Quick verdict: HelloRoam wins 5 rounds to 1. For most travelers, HelloRoam 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 HelloRoam 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: HelloRoam wins this matchup 5 rounds to 1. 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.
Smaller coverage map, but well-curated for popular travel routes where most users actually go.
Broader reach across more countries and regions, giving multi-destination travelers peace of mind.
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.
Support exists but response times are slower. Not ideal when your connection drops in a foreign country.
Stronger support infrastructure. Faster replies and more resolution paths when something breaks.
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 HelloRoam if…
- ✓Plans start at $1.14 for 1 GB, and 10 GB starts at $8.26
- ✓Top-up adds data to a live eSIM on 1,124 of its 1,129 plans, with no new QR code
- ✓Hotspot sharing is enabled on all 1,129 plans
- ✓An unactivated eSIM stays refundable for 180 days, against Airalo at 14 days
- ✓5G on a partner network in 93 of its 185 destinations
Our verdict
HelloRoam is the better default. For most readers making a straightforward trip, HelloRoam 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 HelloRoam in that specific scenario. The one round Holafly won tells 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.
Which one fits a workday spent online abroad?
HelloRoam sells data in fixed blocks with no contract attached, from 1 GB for $1.14 up to 20 GB for $15.99. Holafly sells one thing only: unlimited data, priced by trip length from $19.00 for 5 days to $54.00 for 30 days. The two catalogs solve different problems.
Top-up works differently too. HelloRoam adds data to a live eSIM on 1,124 of its 1,129 plans, so a plan running low gets topped up with no new QR code. Holafly's top-up is manual, meaning a new purchase once a plan runs out. Neither sells voice minutes as standard: HelloRoam is data-only, and Holafly's free-calls feature applies only in a select group of countries.
Holafly's case is strongest on a long trip where usage is hard to predict: 30 days of unlimited data costs a flat $54.00 no matter how much gets used. HelloRoam's case is strongest on a shorter or lighter trip, where its 5 GB plan at $5.22 costs a fraction of Holafly's cheapest unlimited tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Holafly or HelloRoam have a longer track record?
HelloRoam is eSIMRated's Editor's Choice at 4.9/5 overall. HelloRoam launched in 2025 and Holafly in 2018, so Holafly has seven more years in the market. HelloRoam is headquartered in the United Kingdom; Holafly is headquartered in Murcia, Spain. A longer track record is not the same as a better plan: HelloRoam's 4.9/5 overall score in our review is still the higher of the two, against Holafly's 4.2/5.
Can I make phone calls on a Holafly or HelloRoam eSIM?
Holafly includes free calls in a select group of countries, a feature HelloRoam does not offer. HelloRoam is a data-only eSIM, with no voice or SMS on any of its 1,129 plans. If calling out matters for your trip, check Holafly's free-calls feature against your destination first.
How many pricing tiers does each provider offer?
HelloRoam runs five data tiers, from 1 GB to 20 GB, so light and heavy users both get a plan sized to their trip. Holafly runs four tiers, all unlimited, sized by trip length instead of data volume, from 5 to 30 days. More tiers means more chances to match a plan to actual use.
Should I choose Holafly or HelloRoam?
HelloRoam wins for travelers using under 10 GB, with plans starting at $1.14 across 185 countries. Holafly covers 160 countries with unlimited data starting at $19.00 for 5 days, which suits heavy usage. HelloRoam costs less in most scenarios, but Holafly removes the data cap for streamers and remote workers.
Which is cheaper, Holafly or HelloRoam?
HelloRoam is cheaper per gigabyte at $0.83/GB on its 10 GB plan, which starts at $8.26. Holafly charges $34.00 for 10 days of unlimited data across its 160 countries. Holafly only pays off when your usage runs far above 20 GB in that window. For most travelers using 5 to 10 GB, HelloRoam costs less.
Which has better app ratings, Holafly or HelloRoam?
HelloRoam leads on app quality at 4.8/5 against Holafly's 4.4/5 in our review. Holafly is the older brand and scores 4.6/5 on support, second only to HelloRoam at 4.9/5. HelloRoam answers in 63 support languages against Holafly's 10, and top-up works on 1,125 of its 1,130 plans. We score app quality ourselves and do not publish app store review counts.
Does HelloRoam or Holafly cover more countries?
HelloRoam covers 185 countries versus Holafly's 160, a 25-country advantage. Holafly covers those 160 destinations with unlimited data plans only. HelloRoam wins on breadth; Holafly wins if data caps are your main concern. Holafly does not offer per-GB capped plans.
Can I share a hotspot on Holafly or HelloRoam?
HelloRoam enables hotspot sharing on all 1,130 of its plans. Holafly blocks hotspot sharing on most of its unlimited plans, which is its best-known limitation. If you tether a laptop or tablet, HelloRoam is the safer buy of the two. Check the plan page before you pay either way.
Should I buy Holafly or HelloRoam?
HelloRoam is the better choice for most travelers, with a 4.9/5 rating versus 4.2/5 for Holafly. HelloRoam wins 5 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 HelloRoam?
HelloRoam is cheaper for a 5 GB plan at $5.22 versus Holafly at $54.00.
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Compare by destination
See how providers stack up in popular travel destinations.