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There’s no denying that eSIMs have become a must-have for modern travelers. As smartphone manufacturers continue to support this technology, more digital nomads and global explorers are turning to eSIM providers to stay connected on the go.
Among the top contenders, Airalo and Holafly stand out as two of the most popular eSIM services. But which one is the better choice for you? This blog will walk you through their key features, pros and cons, and compare their pricing, coverage, and usability to help you decide.
Key Features of Airalo and Holafly
Before comparing them directly, let’s look at what each provider offers individually so you can better understand their strengths.
Airalo
Airalo was one of the first eSIM providers to appear on the market and, in recent years, has become one of the most well-known solutions. Its main value proposition is its comprehensive coverage in over 200 countries, as well as its ease of use.
One of its main advantages is that it offers virtually instant connectivity anywhere in the world, providing a very good user experience. It has agreements with more than 200 local operators worldwide, so it's quite likely they'll have coverage wherever we go.
Plus, their prices are also quite reasonable, and they offer 24/7 support , every day of the year. So you'll always find the support you need when you have an issue that needs immediate resolution.
Its main disadvantage is that it doesn't offer unlimited data plans, so we'll always have to check how much gigabytes we've used and how much we have left. This, depending on the type of trip, can be a major nuisance.
Holafly
Holafly is another eSIM provider we might consider using for our next trip. In this case, as we'll see below, it's quite different from the previously mentioned option, offering, for example, unlimited data plans.
In addition to the aforementioned advantages, it has other advantages, as we analyze in this Holafly review. It's worth noting that the installation process is very simple, and it also offers 24/7 support, all in Spanish. This means there won't be any problems if you don't speak the language.
However, it's not without its disadvantages. The main one is that we can't share the internet as much as we want, since many plans only allow one gigabyte of internet access we can share with, for example, our computer. Furthermore, the price is significantly higher than the previously mentioned option, which makes it somewhat less competitive. Finally, it's also important to note that it has limited coverage in some regions, something we should check before purchasing.
Comparing Airalo vs Holafly
Now that we've learned about some of their features, advantages, and disadvantages, it's time to conduct a comparison that will help us understand the main areas in which each of these eSIM providers excel. To do so, we'll focus on aspects such as coverage, plan prices, speed, ease of use, support, and some additional terms and conditions to consider. If you're wondering whether to choose Airalo or Holafly, we'll tell you everything you need to know.
Coverage
Both Airalo and Holafly have fairly similar coverage in terms of the number of countries. Both companies claim to be present in approximately 200 countries around the world. The level of coverage may vary depending on the agreements they have with local operators, so no one guarantees that we will be able to enjoy 5G speeds.
Price of the plans
The price of the plans is one of the main differences between the two companies. The way they charge for usage varies. While Airalo offers plans with limited data, requiring you to choose your planned data usage and travel time in advance, Holafly opts to offer unlimited data.
In the case of Holafly, the longer the trip, the more likely we are to save a significant amount of money, since the price per day is lower the more days we book.
Speed:
As we've mentioned before, la velocidad depende en gran medida del país que vayamos a visitar. En este punto, las diferencias son mínimas entre ambas opciones, por lo que no debería ser un punto determinante.
In both cases, we'll get 5G speeds if the agreement with the local operator allows it. Otherwise, we'll need to adhere to the agreement in question, which may vary depending on the location.
Ease of use
Both companies allow you to manage your line through their own app. Therefore, you'll need to download it before starting to use the service to increase your GBP usage, the number of days you're traveling, or any other aspect that may affect your line management.
Customer Support
Holafly provides 24/7 support in Spanish, which is especially helpful for Spanish-speaking users.
Airalo also offers 24/7 support, but their Spanish assistance is more limited, which could be a drawback for non-English speakers.
Extra Considerations
Neither Airalo nor Holafly provides a traditional phone number, which is common with most eSIM services. However, this is important to remember if you rely on calls or SMS.
Holafly also limits internet sharing (tethering) in many of its unlimited plans, which can be an issue for remote workers who need to connect laptops or other devices. In such cases, you need to consider Holafly alternatives.
Which eSIM Is Best for You?
There's no single eSIM provider that's better than another; it all depends on your needs. Once you've reviewed features like those mentioned above, it's time to analyze which option best suits your needs. However, here are four traveler profiles that might help you decide:
- If you're on a budget, Airalo may be a better option, as it offers lower prices and low-data plans.
- If you're a frequent traveler, Airalo has greater global coverage, so you shouldn't have any trouble connecting from almost anywhere in the world.
- If you want to completely forget about your usage, Holafly is the winning option, since it offers unlimited data plans.
- If you want something quick and hassle-free, both companies are quite similar, and you can download the eSIM in just a few minutes.
The best eSIM alternatives for you
There are several eSIM providers on the market competing with options like the ones we've mentioned in this article. Among them, Blink eSIM stands out the most, thanks to a strategy based on offering customers maximum flexibility, simplicity, and quality of service. It's one of Airalo's most interesting competitors.
With Blink eSIM, you have the opportunity to have a single eSIM for the entire world. You don't need to buy a new eSIM after each trip; you can simply install the eSIM and travel with that same card to all of the more than 170 countries we cover.
It's also the world's first smart eSIM: from the first second we land at our destination, we connect to the local operator with which we have a contract, which always offers the best coverage. We don't need to remove it when we return to our home country, as it doesn't consume data while we're at home.
It's important to note that it has the same price in 95% of countries: a flat rate of €3 + VAT per day with unlimited data. No matter how many gigabytes you need, you'll always have enough data for the whole day, even if you need to work remotely. Plus, all management is done through WhatsApp: questions, problem resolution, or top-ups—whatever it may be—you can always request it through WhatsApp and receive immediate assistance.
As we've seen, both Airalo and Holafly are two very interesting options for anyone who needs a new eSIM for their travels. It's important to keep in mind that both come with some limitations that we must accept. Alternatively, we can opt for Blink eSIM, which combines the best of both and also offers support via WhatsApp, ensuring convenience and ease of use.
FAQs
What’s the main difference between Airalo and Holafly?
The main difference between Airalo and Holafly is that Holafly offers unlimited data plans, while Airalo doesn't. So if you want to completely forget about your usage, Holafly may be a better option. Now you'll have no doubts when comparing Airalo vs. Holafly.
Is there a better alternative to Airalo?
Blink eSIM stands out for its global coverage, unlimited data, flat-rate pricing, and support via WhatsApp. It’s ideal for frequent travelers who need simplicity and flexibility.
Which is cheaper for frequent travelers?
Generally, Airalo is more affordable due to its customizable limited-data plans, but Holafly can offer better daily rates for longer trips. Blink eSIM, however, offers unlimited data at a consistent daily rate, which may save more over time.
Do Holafly or Airalo offer unlimited data?
Only Holafly offers unlimited data. Airalo’s plans are capped, requiring you to monitor your usage regularly.
How do I activate a Holafly or Airalo eSIM?
After purchasing, you’ll receive a QR code via email. Simply scan it and follow the on-screen steps. Both providers also offer apps to manage your plan and track data.
