Airalo vs Holafly vs Nomad: Which Travel eSIM Is Best in 2026?
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Three names dominate the travel eSIM conversation: Airalo, Holafly, and Nomad eSIM. Each has vocal advocates. Each has real strengths. And each has limitations that matter for specific use cases.
I've used all three extensively across dozens of countries. This comparison cuts through the marketing to help you choose the right provider for how you actually travel and work. For detailed reviews of additional providers, see our comprehensive guide to the best eSIMs for digital nomads.
This article is part of our complete digital nomad connectivity guide, covering everything you need for reliable connectivity anywhere.
The Bottom Line
| Factor | Winner | Why | |--------|--------|-----| | Best Overall | Airalo | Best combination of coverage, pricing, and app quality | | Best Unlimited | Holafly | True unlimited data with reasonable throttling | | Best for Hotspot | Nomad eSIM | Guaranteed tethering on all plans | | Best Price per GB | Airalo | Lowest costs on bulk regional plans | | Best App Experience | Airalo | Most polished interface and fastest activation | | Best Customer Support | Airalo | Quick in-app chat responses |
Quick recommendation: Start with Airalo unless you specifically need unlimited data (Holafly) or guaranteed hotspot (Nomad).
Provider Overview
Airalo
The default choice for most travelers. Airalo has built the largest eSIM marketplace with coverage in 200+ countries, competitive pricing, and a genuinely excellent app. They partner with local carriers in each region, meaning quality varies by destination but is generally reliable.
Best for: Most digital nomads who want reliable coverage without overthinking provider choice.
Holafly
The unlimited data specialist. Holafly differentiates through unlimited data plans—pay for days, not gigabytes. For heavy data users or those who hate tracking usage, this simplicity is valuable. Coverage spans 160+ countries with focus on popular destinations.
Best for: Content creators, heavy streamers, and anyone who refuses to monitor data usage.
Nomad eSIM
The hotspot guarantee. Nomad's key differentiator is reliable hotspot/tethering on every plan. For remote workers who must connect laptops to phone data, this removes uncertainty. Coverage spans 165+ countries with quality carrier partnerships.
Best for: Remote workers who absolutely need hotspot tethering for laptop work.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Coverage
| Region | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | |--------|--------|---------|-------| | Countries | 200+ | 160+ | 165+ | | Europe | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good | | North America | Excellent | Good | Very Good | | Asia | Very Good | Good | Good | | South America | Good | Good | Limited | | Africa | Limited | Limited | Limited |
Winner: Airalo - Broadest global coverage, though all three cover major destinations well.
Pricing Comparison - Europe Example
| Provider | Plan | Price | Per GB | |----------|------|-------|--------| | Airalo | 50GB / 30 days | $49 | $0.98 | | Airalo | 20GB / 30 days | $42 | $2.10 | | Holafly | 31 days unlimited | ~$75 | N/A | | Nomad | Regional varies | ~$1.44+/GB | $1.44+ |
Winner: Airalo - Best per-GB value on larger plans. Holafly wins if you'll use 50GB+ monthly. For Europe-specific pricing, see our best eSIMs for Europe guide.
Hotspot/Tethering
| Provider | Hotspot Support | |----------|-----------------| | Airalo | Varies by plan - verify before purchase | | Holafly | Restricted or blocked on most plans | | Nomad | Guaranteed on all plans |
Winner: Nomad - The only provider guaranteeing hotspot across all plans.
If tethering matters, Nomad removes all uncertainty. For guidance on making tethering work, see using eSIM with hotspot tethering.
Data Limits and Throttling
| Provider | Model | Throttling | |----------|-------|------------| | Airalo | Fixed GB or daily caps | "Unlimited" = 3GB/day then 1Mbps | | Holafly | Unlimited duration | Throttles after 3-5GB daily | | Nomad | Fixed GB only | No throttling until depleted |
Winner: Depends on usage - Holafly for heavy users, Airalo/Nomad for predictable usage.
App Experience
| Provider | iOS Rating | Android Rating | Activation Speed | |----------|------------|----------------|------------------| | Airalo | 4.6/5 | 4.5/5 | Instant | | Holafly | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 | Fast | | Nomad | 4.8/5 | 4.7/5 | Instant |
Winner: Tie between Airalo and Nomad - Both have polished, reliable apps.
Customer Support
| Provider | Support Channels | Response Time | |----------|------------------|---------------| | Airalo | In-app chat, email | Minutes to hours | | Holafly | Chat, email | Hours to day | | Nomad | Ticket system | Hours to day |
Winner: Airalo - Fastest response times through in-app chat.
Real-World Testing Results
Europe - 30-Day Test
I used all three providers during a month traveling through Portugal, Spain, and France.
Airalo: Consistent 20-50 Mbps across all three countries. No connection drops. App worked flawlessly. Best value at $49 for 50GB.
Holafly: Similar speeds to Airalo. Unlimited data meant no monitoring. Noticed throttling during one heavy upload day but recovered quickly. No hotspot was frustrating for laptop work.
Nomad: Reliable coverage and speeds. Hotspot worked perfectly for laptop tethering. Higher per-GB cost but worth it for work reliability.
Asia - Japan and Thailand
Airalo: Excellent in Japan through NTT Docomo partnership. Thailand coverage good in Bangkok, spotty in islands.
Holafly: Good Japan performance. Thailand adequate for casual use.
Nomad: Best Japan performance overall. Thailand similar to Airalo.
Stress Test - Video Calls
All three handled video calls adequately in areas with good signal. Nomad's hotspot reliability made it the choice for critical laptop-based calls. Holafly's throttling never impacted call quality in testing.
Which Provider for Which Situation
Choose Airalo If:
- You want the best overall value
- Coverage breadth matters
- You're a first-time eSIM user wanting reliability
- Customer support responsiveness matters
- You don't need unlimited data or guaranteed hotspot
Choose Holafly If:
- You're a heavy data user (video, streaming, uploads)
- You hate tracking data usage
- Hotspot/tethering isn't essential
- You're visiting destinations they cover well
- Peace of mind matters more than per-GB cost
Choose Nomad If:
- Hotspot tethering is non-negotiable
- You need reliable laptop connectivity
- You're a remote worker with critical calls
- You prefer guaranteed features over lowest price
- Coverage for your destinations is confirmed
The Hybrid Approach
Many experienced nomads use multiple providers strategically:
Primary: Airalo for best value and broadest coverage.
Backup: Nomad installed and ready for hotspot emergencies.
Situational: Holafly for content creation trips with heavy upload needs.
Installing multiple eSIMs costs nothing—you only pay when activating data plans. Having options ready provides flexibility when one provider underperforms in a specific location.
Common Concerns Addressed
"Which has the fastest speeds?"
Speed depends more on local carrier partnerships than the eSIM provider. All three achieve similar speeds in the same location because they're often using the same underlying network.
"What about customer support when things go wrong?"
Airalo responds fastest through in-app chat. All three eventually resolve issues, but if quick response matters, Airalo leads.
"Can I switch between providers mid-trip?"
Yes. Install multiple eSIMs before traveling. Switch between them in phone settings. You only pay for active data plans, so having backup options ready is smart.
"Do any include phone numbers?"
None of these providers include phone numbers—they're data-only. Use VoIP apps (WhatsApp, Zoom, Google Voice) for calls. Your physical SIM can retain your home number if using dual-SIM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use multiple eSIMs from different providers?
Yes. Most phones support multiple installed eSIMs, with one active at a time. Install all three providers if you want options, then activate the one you need.
Which is best for Southeast Asia?
Airalo offers the best regional coverage for Southeast Asia. Nomad is good if you need hotspot. Holafly covers major destinations but less comprehensively. See our best eSIMs for Asia guide for country-specific recommendations.
Do any work in China?
Limited. China presents unique challenges with internet restrictions. See staying connected in restricted countries for detailed guidance.
Which is most reliable for remote work?
Nomad's guaranteed hotspot makes it most reliable for laptop-based work. Airalo is reliable for phone-based work. Holafly's hotspot restrictions limit work utility. For tethering setup guidance, see using eSIM with hotspot tethering.
Can I top up if I run out of data?
All three allow purchasing additional data or new plans through their apps. No need to keep original QR codes—just buy more when needed.
Conclusion
For most travelers: Start with Airalo. Best combination of coverage, pricing, and app experience. The safe default choice.
For heavy data users: Choose Holafly. Unlimited data removes anxiety about usage. Accept the hotspot limitation.
For remote workers: Choose Nomad eSIM. Guaranteed hotspot is worth the premium for laptop-dependent work.
For maximum flexibility: Install all three before traveling. Activate based on situation.
There's no single "best" provider—only the best provider for your specific needs. Match your choice to your data usage, hotspot requirements, and destinations.
For the complete picture of staying connected as a digital nomad, explore our complete digital nomad connectivity guide.
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