Which eSIM App to Use for Travel Data
Two travel eSIM apps, priced two different ways — by the day with no limit, or by the gigabyte. The trip decides which one is cheaper, not the brand.
The choice isn't really between two apps — it's between two ways of pricing the same thing, and the trip decides which is cheaper.
Day-based versus volume-based
Holafly sells unlimited data for a fixed number of days. Nomad sells a fixed amount of data for as long as it lasts. Unlimited plans price for the heaviest possible user, which makes them expensive for anyone who isn't one — two weeks of maps, messaging and occasional browsing rarely passes a few gigabytes total.
The trips where Holafly actually wins are the ones with real heavy use: constant navigation, tethering a laptop, working remotely on the road. For anything lighter, a per-gigabyte plan like Nomad's costs less for the same trip.
Before you fly, regardless of which one
Check that your phone supports eSIM. Most phones from the last five years do, but it's worth confirming before paying for either app.
Activate on wifi before you leave, not after landing. Activating an eSIM needs an internet connection, and the moment you need data most is the moment you're least likely to have any.
Keep your home SIM active for calls and verification codes. Both of these apps handle data only — texts and calls still need your regular number, and so does any bank or login code sent by SMS.
Best for: long trips or heavy daily data use where watching a counter would be stressful
Pros
- Unlimited data by day — no gigabyte counter to watch
- Activates by QR code, no local registration required
- Handles tethering, constant navigation, or working on the road without extra charges
Cons
- "Unlimited" means volume, not speed — throughput drops past a fair-use threshold
- More expensive than per-gigabyte plans for short or light trips
- The app itself is only in English
Worth the price once a trip is long or data-heavy enough that a per-gigabyte plan would cost more anyway. For two weeks of maps and messaging, it's the expensive option.
Best for: shorter trips or ordinary use — maps, messaging, occasional browsing
Pros
- Priced by gigabyte, not by day — cheaper for typical trip usage
- Regional and global plans cover a multi-country trip with one eSIM
- Same rating as Holafly, with a smaller but equally satisfied audience
Cons
- Data comes with an expiry window — unused gigabytes aren't banked forever
- Heavy users can burn through a plan faster than expected
- Underestimating usage means buying a second plan mid-trip
The cheaper default for most trips. Two weeks of typical use rarely exceeds a few gigabytes, and volume plans price for that reality instead of the heaviest possible user.