Holafly's data-only eSIM service stands out from the pack thanks to its global unlimited data plan, making it an excellent choice if you're a frequent international traveler or plan to visit multiple countries in a single trip. We like its simple installation and impressive data speeds, though it is priced higher than many rivals, and its required companion app can be a bit buggy. Holafly makes sense if you need gobs of data around the globe, but it's also worth considering GigSky or Saily, which have better apps and potentially lower rates in your destination of choice.

Plans and Supported Phones

Holafly covers more than 250 destinations, spanning six regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, and Oceania. The service offers unlimited data in over 99.9% of its destinations, though speeds and network quality depend on the local provider. Holafly doesn’t guarantee connection availability, and its terms note that "unlimited" plans may be subject to fair use policies and potential speed reductions depending on the carrier.

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In the US, Holafly plans start at $6.90 for one day of service for a single user. Per-day prices drop if you buy a longer-term plan. For example, a two-day US plan costs $9.90 ($4.95 per day), while a 30-day plan is $74.90 ($2.50 per day). A 90-day plan costs $139.90, which brings the daily rate down to just $1.55. The process to buy a plan is straightforward: Choose your destination, select your travel dates, and decide how many eSIMs you need. Holafly supports purchases for multiple travelers in one order.

Holafly's US pricing is more expensive than other data-only service providers like GigSky (1 day for $4.99, unlimited data), Nomad (1 day for $4.00, 1GB plus unlimited data at 512Kbps), and Saily (1 day for $3.99, limited to 1GB).

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You can purchase global data by the day, and the more you buy, the cheaper it gets. A one-day global unlimited data plan costs $9.90, a 10-day plan costs $64.90 ($6.49 per day), and a 30-day plan costs $162.90 ($5.43 per day). But if you need more than a few weeks, Holafly also offers monthly global plans at a much lower cost: 10GB for $39.90, 25GB for $49.90, or an unlimited global data plan that's currently listed at a "launch price" of $64.90 per month. Holafly wouldn't elaborate on how long the launch price will be valid or what its service will cost after the promotional period ends. The company says you can cancel a monthly plan at any time, but check the terms and conditions for the specifics to avoid any billing surprises.

For comparison, GigSky offers 5GB for 30 days at $77.49, while Nomad's global plans offer 5GB for 30 days at $36. Holafly does not have similar data caps, and its unlimited worldwide plan means globe-trotters are always covered wherever they go.

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Holafly does not include a phone number with its plans; it strictly sells data-only eSIMs. The Holafly website is laid out clearly and includes details like its global network partners under each plan’s Technical Specs section. In the US, Holafly uses a combination of T-Mobile and Verizon’s networks.

Once you've installed and activated an eSIM on your device, you can't transfer it. You can store an unactivated Holafly eSIM on your device indefinitely, but once activated, the validity period starts immediately and cannot be paused.

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As with other eSIM providers, to use Holafly, your phone must be unlocked and eSIM compatible. Most recent models from Apple, Samsung, and Google support eSIM, but it’s best to check Holafly’s compatibility page if you’re unsure. If you mistakenly attempt to install an eSIM on a locked or incompatible device, Holafly will issue a refund. The company’s generous six-month refund policy also covers cases where you no longer need the service or encounter connection issues at your destination. For help, Holafly offers 24/7 support via live chat and a WhatsApp contact number at the top of its website.

Setup

To get started with Holafly, download the free app for Android or iOS and sign up for an account. The app is laid out logically with tabs for Shop, My eSIMs, Guides, Travel Club (a rewards program), and Profile. Once you’ve selected and purchased a plan, you’ll receive a confirmation email with a QR code for installation. You’ll need an internet connection to complete the process, so make sure to install the eSIM before your trip.

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Scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to begin setup. In our test, the eSIM installed without issue and was ready to go within a few minutes. If you run into problems connecting to the network, Holafly recommends checking your phone’s settings to ensure data roaming is enabled.

Service

Installing the Holafly eSIM on a Samsung Galaxy S24 was simple. After activating the eSIM and restarting the phone, I was online within minutes.

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I began testing by downloading 6GB worth of Netflix videos. While doing so, I tried to open the Holafly app to check my data usage, but it failed to load and showed an error stating "You don’t have an internet connection." Despite the warning, the Netflix downloads continued. I had no trouble browsing the web or streaming music. After force-quitting the Holafly app and relaunching it, the app worked as expected, at least for a while. I had to force-quit the app a number of times during testing to get around freeze-ups and crashes, though my data connection remained steady.

(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)

While using the service in New York City, the Netflix app displayed content that's unavailable to US subscribers. In the picture above, I had access to "WWE WrestleMania 41," which is available on Peacock in the US, but not on Netflix. International Netflix subscribers, however, do have access to "WWE WrestleMania 41." An IP search confirmed that my connection was routed through Singapore, and Ookla’s Speedtest app identified the carrier as China Mobile HK. (Note: Ookla Speedtest is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)

Holafly explained that this behavior is rare but can happen occasionally due to how its global partnerships route traffic based on network availability and performance. Holafly maintains that this has no effect on connection quality. Just keep in mind that even though you may be physically in one location, your device may serve you content from another region.

(Credit: Iyaz Akhtar)

Performance was otherwise stable. I ran multiple speed tests on different days. Download speeds ranged from 43.9Mbps to 48.5Mbps, while upload speeds ranged from 14.0Mbps to 37.8Mbps. Those speeds are more than sufficient for downloading large files, streaming, video calls, and browsing the web.