day package. Maximum 90 days per eSIM. A second eSIM in the same order gets 10% extra off, which is the sensible move for couples since hotspot is off the table. Run your dates in the price simulator to see the exact total.

Payment, invoice and refund

VoaSim charges international credit or debit cards in USD through Stripe. No hidden fees, no local-currency billing, no cash. The invoice arrives by email, which matters if you expense the trip.

Delivery is a QR code by email within minutes, with a WhatsApp heads-up if you left a number at checkout. Install it at home, before you fly, following the step-by-step guide for iPhone and Android — then leave the eSIM line off until you land.

The guarantee is simple: if the eSIM will not connect and support cannot fix it, you get a 100% refund. Support is human, by chat or hola@voasim.com. There is also a free eSIM Rescue diagnostic that works on eSIMs from any brand, including Holafly's — if you are stuck with no signal, use it regardless of who sold you the line.

When Holafly (or someone else) is the better pick

We would rather you buy the right thing than the wrong thing from us.

• You need to share the connection. VoaSim does not allow hotspot or tethering; the local carrier may block the line. If one device must feed a laptop or a friend's phone, check another provider's tethering rules — or buy two VoaSim eSIMs with the 10% second-line discount.
• You are going to the island Caribbean. VoaSim has no coverage there right now. Holafly, Airalo, Nomad or Ubigi may cover it; check the destination page on their sites.
• You barely use data. A light user on a weekend trip may spend less with a small GB package from a pay-per-GB brand. See our comparison hub and the roaming guide before deciding.
• You need a local phone number for SMS codes. No data-only eSIM gives you that; a local physical SIM does, at the cost of shop time and passport registration.

Decision checklist before you buy either one

Run these five checks and the choice usually makes itself.

1. Phone compatibility. Dial *#06#. If an EID appears, the phone supports eSIM. iPhone XR or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 or newer, Pixel 3 or newer, and most phones from 2020 on. Carrier-locked phones must be unlocked first.
2. Read the unlimited clause. Look for the words cap, fair use and throttling. VoaSim has none of the three.
3. Check every country on your route. One Europe eSIM covers 39 countries including Switzerland, the UK, Turkey, Norway and Iceland. Multi-continent trips may need separate eSIMs.
4. Confirm when the clock starts. With VoaSim, days begin at the first connection to a network at the destination — not at purchase.
5. Know who answers at 2 a.m. Chat, email, and a published refund rule. See how VoaSim works.

Cruises, roaming and your home number

Cruise passengers: a travel eSIM works on land, in ports, not at sea. Onboard connectivity is satellite and sold by the ship.

Your physical SIM and your number stay in the phone and keep working, so WhatsApp remains on your usual number. The only step is turning off your home carrier's data roaming so it does not bill you in the background.

Carrier roaming add-ons — T-Mobile, AT&T International Day Pass, Verizon TravelPass, EE, Vodafone, Rogers, Telstra and the rest — are billed per day of use or bundled, often with a daily data allowance and reduced speed afterwards, and usually must be enabled before you leave. Rates change by country and plan, so check the current one in your carrier's app. For heavy map, streaming and video-call use over a week or more, an unlimited eSIM is generally the calmer option. Start with the simulator or browse destinations.

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