Holafly eSIM for USA: Our Honest Review and Setup Guide
When you land in a new country, the last thing you want is to deal with the chaos of SIM card salespeople at the airport. In my early days as a digital nomad, haggling with them was just part of the routine—annoying, but necessary to stay connected.
These days, thanks to eSIMs offered by a range of quality providers, the whole SIM card circus is mostly a thing of the past. And among these providers, Holafly consistently gets top marks.
In this article, we'll explore Holafly's eSIM plans for the USA and share our first-hand experiences using them in Miami, Orlando, Houston, and Portland. Let's get started!
Holafly USA eSIM: What’s in the Offer?
With global coverage in more than 210 destinations, Holafly offers a dedicated USA eSIM that’s perfect for digital nomads flying stateside.
Here’s what you can expect from the Holafly USA eSIM:
- Unlimited data plans: Enjoy a single data option—unlimited—which is perfect for digital nomads and remote workers needing constant connectivity.
- Top-tier carrier: In the USA, Holafly uses AT&T as its primary mobile carrier, offering fast and reliable 3G/4G/LTE/5G connectivity.
- Easy setup: Simply input your destination (USA) and trip length on the Holafly app or website, and Holafly will calculate the best price for your eSIM.
Holafly USA eSIM Pricing and Packages
Speaking of prices, Holafly’s USA eSIM pricing is based on trip length, with unlimited data included in all plans. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:
| Number of Days | Data Allowance | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Unlimited | $20.90 |
| 7 | Unlimited | $29.90 |
| 10 | Unlimited | $36.90 |
| 15 | Unlimited | $50.90 |
| 20 | Unlimited | $61.90 |
| 30 | Unlimited | $74.90 |
| 60 | Unlimited | $106.90 |
| 90 | Unlimited | $139.90 |
As one of the top providers in the eSIM market and among the few eSIMs offering unlimited data, we decided to put the eSIM to the test across Miami, Orlando, Houston, and Portland.
How Does the Holafly eSIM for the USA Work?
We have used the Holafly eSIMs countless times. Whether traveling Europe, the UK, Japan, or China - the Holafly eSIM is among our first choices.
It was, therefore a no-brainer to use, test, and ultimately review the Holafly USA eSIM in our trip across Miami, Orlando, Houston, and Portland.
Holafly USA: eSIM Purchasing Process
Purchasing the eSIM follows much of the same pattern as any quality eSIM.
- First, you have to open the Holafly mobile app, and select “USA” among their popular data plans. This opens the USA eSIM page and is packed full of useful information about the product.
- Next, you’ll need to select the number of days and number of SIMs required for your trip. In our case, as we were traveling between Miami, Orlando, Houston, and Portland - we selected a total of 90 days.
- You continue to the checkout, enter your email address and payment details, and then confirm the order.
The eSIM is then emailed over to the address provided, ready for installation.
Holafly USA: eSIM Installation and Activation Process
Following the purchase, Holafly will email a QR code within minutes to the address provided.
There are three main installation methods used by Holafly: Automatic, QR code, or Manual.
Automatic eSIM Installation
- Head to the Holafly app. The app will automatically select the most suitable installation method for your device. If using an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or later, the automatic installation will be available.
- Choose “Install and Activate” and select “Continue” to begin the installation.
- Confirm the installation by choosing “Continue” once more.
QR Code
If the automatic installation process is unavailable or is not working, the eSIM can be installed with the supplied QR code.
- To activate the eSIM with a QR Code, head into the “Mobile Data / Cellular” settings, choose “Add Data Plan”, and scan the QR code provided. Use a printout, another device, or - if using Apple products with iOS 17 or later- a screenshot of the QR code provided.
- Once installed, users should follow the on-screen instructions to set preferences and name the eSim. Your device may allow multiple eSIMs to be used at the same time.
Manual eSIM Installation
Although not our favorite method, you can also manually install the eSIM if you’d like. Here’s how:
- Navigate to “Mobile Data” or “Cellular” settings and choose “Add eSIM”.
- Select “Use QR Code” and, instead of scanning a QR code, tap on “Enter the details manually”.
- You will need to input the SM-DP+ address and activation code provided by Holafly in the email.
- Complete the installation by following the prompts to finish setting up the eSIM on your device.
iPhone users who would like to learn more about the installation process can use the below video:
Alternatively, for Android users:
Using Holafly eSIM for the USA: Our Experience
We purchased and fully set up our Holafly eSIM the day before heading out on our trip across Miami, Orlando, Houston, and Portland.
After touching down in Miami, the airplane mode was turned off and we had data almost instantly. But just how fast was our eSIM during the trip? The results speak for themselves:
| Location | Speed | Connection details |
|---|---|---|
| Miami | 48.34 Mbps (download) / 12.86 Mbps (upload) | Speeds are generally good but can slow down during peak hours |
| Orlando | 64.22 Mbps (download) / 10.11 Mbps (upload) | Reliable connection with occasional fluctuations in certain areas |
| Houston | 96.44 Mbps (download) / 11.98 Mbps (upload) | Strong and consistent speeds across most neighborhoods |
| Portland | 28.44 Mbps (download) / 10.33 Mbps (upload) | Speeds can be slower, especially in suburban and rural areas |
Throughout the trip, the eSIM performed faultlessly. Unlimited data is always a real treat, although we did notice some slowing during peak hours.
Although we predominantly stayed in the larger cities and built-up areas, we didn’t notice too much spotty signal or unreliable service. The internet connection remained strong and stable throughout the length of our trip, with the usual fluctuations in some areas.
We never needed to contact the customer support team, but knowing that they were available 24/7 is a comforting bonus. Overall, we would highly recommend the eSIM for digital nomads.
Pros and Cons of Holafly eSIM for the USA
We’ve looked at the details of the Holafly eSIM for the USA - but should you purchase one for an upcoming trip?
Below we’ve listed both the pros and the cons of the Holafly eSIM from our personal experience in the USA.
No eSIM provider is perfect and Holafly is no exception. Sure, there are a small number of things that fall on the negative side, but the pros far outweigh the cons. For us, it is absolutely one of the best eSIM providers for US travel.
Are There Any Alternatives to Holafly for the USA?
Holafly is the only eSIM brand on the market that offers exclusively unlimited data packages, but there are a handful of other quality providers that are also valid options for a US trip. Airalo, Jetpac, and Gigsky, all offer fantastic solutions.
Airalo
Airalo is Holafly’s biggest competitor and one of the top choices for digital nomad eSIMs both globally and in the USA. The Airalo USA eSIMs are offered in packages of different sizes/durations. Although Airalo is certainly cheaper than Holafly, it only offers a few unlimited data packages, so if data is a concern for you (like it’s usually for us as digital nomads ourselves), then Holafly is a better choice.
Jetpac
Jetpac is an eSIM company produced by Circles, a Singapore-based tech giant, offering one SIM with the power to tackle 100+ countries including the United States.
There is a variety of eSIM packages offered. Users can choose a global, regional, or single-country data plan to best fit their needs. Plans start at just $1 and there are plenty of additional benefits, including complimentary airport lounge access. However, they are still the new kids on the block, so Holafly would be a slightly better choice if you are going for a well-recognized eSIM brand that you can trust.
Gigsky
Gigsky offers another great alternative for data-only eSIMs that are perfect for digital nomads. A range of different plans can be found for specific countries and regions - but there’s also the option to purchase packages for cruises, offshore/north sea, and inflight scenarios, which is something that we really appreciate about this eSIM provider.
Gigsky is also the first Apple eSIM partner, so they represent a good alternative to Holafly although Holafly wins in terms of pricing here.
Holafly USA eSIM Review: The Bottom Line
The Holafly USA eSIM is a fantastic option for those searching for an unlimited data eSIM with ultra-reliability. Holafly is a hugely trustworthy company with a fantastic reputation, 24/7 customer support, and a great product that you can rely on as a digital nomad.
But their eSIMs aren’t for everyone. At €69.00 for a 30-day unlimited data SIM, those who rarely surpass their data caps will find the Holafly overkill. Additionally, as mobile numbers are not offered with Holafly anymore, those relying on their eSIM to make calls may be disappointed with the service. If you’re a light data user or require a mobile number, the Holafly eSIM might not be the eSIM for you.
If you’re regularly using your data for remote work (like us), streaming, socials, and more - the unlimited package will be well worth the price tag.
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