December 19, 2025
7 min
Holafly eSIM review
Discover our review of Holafly eSIM: reliable but expensive and slow to respond to customer support requests. Compare it with voilà, the ideal alternative for staying connected while traveling.
eSIM vs. JUNE 2026 Comparison
Saily vs. Holafly: Which eSIM provider is the best in 2026?
After comparing official prices with user feedback, we make a decision.
Saily and Holafly are among the best-known travel eSIMs in 2026, but they have different market positions. Holafly has become the global leader in time-based unlimited plans, while Saily is the eSIM launched by Nord Security (NordVPN) with a strong focus on security and privacy (anti-malware, ad blocking, data leak alerts). Holafly is this year’s big winner when comparing the two services in terms of overall experience and perceived value.
Despite this, a comparison of official rates and user reviews reveals that Holafly offers significantly better value for money than Saily for most standard travel profiles. Continue reading this Saily vs. Holafly comparison to discover why Holafly is the best choice for about 70% of travelers in 2026, and in which specific cases Saily remains a viable option (particularly when safety is a priority).
Rony
April 22, 2026
Updated: June 2026
15 min read
Résumé express
Saily vs. Holafly: At a Glance
Holafly is the clear winner of the 2026 awards, having won 6 out of 10 categories: unlimited data, 24/7 multilingual support, more consistent speed, mobile app, refund policy, and overall value.
Saily comes out on top in four specific areas: lower starting prices on fixed-data plans, unlimited device sharing on data plans, built-in security features (anti-malware, ad blocker, data leak alerts), and NordVPN’s reputation for privacy.
Two things to watch out for: Holafly’s “unlimited” plan is subject to a Fair Usage Policy that throttles speeds after 2 to 5 GB per day, and data sharing is capped at 500 MB per day on standard plans. With Saily, once you reach your data limit, you have to purchase a new plan, and some security features are available only as paid add-ons.
Choose based on your profile: Holafly is ideal for short stays, multi-country trips, or travelers who don’t want to worry about daily data usage. Saily is perfect for travelers concerned about security, existing NordVPN customers, or those who want an eSIM with built-in security features.
An alternative to consider: a travel eSIM like voilà, which offers transparent pricing, data sharing included with all plans, no blocked apps, and live customer support.
Scoreboard
Rankings for the 10 rounds
Before getting into the details, here is a summary of the results for each category tested:
- 01Admission pricesSailySailyStarting at $3.99 (1 GB for short stays)HolaflyStarting at $6.90 (1-day unlimited pass)
- 02Unlimited dataHolaflySailyVirtually absentHolaflyYes, more than 200 destinations
- 03Global coverageHolaflySaily190+ destinationsHolafly260+ destinations, local and global maps
- 04Network speedHolaflySailyVaries by local carrierHolaflyStable, premium operators
- 05Internet sharingSailySailyAvailable on volumeHolafly500 MB/day on the unlimited plan
- 06Customer SupportHolaflySailyIn-app chat + email, varying response timesHolafly24/7 Chat + Multilingual WhatsApp
- 07Mobile appHolaflySailyGood, built-in securityHolafly4.7/5, built-in guides, and polished UX
- 08Built-in securitySailySailyAnti-malware, ad blocker, data leak alertsHolaflySwitchboard operator, no extras
- 09Refund PolicySailySaily30-day money-back guaranteeHolaflyConsistent, clear, 3 to 7 days
- 10Total valueHolaflySailySafety-conscious tipHolaflyConsistent premium service
Final score
4–6
Final score: Holafly wins in 6 out of 10 categories—with a clear lead in unlimited data, customer support, coverage, and value. Saily wins in 4 categories: entry-level pricing, unlimited device sharing, built-in security, and a 30-day refund policy.
Round 1
Prices and packages
Saily is inherently cheaper than Holafly for small volumes because it offers fixed-volume plans starting at 1 GB. This has been its pricing model from the start.
Saily
Saily PackagesSaily offers fixed-data plans (1 GB, 3 GB, 5 GB, 10 GB, 20 GB, and one-time unlimited) with durations ranging from 7 to 30 days, depending on the destination. Prices start at around $3.99 for a 1 GB short-term plan. Saily natively includes security features inherited from NordVPN (Nord Security): protection against malicious websites, ad blocker, and data leak alerts.
Holafly
Holafly PackagesHolafly offers a simple plan: you choose the number of days (from 1 to 90), and data is unlimited for the entire period. For frequent travelers, Holafly Plans offers monthly plans starting at $39.90/month (10 GB) up to $64.90/month (unlimited with extended hotspot sharing).
Direct price comparison (June 2026)
| Destination (7 days) | Saily | Holafly | Ideal Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | ≈ $6–$9 (1–3 GB) | ≈ $29.90 (unlimited) | Saily for light use |
| Japan | ≈ $6–$9 (1–3 GB) | ≈ $29.90 (unlimited) | Saily for a short stay |
| United Kingdom | ≈ $5–7 (1–3 GB) | ≈ $29.90 (unlimited) | Saily: Data Mastery |
| France | ≈ $4–7 (1–3 GB) | ≈ $29.90 (unlimited) | Saily, if used properly |
| Europe (10 GB) | ≈ $22–$30 (30 days) | ≈ $74.90 (unlimited for 30 days) | Saily if volume is known |
| Comprehensive Plan (10 GB) | ≈ $30–$50 | ≈ $84 (unlimited) | Saily for multiple countries |
The detail that makes all the difference: if your usage is light or occasional (under 5 GB per trip), Saily remains the more economical option. However, as soon as you want to stop worrying about daily data usage, Holafly becomes the better value, because one or two Saily top-ups often cost as much as a multi-day Holafly plan.
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
Round winner·Saily
Saily is the better choice for occasional use and short trips. Holafly is the better choice for unlimited use or short day trips.
Round 2
Global coverage and regional plans
Saily lists approximately 190 destinations, while Holafly covers over 260 countries directly. Holafly has the edge in terms of breadth and quality of service.
Saily
Saily CoverSaily covers approximately 190 destinations through its partnership with Nord Security and a network of local operators. Coverage is robust in major destinations (Europe, North America, East Asia, and Southeast Asia). Regional plans are competitively priced.
Holafly
Holafly CoverHolafly operates in over 260 destinations with its own exclusive plans, negotiated directly with local operators. Holafly’s global plan covers 113 countries simultaneously. Quality is consistent across the brand: no matter where you are, you’re dealing with the same Holafly and receiving the same guarantees.
Round winner·Holafly
Choose Holafly for its extensive global coverage. Choose Saily if your trip is to major popular destinations.
Round 3
Unlimited data and usage limits
That’s the main reason travelers choose Holafly. The entire brand is built around unlimited usage by duration, whereas Saily primarily offers fixed-volume plans.
Saily
Unlimited plans at SailySaily offers a few unlimited plans for certain popular destinations, but the bulk of its catalog consists of fixed-data plans (1 GB to 20 GB). When unlimited plans are available, they often come with a daily limit on full-speed data, which is more restrictive than Holafly’s Fair Usage Policy.
Holafly
Holafly UnlimitedAll Holafly standard plans offer unlimited data. You pay by the day, not by the gigabyte. It’s this simplicity that appeals to millions of travelers every year, especially those who aren’t tech-savvy and don’t want to keep track of their data usage down to the last byte.
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
Round winner·Holafly
Holafly by far. Unlimited is a built-in feature available in over 200 destinations.
Round 4
Internet sharing
When it comes to connection sharing, Saily has the edge. This is one of the few areas where Holafly objectively lags behind.
Saily
Saily Sharing: Open Source by DesignAt Saily, since most plans offer a fixed data allowance, there are no contractual restrictions on data sharing for the majority of plans. The gigabytes are yours to use however you like—share them between your phone, laptop, and tablet.
Holafly
Holafly data sharing: 500 MB per day limitHolafly's standard unlimited plans include a data-sharing limit of around 500 MB per day. Once that limit is reached, the hotspot stops working until the next day. For phone use only, this limit isn't a problem. But for someone who connects their laptop to work, 500 MB can be used up in just 30 minutes of video conferencing.
Round winner·Saily
It's clear. Free data sharing on all fixed-data plans, with no daily limit.
Round 5
Security, Privacy, and App Blocking
When it comes to built-in security, Saily has the edge over thanks to its Nord Security DNA. This is its clearest point of differentiation from the eSIM competition.
Saily
Safety at SailySaily natively includes security features inherited from Nord Security (NordVPN, NordPass): protection against malicious websites, ad and tracker blocking, and alerts in the event of a data breach. For travelers who regularly connect to public Wi-Fi networks or want extra protection while abroad, this is a real plus.
Holafly
Safety at HolaflyHolafly adheres to the security standards of a standard eSIM: carrier-level encryption, no storage of communication content. It does not include any dedicated security features beyond what is strictly necessary. For advanced protection, you should use Holafly in combination with a VPN or another third-party service.
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
Round winner·Saily
Saily focuses clearly on built-in technical security. Combine it with voilà to ensure access to apps.
Round 6
Streaming, video conferencing, and heavy use
Both services support streaming and video calls, but they have very different features: Saily has a data cap, while Holafly limits data speeds once a daily threshold is exceeded.
Saily
Streaming with SailyYou pay for a set amount of data. With a 10 GB plan over 30 days, you can watch about 10 to 15 hours of Netflix in HD before you run out. Then you’ll need to top up or wait. The advantage: no speed throttling—you keep your full speeds right up until the very end.
Holafly
Streaming with HolaflyUnlimited data = you can watch Netflix, YouTube, and Twitch as much as you want, until the Fair Usage Policy kicks in. In practice, 2 to 3 hours of HD streaming per day is still comfortable. Beyond that (continuous 4K streaming, massive cloud backups), speeds slow down and the experience deteriorates.
Everyday use cases
| Use cases | Saily (10 GB) | Holafly (unlimited) |
|---|---|---|
| GPS + 30 days of messages | ≈ 3 GB used, OK | OK, unlimited |
| 1 hour of HD streaming per day | Recharge required halfway through the trip | OK, under FUP |
| 3 hours of Zoom per day | ≈ 13 GB, 2x data top-up | Data cap may apply on certain days |
| Laptop tethering | Free | Limited to 500 MB per day |
Round winner·Holafly
Holafly for easy mobile streaming. Saily for professional video calls with unlimited data sharing—as long as you keep your data usage in check.
Round 7
Network Speed and Performance
Holafly is generally seen as offering a more consistent experience than Saily, particularly in mature markets (Western Europe, North America, Japan, and Korea).
Saily
Why Saily is more variableSaily relies on a network of local partner operators, which vary by country. Service quality depends entirely on the underlying operator. In urban areas with good coverage, speeds are generally good. In rural areas or countries that are lower priority, the experience may suffer.
Holafly
Why Holafly is more stableHolafly negotiates directly with premium carriers (NTT Docomo in Japan, T-Mobile in the United States, Vodafone in the United Kingdom, and SK Telecom in South Korea). You have access to the best local networks no matter where you go. The Fair Usage Policy may slow down heavy users who exceed the threshold, but the base speed remains excellent and consistent.
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
Round winner·Holafly
Holafly for predictability and consistent quality. Saily if you’re staying in well-served urban areas at major destinations.
Round 8
Customer Support
In terms of customer support, Holafly is pulling ahead of Saily. This is also the most important factor when things go wrong during a trip.
Saily
Saily SupportSaily uses an in-app chat system and email tickets, without a dedicated WhatsApp channel. Response times are decent but inconsistent: several user reviews report response times ranging from a few hours to a few days, depending on the situation. Saily benefits from Nord Security’s mature and professional support infrastructure, but lacks Holafly’s 24/7 multilingual support.
Holafly
Holafly SupportHolafly offers 24/7 live chat accessible via the app and website, with support available in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Portuguese. A dedicated WhatsApp channel allows you to contact support even when your eSIM isn’t working (via your physical SIM card). Typical response times range from a few minutes to a few hours.
Refund Policy
| Saily | Holafly |
|---|---|
| 30-day money-back guarantee | A unified policy across the board |
| If not activated within 30 days | Refund if not activated within the specified time frame |
| Typical turnaround time: 5 to 10 days | Typical turnaround time: 3 to 7 days |
| Primary Support | Multilingual (EN, ES, FR, DE, IT, PT) |
| No 24/7 live chat | 24/7 Chat and WhatsApp |
Round winner·Holafly
Holafly, clearly. 24/7 multilingual chat and WhatsApp versus primarily asynchronous support.
Round 9
Mobile App and User Experience
Holafly has the edge when it comes to the mobile app. Its app is polished, highly rated, and offers built-in guides, whereas Saily emphasizes its security features with a less immersive user experience.
Saily
The Saily appThe Saily app lets you purchase, install, and manage your eSIMs directly from your smartphone, with the added bonus of built-in Nord Security features (anti-malware, ad blocker, data breach alerts). The experience is decent, but the user experience is geared more toward power users than Holafly. Rated 4.4/5 on the App Store.
Holafly
The Holafly appA clean, well-rated app (4.7/5 on the App Store, 4.6/5 on Google Play). It features guided onboarding, step-by-step setup guides for each device (iOS, Samsung, Pixel, Xiaomi, other Android devices), and a downloadable PDF guide for use when offline. The experience is designed for non-technical travelers who are new to eSIMs.
Round winner·Holafly
Holafly, clearly. An app designed for the general public, not for security power users.
Verdict final
Final verdict: Saily or Holafly in 2026?
After comparing the 10 categories, Holafly comes out on top in most of them—with a clear lead in unlimited data, customer support, coverage, and overall value. Saily wins in terms of entry-level pricing, unlimited hotspot sharing, built-in security, and its 30-day refund policy.
For the vast majority of travelers (about 70% of users), Holafly is the best choice in 2026. The higher cost compared to Saily is justified by the quality of the experience: a truly responsible end-to-end operator, 24/7 multilingual support via WhatsApp, one of the best apps in the industry, and unlimited data in over 200 destinations.
Saily remains a great choice in two specific scenarios: either you’re already a Nord Security customer (NordVPN, NordPass) and want an eSIM that integrates seamlessly with your security stack, or you travel frequently and want built-in protection (anti-malware, ad blocker) without having to combine multiple services.
PodiumFinal podium
- #2voilà
The balance between price, connection sharing, support, and zero restrictions
2e - #1Holafly
Consistent premium service, 6 out of 10 categories
1er - #3Saily
The built-in security choice for those concerned about privacy
3e
voilà — Here are the figures (June 2026)
- 1
More than 175 destinations worldwide
- 2
Plans ranging from 1 to 50 GB with some of the lowest prices per GB on the market
- 3
No blocked apps (TikTok, banking apps, WhatsApp, Asian payment apps)
- 4
Responsive, human customer support
- 5
4.7/5 on the App Store and Google Play based on over 100,000 reviews
Ready to compare prices for your next destination?
Explore the voilà plansFAQ: Saily vs. Holafly
Rony is our in-house travel-connected expert. Always curious and never too far from an airport, he explores the latest destinations while testing the newest eSIM solutions. He signs our articles on travel and mobile technology, with a single mission: to turn his discoveries into clear, reliable, and smart advice to accompany you anywhere in the world.
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