⚔️ Provider Comparison 2026
The Ultimate Battle: Airalo vs Holafly.
We tested both. Airalo is best for budget travelers. Holafly is best for heavy data users. Here's why.
💰 Best for Budget
Airalo
♾️ Best for Unlimited
Holafly
⚡ The Core Difference (This is Crucial)
The fundamental difference between Airalo and Holafly comes down to one thing: data model.
📦 Airalo = Fixed Data Packages
- • Buy exactly what you need (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB)
- • Cheaper per GB
- • Great if you have hotel/Airbnb Wi-Fi
- • Top up if you run out
- • More control over spending
Example: Europe 5GB/30 days = ~$13
♾️ Holafly = Unlimited Data
- • All plans are unlimited data
- • No stress about running out
- • Higher price point
- • Perfect for content creators / heavy users
- • May throttle after heavy usage
Example: Europe Unlimited/7 days = ~$27
📊 Head-to-Head Comparison
| Category | Airalo | Holafly | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| 💰 Price | $4.50 - $37 (per data package) |
$19 - $87 (unlimited plans) |
Airalo |
| 📊 Data Allowance | 1GB - 20GB (fixed packages) |
Unlimited (all plans) |
Holafly |
| ⚡ Speed | 4G/5G (varies by region) |
4G/5G (may throttle after high use) |
Tie |
| 📱 Tethering/Hotspot | ✅ Usually allowed (check plan details) |
⚠️ Often blocked (varies by destination) |
Airalo |
| 🌍 Countries | 200+ | 170+ | Airalo |
| 💬 Support | Email/Chat (12-48hr response) |
24/7 Live Chat (fast response) |
Holafly |
⚠️ The Hotspot Problem (Read This!)
Holafly often blocks tethering/hotspot on their unlimited plans. This is a dealbreaker for some travelers.
If you need to:
- Share your phone's data with a laptop
- Work remotely with a laptop tethered to your phone
- Connect a partner's phone via hotspot
...then choose Airalo. Most Airalo plans allow tethering.
Holafly's position: Tethering availability varies by destination. Check their FAQ before purchase if hotspot is essential.
🏆 The Verdict: Who Should Buy What?
🛒 Buy Airalo If...
- ✓ You want to save money and have Wi-Fi at your hotel/Airbnb
- ✓ You need to tether/hotspot to a laptop or other device
- ✓ You're traveling to a less common destination (200+ countries)
- ✓ You're comfortable topping up if you run out of data
- ✓ You mainly need data for maps, messaging, and light browsing
🛒 Buy Holafly If...
- ✓ You use Instagram/TikTok constantly and don't want to worry about limits
- ✓ You're a content creator who uploads daily
- ✓ You want peace of mind with unlimited data
- ✓ You need 24/7 support for quick help
- ✓ You video call family back home frequently
🎯 Still Can't Decide? Quick Answer:
How much data do you typically use per day on vacation?
📱
< 1GB/day
Maps, messages, light social
→ Airalo
📲
1-3GB/day
Heavy social, some video
→ Holafly
🎥
3GB+/day
Streaming, video calls
→ Holafly
❓ Airalo vs Holafly FAQ
Is Holafly really unlimited? Or does it throttle?
Holafly is "unlimited" but may reduce speeds after very heavy usage (50GB+ in some regions). For 99% of travelers, you won't hit this limit.
Can I use both Airalo and Holafly on the same trip?
Yes! Some travelers buy a cheap Airalo package as backup and use Holafly as primary. Just install both eSIMs and switch between them.
Which has better customer support?
Holafly wins with 24/7 live chat. Airalo's support is slower (12-48 hours) but still responsive.
Do both work on iPhone and Android?
Yes. Both Airalo and Holafly work on any eSIM-compatible iPhone (XR and newer) and most modern Android phones.