Shopping around for the best eSIM? Holafly and Saily are two names that will come up often. Holafly only offers unlimited data plans, making it a top choice if you’re a heavy data user. Saily has advanced privacy and security features and more budget-friendly eSIMs. I’ve used both, so here’s what I think you should consider when comparing Holafly vs. Saily.
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Holafly vs. Saily comparison chart
I’ll kick this off with top eSIM features that can help you decide whether you need Holafly vs. Saily for your trip.
| Features | Holafly | Saily |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Premium, unlimited data (priced per day) | Budget-friendly, set package options |
| Data Use | Unlimited | Varies (unlimited option) |
| Refunds | 6-month policy | 30-day policy |
| Subscription | Yes, optional Holafly Plans | Yes, optional Saily Ultra |
| Best For | Digital nomads, luxury travellers, high-data users | Backpackers, security-conscious travellers |
| Discount | 5% off | 10% off |
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Why you should get an eSIM
Once you try an eSIM, you’ll never go back. I’m obsessed with having instant data in a new country. I can book a ride, find my accom, text my mom to tell her I landed — the usual. It’s a serious safety feature when you’re travelling alone or arriving late at night.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re just going for a short trip, country-hopping, or on your backpacking year abroad… an eSIM can work for you. They’re blowing up and the tech is only going to get better with time.
Using my eSIM somewhere in Indonesia
All about Holafly
Holafly stands out among its competition with unlimited data plans. Unlimited means you can use data-draining apps like Google Maps, Netflix, and TikTok as much as you like without batting an eye.
Most plans even let you hotspot. I’m literally writing this on my laptop with hotspotted data from my phone’s Holafly eSIM right now.
And, I was able to help a girl at the airport in Bali at midnight thanks to my Holafly hotspot. She’d called a Grab (like Uber) but lost connection to airport Wi-Fi and couldn’t get ahold of him. I gave her my personal hotspot password and she was able to get in touch. So handy!
Holafly eSIM pricing
Holafly’s pricing is based on duration. Since you get unlimited data every day, it’s kind of the only way to price things, isn’t it?! Prices vary depending on the package/location, but here are some examples.
- 7 days in Europe (regional plan) — $26
- 14 days in the US — $46
- 22 days in Japan — $62
- 1 month global access subscription (Holafly Plans) — $65
(Prices are accurate as of March 2026 and in USD for easier global comparison. And rounded to the nearest dollar.)
Get 5% off any Holafly eSIM to make them even cheaper! Use the code NAOMILAI (das me) in the promo box at check out. Or just by clicking this link. OR get 10% off an Holafly subscription — I’ll tell you all about this in a minute.
Holafly key features
The main Holafly benefits you need to know about before deciding between Holafly vs. Saily:
- Unlimited data on all plans
- Easy to activate and install
- Simple monthly subscription option for long-term travellers
- Compatible with virtually every modern smartphone
- The global option covers 113 countries
- Holafly Plans subscription covers over 160 destinations
- 24/7 customer support
- 6-month refund policy
- Holafly Travel Club with reward credit for referring your friends. Every friend = 500 “Holacoins” (€5) discount
The only real con to Holafly IMO is its higher price tag. But that might be significant if you’re on a shoestring budget.
Holafly Plans subscription model
An Holafly Plans subscription is a great if you’re traveling long term.
You pay a flat monthly rate for global connection wherever you go. Choose from an Unlimited Plan or the Light Plan with 25 GBs/month for $50. They also have the “Always On” perk, which gives you 1GB per month, even after you cancel your plan.
Pop my code RUNAWAYTRAVELLER in the promo box when you check out for 10% off every month for your first year.
I have the unlimited Holafly Plans subscription, and it’s honestly so great.
- It’s global. I have internet access as soon as I arrive in a new country.
- It’s unlimited. So I never have to worry about whether it’ll run out when I’m using Google Maps.
- It’s hotspot-able. I can use my laptop pretty much wherever, whenever!
I’ve been to South Africa, Singapore, Indonesia, and New Zealand in the past few months, and only had to activate my eSIM once. It’s worked without fail ever since.
Read more: How Does an Holafly Plans Subscription Work?
All about Saily
Saily is a NordVPN sister company. So it has features you might expect, like “virtual location” (aka VPN), an ad blocker, and web protection. The ad blocker does more than just block ads, too. It saves your data because your device isn’t automatically downloading ad images and html code when you open the page.
If you’re a budget backpacker, it’s likely the better choice between Holafly vs. Saily. They even offer unlimited data in some locations.
Saily eSIM pricing
Saily’s pricing varies more than Holafly’s. It’s usually location dependent, so I’ve done some double-ups here for comparison.
- 7 days in Europe (35 countries) 1 GB — $5
- 30 days in Europe/10 GBs — $36
- 30 days in Europe/Unlimited data — $72
- 7 days in Thailand/1 GB — $3
- 30 days in Thailand/10 GBs — $11
(Prices are accurate as of March 2026, in USD for easier global comparison. And rounded to the nearest dollar.)
You can get 10% off any Saily eSIM with code NAOMI10
Me using an eSIM at Singapore’s Changi Airport
Key Saily features
Saily’s standout features are all the privacy/security things. It’s got that on “lock.” (Literally… kinda?) Here’s more about those and some other pros:
- Virtual location makes it look like you’re somewhere else
- Ad blocker prevents ads and saves data
- Web protection shields your device from online threats
- Easy to activate and install
- Hotspotting available on most plans
- Among the most affordable options
- Compatible with most modern smartphone models
- Provides 24/7 support
As for cons, the unlimited plans aren’t as available nor as flexible as Holafly’s. For example, if you’re traveling for 13 days, you might have to choose between a 10 or 15-day plan. You’d either overpay for data/days you’re not using, or suffer through the last few days without a connection. But that’s how most eSIM companies do it.
Saily’s refund policy is 30 days compared to Holafly’s 6 months. But the success of any eSIM refund with any brand depends on stuff like whether you’ve used any data or like, the mood of the agent you speak to.
Read more: All About Saily — Detailed eSIM Review
Me using an eSIM in Elora, Ontario
Saily Ultra monthly subscription
Saily has just released a monthly subscription option like Holafly Plans — Saily Ultra. It’s $60 for 30 GBs per month and gives you global access.
Since I’m using Holafly, I don’t have firsthand experience with Saily’s subscription; just the regular plans. It also gives you perks like premium security tools and even airport lounge access. I’ll test it out soon and report back!
Don't forget
Use my 5% discount code for any Holafly eSIM and get unlimited data wherever life takes you. (NAOMILAI)
Or get 10% off an already budget-friendly Saily eSIM for a super secure connection on your trip. (NAOMI10)
Holafly vs. Saily summary
You really can’t go wrong! In my experience, they’re both great options.
Holafly is the more flexible, set-and-forget option but comes at a higher cost. It’s perfect for travellers who value flexibility and convenience over price. Digital nomads, flashpackers, my bougie babes — this one’s for you.
Saily is best for budget or security-conscious travellers. If you’re looking for the best price to fit your shoestring budget, or don’t plan to use a lot of GBs, Saily is more up your alley.
Holafly vs. Saily FAQs
Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about Saily and Holafly eSIMs.
Is Saily or Holafly better for Europe?
Both Saily and Holafly work well in Europe. Holafly offers unlimited data across 33 European countries on a single regional plan, making it ideal if you’re country-hopping. Saily is the better choice if you’re on a budget and don’t need unlimited data — their European plans cover 35 countries and start as low as $5 for 1 GB over 7 days.
Which is cheaper, Holafly or Saily?
Saily is definitely cheaper, especially if you don’t consume a lot of data. Holafly’s unlimited data comes at a premium. However, it offers better value for heavy data users or long trips where you’d burn through your limited data quickly.
Is Saily safe to use?
Yes, Saily is super safe! It’s owned by NordVPN, one of the most trusted names in online security. It includes built-in web protection and an ad blocker, making it one of the more security-conscious eSIM options available.