There is no permanent "best travel eSIM." The right one is the exact plan for your destination, dates and phone, and no independent speed, coverage or price data exists in the sources behind this guide, so it does not rank Airalo, Saily or Holafly. What it can do is tell you what to compare and what each provider's own pages and terms say. Do three things before you buy: confirm your phone supports eSIM and is not carrier-locked, read how the plan's validity starts and what "unlimited" means, and read the refund terms before you install anything. Provider terms change, so re-read the plan page and terms on the day you buy.
What to compare in a plan
Open the same destination and dates for each provider and write down the answers. Providers' words like "best," "unlimited" and "no hidden fees" are marketing claims, not facts, so look for the specific term behind each one.
| Field | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Every country you will be in, including transit | Holafly's terms say it does not guarantee service in areas not covered by its network partners or not listed in your plan. A country plan may not cover the border you cross. |
| Data allowance | Fixed data or "unlimited," and the terms behind "unlimited" (see below). |
| When validity starts | Check whether it starts on connecting to a supported network or at purchase. It differs by provider and plan. |
| Hotspot | Whether tethering is allowed and how much per day. |
| Calls and SMS | Airalo says some packages, such as its Discover+ global eSIMs, include calls and texts; the other provider pages here do not say either way. |
| Refund conditions | What installation, activation and usage do to your rights (see the refund section). |
| Currency, tax and renewal | Airalo's terms say it usually processes payments in US dollars and that displayed prices include applicable VAT, GST or similar tax. Holafly's monthly Data Subscription renews automatically every 31 days. |
How Airalo, Saily and Holafly differ on their own pages
This table only records what each provider's own help pages or terms say. It is not a ranking. Saily is mostly blank because the only Saily page in these sources is its refund page, which is a gap in this guide and says nothing about the product. Read Saily's Help Center for its validity, unlimited and hotspot terms.
Holafly's terms page here covers its monthly Data Subscription product, not its per-trip plans, so the terms-based rows apply to that product.
| Topic | Airalo | Saily | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Catalogue wording | "Over 200 countries and regions" (Airalo's own claim) | Not stated | Its site lists country, regional and Global destinations |
| Validity start | For most packages, when the eSIM connects to a supported network; each package has a Validity Policy | Not stated | Daily plans start when the eSIM connects to a local network abroad; subscription plans start counting at purchase (help page) |
| Unlimited plans | You will not run out of data, but speed can slow on days you use more than an amount given in the package's Additional Information | Not stated | Coverage and speed may be subject to the network provider's fair-use policy (Data Subscription terms) |
| Hotspot | Works if your device and network support it; an APN may need to be set | Not stated | Many eSIMs support it; the destination page shows how much data (in MB) you can share per day |
| Calls and SMS | Some packages include them, such as Discover+ global eSIMs | Not stated | Not stated |
| Top-up | Yes, from My eSIMs > TOP UP; validity cannot be extended | Not stated | Not stated for per-trip plans |
Will your phone work? Model, region and carrier lock
An eSIM is a GSMA specification for remote SIM provisioning. It lets a phone hold several operator profiles, with one in use at a time. Three things decide whether a travel eSIM will work on your phone: the model, the region it was sold in, and whether it is locked to a carrier. Airalo's and Holafly's terms both say you need an unlocked, eSIM-compatible device.
Step 1: find your exact model.
- iPhone: Settings > General > About. The Model Number line shows a part number; tap it to see the model number.
- Android: Settings > About phone, then note the model number.
Step 2: look that model up for your sales region. Look up your exact model number on Apple's, Google's or Samsung's support page, not just the marketing name.
- Apple says you need an iPhone XS, XS Max, XR or later, plus a carrier or worldwide service provider that supports eSIM. Connect to Wi-Fi to install (Apple Support). Some eSIM-only iPhones in some countries can activate without Wi-Fi.
- Google's Pixel pages say a Pixel 3a or later can use one physical SIM and one eSIM, subject to model and carrier restrictions; a Pixel 3a bought in Japan cannot have two SIMs. Two eSIM profiles at once need a Pixel 7 or later and a carrier that allows it (Pixel Phone Help). In the US, Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are eSIM-only, and the dual-SIM page says a US Pixel 10 or later, except the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, can only use an eSIM.
- Samsung's UK support page (updated 16 September 2026) lists the Galaxy devices that support eSIM: the S20 to S26 series, the S23 FE to S26 FE, the foldables from the original Galaxy Fold and Z Flip up to the Z Fold8 and Z Flip8, and some A-series and XCover models, several of them only in named regions (the A36, for example, only in Europe, North America and Korea). It adds that a listed device may still lack eSIM depending on its country of origin, that eSIM service varies by country and carrier, and that a transfer to a new Galaxy needs an unlocked device. Samsung's Gulf page says only one eSIM can be active at a time on most Galaxy phones.
- Phones sold in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao can differ. Apple says certain iPhone models in Hong Kong and Macao have Dual SIM with two nano-SIM cards. Its two mainland China pages list different models, so use Apple's mainland China page and your model number, not a list from this guide. Activating a mainland carrier's eSIM needs a supported model, a carrier-store visit and an ID check, and Apple says a mainland carrier's eSIM cannot be used on an iPhone bought outside mainland China. For supported iPhones bought in mainland China, Apple also says a non-mainland carrier's eSIM cannot be installed while you are in mainland China; activation abroad requires location services to be enabled. If you are visiting with a phone bought elsewhere, Apple says many prepaid data eSIM plans from worldwide providers are available for mainland China.
Step 3: check the carrier lock.
- iPhone: Settings > General > About. If "No SIM Restrictions" appears next to Carrier Lock, the phone is unlocked. If it does not, only your carrier can unlock it, and Apple says it can take the carrier a few days (Apple Support).
- Pixel and Samsung: the pages in these sources do not give a lock check for Pixel or Galaxy phones, so ask your carrier whether the phone is unlocked and confirm your IMEI with them.
Step 4: confirm the rest. Make sure the phone can hold another eSIM profile, update the operating system (some Pixel steps need Android 11 or later), and have Wi-Fi available for installation. If you want a second line active alongside your home SIM, Apple says the iPhone must be unlocked or both plans must be from the same carrier.
Is "unlimited" really unlimited?
"Unlimited" is a plan claim: Airalo says its unlimited packages will not run out of data during validity, while Holafly's Data Subscription terms allow fair-use restrictions on data usage or speed. It does not promise full speed all day, or unlimited tethering.
- Airalo says an unlimited package will not run out during its validity, but you may see slower speeds on days you use more than a specified amount, listed in that package's Additional Information.
- Holafly's Data Subscription terms say an "unlimited" plan's coverage and speed may be subject to the network provider's fair-use policy. The network can restrict data or speed if your usage is deemed excessive or affects other users (Holafly Data Subscription terms, clause 8.3). The terms also say Holafly does not guarantee network capacity, network quality or connection availability.
- Hotspot is a separate question. Holafly's help page says to check your plan's technical specs and that the destination page shows the daily hotspot amount in MB. Airalo says hotspot works when your device and network support it.
- Saily's unlimited terms are not in the sources used here.
For any unlimited plan, look for four answers: how much you can use before slowdown, what the slower speed is, when it resets, and how much hotspot is allowed. If the plan page does not state one of them, treat it as unknown.
Install and start: timing, setup and switching the data line
When does validity start? There is no single rule. Airalo says that for most packages the validity period begins when the eSIM connects to a supported network, and that you should read the package's Validity Policy to plan when to install. Holafly's help page says installation and activation are different steps: a daily plan does not start when you install it, but once you connect to a local network abroad with data roaming on. Holafly recommends installing at least one day before the trip, on stable Wi-Fi. A subscription plan works differently: Holafly's help page says the count starts at purchase, so buy it the same day or a day before use. Holafly's own pages are not fully consistent here, since its terms describe the 31-day cycle as running from activation in one clause and from purchase in another.
Two more points from Holafly's page: if your home country is inside a Global or Regional plan's coverage area, wait until the day of your flight to install, so it cannot connect at home; and once a Holafly plan has activated, the days keep counting even if you turn the line off.
Setting it up.
- iPhone: scan the QR code with the Camera app, tap a carrier link, or go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan > Enter Details Manually (Apple Support). Save the provider's manual details in case the QR code fails.
- Pixel: Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Set up an eSIM.
- Galaxy: Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM, then scan a QR code or enter the activation code.
- Label the line with the provider or destination name so you do not confuse it with your home line.
Switching the data line.
- iPhone: if you bought the eSIM before leaving and have iOS 26 or later, you may see a "Turn On Travel eSIM" prompt on arrival. You can choose the travel eSIM only, or the travel eSIM plus your current eSIM. If both are on, the travel eSIM is used for data, but Apple warns you might still pay roaming fees from your home eSIM. To choose by hand, go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and pick the line.
- Pixel: only one SIM can be the default for data. Set it under Network & internet > SIMs.
- Turn on the travel line, select it for mobile data, and turn on data roaming for that line if the provider's instructions say so (Holafly's page does). Turning off data roaming on your home line is a sensible precaution against home-carrier data charges.
When you return, Apple says an iPhone on iOS 26 or later can turn the travel eSIM off and your home SIM back on, depending on your country or region. If you get no notice, open Settings > Cellular and make sure your primary line is on.
Home number, roaming or a local SIM
Your home number. If you keep your home line on, calls and texts to it can still reach you. Apple says both numbers on a dual-SIM iPhone can make and receive calls, and that if you use only the travel eSIM, FaceTime and iMessage keep working on the home line over data. Fees for calls, texts and roaming on the home line depend on your carrier: Apple says additional fees might apply and to check with your carrier. Apple also says one number at a time uses cellular data. While you are on a call, receiving a call on the other line depends on Wi-Fi Calling support and settings; if your current call is on a line that is not your data line, Apple says to turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching. Apple also says cellular-data switching does not work while you are using Data Roaming.
Your other options. Apple describes three alternatives to a travel data eSIM:
| Option | What Apple's page says | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Roam on your home carrier | Some carriers include international roaming on select plans, or sell travel passes to buy ahead; eSIM roaming works the same as with a physical SIM | Which countries are included and any fees |
| Local carrier eSIM or SIM | Many plans come with a local phone number; you may be asked for ID such as a passport; a postpaid plan for a longer stay may need proof of residency, a bank account or a credit card | ID rules and how you activate it |
| Prepaid data eSIM from a worldwide provider | Plans differ in data amount, duration and countries; Apple says such plans allow you to stay connected in over 190 countries or regions | Whether the plan includes calls or a number; Apple mentions "data only" plans |
No price comparison between these options is made here.
How much data, and regional or country plans
The sources give no per-activity data figures, so there are no gigabyte rules of thumb here. Instead, look at your phone's mobile data usage for a normal week at home (home Wi-Fi hides part of it), and add video calls, streaming and tethering separately, since hotspot data counts against the same plan. Airalo's rule helps: 1 GB for 7 days is 1 GB for the whole week, not per day. For most packages Airalo's app sends low-data notices at 25% and 10% remaining, and you can top up if you run short.
For a trip through several countries, a regional or global plan can mean one profile and one validity period. Airalo's site lists regional plans such as Europe, Asia and Oceania plus a Global option, and Holafly's lists regional, cruise and Global destinations. Whether a regional plan is cheaper is a checkout question: add up the country plans you would actually need, compare that with the regional total, and check the country list for every stop, island and transit country. Apple says an iPhone can have two eSIMs active at once on supported models, while Samsung says most Galaxy phones can have only one active, so a single regional profile is simpler on some phones.
If it does not work: troubleshooting and refunds
No data? Work through this, and stop before you delete anything.
- Confirm the plan is active and the country is covered.
- Check the travel line is on and selected for mobile data.
- Turn on data roaming for that line.
- Enter the APN if the provider's instructions say so. Airalo says an APN may be needed, including for hotspot.
- Toggle airplane mode on and off, then restart the phone. Holafly's help page suggests this for hotspot problems.
- Try automatic network selection first before choosing a network by hand.
- Take screenshots of your settings and any error message. Airalo says its support may ask for screenshots of device settings.
- Contact the provider's support before deleting the eSIM. Holafly's page says most of its eSIMs are single-use and cannot be re-downloaded without contacting support.
Apple's Dual SIM troubleshooting page adds: both plans must be set up and ready, coverage must exist in your area, and there should be no outage or billing block.
Refund terms, as the providers state them. Refund rights narrow after installation, activation or use, so read the rules first.
| Airalo (Terms of use, updated July 2026) | Saily (Help Center refund page) | Holafly (monthly Data Subscription terms) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not installed or not activated | 14-day legal withdrawal right for consumers, expiring at the earlier of 14 days after purchase or activation of the eSIM | Full refund can be requested within 30 days of purchase | Full refund if bought on Holafly's website, not activated, and requested within six months of purchase |
| Activated or used | If you activated it but cannot use it because of an Airalo error or a retired service: replacement or refund, provided you claim within 30 days of the issue, Airalo cannot restore access within 10 days of your request, and you cooperate. A partly used eSIM is refunded only for the unused part | Treated as used, so a full refund cannot be guaranteed; a partial or full refund may be considered under conditions set out in Saily's Terms of Service section 2.3 | Full or partial refund may be issued in some cases, such as a network failure in a covered destination, in proportion to the reduction in value |
| Locked or incompatible phone | Airalo's terms say you need an unlocked, compatible device | Not stated | Full refund if you installed it on an incompatible or locked device and met the website, not-activated and six-month conditions |
| How you get it back | Refund button in your account, or support; you can take Airmoney or your original payment method, which can take up to 30 business days | Refund request through Saily's website | Contact Holafly's customer support |
| Other points | Refunds are only for purchases made directly from Airalo | The refund help page also offers live chat support | Cancelling a subscription keeps it active to the end of the billing cycle, with no refund for unused time. Separately, the terms give consumers a 14-day legal withdrawal right; clause 11.1 says this can expire earlier if the eSIM is activated and the subscription is consumed or depleted, and a proportional partial refund may be available |
As a general precaution, save the order confirmation, your device model, the time and place of the fault, and your support case number to help explain the issue.
Which should you choose?
This guide does not name a provider. Route yourself by situation:
- Phone is locked or you are unsure it supports eSIM: fix that first. If it is locked, only your carrier can unlock it, and Apple says an iPhone used with another carrier abroad cannot be locked.
- One country, short trip, and you want validity to start on arrival: choose a plan whose page says validity starts when it connects to a network, and install it before you fly. Airalo says this is the case for most of its packages, and Holafly says it for its daily plans.
- Several countries on one trip: compare one regional or global plan with the sum of the country plans you need, and check every stop on the country list.
- You need a laptop hotspot or heavy video use: choose a plan whose page states the hotspot allowance and the high-speed amount. If it is not stated, do not assume it.
- You need a local number or lots of voice calls: a plan that does not state calls or a number is the wrong tool. Look at a local carrier eSIM or SIM, or a package that states calls and texts are included.
- You want to be sure of a refund: pick the plan whose refund conditions you have read and saved before installing, and avoid an auto-renewing subscription unless you want one.
- You keep your home number active: restrict home data roaming and confirm your carrier's fees for calls and texts.
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