Holafly offers travel eSIM to 10 million people in 200 countries. The provider has apps for iOS and Android, and focuses on unlimited packages that cost around $4-7 per day. In this Holafly eSIM review, I will share the real-world tests of its networks, speed, and performance in the USA, Turkey, and China. I will also explain why the provider has a 4.3 out of 5 rating.
Holafly eSIM review TL;DR
For this Holafly app review, I used the provider during my trips in 3 countries earlier this year. Here is a quick overview.
- Trustpilot rating: 4.6/5 (April 2026).
- Best for: travelers who want unlimited data and don’t mind higher rates.
- My rating: 4.3/5.
Pros: no need to count gigabytes, thanks to unlimited plans. eSIM setup takes under a minute on iOS. Customer support connects to a live agent in 1-2 minutes.
Cons: speeds can drop at any time, and the provider doesn’t disclose the throttling threshold. In practice, the hotspot is limited to 1 GB per day, which may not be enough if you use a laptop and work on your trip.
My experience with Holafly
I downloaded the mobile app before traveling. It’s available on App Store and Google Play, though you can also buy plans on their website. The service is only data (no local phone number or SMS). I used messaging apps for calls and communication.
Plans
Holafly doesn’t have fixed plans. Instead, the provider has unlimited data for a set period. Plans range from 1 to 90 days. The price per day decreases when you add more days. If you used standard international plans with fixed traffic, the daily-based model can feel unusual at first.
The provider offers 4 plan types that vary by location logic.
- Country plans cover one destination.
- Regional plans work in multiple countries, e.g., Europe (30+ countries), Asia, Latin America, North America, and Africa.
- Global plans cover 160+ destinations on a monthly subscription.
- City plans look like they are supposed to cover specific areas: islands (Goa, Canary Islands), provinces (Alberta, British Columbia), the US states (Colorado, Florida), and cities (Dubai, Glasgow), but it looks like those pages are just created for SEO, because the prices, descriptions are exactly like the country where those cities are located. A bit confusing for users.
eSIM setup
I installed the plan on two devices: iPhone 15 Pro and Google Pixel 10. On iOS, the app set up the eSIM with one tap. On Android, I opened Settings → Connections → SIM Manager → Add eSIM and scanned the QR code. If scanning doesn’t work, use a manual activation code.
The plan activates only after the phone is connected to a network in the destination country. You can reinstall the eSIM on the same or a new device using a QR or manual codes. To extend the plan, add a top-up before it expires. Hotspot is allowed, but limited to 1 GB of data sharing per day.
Network and performance
The provider shows the local carrier network name on most country plan pages. For example, AT&T and T-Mobile in the USA. Regional plans (like Europe or North America) don’t show a carrier in advance.
What I noticed is that network carriers reduce speeds under heavy load. Based on user feedback, this usually happens after 3-5 GB per day. For navigation, messaging, and browsing, you likely won’t hit the limit, but streaming or work can use more data and get you in trouble with super-slow mobile internet.
Customer support review
I reached out to support via in-app chat, which is available 24/7. After I went through the automated bot screening (which was super-realistic and didn’t make me mad at AI), it took about 3 minutes to talk to an agent and a total of 8 minutes to get my message about a multi-country trip answered and to receive a 5% discount (you can use that method and chat to get a promo code for your trip too). The operator responses looked human with well-thought-out macro texts, so it was a good experience.
Holafly networks, speed, and prices in the United States, Turkey, and China
I tested the plans in February-March 2026 on iPhone 15 Pro and Google Pixel 10. I measured speeds outdoors, indoors, and in the subway. Since the provider charges by the day, it’s hard to compare prices with competitors. I also checked local operator coverage in advance via OpenSignal. Below are the rates for 7-day plans and the average speeds from my tests.
Note that this provider sells unlimited data plans and charges by day.
| Country | Networks | Speed | Price | Validity |
| USA | AT&T, T-Mobile | 160 Mbps | $27.30 | 7 days |
| Turkey | Turkcell, TT Mobil | 54 Mbps | $27.30 | 7 days |
| China | CMCC | 85 Mbps | $27.30 | 7 days |
Results vary by local network, location (city vs rural), and congestion.
USA
I had full bars in New York City, with 5G from AT&T. When I got to more rural locations, the network fell back on 4G LTE, and speeds got slower. Other than that, it was a smooth experience without sudden drops.
- Cost: 7-day plan for $27.30 ($3.90/day).
- Locations: New York City and rural areas of New York State.
- Devices: iPhone 15 Pro and Google Pixel 10.
- Network and speed: AT&T and T-Mobile as backup, with an average speed of 160 Mbps in the city.
- Usage: Google Maps, Lyft, WhatsApp calls, social media, Slack.
- Notes: coverage is strong in the city, but slower in rural areas.
Turkey
Setting up a plan for Turkey required preparations. In summer 2025, the Turkish regulator BTK (The Information and Communication Technologies Authority) blocked websites and apps of several international eSIM providers, including Holafly. The plans still work in Turkey, but only if installed before arrival. You also can’t extend the validity while in Turkey, so it’s best to get a few extra days.
- Cost: 7-day plan for $27.30 ($3.90/day).
- Location: Istanbul.
- Device: Google Pixel 10.
- Network and speed: Turkcell and TT Mobil. The average speed was 54 Mbps.
- Usage: Google Maps, taxi apps, WhatsApp, restaurant search.
- Notes: Install the plan before departure because the provider’s website and app are blocked in Turkey. After installing, the service worked without issues.
China
Most Western apps are unavailable in China due to the Great Firewall, so I installed the eSIM before arrival. Once connected, I had no issues accessing Google, WhatsApp, and Instagram. This is because the provider has a built‑in VPN.
- Cost: 7-day plan for $27.30 ($3.90/day).
- Location: Shanghai.
- Device: iPhone 15 Pro (iOS 26).
- Network and speed: CMCC, speed averages around 85 Mbps.
- Usage: local apps, WeChat, navigation, and hotel check-ins.
- Note: The plan includes a built-in VPN to help you bypass local blocks. Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube worked for me without a separate app. Speeds dropped in the evening.
Holafly Alternatives
Ohayu eSIM shows supported networks in advance, allows up to 5 reinstalls, and has no hotspot limitations. Saily covers 200+ countries, has a high rating on Trustpilot, and sells fixed data packages. Nomad has plans up to 12 months and low prices for Europe and Asia.
Ohayu eSIM
Ohayu is a Holafly alternative for cost-effective trips. It sells prepaid unlimited and fixed‑data country plans and a Global subscription. One of the main features is a multi-network focus. If one network has a weak signal, the profile might automatically switch to another provider. You can reinstall Ohayu eSIM up to 5 times on the same phone. Hotspot use is unlimited, with no speed caps on fixed-data plans. The service also offers support on the website and apps and has a 4.5/5 rating on Trustpilot.
Saily
Saily works in 200+ countries and has a 4.7/5 Trustpilot rating. It has both fixed-data and unlimited plans, and prices are lower than at Holafly. Unlimited plans are capped at 5 GB per day at full speed (Saily states this clearly, which Holafly does not). The app adds free security features, such as an ad blocker and web protection.
Nomad
Nomad has both fixed-data and unlimited plans, while Holafly only sells unlimited. Fixed plans start from 1 GB (good for short trips). Unlimited plans come in set durations that vary by country, unlike Holafly’s flexible 1-90 day range. Also, Nomad’s Global-EX plans last up to 12 months. It’s suitable if you travel slowly or visit multiple countries. Prices for Europe and Southeast Asia are competitive. Longer plans include discounts.
Final Verdict
The main benefit I noticed while making this Holafly eSIM review is its unlimited plans. You choose how many days you need and don’t worry about limits. On my 3 trips, it worked as promised. Setup was fast, support reached a real person in 1-2 minutes, and the China plan let me use blocked apps without extra tools.
But there are downsides. Hotspot is limited to 1 GB per day, which is okay for short sharing but not for regular laptop work. Also, the provider doesn’t say when it slows down. It suits those who want to land, connect, and not think about data. But if you work on trips or need full details upfront, compare it to digital nomad plans from other providers. We give Holafly a 4.3/5 rating.
