Holafly vs Saily: Which eSIM is Better in 2026?
- Nico Dudli
- May 30
- 11 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
I've tested Saily across 12+ countries — from Thailand and France to the UAE and Switzerland. For Holafly, I've combined my own checkout tests (code NOVICE verified June 2026) with real community feedback from Reddit and Trustpilot to give you an honest picture of both providers.
New to eSIMs? Before comparing providers, here's everything you need to know: eSIM Explained: How It Works
Quick Answer: Saily vs. Holafly
Choose Saily if you want lower prices, flexible data packages, full hotspot sharing, built-in security features, easy top-ups and an optional US phone number add-on.
Choose Holafly if you want unlimited data and do not want to track your data usage.
How this comparison was created
Personally tested Saily across 12+ countries
Holafly evaluated using checkout verification, Trustpilot and Reddit community feedback
Multiple public Ookla speed-test records
Hotspot, remote work and video call testing
Last reviewed: July 2026
Saily discounts and promotions change regularly. I maintain the currently verified offers, checkout tests and eligibility on my dedicated Saily coupon codes page.
Holafly discount: Code NOVICE gives 5% off Holafly travel eSIMs and 10% off Holafly Plans for the first 12 months. The code was verified at checkout in June 2026.
Affiliate disclosure: TechNovice is an affiliate partner of both Saily and Holafly. I may earn a commission if you purchase through my affiliate links or use a discount listed on my coupon pages, at no additional cost to you. Affiliate partnerships do not influence my ratings or conclusions. Both providers are evaluated using the same criteria, including pricing, coverage, features, hands-on testing and practical real-world use.
Rates can change over time, so check my coupon codes page for the current offer before you check out.
Quick Facts: Holafly vs Saily at a Glance
Saily | Holafly | |
|---|---|---|
Founded | 2024 (Nord Security / NordVPN) | 2017 (Pedro Máiquez & Yingyan Hu) |
Total users | Growing rapidly | 15+ million eSIMs sold worldwide |
Trustpilot | 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (25700+ reviews) | 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (95800+ reviews) |
Best For | Most travelers / Remote work | Heavy users / Streamers |
Promo Code | Current verified discount (see coupon page) | NOVICE (5% eSIM / 10% Plans) |
About this review: Saily test results are from my personal field tests across 12 countries (Thailand, France, Switzerland, UAE, and more). Holafly data is sourced from community experiences on Reddit and verified Holafly Trustpilot reviews, combined with my own checkout verification of code NOVICE in June 2026. You can also verify the rapid growth of Nord Security's eSIM product directly via the official Saily Trustpilot profile. I earn a commission from both providers — this does not influence my ratings.
2026 Comparison Table: Holafly vs Saily
Feature | Saily | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
Promo Code | Current verified discount (see coupon page) | NOVICE (5% off eSIMs / 10% off Plans) |
Best For | Most travelers / Remote work / Hotspot users | Heavy users / Streamers / Unlimited data |
Data | Fixed GB plans, unlimited options and Saily Ultra | Unlimited travel eSIMs and Holafly Plans |
Hotspot (Tethering) | Fully allowed on standard plans; great for laptop use | Allowed, but can be more limited depending on plan and fair-use rules |
Price | Low to mid, with fixed-data plans from $3.99 | Higher, especially for short unlimited trips |
Phone number | Optional US phone number add-on available in the Saily app | Some Holafly Plans may include a phone number |
Security features | Web protection, ad blocker and virtual location features | Standard eSIM connectivity; no comparable Nord Security feature bundle |
Top-ups | Easy in-app top-ups | Usually less relevant because Holafly focuses on unlimited data |
Usage alerts | 80% data usage notification before your plan runs out | Less important on unlimited-style plans |
Subscription tiers | Saily Ultra (Standard / Plus / Premium) | Holafly Plans (Light / Unlimited) |
Coverage | 200+ countries | 200+ destinations |
Support | 24/7 live chat | 24/7 WhatsApp support |
Speed throttling | Fixed-data plans are not throttled until data runs out; unlimited plans may have fair-use limits | Possible fair-use slowdowns depending on local network and plan |
Trustpilot | 4.7/5 on Trustpilot (25,000+ reviews) | 4.6/5 on Trustpilot (95,000+ reviews) |
1. Pricing: Saily performed better in my testing
Saily Pricing (example prices — discounts and promotions may change)
Destination | Data | Validity | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
USA | 1 GB | 7 days | $3.99 |
USA | 10 GB | 30 days | $22.99 |
Europe | 10 GB | 30 days | $34.00 |
Global | 20 GB | 365 days | $67.00 |
Saily Ultra Standard | 5 GB + Unlimited 1 Mbps | Monthly | $29.99 |
Saily Ultra Premium | 30 GB + Unlimited 1 Mbps | Monthly | $59.99 |
→ See all Saily eSIM plans compared (/en/post/saily-esim-plans) to find the right data tier for your trip.
Holafly Pricing (example prices)
Destination | Data | Validity | Price (USD) | With NOVICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
USA | Unlimited | 3 days | ~$19.99 | ~$18.99 |
USA | Unlimited | 30 days | ~$85.00 | ~$80.75 |
Holafly Plans Light | Unlimited | Monthly | $44.90 | ~$40.41 |
Holafly Plans Unlimited | Unlimited | Monthly | $64.90 | ~$58.41 |
Holafly Plans Annual | Unlimited | Annual | ~$590.00 | ~$531.00 (−10% for Plans) |
Source: https://esim.holafly.com/plans/
Verdict: For a 10-day trip with moderate data use, Saily costs roughly 4× less than Holafly. Holafly only wins on value if you stream daily or travel non-stop for 30+ days.
2. Data: Unlimited vs. Fixed GB
Saily sells fixed GB plans. If you run out, top up instantly in the app. For most travelers, 10 GB covers navigation, messaging, social media, and occasional video calls for 2–3 weeks.
Holafly sells unlimited data only (except Holafly Plans). No tracking needed. The trade-off: you pay a premium for that simplicity.
Important caveat from community reviews: Holafly claims it does not throttle data — but the local network operator you connect to may slow your connection during busy periods (fair-use policy). Some Reddit and Trustpilot users have reported slower speeds in busy city centers during peak hours.
Who should choose Holafly: Heavy streamers, users joining multiple hours of video calls per day, or those who simply don't want to think about data limits.
Who should choose Saily: Standard travelers using data for navigation, social media, and messaging, or anyone who needs a reliable, unthrottled hotspot for their laptop.
3. Hotspot: Saily performed better in my testing
Saily: Full unlimited hotspot on all plans. In my own tests across France, Thailand, and Switzerland, I connected 2 laptops and 2 phones simultaneously without any throttling.
Holafly: Hotspot tethering is allowed, but it is strictly governed by a Fair Use Policy. If you pass high daily thresholds on your laptop, your speed will be throttled to 1 Mbps, making it a tough choice for heavy café remote work.
Verdict: If you ever use your phone as a mobile hotspot for work, choose Saily.
→ I tested Saily's hotspot extensively in my full Saily eSIM review across 12 countries.
4. Security and Privacy Features: Saily Wins
Holafly provides standard eSIM connectivity and relies on the security of the mobile network connection itself. Saily goes further by adding privacy and security features directly inside the app.
Saily includes built-in web protection, an ad blocker and virtual location features. Web protection helps block malicious websites and limit online trackers. The ad blocker can reduce distracting ads and unnecessary data use while browsing. Virtual location lets you browse more privately and choose from 115+ virtual locations.
For travelers using hotel Wi-Fi, airport Wi-Fi, café networks or public hotspots, these extra app-layer features make Saily feel more complete than a basic travel eSIM. Full NordVPN, NordPass, NordLocker and other Nord Security tools are part of Saily Ultra rather than every standard Saily plan.
5. Phone number, top-ups and travel convenience: Saily is catching up fast
Saily used to be easy to describe as a data-only eSIM provider. That is still true for its standard country data plans, but Saily now also offers an optional US phone number add-on inside the app.
This gives travellers a persistent +1 number for calls, texts, OTPs and app sign-ups. It is not a local number for every destination, so it is not the same as buying a local SIM card in Portugal, Thailand, Vietnam or Switzerland. But it does make Saily more useful than a basic data-only eSIM for travellers who want mobile data and a separate communication number in one app.
Saily also supports easy in-app top-ups and sends an 80% data usage notification before your plan runs out. For normal travel, that matters: you can start with a fixed-data plan, monitor your usage and add more data without buying a new eSIM or visiting a local SIM shop.
Holafly keeps things simpler with unlimited-style plans, which is useful if you do not want to think about data at all. But Saily now offers the more flexible travel setup: fixed data, top-ups, hotspot, privacy features, Ultra perks and an optional US phone number add-on.
6. Support & Coverage: Holafly Wins
Based on consistent community feedback, Holafly's 24/7 WhatsApp support responds within minutes. For European and Latin American coverage, Holafly also has a slight edge — with 40+ European countries vs. Saily's 35+.
Saily also offers 24/7 live chat with strong reviews. Both providers are highly reliable for support.
→ Common Saily activation issues and fixes: Saily eSIM problems & troubleshooting guide.
7. Subscription Plans: Holafly Plans vs. Saily Ultra
Holafly Plans
Plan | Monthly | Annual | With Code NOVICE |
|---|---|---|---|
Light | from $44.90 | — | ~$40.41/month |
Unlimited | $64.90 | ~$44/month | ~$58.41/month |
Unlimited Annual | — | ~$527 CHF | ~$475 CHF ✅ tested |
Key benefit: Always On — when your plan ends, you keep 1 GB/month free in 70+ countries automatically (for subscribers who joined after November 4, 2025).
Saily Ultra
Plan | Monthly | Current verified checkout price |
|---|---|---|
Saily Ultra | from $29.99 | from ~$26.99 |
Verdict: Holafly Plans is better for travelers who need massive data volume everywhere. Saily Ultra is the clear financial and technical winner for digital nomads who prioritize high speed, full hotspot tethering, and premium airport perks.
8. Real-World Test Results
Saily — tested personally across 12 countries
Country | Speed | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
France | 70 Mbps (Montpellier café) | Stable throughout my remote work testing |
Thailand | 84 Mbps 5G (Bangkok) | Best value destination |
Switzerland | 271–370 Mbps (St. Gallen) | Excellent performance during my testing |
Germany | 54.6 Mbps (ICE train) | Dead zones in rural areas |
UAE | Stable for video calls | Solid transit connectivity |
→ For a detailed multi-country Europe breakdown: Saily eSIM Europe Review.
Holafly — based on community reviews (Reddit, Trustpilot, verified sources)
Country | Community Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
Greece / Italy / Croatia | Positive | 20–50 Mbps typical, occasionally 100+ Mbps on 5G For a dedicated Italy comparison, see my guide to the best eSIM for Italy, where I compare Saily, Airalo and Holafly by price, network partners, hotspot use and support. |
Japan | Positive | Reliable in cities, used by long-term travelers |
Busy city centers | Mixed | Some users report slowdowns during peak hours |
Activation issues | Occasional | Resolved via 24/7 support in most cases |
Transparency note: Saily results are from my own field tests. Holafly community data is sourced from Reddit, Trustpilot, and independent travel blogs. I have verified code NOVICE works at checkout (June 2026, screenshot verified).
The Decision Matrix: Which eSIM for Which Traveler?
Your Situation | Best Choice |
|---|---|
Short trip (under 2 weeks) | Saily |
Budget traveler / Moderate data | Saily |
Remote worker / Hotspot user | Saily |
Multi-country trip (USA + Mex + Can) | Saily North America Plan |
Heavy streamer (Netflix/YouTube daily) | Holafly |
Long trip (30+ days) with heavy data | Holafly |
Frequent traveler wanting unlimited sub | Holafly Plans |
Provider | Discount | Status |
|---|---|---|
Saily | Current verified offer (see coupon page) | ✅ Regularly checked |
Holafly | NOVICE (5 -10 %) | ✅ Tested |
Verified Saily and Holafly Discount Codes (June 2026)
Provider | Code | Discount |
|---|---|---|
Saily | Current verified offer (see coupon page) | (see coupon page) |
Holafly | NOVICE | 5% on travel eSIMs, 10% on Holafly Plans for the first 12 months |
→ See all tested Saily coupon codes 2026 including $5 referral codes.
What is the "Reddit Sentiment"?
Saily: Growing fast. Users praise the price-to-data ratio and Nord Security backing. Common feedback: "Set it and forget it — just works." Criticism: weaker signal in rural areas.
Holafly: Established brand with 15+ million users. Users love the simplicity of unlimited data. Common criticism: pricing is high for short trips, some report speed slowdowns during peak hours. Support consistently praised for quick WhatsApp responses.
The emerging Reddit consensus: "Use Saily if you need value and hotspot. Use Holafly if you don't want to think about data at all."
FAQ: Holafly vs Saily 2026
Is Holafly or Saily better in 2026?
It depends on your travel style. Saily is the better choice for most travelers — lower prices, unlimited hotspot, and built-in Nord Security features. Holafly is better for heavy data users who stream daily or travel for 30+ continuous days. For a 10-day trip with normal use, Saily is up to 4× cheaper than Holafly.
What is the best Holafly discount code in 2026?
Code NOVICE gives you 5% off any Holafly travel eSIM, or 10% off Holafly Plans for the first 12 months — tested and working as of June 2026. The 10% discount on Holafly Plans is especially valuable for frequent travelers since it applies for the full first year of the subscription.
What is the best Saily discount code in 2026?
Current verified Saily discounts are maintained on my coupon page because promotions and eligibility can change over time.
What is Saily Ultra?
Saily Ultra is a new monthly subscription model starting at $29.99/month (depending on the region and term) with unlimited data across 120+ countries (30 GB at full highspeed, followed by unlimited 1 Mbps). It is highly recommended for frequent travelers or digital nomads who constantly switch countries and want premium perks like free airport lounge access and an integrated NordVPN subscription. Any currently available discounts are listed separately on my coupon page.
Does Holafly have truly unlimited data?
Holafly offers unlimited data in 160+ destinations — but hotspot sharing is capped at 500 MB to 1 GB per day on most plans. Network operators may also slow speeds during peak hours (fair-use policy). For truly unlimited hotspot use, Saily is the better choice.
Is Saily cheaper than Holafly?
Yes, significantly for most travelers. Saily's 10 GB USA plan costs $22.99 for 30 days. Holafly's unlimited USA plan for the same period costs approximately $85–90. Saily wins on price unless you need unlimited data.
→ Full Saily vs Airalo comparison with head-to-head pricing across 200+ countries.
Does Saily have a phone number?
Yes, Saily now offers an optional US phone number add-on inside the app. It gives you a persistent +1 number for calls, texts, OTPs and app sign-ups. However, this is not the same as getting a local phone number in every destination. Saily’s standard country eSIM plans are still primarily mobile-data plans.
How big is Holafly?
Holafly was founded in 2017 in Spain and has sold more than 15 million eSIMs worldwide. Saily launched in early 2024 backed by Nord Security and is growing rapidly.
Does Holafly throttle data?
Holafly states it does not throttle data. However, network operators may apply fair-use policies during peak hours. Some Reddit and Trustpilot users have reported slower speeds in busy city centers. Typical speeds: 20–50 Mbps, occasionally 100+ Mbps on strong 5G.
Can I use both Holafly and Saily?
Yes — both are eSIM providers and don't interfere with each other or your physical SIM.
What is Holafly Always On?
Always On is a free lifetime benefit for Holafly Plans subscribers who joined after November 4, 2025. When your plan ends or you cancel, your eSIM gives you 1 GB/month free data in 70+ countries automatically.
Is Holafly good for Europe?
Yes — Holafly covers 40+ European countries. Unlimited data is attractive for long multi-country European trips. Saily's Europe Pass covers 35+ countries at a lower price for moderate users. If Italy is your main destination, read my best eSIM for Italy comparison for a country-specific breakdown of Saily, Airalo and Holafly.
Final Verdict
Choose Saily if you want the best price-to-data ratio, full hotspot support, built-in security and privacy features, easy top-ups, usage alerts and the option to add a US phone number inside the app. Check my dedicated Saily coupon page for the latest verified discounts before purchasing.
Choose Holafly if you are a heavy data user, stream video daily, or want the simplicity of unlimited data combined with a free 1 GB monthly backup plan. Use code NOVICE for 5% off eSIMs or 10% off Plans.
Both providers are legitimate and reliable with 200+ country coverage and strong support. The right choice depends entirely on your travel style.
About the Author: Nico Dudli is a Lecturer in Business Informatics, Digital Technologies, and AI at Swiss higher education institutions (HF level), and founder of Heyweb GmbH and TechNovice.net. Based in St. Gallen, Switzerland, he tests technology under real-world conditions across Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia, documenting field tests, public speed-test results and real travel use cases.
Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links for Saily and Holafly. I may earn a commission if you purchase through these links or use a discount listed on my coupon pages, at no additional cost to you.
Saily sucks! Nothing but connectivity problems last few trips. Spent 10 days chatting with customer service trying to resolve. They kept telling me to do the same things over and over. Finally gave up! Will not use them again.