One day, out of the blue, a friend of mine (who is kind of allergic to technology), surprised me with a question about eSIMs. She was about to travel to Turkey and asked me which eSIM I had purchased when I traveled to Southeast Asia a few months before. I had barely mentioned to her that I had purchased one, yet here she was, asking for eSIM recommendations.
That's when it hit me: with 2-3 billion eSIM smartphone connections expected by 2025, eSIM technology is not considered the future anymore, it's the present.
The thing is, with so many eSIM providers out there, choosing the right eSIM can feel like going through a pile of paperwork. Lucky for you, we've tested a bunch of eSIMs ourselves and we've also scoured the internet for reviews (so you don't have to).
So today, we'll share everything there's to know about Holafly— one of the leading eSIM providers offering unlimited data plans covering over 177 countries around the planet.
We've used Holafly across 7 different countries, so we know the ins and outs of its features, data plans, real-world speeds, pricing, and more. If you're wondering whether Holafly is as reliable as it says it is, stick around for the full review.
What is Holafly eSIM?
When you're in your home country, the first thing you consider when purchasing a SIM card is the amount of data the plan offers. Back in 2015, hearing "5GB per month" seemed like the holy grail. But today, you wouldn't settle for anything less than "unlimited GB", right?
But when you're a full-time traveler or a digital nomad purchasing eSIMs for internet access abroad, your perspective shifts, and those 5GB plans sound like the holy grail again. Let's reshape that perspective with Holafly, a digital marketplace where you can browse eSIM plans that cover over 177 countries around the globe.
What makes Holafly the go-to eSIM provider for over 1 million travelers is their unlimited data plans. Yup, you read that right: you get to scroll through Instagram and TikTok, send emails, watch Netflix, and more, all without the fear of hitting a data cap.
This is huge. If this is your first time with eSIM technology, you'll soon realize that most eSIM providers put a tight leash on data usage.
If that weren't enough, Holafly also caters to different travel needs by offering a variety of local and regional plans. It's a breath of fresh air for anyone who's felt the pinch of limited data plans while exploring the world.
Which eSIMs Do Holafly Offer?
Not only have they made "unlimited" the norm, but Holafly has also rolled out eSIM plans designed for every kind of adventure you're planning—be it a deep dive into one country or a multi-stop tour across continents. Here's the breakdown of the eSIM packages they offer:
1. Local eSIM Data Plans
Starting with the basics, Holafly's first package type offers local eSIM data plans for straightforward, country-specific connectivity. In other words, this is like picking up a local SIM card, minus the hassle of physically acquiring one.
With coverage in over 177 countries, these plans are tailored to fit any length of stay, ensuring you're connected from the moment you land.
2. Regional eSIM Data Plans
For those of us whose travel plans are a bit more ambitious, and looking for several countries in one trip, Holafly's regional eSIM data plans offer a great solution. If your travel plan looks like landing in one country and then another within a specific area, the regional plan will automatically connect your phone to the local network without skipping a beat.
These plans are the go-to for travelers planning on roaming across regions like Europe, Asia, or the Americas, offering uninterrupted connectivity no matter the border you cross. Stating the obvious but FYI: if your trip includes traveling to both Europe and Africa, then you'll have to purchase two different regional plans.
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One of the top perks of choosing Holafly's local and regional data plans is that most of them are completely unlimited. This is quite something, it gives you the freedom to use maps, look up recommendations, or stay in touch without worrying about running out of data.
But, just a heads up, there are some fair usage policies in place. This means that while you do get unlimited data, using it excessively might lead to a temporary slowdown. So, if you notice a dip in your internet speed, it might be because you've hit that high usage threshold for the day.
Can You Make or Take Calls With Holafly?
If you've tested other eSIM providers, buckle up for this: unlike most other providers, Holafly does take into consideration that you might need to make a quick traditional phone call to, say, a restaurant or a car rental, without having to ask your apartment host to lend a hand.
If you're roaming around Europe—places like Spain, Italy and Portugal—Holafly's got you covered with up to 60 minutes of call time using an Austrian number, and no, it won't cost you extra. We don't know about you but we think this is a lifesaver.
If you're venturing beyond Europe, sorry to break it to you, you're back to communicating via WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime. Outside of Europe, Holafly leans heavily on keeping you online with their data plans.
How Much Does Holafly Cost?
Let's talk numbers. Holafly’s eSIM pricing is as varied as your travel destinations, influenced by where you're heading and how long you plan to stay connected. They're big on offering unlimited data for most regions, which is a major plus.
Here's a quick snapshot of what you might spend, as of April 2024:
- Europe's regional eSIM packages start at $19 for 5 days, stretching up to $99 for 90 days with unlimited data (and those handy 60 minutes of calls included).
- Local eSIM packages for the USA mirror Europe's, ranging from $19 for a quick 5-day trip to $129 for those extended 90-day stays, all unlimited.
- Regional eSIM packages for Asia like a 15-day stint with unlimited data sit at $47, while doubling the duration to 30 days will cost you $79.
It's true: Holafly’s price tag might seem a tad higher at first glance compared to others. But for the heavy-data users among us, the unlimited plans are worth every penny, saving you from the dreaded data-capped plans. That said, if you expect to be using a lot of data, Holafly is a smart choice.
Get 5% Off on All Holafly eSIMs
Use Code 'FREAKINGNOMADS' and Save on New eSIMs and Top Ups
Grab Your Discount Now!Will Holafly eSIMs Work With My Phone?
If you're wondering whether your phone will play nice with Holafly, good question. Holafly eSIMs are pretty flexible and compatible with many smartphones, but not every single one. To save you the headache of compatibility issues, Holafly has a list of compatible devices on their site. A quick check there can tell you if you’re good to go.
How Does Holafly Work? A Step-by-Step Guide
Over the years, we’ve tried and tested loads of eSIM providers, but to be honest, Holafly is generally one of our favorites.
Not only does their name sound cool, but setting up their eSIM is as simple as pie, with an easy digital process that will quickly connect you to your data (and calls, if you're in Europe).
Here's a step-by-step guide on how to set up your Holafly eSIM:
STEP 1: Choose Your eSIM Plan
Hop onto Holafly's website or download their mobile app, and take your pick from their local or regional eSIM. Choose where you're headed (is it a country or a region?) and for how long you'll need data. It’s kind of like planning your trip if you think about it!
STEP 2: Purchase Your Chosen Package
The hardest part is always choosing—once you've made your pick, the rest is smooth sailing. Enter your payment information, hit confirm, and a confirmation email will be on its way to you with the next steps.
STEP 3: Install and Activate your eSIM
Now it's time to activate your eSIM. Holafly sends you a QR code or manual setup with details sent via email, and honestly, QR codes are the way to go for both speed and ease.
All it takes is going to "Mobile Data" settings, choosing "Add Data Plan", and a quick scan of the QR code and the eSIM profile will start downloading instantly.
All that's left to do is select Holafly as the main data source within the mobile data settings, and the eSIM will be immediately active.
If you're all about instructional videos, Holafly has a great one for iOS devices that walks you through the installation and activation process step by step.
Holafly has an instructional video for team Android too, the video below will guide you through the process:
STEP 4: Check Usage and Top Up
If your plan doesn't include unlimited data, monitoring your data consumption and topping up is easy peasy with Holafly. Just log into their website or mobile app to check your data or add more. It’s all designed to keep you in control, without any guesswork.
Get 5% Off on All Holafly eSIMs
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Grab Your Discount Now!Our Experience Using Holafly eSIMs in 7 Countries
Now that you have a general idea of Holafly, it's time to see whether it really lives up to the hype. After years of relying on their eSIMs for our digital nomad lifestyle, we're ready to share our experiences based on our recent trips to Spain, Malaysia, Mexico, Turkey, Thailand, Greece, and Morocco to give you our honest (and hands-on) take on their performance.
Holafly Hands-On Review: Their Top Features
You've probably picked up that we like Holafly. As digital nomads, expats venturing into new beginnings, and remote workers in search of the perfect backdrop for our next video call, we've found Holafly's features to be an indispensable part of our travels. Here are the features that won us over:
- Global Coverage: The last thing you want is to purchase an eSIM that promises great coverage, only to discover you’re not connected at all. Fortunately, that wasn’t the case with Holafly. We can confirm their global coverage is legit—from Barcelona to Kuala Lumpur, we always had great coverage during our travels. If you're exploring multiple countries within the same region, regional packages are the way to go. We got one for Asia and were connected both in Thailand and Malaysia, even as we explored the Sarawak rainforest.
- Unlimited Data: This feature sealed the deal for us. It’s simply too good to pass up. Gone were the days of downloading Netflix movies before long bus rides—we streamed Inventing Anna as we traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Georgetown. We had no problems video-calling our families and were able to work remotely just fine, even when we were exploring Ephesus in Turkey and grabbing our dose of vitamin D in Playa del Carmen in Mexico. All this is done, without having to pay extra fees.
- Local Phone Calls: Those 60-minute bonus calling minutes in Europe came in quite in handy during our trips to Greece and Spain. The guy renting out the ATVs in Santorini would only accept phone reservations, same for the boat rental place in Javea. They may have been the shortest calls of our lives (every minute counts), but they made our travels way smoother and less stressful.
- Quick and Easy Setup: The ease with which we could get our eSIMs up and running—often minutes after landing—has been nothing short of exceptional. The QR code activation worked wonders, instantly connecting us without needing a second device to scan the QR code. It's user-friendly, fast, and incredibly convenient.
- Great Customer Support: On the rare occasions we needed assistance, like that evening in Morocco when we couldn’t log in to our account, Holafly’s support team went above and beyond. They were not only helpful but also empathetic, responding promptly and always finding solutions.
Get 5% Off on All Holafly eSIMs
Use Code 'FREAKINGNOMADS' and Save on New eSIMs and Top Ups
Grab Your Discount Now!Our Holafly Performance Review Across 7 Different Countries
We took Holafly for a spin through 7 countries, keen to see if its real-world performance and speed could actually keep up with our nomadic lifestyle. The results are pretty interesting, see for yourself:
| Country | Speed | Connection details |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 42.09 Mbps (download) / 10.56 Mbps (upload) | Fast speeds for streaming and downloads |
| Malaysia | 66.64 Mbps (download) / 18.25 Mbps (upload) | Blazing fast downloads, quick uploads |
| Mexico | 25.83 Mbps (download) / 10.50 Mbps (upload) | Reliable connectivity for everyday needs |
| Turkey | 28.53 Mbps (download) / 13.60 Mbps (upload) | Solid speeds for web browsing, videos may lag |
| Thailand | 40.54 Mbps (download) / 12.67 Mbps (upload) | Capable streaming and downloads |
| Greece | 31.43 Mbps (download) / 8.46 Mbps (upload) | Good downloads, lighter uploads |
| Morocco | 22.90 Mbps (download) / 11.67 Mbps (upload) | Functional speeds for basics, may buffer |
Not bad, right?
Our travels included a mix of urban and off-the-beaten-path areas. In urban places like the heart of Barcelona and the hawker centers of Kuala Lumpur, Holafly was nothing short of stellar, with downloads reaching 40+ Mbps, delivering speeds that had our social media feeds buzzing with updates in real-time.
But in more remote areas, like in rural Greece (some less-known islands we visited) or Morocco, the connection grew faint. To be fair, it wasn’t a shortcoming of Holafly, it's the quality of network connections that vary in each country, impacting all carriers.
What surprised us was how Holafly stood toe-to-toe with local SIM cards, even in places where we least expected it. And after thousands of kilometers traveled and countless connections made, we can say it: we’re all in on Holafly. It’s proven itself as a reliable choice for international travelers.
Holafly Pros and Cons
Every rose has its thorn, and while Holafly eSIMs have been mostly roses for us, it's only fair to address both sides. The features we mentioned above really did it for us, but, just like everything, it isn't perfect, and improvements can be made down the line.
To get a full overview of their service, we've put together a list of pros and cons, so you have everything you need to figure out if Holafly eSIM is the provider for your next adventure.
From a numerical point of view, you can see for yourself that the pros of choosing Holafly really outweigh the cons. And in general, since we're all travelers and remote workers here, we can agree that those cons aren't our priorities. Unlimited data plans, straightforward installation, and great customer support are way more important. So, for digital nomads on the hunt for reliable worldwide access, we can confidently recommend Holafly as a top choice for international travel.
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What Other Travelers Think of Holafly?
Curiosity got the better of us, so we decided to dig into what other digital nomads had to say about their experiences with Holafly. We scrolled through countless discussions on Reddit and TrustPilot, looking for those unfiltered opinions of people who've walked the walk. Here's what we found:
Nomads went on and on about Holafly’s reliable service across all destinations, keeping them online no matter if they were in a European capital or exploring beyond the tourist trail. The ease with which they could get their service up and running was a highlight for many—even in remote regions with spotty infrastructure.
When talking about Europe, they all said the plans offered reliable access at reasonable prices.
Some users also pointed out the thorns among the roses: the absence of hotspot functionality on unlimited plans was a hiccup for those needing to connect multiple devices. There was also some talk about throttled speeds, which we had to contact customer support to resolve.
Apart from a few hitches, the consensus leaned heavily in favor of Holafly. The consistent coverage, coupled with the easy setup process, painted a picture of a service that’s earned its stripes in the travel community. Based on their feedback and our experience, it seems that when it comes to dependable worldwide internet access, Holafly has built a strong reputation within the travel and nomad community.
Get 5% Off on All Holafly eSIMs
Use Code 'FREAKINGNOMADS' and Save on New eSIMs and Top Ups
Grab Your Discount Now!Are There Any Alternatives to Holafly?
In the vast arena of eSIM providers, standing out takes something special. We took a deep dive into how Holafly stacks up against some of the other big names out there:
Airalo
With Airalo's unmatched extensive network, you get a promise of connectivity in over 200+ countries, making it a heavyweight in the world of eSIM providers. Their app is user-friendly, streamlining the buying and activation process beautifully. But Holafly defends itself with its unlimited data plans and handy free local calls in Europe (that Airalo doesn't offer), giving it an interesting edge.
For a 360-degree overview of Airalo, read our in-depth Airalo review:
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Nomad
Nomad caught our eye with its clean user experience and tempting single-country plans. With coverage in 112+ countries and growing, they're definitely in the race. But Holafly, with its broader range of data plans and inclusion of calls and texts, felt like a more rounded package for our globe-trotting needs.
Alosim
Alosim may be newer to the scene, but they’re making waves with their global prepaid eSIMs and smooth setup process. Yet, when it came to value for the unlimited data seekers among us, Holafly won out in affordability and practicality.
While there are great alternatives to Holafly, as digital nomads who care about unlimited data and reliable connectivity, Holafly beats the competition and takes home the title of leading eSIM provider worldwide.
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Holafly Troubleshooting
Getting your Holafly eSIM up and running should be smooth, but sometimes, tech has its own plans. Here's how to tackle common setup issues with a bit more detail:
- Ensuring Your Phone's Compatibility: Not all smartphones are created equal, especially when it comes to new tech like eSIMs. Before you dive into the setup process, take a moment to confirm your device is on the list of those that welcome eSIM technology. Make sure your device's software is up to date, too—older software versions can prevent your eSIM from working as it should.
- Confirm Activation: Double-check that your QR code was scanned properly to activate your plan. If this doesn't go as planned, try the scan again. If the issue persists, reach out to Holafly's support team.
- Enable Roaming: Make sure international roaming is enabled when traveling outside your home country. It's a simple toggle within your phone's settings that unlocks the ability to connect to networks far from home. Forgetting this step is common, but if it's disabled, it will effectively leave you offline.
- Try Disabling VPN or Custom Settings: We know that VPNs and custom network settings are great for privacy and accessing home services while abroad, but they can sometimes interfere with eSIM connectivity. If you're experiencing connection issues, consider temporarily disabling these settings.
- Limit Number of eSIMs: Check if you have multiple inactive eSIM profiles installed. Most devices only support a small number simultaneously. Try removing unused profiles as too many can prevent new activations. We once spent hours troubleshooting why a new eSIM wouldn't install. It turned out we simply had too many old ones and after deleting a few, the new one worked perfectly!
- Managing eSIM Profiles: If you're switching between eSIMs frequently, you might unknowingly hit a device's limit on active eSIM profiles. This is a practical limit imposed by hardware manufacturers. The remedy involves removing old or unused eSIM profiles. We once spent hours troubleshooting why a new eSIM wouldn't install. It turned out we simply had too many old ones and after deleting a few, the new one worked perfectly!
If you've walked through the above steps and still find yourself at a standstill, Holafly's customer support team is your next best ally. Available around the clock via WhatsApp or live chat. They'll guide you through troubleshooting steps or issue new QR activation codes.
Holafly Review Summary
Having taken Holafly eSIMs with us across different countries over a few years now, we've seen firsthand how dependable they are for people constantly on the move. What stands out is Holafly's extensive coverage, ensuring we're connected almost anywhere we go, from city centers to more remote locations. Setting it up is refreshingly straightforward, no hassle involved, and if there's ever a glitch, their support team is on it.
It's true, Holafly doesn’t have everything—like hotspot tethering, which we missed on a few occasions. But, considering the big picture, the unlimited data access across borders more than makes up for these small shortcomings. For anyone working remotely or bitten by the travel bug, Holafly’s eSIM plans are definitely worth checking out.
Get 5% Off on All Holafly eSIMs
Use Code 'FREAKINGNOMADS' and Save on New eSIMs and Top Ups
Grab Your Discount Now!Ready To Try Holafly Yourself?
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