Saily vs. Holafly: Which eSIM delivers the better value for travelers?

Mobile phone companies used to hold customers to ransom. Travelers needing internet access abroad had to pay roaming charges and settle for their provider's speeds or data usage limits. The eSIM industry has disrupted this arrangement, driving down the cost of using data overseas.

eSIMs enable internet connectivity without physical SIM cards. Like SIM cards, eSIMs connect with local networks. However, customers don't pay roaming fees and can choose packages based on how much data they need.

Saily and Holafly are two leading eSIM vendors, and you've probably encountered both brands during travel planning. But which eSIM is the best option? This article will explain what to expect from both brands, the key differences, and how to make the right selection.

What is Saily and how is it related to NordLayer?

Saily is an affordable new eSIM provider offering global coverage in over 200 destinations and flexible data plans. Saily's eSIMs allow travelers to guarantee fast mobile data when they arrive at new destinations.

With eSIM plans in reserve, customers don't need to worry about purchasing data after touching down. There's no need to rely on expensive roaming plans, either. With a Saily mobile data plan, you can enjoy affordable data when and where needed.

For those who don't know yet, Saily is part of the Nord Security family of tech and security products. This gives Saily access to technical expertise and extra security features.

What is Holafly eSIM?

Holafly is a Dublin-based company that has supplied eSIMs since 2017. The brand is known for its unlimited data plans, extending across over 200 global destinations. Holafly's plans follow a pay-per-day model, with a limited choice of packages. This limited model can lead to higher than average prices, although the Holafly Travel Club delivers discounted eSIM plans for regular customers.

Saily vs. Holafly general comparison

Saily was founded in 2024, making it a newcomer on the eSIM scene. Holafly is well-established, but it is not necessarily the better option for your next trip.

Saily and Holafly offer distinctive services to slightly different audiences. The brand you choose depends on your traveling style and budget, but both companies are worth checking out. Let's dig into the differences to make your eSIM purchasing easier.

Disclaimer: The information in this comparison table below was last verified on the eSIM providers’ official websites on April 16, 2025.

Disclaimer: According to information collected from the Saily website on April 16, 2025, Saily’s US$1.99 price applies to the 1 GB plan for Bulgaria, the Czech Republic (Czechia), and Mayotte only.

Disclaimer: According to information collected from the Holafly website on April 16, 2025, Holafly’s US $6.90 price applies to the 1 GB plan in countries such as Germany, USA, Turkey, China, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Switzerland.

The information collected above was accurate as of April 16, 2025, and shows a few important differences between Saily and Holafly. We'll get into the details in a moment. However, we can offer a few general pointers based on the table above.

Saily's flexible data plans suit short-term travel, while Holafly is ideal for longer visits. Holafly's exclusive emphasis on unlimited data plans aims at heavy data users who will happily spend more for peace of mind. Saily's flexibility and low costs accommodate streaming abroad while keeping costs low - a better fit for general vacationers.

Saily vs. Holafly coverage

Now, let's look a little deeper, starting with data coverage. Both eSIM services cover over 200 destinations worldwide. Saily and Holafly eSIMs will work in most major tourist destinations and plenty of countries travelers rarely visit.

Holafly offers packages for countries, regions, US states, and selected cities, a neat touch for customers visiting Barcelona or Berlin. However, city plans do not offer coverage within the same country. To explore Madrid or Seville, you need a national eSIM for Spain.

Saily offers national, regional, and global plans. The global eSIM does not technically work worldwide, covering 113 destinations. However, it gives users maximum freedom to roam across borders without worrying about smartphone data.

There are a few coverage details worth noting. Holafly offers some packages that Saily does not. For example, with Holafly, you can purchase eSIMs for China, Macau, and Hong Kong. Saily sells separate eSIMs for all three regions. Unlike Saily, Holafly also covers Russia and Iran.

Then again, Saily serves some countries missed by Holafly, including South Sudan, Samoa, and Zimbabwe. The mix of covered destinations changes occasionally (so check before purchasing). The table below details basic coverage as of April 2025:

Saily vs. Holafly data plans and pricing

Saily and Holafly differ dramatically regarding data plans and pricing models. Saily is all about flexibility. Options vary between destinations, but data limits range from 1 GB to 100 GB, and package durations also vary from one week to 365 days.

Holafly is more restrictive about how customers buy data. All Holafly eSIMs come with unlimited data plans, and the vendor does not offer budget packages. Customers purchase unlimited plans and choose the length of their coverage. There's no upper limit on package duration, and you pay for every day of eSIM activation.

Holafly's data model results in higher prices across the board. This comparison table for one-month eSIMs shows how the brands differ:

Disclaimer: The information in this comparison table below was last verified on eSIM providers’ official websites as of April 16, 2025.

Overall, Saily's approach results in better value for most customers. Buyers can pay for what they need and save money for vacation spending. Holafly's unlimited mobile data plans ease worries about running out of data. However, users risk overspending if their data needs fluctuate daily.

While Holafly focuses on unlimited data plans, but Saily now offers them in select countries—including France, Germany, and the U.S.—starting at $49.99 for 15 days.

Saily vs. Holafly activation process overview

The last thing travelers need when getting used to a new destination is a complex eSIM activation process. Fortunately, both Saily and Holafly make it easy to get up and running.

However, Saily offers a few features to simplify movement between regions and countries.

Disclaimer: The information in this comparison table below was last verified on eSIM providers’ official websites as of April 16, 2025.

With both Holafly and Saily, users can activate eSIMs via QR codes or in the app. Activation takes a few seconds, and coverage begins instantly.

That's great, but what if you need to activate eSIMs for different countries? If you travel from Italy to Germany with Holafly, you must activate separate eSIMs for each country. Saily avoids this problem with a one-time eSIM installation.

Moreover, Saily and Holafly automatically activate your eSIM upon arrival, which reduces stress during travel. Small conveniences like this can make a big difference when you're dealing with airport transfers or hotel check-ins.

Saily vs. Holafly speed and performance

Coverage, generous data limits, and affordable prices matter when buying an eSIM, but less so if the service is constantly sluggish.

Both Saily and Holafly rely on local network providers, and connection speed is partially out of their control. Holafly works with 4G and 5G providers, while Saily works with 3 G and LTE networks. In practice, the network speed should be roughly similar, as both rely on local infrastructure.

Feedback from Holafly customers highlights another potential drawback: throttling. Reviewers often note sharp drops in network speed after reaching certain data usage thresholds. The official Holafly site advertises its products as "unlimited", but that is not always how it feels to users.

Saily vs. Holafly security and safety

Security is an area where Saily stands out, and Holafly lags a little. Saily benefits from Nord Security's experience. eSIM users can engage a reliable ad blocker and web protection features to avoid malware or surveillance.

Saily users can also combine their eSIM technology with VPN coverage to change their virtual location, which is a great way to work around geo-blocks and access content from your homeland.

Holafly has none of these extra security features, although you can use eSIMs with third-party virtual private networks. If security is a priority or you want to access content in other countries, we recommend trying Saily.

Saily and Holafly customer support

Sometimes things go wrong. eSIM services fail to connect, speeds struggle above the bare minimum, and refunds don't materialize. When problems arise, good eSIM providers field queries and respond immediately. But how do Saily and Holafly perform in this critical area?

Disclaimer: The information about eSIM features in this comparison table below was last verified on eSIM providers’ official websites as of April 16, 2025. Since this information is subject to change, we recommend visiting respective websites for the latest details when making a purchase.

In short, you're pretty well covered during emergencies.

Both companies enable 24/7 customer support via eSIM apps, live chat, and email. Neither offers in-person telephone contact, although Holafly lets customers connect through WhatsApp.

Both providers are active on social media, where representatives should respond promptly. And there are useful help databases on the service providers official websites.

Additionally, both companies reward loyal customers. Saily runs a referral program, providing $5 in credits for every successful sign-up. The Holafly Travel Plan goes even further, delivering cashback and free SIMs for repeat purchasers and offering a similar referral bonus.

What customers are saying about Saily vs. Holafly

Finally, it's worth checking customer feedback to understand what it's like to use Saily and Holafly eSIMs. Both Saily and Holafly tend to attract positive feedback, with strong ratings and plenty of satisfied customers on their respective Trustpilot pages.

Negative feedback for both companies often mentions compatibility issues (although Holafly and Saily explain that eSIMs do not work with all mobile devices). Some customers mention issues with Holafly discount codes and the throttling we noted earlier. However, both vendors have earned their high ratings.

Saily vs. Holafly: Conclusions

Saily and Holafly are market leaders in the eSIM world. Both services span the globe, allowing travelers to work around roaming charges. Both have impressive customer feedback records, strong customer service, and easy-to-use apps. Even so, buyers need to make their own decision.

In our opinion, Saily is the better eSIM option for a couple of reasons. First, Saily is a more secure service. Users can block ads and threats, and easily use a different virtual location when needed. That's harder with Holafly, which also has no extra security features.

Saily also matches quality global coverage with affordability. Saily eSIM services will usually cost less when visiting a country for a short period. Holafly is great for high-volume data users, but an expensive choice for general travelers.

Disclaimer: This article is informational and compares Saily and Airalo’s eSIM business-to-consumer services. Please note that if you want to purchase Saily for business purposes, the pricing and offerings may vary to suit your organization's needs better.