Saily vs Holafly: which eSIM provider is best in 2026?
Our in-house expert researchers and journalists conduct independent, unbiased testing of eSIM services, assessing their real-life effectiveness and usability.
By staying current with industry developments and openly sharing our transparent testing methodologies, we ensure readers receive accurate, up-to-date insights so they can make informed choices about eSIM solutions.
Learn more
Saily and Holafly are popular eSIM providers designed to keep travelers connected with fast internet worldwide. While both aim to simplify travel and eliminate expensive roaming charges, they have significant differences.
Saily is a rising newcomer backed by the NordVPN team, which creates user-friendly and secure apps for various destinations without breaking the bank. Holafly, on the other hand, stands out by offering unlimited data on country or regional plans. However, this convenience often comes with a higher price.
Both providers offer global coverage and unique perks, so choosing between them isn’t always simple. In this Saily vs Holafly comparison, I tried to list all the pros and cons of the providers for you to have a clear idea of which eSIM matches your travel style best.
Saily vs Holafly: overall comparison
Both eSIM services provide reliable global internet access but differ in price and plan flexibility. See the table below for details.
| Saily | Holafly | |
| Rating: | ||
| Overall rank: | #1 out of #11 | #8 out of #11 |
| Price: | $1.79 | $3.75 |
| Coverage: | 200+ destinations | 200+ destinations |
| Cellular networks: | 3G, 4G, 5G | 3G, LTE, 4G, 5G |
| Allow phone calls: | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Support mobile hotspots: | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| App: | The Saily app feels intuitive, with step-by-step setup guides that make activation easy even for first-timers. | Holafly’s app works fine, but it’s a bit more basic and less polished in comparison. Additionally, from time to time, some lagging occurs. |
| Customer support: | 24/7 live chat, email, FAQs | 24/7 live chat, email, FAQs |
| Coupon code: | Use Saily coupon code to get -5% OFF | None |
Both Saily and Holafly cover a wide range of countries and support 5G for fast, reliable connections – but Saily takes the lead with more competitive pricing. I also found that getting started with Saily was smoother, due to its user-friendly app and clear setup guides.
Saily eSIM
I like that Saily stands out among eSIM providers with a strong focus on privacy and security. It offers features like a virtual location, ad blocker, and web protection – all in one app. When you travel through different countries and switch from one Wi-Fi network to another, you realize how crucial privacy and security are to safeguarding your data. If you’re curious about all the provider perks, check out our Saily review.
I tested Saily during a trip to Kemer, Turkey, in April 2025. While activating my Saily plan, I ran into a few hiccups on my Android phone as it required some manual setting tweaks. Gladly, Saily’s support team was responsive and helped me sort it out quickly. Meanwhile, my iOS-using travel buddies had a seamless experience. They’ve just installed the app, bought a plan, and that’s it – instant connection upon arrival. We all enjoyed fast speeds and solid coverage, even with the Virtual Location feature turned on.
Holafly eSIM
Holafly is a popular eSIM provider, which offers only unlimited data plans. This makes it a go-to choice for travelers who don’t want to worry about running out of data. What also sets Holafly apart is the convenience – no complex configurations, just scan a QR code and go.
To test its unlimited data claims and usability, I tried Holafly during the same trip to Turkey. I appreciated the simplicity – especially on iOS, where the activation process was effortless. The coverage was solid throughout my stay, though the speeds could be better. There were occasional lags during my video calls. Also, Holafly doesn’t offer extra security features like a virtual location or ad blocker, which might be a dealbreaker for privacy-focused travelers.
One more security concern that I would keep in mind: I found a Reddit thread mentioning that Holafly routes some of its traffic through China Mobile’s network. It means that your data may be subject to different privacy standards than you might expect.
Saily vs Holafly: data plans and pricing
Saily keeps things budget-friendly, though its most plans come with a data cap. Only one plan is offered with unlimited data for 15 days. Holafly, on the other hand, goes all-in on unlimited data. However, you’ll pay a bit more for such flexibility. Here’s how their prices stack up across some of the most popular travel destinations:
| Local eSIMs plans for 7 days | Saily | Holafly |
| USA | $3.79 | $29.90 |
| Japan | $3.79 | $29.90 |
| UK | $4.27 | $29.90 |
| Italy | $3.79 | $29.90 |
| Mexico | $5.69 | $29.90 |
| France | $3.79 | $29.90 |
| Spain | $3.79 | $29.90 |
Saily offers one of the cheapest eSIM plans worldwide. In favored travel destinations, 1GB of data for 7 days starts from just $3.79, and it is at most $5.69 in countries with the most expensive internet access.
Holafly, on the other hand, has more expensive plans but without data restrictions. For example, its unlimited data internet access in Spain costs $29.90 for 7 days, compared to Saily's $3.79. To put things in perspective, you can afford an additional tasty meal in an excellent Spanish restaurant if you don't require more than 1GB of data during your trip.
I recommend Holafly for travelers who want to make video calls or do some streaming as these activities require more bandwidth. Simultaneously, you can get more data from Saily, costing $21.84 for 20GB in Spain, which is still more affordable if you stay within the limits. Additionally, Saily also offers a 15-day unlimited data plan for $47.49 – perfect if you want to browse freely without worrying about limits.
However, verifying available payment methods is essential before you depart if you need to order more abroad. Here are all the payment options these eSIMs offer.
| Payment methods | Saily | Holafly |
| Credit or debit cards | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| PayPal | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Apple Pay | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Google Pay | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Both providers support the same payment methods, including credit or debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. Still, when it comes to pricing, Saily often outshines the competition.
Saily vs Holafly: speed and coverage
The best eSIM services must ensure speedy internet access covering popular tourist destinations. Otherwise, you might get stuck with a slow or no internet connection abroad.
Good worldwide coverage is essential to provide the best prices from local mobile carriers. Additionally, you can move between countries without worrying about getting online.
Average speed
Connection speeds can vary a lot depending on the country, since both Holafly and Saily rely on local mobile carriers. That means your experience largely depends on the network quality in your location. The good thing is that both providers support LTE, 3G, 4G, and 5G.
One thing to keep in mind is that Holafly’s unlimited data plans might get throttled if your usage is unusually high – this is due to the local carrier’s fair use policy. I actually found some comments on Reddit that users experience very slow speeds occasionally.
Overall, while both providers support a wide range of network types, your connection speed will mostly depend on the local carrier's quality – and in some cases, especially with Holafly’s unlimited plans, you might notice occasional slowdowns.
Coverage
Regarding worldwide coverage, Holafly takes the lead. It covers 200 destinations and provides plans for entire regions like Europe or specific countries in the EU, like Estonia. The same applies to the US and its cities.
Saily provides country-level plans for 200+ destinations. Although its global reach is just as vast as Holafly's, the latter includes flexibility with more options. Furthermore, some of Holafly's city-level plans are cheaper than country-wide options.
Saily vs Holafly: user experience and customer support
I found both apps straightforward and user-friendly. Currently, Holafly's app is more feature-rich than the eSIM newcomer Saily. On the other hand, the latter's minimalistic design and in-app step-by-step activation guide are beneficial for eSIM beginners.
User experience
Holafly's app has four sections and opens to a shop screen with available destinations. Click on one to select your plan – the app will also warn you if your device is not compatible with eSIMs.
At the bottom are My eSIMs and Guides sections, which include plan details, installation instructions, and a Profile section with your information.
Similarly, Saily directs you to explore travel destinations in the shop if you still haven’t bought a plan.
Go to the eSIMs section to view your available plans. You can also check the Credits section to see any discounts you have. Like Holafly, Saily includes a Help page with FAQs and setup guides, plus a Profile section where you’ll find your personal details. Additionally, once you activate a plan in eSIMs, Saily issues helpful step-by-step instructions, making the process very easy.
Customer service
eSIM customer support must always be ready to assist travelers promptly. I contacted Saily's and Holafly's support via live chat and received answers within a few minutes, although Holafly misadvised us regarding phone number options but corrected the information when asked twice.
Both services have in-app 24/7 chat, email support, FAQ sections, and guides on getting started. Additionally, Holafly and Saily's websites offer blogs with tips and tricks for travelers.
Saily vs Holafly: additional values
Beyond the core eSIM functionality, Saily stands out with a few privacy-focused extras. Its Virtual Location feature masks your IP address and lets you browse from dozens of different countries – a handy option for staying private or accessing home content abroad. It also includes ad, tracker, and malicious site blocking, powered by NordVPN’s Threat Protection, which not only improves privacy but also speeds up browsing and can save mobile data.
Holafly, on the other hand, doesn’t offer any security tools, but it recently introduced a loyalty program – Holafly Travel Club – which gives returning users early access to promotions and discounts.
Holafly does allow hotspot sharing on some plans; however, due to its unlimited data model, hotspot use is capped at just 500MB per day. Saily, on the other hand, charges per GB, so you’re free to share your connection without daily limits – just keep an eye on your data usage, especially if you're streaming or tethering frequently.
While both apps make it easy to get connected, there’s still room for improvement on the flexibility front: neither provider currently offers top-ups or data extensions, and users are advised to purchase a new plan once the current one runs out.
Our verdict: Saily is the winner
In our comparison, Saily comes out on top due to its competitive pricing, intuitive app experience, and solid performance.
While testing both eSIMs, I looked at three key areas – price, speed, and app usability. Saily delivers excellent value with lower prices and an easy-to-navigate app that simplifies setup and management, especially for first-time eSIM users.
While Holafly holds its ground with truly unlimited data plans, it falls short on flexibility. If you’re a heavy internet user who needs constant data for streaming, uploading, or working remotely, Holafly’s unlimited plans might suit you better. But for most travelers, Saily’s reasonably capped plans offer plenty of data at a better price, making it the smarter choice for staying connected without overspending.
I recommend choosing Saily – unless you know you'll be burning through data daily, it's the better-value option for most travelers.
FAQ
Is Holafly or Saily better?
Saily is a better choice, as it offers lower prices and lets you use a hotspot without daily data cap limits. However, it limits its plans to GBs used. Holafly removes the data cap limits but charges extra, and the hotspot feature is only available on specific plans with a 500MB data limit.
Can Holafly be trusted?
Yes, Holafly is a trustworthy international eSIM provider that many tourists have already tested. Currently, it has tens of thousands of Trustpilot reviews and an excellent rating.
Is Saily worth it?
Yes, Saily eSIM services are worth the affordable prices. Saily offers speedy and reliable internet access in 200 countries starting from just $1.79, which is lower than the current eSIM market average.
What are the disadvantages of Holafly?
Holafly's limited hotspot traffic and steep prices are two setbacks to its unlimited data plans. However, unlimited data is a rare feature among eSIM providers and, for some, might be worth the extra cost. Plus, Holafly also supports making conventional phone calls.
