Contents of Airalo VS Holafly Comparison
Introduction
If you're planning a trip abroad, mobile data is essential for seamless navigation, sharing experiences, or working remotely. eSIM (electronic SIM card) has become a popular alternative to traditional physical SIM cards because it offers convenient installation without having to find a local carrier after arriving in a foreign country.
Airalo and Holafly are among the most well-known providers of data eSIMs for travel, but each offers a different approach to mobile connectivity abroad. In this comparison, we'll help you decide which one better suits your needs.
For a quick comparison of all available eSIM providers including Airalo and Holafly, we recommend using our eSIM comparison tool on vefru.com, where you can filter by desired data size, validity period, and specific country - even multiple countries at once.
Coverage and Availability
Airalo
- Coverage in 211 countries worldwide
- Offers local, regional, and global eSIMs
- Greater coverage even in less visited destinations
Holafly
- Coverage in more than 160 countries
- Offers local and regional eSIMs
- Primarily focuses on popular tourist destinations
Winner: Airalo - With coverage in 211 countries, Airalo offers wider geographic reach, which is particularly advantageous for travelers visiting less common destinations. Holafly covers most popular tourist spots but has overall less coverage.
To verify eSIM availability in your specific destination, we recommend using our eSIM comparison tool, which will show you all available options.
Data Packages and Pricing
Airalo
- Offers limited data packages with various sizes (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, etc.)
- Prices start at approximately $4.50 for 1GB of data
- Option to purchase additional data after using up your package
- Hotspot is allowed without limitations
Holafly
- Offers exclusively unlimited data packages
- Prices range from $19 for 5 days up to $107 for 60 days depending on the destination
- No worries about buying additional data - you always have unlimited amounts available
- Hotspot is mostly limited to 500 MB
Winner: Depends on your needs - For users with low data consumption (up to 5GB), Airalo is more cost-effective. For demanding users who need lots of data for streaming, video calls, or work, Holafly with unlimited packages might be better, even at a higher price.
For a better idea of how much data you'll need, check out our guides on what you can do with 2 GB of data, what you can do with 5 GB of data, or what you can do with 10 GB of data.
Purchase and Activation Process
Airalo
- Purchase process rating: 4.5/5
- Option to purchase directly on the website without downloading the app
- Simple process, but contains several unnecessary steps
- Installation requires using a screenshot of the QR code
- After installation, data works immediately without needing to restart
Holafly
- Purchase process rating: 3.5/5
- More complicated payment process with unclear Google Pay implementation
- Storing payment card details without explicit consent
- Very easy installation via the app - just click the "Install" button
- After installation, the eSIM starts working immediately with 5G signal
Winner: Airalo for purchase, Holafly for installation - Airalo offers a simpler and more transparent purchase process, while Holafly excels in the simplicity of eSIM installation through the app without needing to scan a QR code.
If you need detailed instructions on installing an eSIM, check out our articles on how to add an eSIM to iPhone or how to add an eSIM to Samsung.
Apps and User Experience
Airalo
- App rating: 4/5
- Over 5 million downloads with a 4.3-star rating (75,000 reviews)
- App size over 50 MB
- Intuitive and clear user interface
- Disadvantage: After data depletion, the app stops working - doesn't have "zero-rating"
Holafly
- App rating: 3/5
- 1 million downloads with a surprisingly low 3.6-star rating (6,000 reviews)
- App size 47 MB
- The app primarily acts as a sales channel, not as a tool for managing eSIMs
- Non-intuitive login process for existing customers
Winner: Airalo - The Airalo app is more user-friendly and has better ratings from users. The Holafly app mainly serves as a sales channel and has a less intuitive interface for managing already purchased eSIMs.
Connection Speed and Limitations
Airalo
- Speed rating: 3/5
- Doesn't apply any artificial speed limitations - speed depends only on the local network
- Measured speeds: 40-150 Mbps download, ~40 Mbps upload
- After using up your purchased data volume, the connection ends
Holafly
- Speed rating: 2/5
- Applies speed limitations - approximately 30 Mbps for both download and upload
- Additional limitations after reaching 4.5 GB/day according to "fair use" policies
- Despite the limitations, the speed is sufficient for normal use including streaming and video calls
Winner: Airalo - Offers higher speeds without artificial limitations. While Holafly provides unlimited data, it comes at the cost of lower speeds and possible further restrictions after exceeding the daily limit.
For a better understanding of mobile technologies, check out our articles on 4G vs. LTE or 4G vs. 5G.
Customer Support
Airalo
- Support rating: 3.5/5
- Uses a chatbot as the first line of support
- Waiting time to connect with an operator approximately 5 minutes
- Support tries to help, but often insists on going through basic steps
Holafly
- Support rating: 3/5
- Option to select preferred language for communication (English and Spanish are available)
- After answering basic questions through the chatbot, quick transfer to a human operator
- Using profile pictures of helpdesk employees can appear unprofessional
Winner: Tie - Both providers offer a similar level of customer support with certain advantages and disadvantages. Airalo has a slightly better rating, but the difference isn't significant.
If you have questions about eSIM technology in general, we recommend our article eSIM | Frequently Asked Questions and Answers.
Which Provider is Best for Whom
Airalo is ideal for:
- Travelers with low to medium data consumption (up to 5-10 GB)
- Visitors to less common destinations thanks to wider coverage
- Users who want to use hotspot without limitations
- Those who prefer higher connection speeds
- Users looking for more affordable solutions for smaller data volumes
Holafly is ideal for:
- Demanding users with high data consumption
- Digital nomads working remotely (video calls, VPN, etc.)
- Travelers who don't want to worry about the amount of data consumed
- Users who appreciate extremely simple eSIM installation
- Those who don't mind paying a slightly higher fee for the convenience of unlimited data
To find the best eSIM for your specific needs, we recommend using our eSIM comparison tool on vefru.com, which allows you to filter offers by required data size, validity period, and destination.
Conclusion
The choice between Airalo and Holafly primarily depends on your specific needs and how you use mobile data abroad:
- Airalo (overall rating 3.4/5) excels in wider coverage, higher speeds, and a better app. It's more cost-effective for users with lower data consumption and offers more flexible options for purchasing additional data.
- Holafly (overall rating 3.2/5) specializes in unlimited data, which more demanding users will appreciate. It offers extremely easy eSIM installation, but at the cost of lower speeds and higher prices for users with less data consumption.
For the average traveler who needs data mainly for navigation, social media, and occasional information searches, Airalo will likely be more advantageous. For digital nomads, streamers, or users who don't want to worry about data consumption, Holafly might be the better choice.
Remember that there are other eSIM providers that may offer better value for your specific needs. We always recommend comparing available options using our eSIM comparison tool on vefru.com, which will help you find the best solution for your next trip.
For more information about eSIM technology and its use while traveling, check out our comprehensive guide eSIM for travel or read reviews of other providers like eSIM4Travel or GigSky.
