Quick verdict: Saily wins 3 rounds to 3. For most travelers, Saily is the better default. Holafly is the better choice if you prioritize best unlimited.
Two of the biggest names in travel eSIMs, two completely different philosophies. Holafly and Saily go head-to-head across six rounds. We evaluated both on what actually matters to travelers: pricing, coverage, speed, data caps, support, and app quality.
The short version: Saily wins this matchup 3 rounds to 3. But the rounds it loses tell an important story. Keep reading to see when Holafly is actually the better pick.
Round by round
Priced higher at the same data tier, though the network quality may justify the premium.
Lower sticker price for the same data tier. A strong value proposition for budget-conscious travelers.
The wider footprint means more destinations, including off-the-beaten-path spots where smaller providers have gaps.
Narrower coverage, though the destinations it does cover tend to have strong local network partnerships.
Rated slightly lower for speed, based on published carrier partnerships and 5G network share, but never unusably so. Streaming and maps work without issue.
Edges ahead on our speed rating, based on published carrier partnerships and 5G network share. Large file transfers and video calls are what that score weighs most.
Genuinely unlimited data at full speed. Ideal for heavy users who tether laptops or stream on the go.
Capped data only. Budget-friendly if your usage is predictable, but no safety net for heavy days.
Responsive and helpful when things go wrong. The support experience gave us confidence for mid-trip issues.
Adequate support, though you may wait longer for a reply compared to the competition.
Functional app that gets the job done, though the interface shows its age in spots.
Smoother UX, better onboarding, and more intuitive data usage displays.
The scorecard, in full
Pick yours
Buy Holafly if…
- ✓Unlimited data plans eliminate overage worries
- ✓Excellent customer support with live chat
- ✓Full-speed data on most plans
- ✓Simple pricing structure per destination
- ✓Strong presence in European and Latin American markets
Buy Saily if…
- ✓Backed by NordVPN for built-in privacy features
- ✓Competitive pricing with transparent billing
- ✓Modern, clean app design
- ✓No data logging or tracking
- ✓VPN bundle discounts available
Our verdict
Saily is the better default. For most readers making a straightforward trip, Saily will be the right call. It wins on the metrics that matter day-to-day: pricing, coverage, and overall reliability.
Holafly is the better specialist. If you need unlimited data and live support, it outperforms Saily in those specific scenarios. The 3 rounds Holafly won tell the full story.
Either way, you cannot make a truly bad choice. Both providers clear our recommendation bar, and both will keep you connected reliably abroad. The right one is the one that matches how you actually travel.
Two different app experiences, one shared limitation
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. Saily scores 4.6/5 on app quality against Holafly's 4.4/5, a narrow gap. Both apps handle a single job well: Saily manages a metered plan and a bundled VPN, and Holafly manages an unlimited plan with a full-speed data toggle. Neither app supports automatic top-up: both providers list top-up as a manual purchase, not an in-app add. Saily launched in 2023, headquartered in Lithuania. Holafly launched in 2018, headquartered in Murcia, Spain, giving it five more years in the market. Saily rates 4.4/5 overall in this review against Holafly's 4.2/5. Pricing is the widest gap between them, 4.5/5 for Saily against 3.8/5 for Holafly. Feature lists diverge sharply: Saily bundles VPN discounts and encrypted connections on top of its data plans, while Holafly adds free calls in a select group of countries and a travel-influencer partner program. Neither feature set overlaps with the other at all.
Also worth considering
HelloRoam scores 4.9/5 in our ratings, higher than both Holafly (4.2/5) and Saily (4.4/5). It covers 185 countries starting at $1.14/plan with 24/7 WhatsApp support.
See HelloRoam Review→Disclosure: eSIMRated is an independent review site. Some HelloRoam links are affiliate links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Holafly or Saily let you top up data automatically in the app?
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. Neither does. Holafly and Saily both list top-up as a manual purchase rather than an in-app add, unlike HelloRoam's live top-up on 1,124 of its 1,129 plans. Buying a fresh plan is the way to add data with either Holafly or Saily once one runs out.
Which has the higher app rating, Holafly or Saily?
Saily scores 4.6/5 on app quality against Holafly's 4.4/5, a narrow 0.2-point gap. Both sit behind HelloRoam's 4.8/5, the highest app score in this review. Saily's app also manages its bundled VPN features, which Holafly's app does not include.
Which company has been operating longer, Holafly or Saily?
Holafly launched in 2018, five years before Saily's 2023 launch. Holafly is headquartered in Murcia, Spain; Saily in Lithuania. Despite the longer track record, Holafly's 4.2/5 overall score sits behind Saily's 4.4/5 in this review, with pricing the widest gap between them.
Which is cheaper, Holafly or Saily?
Saily is cheaper per gigabyte at $1.90/GB on its 10 GB plan ($18.99 total). Holafly's unlimited 10-day plan costs $34.00, which only makes financial sense if you use more than 17 GB in that window. For travelers using 5 to 10 GB, Saily saves money every time.
Which covers more countries, Holafly or Saily?
Holafly covers 160 countries versus Saily's 150, a 10-country lead. Both cover popular European, Asian, and American destinations. Holafly reaches slightly more Middle Eastern and African markets. The gap is small enough that coverage alone should not decide between them.
Does Holafly or Saily offer unlimited data?
Holafly offers unlimited data, with plans starting at $19.00 for 5 days across 160 countries. Saily offers capped plans only, topping out at 10 GB for $18.99. If data anxiety is your main concern, Holafly is the one of these two that removes the cap.
Which has better privacy, Holafly or Saily?
Saily operates under Nord Security (NordVPN's parent) with a verified no-log policy covering all 150 countries of service. Holafly does not publish an equivalent third-party audit. For privacy-conscious travelers, Saily's Nord Security backing is a clear differentiator.
Which has better customer support, Holafly or Saily?
Holafly scores 4.6/5 on support against Saily's 4.2/5. Holafly runs 24/7 live chat in 10 languages, against Saily's 1 support language. Holafly also refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days against Saily's 30 days. Saily still wins on privacy, backed by Nord Security's audited no-log policy.
Is there a cheaper alternative to both Holafly and Saily?
HelloRoam beats both on price at the 10 GB tier: $8.26 against Saily's $18.99 and Holafly's unlimited plans from $19.00 for 5 days. HelloRoam covers 185 countries and refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days, level with Holafly and six times Saily's 30-day window. Saily still leads on privacy, backed by Nord Security's audited no-log policy.
Should I buy Holafly or Saily?
Saily is the better choice for most travelers, with a 4.4/5 rating versus 4.2/5 for Holafly. Saily wins 3 out of six rounds including coverage and app experience. Holafly is the better pick if you specifically need best unlimited.
Which is cheaper, Holafly or Saily?
Saily is cheaper for a 5 GB plan at $12.49 versus Holafly at $54.00.
Is there a better eSIM provider than both Holafly and Saily?
HelloRoam scores 4.9/5 on our published rubric, higher than both Holafly (4.2/5) and Saily (4.4/5). HelloRoam covers 185 countries, with 10 GB plans from $0.83/GB, 24/7 WhatsApp support, and a 180-day refund guarantee.
Other matchups
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Most Popular vs. Best for Privacy. Coverage, pricing, and app compared.
Best Unlimited vs. Editor's Choice. Coverage, pricing, and app compared.
Best Unlimited vs. Budget Pick. Coverage, pricing, and app compared.
Compare by destination
See how providers stack up in popular travel destinations.