Holafly eSIM review: Is it worth using?

What is Holafly?

Holafly is one of the oldest and biggest eSIM providers in the world. Founded in 2017, the service presents itself as “best travel eSIM” with more than 1 million eSIM app downloads on Google’s Play Store alone. As a leader of the eSIM industry, Holafly provides users with unlimited data plans allowing online connections without the need to use a physical SIM card, pay roaming charges, or depend on public Wi-Fi hotspots.

It’s important to note that Holafly (like a majority of eSIM providers) doesn’t provide its own mobile connections. Instead, it partners with local carriers to rent bandwidth and provide users with mobile data. 

Pros and cons of a Holafly eSIM

While Holafly is undeniably among the top choices for travelers looking to stock up on mobile data, the app (and service) still has some shortcomings. Here are the biggest pros and cons of Holafly.

Pros

Holafly comes with attractive benefits, particularly its data plans and hotspot features. Here’s a closer look at each of Holafly’s pros: 

• Unlimited data plans. One of the biggest advantages of Holafly is that its users don’t have to worry about running out of mobile data. The service provides an unlimited data plan in every supported country that activates upon arrival. In addition, Holafly’s data plans are time based, meaning users have to choose the number of days (from 1 to 90) they’ll be using the eSIM for before purchasing the plan.

• User-friendly app. Holafly’s app has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for customers to find and purchase preferred data plans. The app also provides an easy eSIM installation and setup process both manually (typing in eSIM activation code) and automatically (by scanning the eSIM QR code).

• Hotspot option. Holafly allows users to share their mobile eSIM data with others by providing a hotspot feature. With it, travelers can use their Holafly eSIM to browse the internet with more than one device. However, Holafly eSIM hotspots limit data usage from 500 MB to 1 GB daily, which may not be ideal for users that prefer using mobile data for video calls or large file downloads.

• 5G compatible. As one of the top eSIM providers worldwide, Holafly provides 5G connections in the territories where such connection is available. However, even with this feature Holafly, like other eSIMs, might sometimes suffer from connectivity issues due to reasons such as heavy network usage or local carrier network disturbances.

Cons

While Holafly has attractive benefits, its cons might discourage some users from trying this eSIM provider. Here are the biggest cons of Holafly: 

• High prices. Holafly’s unlimited data plans, while convenient, come with a higher price in the most literal way. Pricier than the majority of its competitors, Holafly’s data plans start from US$5.90 for one day of unlimited data (this one, in particular, for the Switzerland plan only) and may not be as attractive to those who like to save money while traveling.

• Limited use cases. While unlimited plans sure sound great, customers that are prone to using less data when traveling may find them excessive. And with the lack of 1 GB or 3 GB data plans, users can only save money by joining the Holafly Travel Club — the loyalty club that rewards its members with HolaCoins (an in-app currency accumulated through cashback and referrals). Other than that, the service only provides monthly 10 GB and 25 GB subscriptions, which may be too much for users interested in lower amounts of mobile data.

• Issues with speed and latency. While Holafly’s user reviews on TrustPilot are overwhelmingly positive, even some of the 5-star ratings point out slow speeds and connection issues. And while mobile internet speeds are highly dependent on local infrastructure, it appears Holafly’s latency may be higher than that of the other eSIM apps.

The TrustPilot ratings were checked on Holafly’s TrustPilot page on April 30, 2025. This information is subject to change.

Holafly eSIM review

Before reviewing Holafly, let’s take a look at its base features and capabilities. Here’s an overview of Holafly’s service compared to Saily — one of Holafly’s top competitors, made by the creators of NordVPN.

The information about eSIM features in this comparison was last verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites on April 30, 2025.

*According to the information collected from official Holafly’s website on April 30, 2025, Holafly’s US$5.90 price applies to the one day unlimited data plan for Switzerland only. 

**According to the information collected from official Saily’s website on April 30, 2025, Saily’s US$1.99 price applies to the 1 GB plan for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic (Czechia), and Mayotte only. 

How does Holafly work?

Holafly works like any other eSIM app. The user downloads the Holafly app from the Play Store or App Store and installs it on their device. After that, they choose the country they are planning to travel to and purchase an eSIM plan via the app. 

Before using the eSIM, customers also have to install and activate the eSIM on their device. They can do so by enabling eSIM in their device settings and activating the data plan either by scanning the QR code they got by email or by manually typing in the activation code. The app may also ask users to log in before allowing them to manage their eSIM.

Plans

Besides its default unlimited data plan, Holafly offers the monthly subscription service Holafly Connect. It provides users with additional 10 GB and 25 GB options that renew every 31 days (according to the information on Holafly’s official website), until the subscription is cancelled, or the payment method fails.

Holafly’s unlimited data plans include 200+ destinations that come in three categories: cities, countries, and regions (such as Europe or Asia). Holafly’s regional plans include territories such as:

• Europe.
• Asia.
• North America.
• Latin America.
• The United Kingdom.
• The Caribbean.
• The Middle East.
• Africa.

It’s important to note that regional plans may not include all the countries situated in said region. Therefore, before picking your plan, you should carefully check if it covers all the countries you’ll be visiting. In addition, picking a standard city plan may come in set blocks of time (for example, five days) instead of an optional 1 to 90 day plan.

The information about Holafly’s eSIM plans was last verified on the eSIM provider’s official website on April 30, 2025, and is subject to change.

Pricing

Holafly’s unlimited data plans start at US$5.90 (for 1 day) with a lower daily price for each additional day. For those using Holafly connect, the price jumps up to US$39.90 (10 GB), US$49.90 (25 GB), and US$64.90 (unlimited GB) monthly.

Network speed

Overall, Holafly’s network speed highly depends on the local carrier that rents the bandwidth. The service supports 3G, 4G, and 5G connections. However, some TrustPilot user reviews suggest that even then, the network speed is less than ideal. Some of these network issues can be solved by contacting Holafly’s customer support, yet overall it seems the eSIM provider still has some kinks to sort out.

Customer support

Holafly’s customer support offers 24/7 service available via email, live chat (on Holafly’s website), and WhatsApp (by texting the number +1-661-384-8482). According to some customer reviews found on TrustPilot, Holafly’s support is quick in its response time and often provides helpful solutions that can sometimes turn refund requests into happy customers.

Additional features

In terms of additional features, Holafly doesn’t seem to include benefits that would make it stand out from other eSIM providers (besides unlimited data plans). Sure, it can offer corporate clients a business profile option allowing access and management of eSIMs for business travel — however, that’s not a unique feature.

Comparing Holafly vs. Saily, it quickly becomes obvious that Holafly has little to offer in terms of security features, such as those found in the Saily eSIM app. Regardless, even without these additional features, Holafly seems to be doing well, being among the top eSIM apps in the world.

How to set up Holafly on your phone

Setting up a Holafly eSIM data plan on your phone is easy. While the steps may differ depending on your phone model, the basic instructions are generally the same. Here’s how to set up Holafly on your phone according to the instructions found on the provider's website.

1. 1.Download the Holafly app from the App Store or PlayStore.
2. 2.Open the app find the preferred data plan, and purchase it (you can use debit or credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal)
3. 3.If you’re using Android, open your phone’s SIM manager in the device's settings and tap “Add eSIM” to begin eSIM installation. Skip this step if you’re an iPhone user.
4. 4.The service will then send an eSIM activation QR code to your email. Scan it with your phone to begin installing eSIM in your phone. If you can’t use a QR code, enter the activation code (attached to your email) manually.
5. 5.Follow the instructions in the device to set up your eSIM connection.
6. 6.Once finished, you should see the data plan in your Holafly app. The app may ask you to log in to manage your eSIM.

PRO TIP: Remember, eSIM activates automatically upon arriving at the destination. Internet connection is required for eSIM installation. Therefore make sure to set up your eSIM before leaving for your trip.

Is Holafly worth it?

If you’re a frequent traveler that likes to surf the web extensively, download large files, or have video calls while abroad, Holafy may be worth the money. However, those who prefer spending less money and using less data are likely to benefit from other eSIM options. Additionally, Holafly’s alleged connectivity hiccups may sour an experience for impatient customers, further prompting them to consider alternatives.

If you’re looking for a pocket-friendly eSIM provider, Saily (or other low-cost eSIM provider) might be a good choice. While it doesn’t provide unlimited data plans, Saily offers affordable eSIMs tailored to your mobile surfing needs. With additional safety features (such as virtual location and ad blocker) and data plans ranging from 1 GB to 30 GB, Saily is a smart alternative to those who’re looking to save money and stay online on their journeys. For more information about the pros and cons about the Saily eSIM service, you can check out our Saily review.

Information in this article was collected in April 2025 and was accurate at the time of writing.