Holafly vs Saily: Which eSIM Is Better in 2026?
Updated: Oct 13
Affiliate disclosure: We paid for the eSIM packages used during this trip. TechNovice partners with Saily and Holafly and may earn commissions through eligible purchases or discount codes. These partnerships do not determine our recommendations.
I used Holafly while my partner used Saily during our Austria road trip. After 57 speed tests, mountain drives, border crossings, and a three-hour remote work session, here's which eSIM I would choose again.
My Quick Verdict: I Would Choose Saily Again
After using both eSIM providers during our road trip through Austria, Saily would be my first choice for another trip like this one.
Not because Holafly performed badly. Quite the opposite. Both providers delivered reliable connectivity throughout most of our journey, and Holafly comfortably handled a three-hour remote work session with two laptops connected to my phone.
However, I preferred Saily's flexible data packages, straightforward app, and overall value for money. Saily also recorded higher download speeds in many of our measurements.
The biggest takeaway from our trip was that the faster eSIM on paper wasn't necessarily noticeably better in everyday use.
Here's how I would choose:
Choose Saily if you want affordable fixed-data packages, prefer starting with a smaller allowance, and appreciate being able to purchase additional data when needed.
Choose Holafly if you prefer choosing the number of travel days and don't want to keep monitoring a fixed gigabyte balance.
Consider a regional Europe eSIM if your itinerary includes multiple countries or frequent border crossings.
For more details about Saily beyond this Austria trip, read my full Saily eSIM review.
Available Discount Codes
SAILY: TECH
15% off an eligible first purchase for new customers.
HOLAFLY: NOVICE
5% off eligible travel eSIM purchases.
Always check the current eligibility conditions and final discounted price before completing your order.
Saily vs Holafly at a Glance
What matters | Saily | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
eSIM we tested | Austria fixed-data packages | Austria unlimited travel eSIM |
Test device | iPhone 14 Pro | iPhone 15 Pro |
Austria speed tests | 27 | 30 |
Median download speed | 182.86 Mbps | 160.14 Mbps |
Median upload speed | 17.20 Mbps | 14.20 Mbps |
Median latency | 68 ms | 115.5 ms |
Everyday travel experience | Very good | Very good |
Hotspot experience | HD streaming worked | Two laptops worked for three hours |
Main advantage | Flexible packages and pricing | Simple day-based unlimited offering |
Main limitation | Fixed-data packages require monitoring usage | May cost more than a smaller data package |
Discount code | TECH | NOVICE |
These results come from separate measurement groups using different iPhones. They are not a controlled laboratory benchmark.
How We Tested Both eSIMs in Austria
Our road trip ran from September 25 to October 11, 2026. We traveled through several Austrian regions, including cities, Alpine roads, the Wachau, and the Salzkammergut.
I used Holafly on my iPhone 15 Pro, while my partner Annina used Saily on her iPhone 14 Pro.
This gave us an opportunity to compare both services during the same journey rather than relying only on published specifications or marketing claims.
Whenever possible, we stood next to each other and started the Speedtest app at approximately the same time.
We also used both connections for navigation, messaging, browsing, social media, streaming, and occasional remote work.
For our intended comparison measurements:
Wi-Fi was turned off.
NordVPN and Saily's virtual location and web protection features were disabled.
The Speedtest app selected its server automatically.
We did not manually force 4G or 5G.
Some measurements were recorded while traveling by car.
The two phones were different models, and automatic server selection did not guarantee identical servers for both tests.
Our results therefore describe two real travel setups, rather than isolating every factor affecting mobile network performance.
I also excluded one measurement associated with Madrid because I suspect a VPN was active. Other unclear location records are excluded from the Austria summary until their attribution can be confirmed.
Speed Test Results: Saily Was Often Faster
Before our trip, I expected Holafly to perform better. Its unlimited-style travel eSIM cost substantially more than Saily's smaller fixed-data packages, so I wondered whether the higher price would translate into better speeds.
Our results challenged that assumption.
Across the measurements assigned to Austria, Saily delivered a higher median download speed, a higher median upload speed, and lower median latency.
Our Austria Speed Test Results
Metric | Saily | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
Measurements | 27 | 30 |
Median download | 182.86 Mbps | 160.14 Mbps |
Median upload | 17.20 Mbps | 14.20 Mbps |
Median latency | 68 ms | 115.5 ms |
Lowest download | 12.71 Mbps | 19.19 Mbps |
Highest download | 752.11 Mbps | 260.86 Mbps |
Saily performed better in these overall summaries, but Holafly was faster at some individual locations.
For example, on September 27 in Innsbruck, Holafly reached 217.48 Mbps download and 83.72 Mbps upload. Saily recorded 182.86 Mbps download and 31.03 Mbps upload in the corresponding same-minute entries.
The following day near Zell am See, the picture changed. Saily recorded 687.04 Mbps download, compared with 221.13 Mbps for Holafly.
These examples show how significantly mobile performance can change by location. They do not prove that either provider is consistently faster across Austria.
Did We Notice the Difference?
Surprisingly, not much.
Whether we were checking Google Maps, opening websites, messaging friends, or browsing social media, both connections generally felt fast and responsive.
Even when Saily recorded a substantially higher download speed, that advantage rarely translated into an obvious improvement during our everyday activities.
The difference in median latency is also worth noting, especially for applications sensitive to response times. However, I didn't identify a consistent everyday advantage attributable to latency alone.
My conclusion: Saily achieved better results in our Austria measurement summaries, but both providers offered a good everyday travel experience.
If you're choosing an eSIM primarily for maps, messaging, browsing, and occasional streaming, I wouldn't make the decision based on the highest download speed alone.
Network Coverage: Mostly Excellent, With a Few Dead Zones
One of the things I appreciated about traveling through Austria was how reliable mobile connectivity generally felt.
We had good service through most of our journey, including urban areas and many rural routes.
Of course, the connection wasn't perfect everywhere.
There were approximately two or three places where we encountered dead zones. One was on a small mountain pass between the Altaussee area and Hallstatt.
Neither connection worked there.
That experience reminded me that even a well-performing travel eSIM cannot overcome every local network coverage limitation.
Saily Occasionally Had Better Reception
There were a few situations where Saily maintained reception and Holafly did not.
For example, Annina occasionally had connectivity in underground parking garages while my Holafly connection struggled or lost reception.
For me, that was more meaningful than achieving an exceptional download speed in an already well-connected city.
However, this is a personal observation involving two phones and their available networks. It doesn't establish that Saily has better indoor coverage throughout Austria.
A Useful Lesson About Border Crossings
We also encountered connection issues near the German border.
At times, the Austria-only package was unreliable in border areas. Switching to a Saily Europe package resolved the problem for us.
We couldn't determine whether the original issue was caused by network selection, country restrictions, or another technical factor.
Nevertheless, it changed how I think about buying travel eSIMs for road trips.
If your trip includes Austria, Germany, Switzerland, or other neighboring countries, compare regional Europe packages before purchasing.
Check the actual destination list rather than assuming that every product labeled "Europe" covers every country you intend to visit.
Holafly also sells a Europe travel eSIM. In my October 13 price check, its 16-day package was listed at $54.50.
That was only slightly more than the $51.90 undiscounted price recorded on my Austria purchase receipt.
For a cross-border itinerary, that difference could make a regional package worth considering.
We did not field-test Holafly's Europe package during this journey, so I cannot make a performance claim about it.
Hotspot Test: Holafly Handled Two Laptops
One of my favorite practical tests happened in Zell am See.
Annina and I needed to get some work done, so we connected both of our laptops to the hotspot on my iPhone using Holafly.
We worked for approximately three hours.
I participated in video calls while Annina worked on websites in Wix.
The connection remained usable throughout our session, and we didn't encounter any major problems that interrupted our work.
For someone who occasionally works remotely while traveling, this was a much more relevant test than achieving a record download speed.
Holafly successfully supported a real three-hour work session with two laptops.
That doesn't mean every Holafly package allows unlimited hotspot sharing, or that the same performance is guaranteed elsewhere. The specific plan's hotspot allowance and fair-use conditions remain important.
What About Saily's Hotspot?
Saily also supported hotspot usage during our trip.
For example, we used a Saily hotspot to stream the evening news in HD without difficulty.
However, we didn't perform an equivalent three-hour, two-laptop work session using Saily during this Austria journey.
During my earlier Saily testing in France, I connected two laptops and two smartphones through the mobile connection. That experience gave me confidence in Saily's hotspot capabilities.
However, it wasn't an identical test to our three-hour Holafly session in Austria, so I wouldn't declare a hotspot winner based on these separate experiences.
For that reason, I'm not declaring a hotspot winner.
My practical advice is to check the hotspot allowance and applicable speed policies of the exact package you're buying, especially if you plan to work extensively from your laptop.
Price Comparison: How Much Data Do You Actually Need?
For me, this is where Saily becomes particularly attractive.
I like being able to start with a relatively small data package and purchase additional data when needed.
With Holafly's Austria travel eSIM, I selected the number of travel days and didn't need to think about a fixed gigabyte balance in the same way.
Both approaches have advantages.
The question is whether you'll actually use enough mobile data to justify the higher-priced unlimited-style option.
Austria eSIM Prices in October 2026
The following prices are from the USD product information available for this draft on October 13, 2026.
Plan | Allowance / Validity | Price before discounts |
|---|---|---|
Saily Austria | 1 GB / 7 days | $1.99 |
Saily Austria | 5 GB / 30 days | $7.99 |
Saily Austria | 10 GB / 30 days | $10.99 |
Saily Austria | 20 GB / 30 days | $15.99 |
Saily Austria Unlimited | 15 days | $48.99 |
Holafly Austria, my purchase | Approximately 16 days | $51.90 |
Holafly Europe | 16 days | $54.50 |
Prices may vary by date, market, currency, promotion, and plan eligibility.
The duration of my Holafly purchase is based on my booking recollection because the receipt itself doesn't state the number of days. The Saily Unlimited and Holafly offers shown here also have different validity periods, so they aren't identical products.
What We Actually Used
Annina's Saily app showed one exhausted 5 GB Austria package and two exhausted 10 GB Austria packages, alongside Europe packages.
Using the current prices above, those three Austria packages would total $29.97 before discounts.
However, we don't have the original payment receipts to confirm what she actually paid.
That means $29.97 is a current-price illustration, not our verified trip expenditure.
It's also important to remember that our speed testing consumed mobile data.
Running repeated tests on a fast 5G connection can use a substantial amount of data. Our consumption shouldn't be interpreted as a normal two-week vacation requirement.
How Much Data Would I Recommend?
For a two-week trip, I would start by considering how you plan to use the internet.
5 GB: A possible starting point for maps, messaging, light browsing, and regular access to accommodation Wi-Fi.
10 to 20 GB: Worth considering if you spend more time on social media, browse frequently, or use mobile data throughout the day.
Larger allowances or unlimited products: More relevant if you're frequently streaming, making video calls, uploading large files, or sharing your connection with a laptop.
These aren't guaranteed allowances for specific activities. Your device's previous mobile data usage is usually a better starting point.
Our accommodations in Austria also had fast Wi-Fi, which reduced the need to rely on cellular data for everything.
For a trip like ours, I would rather start with an appropriately sized package and add more data if necessary.
But if mobile data is your primary internet connection, Holafly's simpler day-based approach may be worth the extra cost.
For a closer look at the available packages, see my Saily eSIM plans and pricing guide.
Installation and App Experience
Both eSIMs were straightforward to use once everything was set up.
Still, I noticed some differences in the purchasing and account experience.
Saily: My Preferred App Experience
Saily was already installed on Annina's iPhone.
Purchasing additional data packages was simple, and I liked how easily another package could be added after the previous allowance was exhausted.
The interface felt intuitive, and the process suited the way we used mobile data during our journey.
Another feature I appreciate is Saily's data usage notification. The app can alert you when you've used around 80% of your allowance, giving you time to purchase additional data before running out.
Saily also offers an optional US phone number add-on. That can be useful if you need a separate +1 number for supported calls or messages, although it doesn't replace a local phone number in every destination.
This is one reason I personally prefer Saily.
Holafly: Easy Installation, Slightly Confusing Account Setup
Installing Holafly wasn't difficult.
What initially confused me was the connection between my website purchase and the mobile app.
I bought the eSIM through the Holafly website using my email address. Afterwards, I verified that address and created my account in the iOS app, where my purchased package appeared.
Once I understood that process, everything made sense.
It wasn't a major problem, but I found Saily's purchasing experience more intuitive.
Both services were ultimately convenient to use throughout the journey.
Customer Support: Different Ways to Get Help
Both Saily and Holafly offer customer support if you encounter problems with activation or connectivity while traveling.
Holafly provides WhatsApp-based assistance, while Saily offers support through its app and other service channels.
I haven't conducted a controlled comparison of response times or problem resolution, so I wouldn't declare a support winner.
Security Features and Additional Plans
Another difference worth mentioning is Saily's integrated security-related features.
Depending on the product and configuration, Saily offers options such as virtual location, web protection, and ad blocking.
I appreciate having those features available when traveling.
However, we disabled the relevant features during our intended speed comparisons, so our results don't establish how effective they are or how they affect performance.
These features also shouldn't be confused with comprehensive VPN protection for unrelated hotel or café Wi-Fi networks.
What About Saily Ultra and Holafly Plans?
Both providers offer products beyond the country-specific travel eSIMs we tested.
Saily Ultra is a recurring subscription combining international mobile data with additional security and travel benefits.
The supplied October pricing lists:
Saily Ultra tier | Monthly price | Advertised high-speed data |
|---|---|---|
Standard | $39.99 | 10 GB |
Plus | $59.99 | 30 GB |
Premium | $69.99 | 30 GB |
The advertised subscription information also describes continued data access at reduced speeds after the high-speed allowance, along with additional benefits that depend on the selected tier and market.
Those conditions should be verified in the current checkout before subscribing.
I've previously used Saily Ultra during a month of remote work in France and tested airport lounge benefits at Zurich and Lisbon airports.
That experience helps me evaluate the broader product, but it doesn't verify every feature of the current subscription tiers.
Holafly separately offers recurring Plans subscriptions. I haven't conducted an equivalent month-long field test of those subscriptions.
One additional feature worth knowing about is Holafly Always On. Eligible Holafly Plans subscribers may receive 1 GB of monthly backup data after their subscription ends or is canceled, subject to the current eligibility and coverage conditions.
This is a subscription-related benefit and shouldn't be confused with the short-term Holafly Austria travel eSIM I tested.
For a single vacation in Austria, I would compare ordinary travel eSIM packages first.
Subscriptions may become more interesting if you travel frequently and would use the included benefits throughout the year.
For more information, read my Saily Ultra review.
Which eSIM Should You Buy?
After using both providers during our Austria road trip, my recommendations are straightforward.
Your travel situation | My recommendation |
|---|---|
Austria vacation with moderate data use | Saily fixed-data package |
Heavy daily mobile use | Compare both providers' unlimited options |
Road trip across several countries | Regional Europe eSIM |
Occasional remote work | Compare hotspot allowances carefully |
Frequent international travel | Evaluate subscription products separately |
Want to minimize upfront spending | Start by comparing Saily's smaller packages |
Prefer not to track a fixed data allowance | Consider Holafly's day-based travel eSIM |
The most important thing is to choose a package that fits your actual itinerary and expected usage.
A cheaper eSIM isn't necessarily better if you constantly need to purchase more data.
An unlimited-style eSIM isn't necessarily better if you spend most evenings using hotel Wi-Fi.
And a faster speed-test result isn't particularly valuable if you can't notice the difference in everyday use.
Saily and Holafly Discount Codes
If you've already decided which provider fits your needs, you can check whether our partner codes reduce the final price.
Saily Coupon Code: TECH
Discount: 15%
The code TECH provides 15% off an eligible first purchase for new Saily customers, subject to the current partner conditions.
For eligible subscriptions, the discount applies to the first qualifying payment only.
Read our Saily coupon guide for verification details, eligibility information, and checkout instructions.
Holafly Discount Code: NOVICE
Discount: 5%
The code NOVICE is intended for eligible Holafly travel eSIM purchases, based on our documented checkout verification.
Check the applicable conditions and confirm the discount before payment.
Our Holafly discount guide also covers a historically verified subscription offer, which has different conditions from the standard travel eSIM promotion.
I didn't use NOVICE for my own Austria purchase because my partnership conditions don't allow me to redeem my own code.
The discount shown on my purchase receipt therefore isn't evidence of a NOVICE redemption.
My advice: Choose the right product first and apply the appropriate discount afterwards. Don't buy a more expensive plan simply because a promotional code is available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saily Better Than Holafly?
For our Austria trip, I preferred Saily because of its flexible data packages, pricing, and app experience. It also achieved higher median download and upload speeds in our measurement set. Holafly remained a reliable alternative, especially during our remote work session.
Which eSIM Was Faster in Austria?
Saily recorded a median download speed of 182.86 Mbps across 27 tests, compared with 160.14 Mbps for Holafly across 30 tests.
These results describe our particular devices and travel conditions. They don't establish a universal speed ranking.
Does Holafly Allow Hotspot Sharing?
Our Holafly Austria travel eSIM successfully supported two laptops for approximately three hours, including video calls and website work.
However, hotspot allowances and fair-use policies can vary by product. Check the current conditions of your chosen package.
How Much Mobile Data Do I Need for Two Weeks in Austria?
It depends on your activities and Wi-Fi availability.
If you mainly need maps, messaging, and browsing, a smaller fixed-data package may be sufficient. If you regularly stream video or work from a laptop, consider a larger allowance or an appropriate unlimited-style plan.
Should I Buy an Austria eSIM or a Europe eSIM?
For a trip entirely within Austria, a country-specific package may be sufficient.
If you plan to visit several countries or frequently cross borders, a regional Europe eSIM may be more convenient. Always verify the included countries before purchasing.
Is Saily Ultra Worth It for a Vacation?
It depends on whether you'll use the additional benefits and recurring subscription features.
For a single Austria vacation, I would generally compare regular travel eSIM packages first rather than automatically choosing a monthly subscription.
Final Verdict: Saily Wins for Me, but Holafly Is Still Worth Considering
After our Austria road trip, I would personally choose Saily again.
I liked the flexibility of its data packages, the ability to purchase additional data when needed, and the straightforward app experience.
Its speed-test results were also encouraging, particularly the higher median download speed and lower median latency in our measurements.
But Holafly deserves credit.
It delivered a reliable connection throughout most of our journey, and the three-hour work session with two laptops demonstrated that it could comfortably support important everyday tasks.
If I were traveling somewhere without dependable accommodation Wi-Fi and expected to use mobile data heavily every day, I would seriously consider a suitable Holafly package again.
Ultimately, the decision comes down to how you travel.
Choose Saily if you want flexibility, affordable fixed-data options, and an intuitive app.
Consider Holafly if you prefer a day-based unlimited-style travel eSIM and value the simplicity of not monitoring a fixed gigabyte allowance.
Both worked well for us in Austria.
And after dozens of speed tests, that's probably the most important lesson from our journey: The best travel eSIM isn't necessarily the one with the highest speed. It's the one that reliably gives you the connectivity you need at a price that makes sense.
