Holafly Alternatives for US Travel: 6 Options Compared

Traveler choosing an eSIM in a hotel room

The best Holafly alternative depends on how much data a trip needs. Holafly sells unlimited data by the day. A fixed-data eSIM costs less for most trips, because most travelers use a few gigabytes, not unlimited. eSIMGlobe is the option we recommend: prepaid data-only eSIM plans for 170+ countries, from $2.50 for the United States, with both standard and unlimited plans, so the traveler picks the plan type instead of being locked into one.

This guide compares Holafly with Airalo, Saily, the three big US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T) and eSIMGlobe. It covers price, speed, hotspot, calls and texts, and the trips where each option fits.

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TL;DR

  • Holafly is built around unlimited data priced per day. It suits heavy users on short trips, and it costs more for light users.
  • Fixed-data plans are cheaper when usage is moderate. In the research below, Saily starts at $3.99 and Airalo at $4.50 for 1 GB for 7 days in the US.
  • eSIMGlobe offers standard and unlimited plans in one store: USA from $2.50, Europe (30+ areas) from $2.60, Japan Unlimited from $5.50. Delivery is by email, with QR code activation.
  • Carrier plans from Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T make sense for stays of several weeks or more, or when a US phone number is required.
  • Check the phone first. It must be eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked.

Table of Contents

Why travelers look for a Holafly alternative

Four reasons come up most often.

  1. Price for light use. Unlimited plans charge for the ceiling, not for actual use. A traveler who needs maps, messaging and email pays for capacity that goes unused.
  2. Plan structure. Per-day pricing rewards a fixed number of days. Trips with a variable length fit less well.
  3. Hotspot and tethering. Laptop users need to know whether sharing a connection is allowed and how much of the allowance it uses.
  4. Region coverage. A trip through several countries needs a regional or global plan, not several single-country ones.

None of these makes Holafly a poor product. Its speeds in independent testing are strong, as the next section shows. The point is fit: the right plan depends on the trip.

How the main options compare

The table uses published figures from an independent US test and from eSIMGlobe’s own offer list. Prices change often, so confirm the current figure on each provider’s page before buying.

Option Plan type US entry price Average US test speed (down/up) Notes
eSIMGlobe Standard and unlimited, data only From $2.50 Not part of the independent test 170+ countries, regional and global plans, instant email delivery
Holafly Unlimited by day Priced per day count 80/22 Mbps Unlimited focus
Airalo Fixed data, optional voice/SMS $4.50 for 1 GB, 7 days 80/22 Mbps North America plan covers Canada and Mexico
Saily Fixed data $3.99 for 1 GB, 7 days 60/18 Mbps Hotspot supported, no voice or SMS
Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T Carrier prepaid or tourist plans Varies by plan Network owners Best for long stays and US numbers

Speed and price figures for Holafly, Airalo and Saily come from Freaking Nomads’ US eSIM tests. Its testers reported averages of about 80/22 Mbps for Holafly, 80/22 for Airalo and 60/18 for Saily, measured as download/upload. Those numbers are close enough that speed alone rarely decides the choice. Price, plan type and support do.

Holafly: what it does well and where it falls short

Holafly is known for unlimited data plans sold by the number of days. Its independent speed results are among the best in the test above, and the plan is simple to understand: choose a duration, pay, install.

The trade-offs are structural:

  • Cost per day. Unlimited data is priced above fixed-data plans for the same trip, so a light user subsidizes capacity they do not need.
  • Fixed duration. The plan is bought for a number of days. A trip that runs longer means buying again.
  • One plan idea. If unlimited is the wrong shape for the trip, there is little else to choose.

For a heavy user on a week-long trip, Holafly can be a sound choice. For anyone else, an alternative that offers both shapes is easier to justify.

eSIMGlobe: standard and unlimited plans in one place

eSIMGlobe sells prepaid, data-only eSIM plans. There are no subscriptions. The traveler selects a country or region, pays once, and receives the eSIM by email. The store covers 170+ countries and supports several currencies (USD, EUR, GBP) and languages.

What the traveler gets:

  • Both plan types. Standard plans for moderate use and unlimited plans for heavy use, often for the same destination. For the US there are eSIM USA plans and an eSIM USA Unlimited plan.
  • Low entry prices. Current starting prices, published as one-off payments: United States from $2.50, Thailand from $2.50, United Kingdom from $2.90, Spain from $3.20, China from $3.50, Italy from $3.90, Brazil from $4.00.
  • Regional plans. Europe (30+ areas) from $2.60, Asia (7 areas) from $3.60, South America (15+ areas) from $8.70, Caribbean 20+ from $9.00.
  • Unlimited options by region. Japan Unlimited from $5.50, Thailand Unlimited from $5.00, Australia & New Zealand Unlimited from $8.80, UAE Unlimited from $9.90, India Unlimited from $10.00, North America Unlimited from $10.30, Europe (30+ areas) Unlimited from $8.20.
  • Fast delivery. eSIMGlobe states that the eSIM arrives in under 30 seconds, with QR code activation.
  • Support. Support runs 24/7 with a stated average response under 2 minutes, and a money-back guarantee applies if the network fails.
  • Security. Payment is secure and uses telecom-grade encryption.

The plans are data-only. Calls and texts go through apps such as WhatsApp, FaceTime or the traveler’s home number over Wi-Fi calling.

The “from” prices are entry prices for the smallest plan. Larger allowances and longer validity cost more, and the product page lists every option with its price.

Where eSIMGlobe fits best

  • First-time eSIM users. Delivery by email and a QR code remove the guesswork.
  • Light and moderate users. A standard plan covers maps, messaging and email without paying the unlimited premium.
  • Heavy users. An unlimited plan is there when streaming, video calls or hotspot work are expected.
  • Multi-country trips. One regional or global plan replaces several single-country ones. See the eSIM Global (130+ areas) plan.
  • Travelers who want a guarantee. The money-back policy for network failure lowers the risk of a first purchase.

Airalo and Saily: fixed-data alternatives

Both sell fixed-data plans, which suit travelers who can estimate their needs.

Airalo. The Freaking Nomads test lists US plans from $4.50 for 1 GB for 7 days, with optional voice and SMS, and a North America plan for trips that include Canada or Mexico. It was the testers’ pick for simplicity.

Saily. The same test lists US plans from $3.99 for 1 GB for 7 days and found connections stable across several US cities. Hotspot use is supported. There is no voice or SMS.

Compared with these two, eSIMGlobe’s US entry price is lower at $2.50, and it adds unlimited plans and regional options in the same store. Before buying any of them, compare equal allowances and validity, not the headline price alone.

Entry prices for three US travel eSIMs

US carriers: Verizon, T-Mobile and AT&T

Local carriers are the other real alternative, and they work differently from travel eSIMs.

  • Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T. These own or lease the networks. They offer prepaid plans with a US phone number, voice and text, and sometimes better rural coverage.
  • Sign-up friction. Prepaid carrier plans can need a US address, a payment method accepted by the carrier, or a store visit. Activation takes longer than a travel eSIM.
  • Cost. A monthly prepaid plan makes sense for stays of a month or more. For a one- or two-week trip it costs more than a travel eSIM.

Travel eSIM providers use these same networks. Freaking Nomads reports that Nomad, another provider it tested, connects through AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in the US. Holafly’s coverage, per the sources above, comes from partner networks too. The practical question is which network the plan roams on and how coverage looks where the trip goes, so check the plan details for the specific areas.

For a visitor staying under a month, a travel eSIM from eSIMGlobe is the faster and cheaper start. For a long stay or work that needs a local number, a carrier plan is the better fit, and an eSIMGlobe plan still works as a bridge for the first days after landing.

Perspective: how we pick a plan

We sell both standard and unlimited plans, so we have no reason to push one over the other. The question we ask every traveler is how much data the trip really uses.

Most trips use less than people expect. Maps, messaging, ride apps, a few photo uploads and e-tickets add up to a modest total. Video calls and streaming change the picture quickly. A traveler who streams on the train or works from a laptop on hotspot should choose unlimited and stop watching a meter. Everyone else is better off with a fixed plan that costs less.

The second question is the route. A trip through several countries is where regional and global plans earn their price. A single-country trip is simpler and cheaper with a country plan.

The third question is the number. If a bank, a landlord or a delivery service needs to reach the traveler by text, a data-only eSIM does not replace the home SIM. Keep the home SIM active as a secondary line and use the eSIM for data. That is the setup we recommend most.

A good plan is the one that matches the trip, and we would rather a traveler buy a smaller plan that fits than a larger one that does not.

— Daniel

Which option fits which trip

Trip Best fit Why
3 to 7 days, city break, light use eSIMGlobe standard plan Lowest entry price, enough data for maps and messaging
7 to 14 days, heavy use, hotspot work eSIMGlobe unlimited plan No allowance to monitor
Several countries in one trip eSIMGlobe regional or global plan One install, one payment
Short trip, only unlimited will do Holafly or an eSIMGlobe unlimited plan Compare the total price for your number of days
Stay over a month, US number needed Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid Local number, voice and text
Trip that includes Canada or Mexico eSIMGlobe USA & Canada or North America plan Single plan for border crossings

Cost example: a 7-day trip

A worked comparison shows why plan type matters. Take a week in the US with maps, messaging, a few video calls and photo backups.

  • Moderate use, a few gigabytes. A fixed plan covers it. At the entry level, Saily’s published US plan costs $3.99 for 1 GB and Airalo’s $4.50 for 1 GB, both for 7 days. eSIMGlobe’s US plans start at $2.50. Larger allowances cost more at each provider, so compare the same number of gigabytes.
  • Heavy use. A traveler who streams and tethers a laptop should price the unlimited tier. Compare the seven-day total from Holafly with the eSIMGlobe USA Unlimited plan, using the current prices on each product page.

The lesson holds across providers: price the trip’s real usage, then compare the total, not the daily rate.

What to check before you buy any eSIM

  1. Device support. The phone must support eSIM. Apple lists iPhone XS, XS Max, XR and later models as supported in its eSIM setup guide. Android support varies by model, so check the manufacturer’s page.
  2. Carrier lock. A phone locked to a carrier will often refuse a foreign eSIM. Ask the carrier to unlock it before the trip.
  3. Network and coverage. Check which networks the plan uses in the destination.
  4. Hotspot rules. Confirm tethering is allowed and whether it counts against the allowance.
  5. Validity. Know when the plan clock starts: at purchase, at install or on first connection.
  6. Top-up and refund terms. Know what happens if the plan runs out mid-trip, and what the guarantee covers.

How to install and activate an eSIM on iPhone

The steps are similar across providers. Install the eSIM before the flight, while on Wi-Fi.

  1. Buy the plan and open the email with the QR code.
  2. Open the Camera app and scan the QR code, or go to Settings, Cellular, then Add eSIM.
  3. When the Cellular Plan Detected notification appears, tap it and follow the prompts, as Apple’s guide describes.
  4. Label the line, for example “Travel”.
  5. Keep the home line as the default for calls and texts, and set the travel eSIM for cellular data.
  6. On landing, turn on the travel eSIM line. Turn off data roaming on the home line so the home carrier does not bill for data abroad.

Android menus differ by brand but follow the same logic: add a mobile plan by QR code, then select it for mobile data. For a longer walkthrough, see our international traveler eSIM workflow and eSIM travel tips.

Is there an eSIM that works globally?

Yes. Global plans cover many countries with one profile. eSIMGlobe sells eSIM Global (120+ areas) and Global (130+ areas) plans, with unlimited versions such as eSIM Global (120+ areas) Unlimited.

Global plans trade price for convenience. A destination-specific plan is usually cheaper per gigabyte, so it is the better choice when the trip stays in one country or one region. A regional plan, such as eSIM Europe (30+ areas) from $2.60 or eSIM Asia (7 areas) from $3.60, is the middle path for a trip across neighboring countries. Use a global plan when the route spans continents.

Business travel and convenience

For business travelers, connection reliability matters more than a few dollars saved. Arriving with data already working removes the airport SIM kiosk, the roaming bill and the hunt for Wi-Fi. Hospitality and travel writers make the same point about convenience in business travel: small frictions add up over a trip. An eSIM installed before departure is one of the simplest ways to remove them. For frequent flyers, an unlimited plan for the main destination and a regional plan for side trips cover most itineraries.

Travelers booking a longer itinerary should also compare travel insurance options in the same planning session as connectivity. Both are costs worth settling before departure.

Get an eSIM for your trip

Choose the destination and the plan type on eSIMGlobe. Standard plans start at $2.50 for the United States. Unlimited plans start at $5.00 for Thailand and $5.50 for Japan. Delivery is by email with a QR code, and the money-back guarantee applies if the network fails.

For more comparisons, read our guides to affordable eSIM alternatives to Airalo and the best eSIM for travelling.

FAQ

What is the best alternative to Holafly?

For most travelers it is eSIMGlobe. It offers standard and unlimited plans for 170+ countries, with US plans from $2.50 and instant email delivery. A traveler who needs a local number for a long stay should look at Verizon, T-Mobile or AT&T prepaid plans instead.

Do I turn off roaming when using an eSIM on my iPhone?

Turn off data roaming on your home line, and use the travel eSIM line for cellular data. This keeps your home carrier from billing for data abroad. Calls and texts to your home number still arrive on the home line if it stays active, and your carrier can confirm its own roaming charges.

Is there a downside to an eSIM?

Travel eSIMs are data-only, so they do not come with a phone number for calls and texts. The phone must also be eSIM-compatible and carrier-unlocked. Moving the plan to another phone is usually not possible once it is installed, so install it on the phone you will carry.

Is there an eSIM that works globally?

Yes. Global eSIM plans cover 120 or more areas with one profile, and eSIMGlobe sells them in standard and unlimited versions. A country or regional plan is usually cheaper if the trip stays in one place.

Is Holafly faster than the alternatives?

In the Freaking Nomads US tests, Holafly and Airalo both averaged about 80 Mbps down and 22 up, ahead of Saily at about 60/18. Speed depends on the network and location, so price and plan type usually decide the choice.

Sources