Saily vs. Holafly: which eSIM is better?

Wait, what’s an eSIM?

An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can download and install on your device. It allows you to activate a mobile plan by choosing from a list of local carriers and stay connected wherever you go—usually at a much lower price than roaming with your home carrier. Not only does it make switching between carriers quick and easy, but also, since there’s no physical card to lose or steal, it’s considered more secure than a traditional SIM.

What is Saily?

Saily is an eSIM application available for iOS and Android that allows users to easily switch between mobile carriers in more than 200 destinations around the world. It comes with a wide range of payment plans and dedicated security features, such as Ad Blocker and Web Protection, for enhanced protection. Saily is developed by Nord Security, a provider of cybersecurity solutions such as NordPass and one of the world’s most popular VPN services, NordVPN.

What is Holafly?

Holafly is an eSIM service from the Dublin-based company of the same name. It works on both iOS and Android, keeping travelers connected in over 200 destinations worldwide. Pricing is based on a daily rate, so you can choose a plan that fits the length of your trip. Holafly also offers 24/7 customer support to assist its users with any issues.

Saily and Holafly: a full comparison

As eSIM services, both Saily and Holafly are designed to make it easier for travelers to stay connected while traveling—all without the hassle of sky-high roaming charges or hunting for a local SIM card. That being said, each of them takes a different approach to pricing, plan flexibility, and additional features. Take a look at the table below to see where each eSIM service stands out and where it might fall short.

The information on eSIM service features presented in this comparison was last verified on the service providers’ official websites on March 31, 2025. The Trustpilot ratings were also checked on their respective Trustpilot pages on the same date. This information is subject to change.

*According to the information collected from the official Saily website on March 31, 2025, the US$1.99 price for Saily is limited to the 1 GB plan in Bulgaria, Czechia (Czech Republic), and Mayotte.

**As of March 31, 2025, Saily’s unlimited data plans are only available in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

***According to information collected from the official Holafly website on March 31, 2025, the price of US$5.90 for a Holafly data plan is limited to the one-day plan in Switzerland and Tokyo.

Key differences between Saily vs. Holafly

The biggest difference between the two eSIM providers lies in their pricing models. Holafly offers unlimited data plans that you can pay for by the day. This means you don’t have to worry about tracking your data usage during your travel. So, if you’re a heavy internet user who streams content a lot or downloads movies from Netflix for the return flight, this might be right up your alley.

Saily, a Holafly alternative from Nord Security, follows a “pay for what you actually need” approach. It allows you to choose from plans ranging from 1 GB to 100 GB (or sometimes even unlimited), depending on your needs and budget.

What is also different about the two eSIM solutions is how they are set up. Saily offers a one-time eSIM installation, which means you don’t need to get a new eSIM each time you change destinations. With Holafly, users typically have to install a new eSIM for each trip. In other words, country-specific eSIMs must be downloaded and activated for each travel destination.

Another difference concerns hotspot sharing: Saily allows for unlimited sharing, while Holafly limits it to 1 GB.

Last but not least, there’s a noticeable difference in the functionality scope between the two eSIMs. Saily offers extra security features like Virtual Location, Ad Blocker, and Web Protection that go beyond what you'd expect from an eSIM application. Holafly sticks to the basics and does not offer any additional security perks. So, while both providers perform similarly in terms of providing a stable internet connection while abroad, Saily brings added value with those security features.

Data plans and pricing

When comparing the pricing of Saily vs. Holafly, it’s important to consider their different plans. Holafly offers unlimited data plans based on a pay-per-day model, while Saily allows you to set a limit on your data usage. With that in mind, Saily tends to offer more competitive prices overall. To give you a clearer picture, here’s a comparison of the prices for internet access in some popular travel destinations, highlighting the costs for both Saily and Holafly for a 7-day plan.

"The information in this comparison was last verified on eSIM providers’ official websites on March 31, 2025, and is subject to change."

When you dig into the details, Saily stands out by offering cheaper eSIM data plans, starting as low as $3.99 for 1 GB over 7 days. Holafly tends to be pricier, with unlimited data plans like $29.90 for 7 days in Spain. Saily also provides flexible options, such as 20 GB for $22.99 (for 30 days), making it a solid choice for those looking to cut costs.

Therefore, you could say that Holafly is better suited for heavy data users who need lots of bandwidth for things like video calls and streaming, while Saily is perfect for more typical travel data needs.

Speed and performance

When discussing the speed and performance of both Saily and Holafly, there isn't much of a difference between the two. Saily provides its services at 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G speeds, while Holafly's website states that the service is available at 4G, LTE, and 5G speeds.

What is important to note, however, is that with both eSIM solutions, just because the network speed can reach 5G, it doesn't necessarily mean you will get that exact speed. Whether your connection hits the 5G threshold will depend on the local infrastructure and network providers at your destination.

Saily vs. Holafly: conclusion

Both Saily and Holafly have their own distinct characteristics and benefits—and offer a similar experience when it comes to network performance. In our view, Saily may be a better choice for travelers. With its "pay-for-what-you-need" model, Saily allows you to fine-tune your spending on data usage abroad at an affordable price.

The additional security features of Saily, like Ad Blocker, Web Protection, and Virtual Location, provide extra value that is not typically expected from eSIM solutions. As a result, Saily allows users to stay connected while traveling, while also keeping their security in check.

That said, Holafly is a well-regarded name in the eSIM industry for many reasons. It has been around for a few years now, has been tested to work as expected, and offers unlimited data plans for all available destinations. So, if you’re someone who streams or downloads a lot, Holafly might be a good option for you.

And if you came to this article wondering why eSIM is better than a traditional SIM card, we hope we’ve made it clear why using an eSIM while traveling is a smarter choice than relying on roaming services from your home carrier. So, next time you fly somewhere, give an eSIM a try and see the difference—both in savings and in performance.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are eSIM apps safe?

Yes, eSIMs are generally safe to use, as they provide a more secure connection compared to unsecured public Wi-Fi, which can be exploited by hackers to steal your sensitive information. Security is even better with eSIM services like Saily, which offer extra security features like Virtual Location, Ad Blocker, and Web Protection to keep your connection safe and your browsing secure.

Will my phone or tablet support either Saily or Holafly?

Most modern smartphones and tablets support eSIM technology, so your device is likely to work with either Saily or Holafly. However, to be 100% certain, you need to make sure your specific model supports eSIM technology. You can check Saily's website, which has an eSIM-compatibility list to help you verify if your device is supported.