Short answer: Holafly sells only unlimited-data eSIMs, so the fair test is unlimited against unlimited. On 17 October 2026, eSIM Signal's unlimited plans were cheaper than Holafly's in 22 of 24 matching plans across Italy, the USA, Japan, Turkey, Thailand and Europe, by between 8% and 43%. Holafly was cheaper only for 30-day unlimited in Italy (about 11%) and, by less than 1%, in Turkey. Holafly's strengths are a long refund window, 1 GB of free monthly backup data and the comfort of never counting gigabytes. If you do not need unlimited data, eSIM Signal's fixed-data plans cost a fraction of any unlimited plan.
Holafly vs eSIM Signal at a glance
Both sell prepaid travel eSIMs that you install before the trip and that connect to a local network when you arrive. Your usual SIM stays in the phone. Beyond that, the two work quite differently.
- Plan types: Holafly sells unlimited data only, priced by the number of days. eSIM Signal sells fixed-data plans from 1 GB and unlimited plans in most destinations.
- Hotspot: Holafly lets you share 1 GB per day from an unlimited plan, so a 7-day plan includes 7 GB of sharing. eSIM Signal plans allow hotspot use. On our unlimited plans, data you share counts toward the daily fair-use allowance.
- Backup data: Holafly includes Always On, 1 GB of free backup data each month in 150+ countries while you keep the eSIM installed. eSIM Signal has no equivalent.
- Top-ups: Holafly plans are sold by length, with nothing to top up. With eSIM Signal you add data to the same eSIM in a few taps, or turn on automatic top-up.
- Refunds: Holafly gives you up to six months to request a refund in the cases its policy lists. eSIM Signal refunds before activation only, within 24 hours of purchase.
- Coverage: Holafly lists 200+ destinations. eSIM Signal covers 210+ countries.
- Payment: eSIM Signal charges in euros and takes cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay and PayPal.
Holafly unlimited prices vs eSIM Signal
We compared the public euro price of each unlimited plan on both websites on 17 October 2026, for the same destination and the same number of days. How much less eSIM Signal cost:
- Italy: 7 days 12% less and 15 days 11% less. For 30 days, Holafly was about 11% cheaper. See Italy plans
- USA: 7 days 41% less, 15 days 43% less, 30 days 24% less. See USA plans
- Japan: 7 days 27% less, 15 days 29% less, 30 days 12% less. See Japan plans
- Turkey: 7 days 20% less and 15 days 19% less. For 30 days, Holafly was less than 1% cheaper. See Turkey plans
- Thailand: 7 days 34% less, 15 days 35% less, 30 days 13% less. See Thailand plans
- Europe (regional plans): 7 days 24% less, 15 days 27% less, 30 days 10% less. See Europe plans
The pattern is clear: on trips of one to two weeks, eSIM Signal's unlimited plans were cheaper everywhere we looked. On month-long trips the gap narrows, and in Italy Holafly comes out ahead.
Do you actually need unlimited data?
Holafly's model makes sense if you would otherwise worry about running out. But most travellers use far less than they expect. Our guide to how much eSIM data you need puts normal holiday use at 3–5 GB a week, and light use with maps and messaging at about 1 GB a week.
That changes the price picture completely:
- A week in Italy with normal use: eSIM Signal's 5 GB, 7-day plan cost about 77% less than Holafly's 7-day unlimited plan.
- Two weeks in Thailand with heavier use: our 10 GB, 15-day plan cost about 84% less than Holafly's 15-day plan.
If you do run low, you top up the same eSIM in a few taps, and we email you when you have used 80% of your data.
Hotspot, fair use and speed
If you plan to work from a laptop, the hotspot rule matters more than the headline. Holafly caps sharing at 1 GB a day. With an eSIM Signal fixed-data plan you can share the whole allowance, so a 20 GB plan gives your laptop up to 20 GB.
All unlimited travel plans, from both companies, sit under a fair-use policy, and very heavy use can be slowed. Holafly says any fair-use slowdown on its plans is temporary and resets the next day. Our explainer on what unlimited really means explains daily allowances and throttling.
Where Holafly is the better choice
- You want a generous refund window. Holafly offers up to six months to request a refund for a change of plans, an incompatible device or connection problems, subject to its conditions.
- You like having backup data. Always On keeps 1 GB a month available between trips.
- A month of unlimited data in Italy, where Holafly's 30-day plan was cheaper than ours.
- You never want to think about data and do not need to share much of it.
Where eSIM Signal is the better choice
- Unlimited trips of one to two weeks. Cheaper in every destination we checked.
- Laptop work over hotspot. Share your whole fixed-data allowance instead of 1 GB a day.
- Light and normal data users. A fixed-data plan costs a fraction of any unlimited plan.
- Families. Buy up to five eSIMs in one order, each with its own install link.
Holafly vs Airalo vs eSIM Signal
Many travellers weigh Holafly against Airalo as well. In the same check on 17 October 2026, Airalo's unlimited plans were cheaper than Holafly's in all six destinations, for both 7 and 30 days. eSIM Signal was cheaper than both for 7-day unlimited in all six. Our Airalo vs eSIM Signal comparison has the full figures.
How we compared: we used the public euro prices shown on the Holafly and eSIM Signal websites on 17 October 2026, for the same destination and number of days. Prices change often, so treat the percentages as a snapshot and check the live price before you buy. Holafly is a trademark of its owner. eSIM Signal is not affiliated with Holafly.
Frequently asked questions
Is eSIM Signal cheaper than Holafly?
For most trips, yes. On 17 October 2026, eSIM Signal's unlimited plans were cheaper than Holafly's in 22 of 24 matching plans, by 8% to 43%. Holafly was cheaper only for 30-day unlimited in Italy and, by less than 1%, in Turkey. eSIM Signal's fixed-data plans were cheaper still.
Is Holafly really unlimited?
Holafly sells unlimited data by the day, but like every unlimited travel plan it is subject to a fair-use policy, which can slow very heavy use. Holafly says any slowdown is temporary and resets the next day. Hotspot sharing is limited to 1 GB per day.
Can you use Holafly as a hotspot?
Yes, with a limit. Holafly lets you share 1 GB per day, so a 7-day plan includes 7 GB of hotspot data. eSIM Signal's fixed-data plans let you share the whole allowance.
Is Holafly better than Airalo?
It depends on what you value. In our 17 October 2026 check, Airalo's unlimited plans were cheaper than Holafly's in all six destinations for 7 and 30 days, while Holafly offers a longer refund window and free monthly backup data.
What is Holafly's refund policy?
Holafly says you have up to six months to request a refund, covering a change of plans, an incompatible or locked device, and connection problems, with conditions. eSIM Signal refunds duplicate orders, a wrong plan or an undelivered eSIM before activation, within 24 hours of purchase.