Holafly Unlimited vs. The Rest: I Tried Them All, and Most Are Overpriced Garbage
A deep dive into Holafly Unlimited.
Let's cut the crap: most eSIM providers are selling you the same basic connectivity wrapped in shiny marketing, and you're probably paying 30% too much for features you'll never use. I've been burned by slow speeds in Tokyo and hidden fees in Barcelona, and I'm here to tell you which ones are actually worth your money.
The Meat: Where Holafly Unlimited Actually Matters
First, the big one: unlimited data isn't really unlimited. Holafly's "Unlimited" plan throttles you after 20GB in most regions—they bury this in the fine print, and it's a classic bait-and-switch. But here's the kicker: competitors like Airalo and Nomad often cap you at 5-10GB for the same price, then charge insane overage fees. At least Holafly's throttle is still usable for maps and messaging; I've had Airalo cut me off completely mid-video call in Berlin, which almost cost me a client presentation.
Second, the app experience is trash across the board, but Holafly's is slightly less painful. I spent 10 minutes trying to find the "activate eSIM" button in Nomad's app—it's hidden under three menus with inconsistent icons. Holafly at least gives you a QR code upfront, but their dashboard still feels like a 2015 WordPress theme. If you're not tech-savvy, you'll waste an hour setting this up.
💡 Pro Tip: Always download your eSIM and activate it BEFORE you board the plane. I learned this the hard way when Holafly's server timed out at a sketchy airport Wi-Fi in Bangkok, leaving me stranded without directions for 45 minutes.
The Data: Raw Comparison
| Feature | Holafly Unlimited | Airalo | Nomad | Ubigi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (7-day Europe) | $47 | $26 (5GB cap) | $30 (10GB cap) | $39 (10GB cap) |
| Data Throttle | After 20GB | Hard cap at 5GB | Hard cap at 10GB | After 10GB |
| Regions Covered | 150+ countries | 190+ countries | 165+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Hidden Fees | None (but high base price) | Overage fees up to $10/GB | Activation fee in some apps | None |
| Speed Reliability | Good in cities, spotty rural | Unpredictable, often slow | Decent but inconsistent | Best for Japan/US |
The Verdict: Stop Wasting Your Money
Buy Holafly Unlimited if you're a heavy data user (streaming, video calls) traveling to 1-2 countries for over a week, and you can stomach the premium price. Otherwise, avoid it—for short trips or low usage, Airalo or Nomad are cheaper, even with their caps. Just don't expect any of these to be perfect; they're all flawed cash grabs in a market that needs a real killer.
