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Best Holafly Alternatives for International Travel
Holafly is a popular eSIM provider among international travelers who seek connectivity on the go while abroad. Known for their “unlimited” data plans covering both short and long-term trips across most of their services areas, Holafly has some limitations worth noting.
Their “unlimited” data plans actually throttle speeds after reaching the high-speed data threshold. So it means this is not an advantage of this provider. Additionally, Holafly’s eSIM plans lack data sharing capabilities, making them less suitable for group travelers or users with multiple devices. These limitations have led travelers to find alternatives offering better features and competitive rates.
This article explore the best Holafly alternatives and how they address various user needs.
In this article
Top Holafly Alternatives
Some eSIM providers offer competitive alternatives to Holafly include:
1. Gigago
Gigago has quickly gained recognition for its comprehensive service offerings. They stand out for their diverse range of eSIM plans that cater to various traveler needs – from short-term to long-term stays, light to heavy data usage, and basic data-only to advanced plans with calling and texting features.
Gigago provides local, regional, and global eSIM plans for more than 200 countries in the world. Their flexibility extends to plan types, including regular, daily, and unlimited data packages.
You will see a lot of positive reviews for Gigago in different platforms like Trustpilot or Google.
Gigago eSIM features
Gigago offers a good blend flexibility and user-friendly features:
1. Data sharing capability
Gigago’s hotspot feature allows you to share data with other devices like smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches. It is useful when traveling with multiple devices.
2. Multiple eSIM storage
You can store up to 20 eSIM profiles on your device (depending on your phone model), making it convenient for frequent travelers who visit different regions.
3. Network Flexibility
The ability to switch between networks helps maintain stable connectivity. You can also use different profiles for business and personal needs.
4. Dual Number
Keep your home number active for incoming calls and SMS while having access to a local number for regional services like food delivery and ride-hailing. Phone numbers are available in many eSIM plans by Gigago.
5. Plan Flexibility
Choose from regular, day, or unlimited data plans based on your needs. Plan durations vary from short trips to extended stays, helping avoid payment for unused time.
6. Simple Setup Process
Installation takes 3-5 minutes through either QR code scanning or manual setup. The eSIM activates automatically when reaching your destination.
7. Customer Support
24/7 support is available in multiple languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
8. Multiple platforms
Gigago eSIM plans are available through both their website and mobile application, allowing users to choose their preferred platform.
How to set up Gigago eSIM?
Before installing an eSIM from Gigago, you need to make sure that your device is supported with eSIM.
You then have two options to buy esim from Gigago: visit Gigago.com or download Gigago eSIM app (available for iOS and Android). Simply select your destination and complete your purchase.
eSIM installation
Users have two methods to install an eSIM made by Gigago:
- QR code installation (recommended): check your email for the QR code, then scan the code with your device’s camera, and follow on-screen instructions to complete the process.
- Manual installation: use this method if QR code scanning fails. You follow the manual configuration sent to your email.
Activation process
Your eSIM will activate automatically upon reaching your destination and detecting the supported networks. If activation fails, check APN settings.
Note: Installation typically takes 3-5 minutes to complete.
2. AloSIM
As a relatively new player in the eSIM market, Alosim provides eSIM services for travelers to 175+ countries and regions worldwide. They offer a wide range of affordable regular eSIM plans starting from $4.50, with competitive rates for both local and regional plans, though global plans are not available.
The purchasing process is straightforward: choose a destination and preferred plan, create an account on their user-friendly website, and complete the order. However, some regional plans cover fewer destinations compared to other providers.
While their service quality and coverage receive positive ratings, and customer service is known for being fast and efficient, AloSIM has some limitations. The minimum validity period of 7 days may not suit travelers on shorter trips
Additionally, AloSIM only offers data-only plans, making them best suited for basic data needs.
3. Yesim
Yesim provides coverage in 170+ countries and regions through local, regional, and global plans. They offer both regular and unlimited data options, and a notable advantage is their virtual number service in select destinations – a feature not commonly available from other providers.
However, their pricing is higher than competitors, with plans starting from $7.70 compared to the industry standard of around $4.50.
The purchase process is straightforward through their user-friendly website or mobile app. Simply search for your destination and select your preferred plan. While their service quality is generally good, customer support can be slow, with some users reporting response times of up to 5 hours. This delayed support could be problematic for travelers experiencing technical issues.
YeSIM is particularly suitable for travelers seeking regional or global coverage because they cover many destinations.
4. Nomad
Nomad provides eSIM services in more than 150 countries and regions worldwide, offering both regular and daily plans. Their selection includes local, regional, and global eSIM options with competitive prices starting from $4.00.
While the connection speeds are fast, they are not as fast as Holafly’s. A significant limitation is the absence of local phone numbers for calls and text messages. Additionally, their plans are better suited for short-term rather than long-term travel.
Regarding customer support’s response, it takes a few hours to get an answer which is rather slow in compared to others. User experience varies notably between platforms, as evidenced by their different ratings: 4.6/5 on the App Store versus 4.0/5 on Google Play Store.
Final words
Choosing the right eSIM providers require careful research, especially for first-time travelers. If you are looking for alternatives to Holafly. Here is an overview:
- Gigago: offers regular, daily, and unlimited plans in multiple countries and territories, flexible plan options.
- AloSIM: offers regular plans in multiple countries and regions, competitive pricing
- Yesim: offers regular and unlimited plans, with extensive country coverage.
- Nomad: offers regular plans across many countries and regions, daily plans in selected destinations, wide regional coverage.
FAQs
Is Gigago better than Holafly?
Although Holafly has a longer market presence, Gigago offers several advantages. Gigago offers better data management with flexible plans and data sharing features, provides local phone numbers in popular tourist destinations in the world, and delivers more competitive pricing, especially for short trips. Their 24/7 multilingual customer support is also notably efficient.
However, Holafly’s unlimited data plans may still be preferable for heavy data users who prioritize unrestricted usage over additional features.
What are the disadvantages of Holafly?
Unlike providers such as Gigago, Holafly lack several key features. they do not offer hotspot/tethering capabilities or short-term plans (1-3 days), and provide limited language support. Their prices are also higher compared to both competitors and local carriers.