TravelNet vs Holafly 2026: Which eSIM Is Worth It?
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TL;DR
- Holafly charges a single flat price for unlimited data, whatever the destination: $27.50 for 7 days, $73.90 for 30 days (Holafly, 2026). Simple, but pricey if you don’t use much.
- At the same unlimited plan (30 days), TravelNet is cheaper on all 5 destinations we tested, from −35% in thailand" class="blog-internal-link">Thailand to −75% in japan" class="blog-internal-link">Japan (prices checked 2026-07-04).
- Holafly sells almost only unlimited on its country pages. TravelNet also offers fixed-GB plans, often far cheaper for light or moderate use.
- Holafly caps hotspot sharing at 1 GB per day, and the eSIM is data-only with no phone number (Holafly, 2026).
Torn between TravelNet and Holafly to stay connected while traveling? Both sell eSIMs you install before you leave. But their philosophy differs. Holafly bets everything on flat-rate unlimited data. TravelNet lets you choose between unlimited and fixed-GB plans, based on what you actually need. This comparison settles it on price, coverage, activation, and real-world use. New to the format? Our guide on what a travel eSIM actually is covers the basics before you compare.
Pricing: Unlimited vs Fixed Data
On a 30-day unlimited plan, TravelNet is cheaper than Holafly on all five destinations we tested. Holafly charges $73.90 everywhere, while our prices range from $18.65 in Japan to $48.26 in Thailand. So the gap runs from 35% to 75% depending on the destination, always in TravelNet’s favor (prices checked 2026-07-04).
We checked every price ourselves on 2026-07-04. Holafly’s logic is one flat price: $27.50 for 7 days, $73.90 for 30 days, whether you go to japan" class="blog-internal-link">Japan or the USA (Holafly, 2026). That’s remarkably simple. But you pay the same rate where local data is cheap, like Japan.
The gap widens further if you don’t need unlimited at all. For light use, a TravelNet fixed-GB plan changes everything. Reckon on $3.81 for 5 GB over 30 days in France, versus $73.90 for Holafly unlimited. Most travelers don’t use enough data to justify a premium unlimited plan. A fixed-GB plan is an eSIM with a set amount of data defined upfront, as opposed to unlimited billed at full rate.
One honest note on unlimited. Both providers apply a fair-use policy on their unlimited plans. No unlimited plan is truly without limits. Always read the terms before buying, whatever the provider.
Country Coverage
On catalog breadth, Holafly is ahead. The brand advertises coverage in more than 190 countries and claims over 15 million eSIMs sold since it launched in 2017 (Wikipedia, 2026). For a round-the-world trip or a rare destination, that’s a real advantage.
TravelNet covers the main travel destinations, with local, regional, and global plans. For a common itinerary, in Europe (like Spain), Asia, or the Americas, both have you covered. The difference then comes down to price and plan flexibility, not whether the destination exists in the catalog.
One handy detail with Holafly is worth noting. Every plan includes an “Always On” reserve of 1 GB per month, valid in more than 150 countries (Holafly, 2026). That’s useful for a layover or an unexpected stop outside your main destination.
Activation and Day-to-Day Use
Activation looks the same on both sides. You install the eSIM by QR code before you leave, on your home Wi-Fi, then activate it on arrival. Within minutes, you’re connected. Both work in Dual SIM mode, so you keep your usual line for calls and texts.
Two concrete points set Holafly apart in daily use. First, the eSIM is data-only: it comes with no phone number. You keep yours on your main SIM, but the Holafly line handles data alone. Second, hotspot sharing is capped at 1 GB per day (Holafly, 2026). If you plan to tether a laptop all day, that cap may get in the way.
On support, Holafly has a genuine strength: chat assistance available 24/7. It’s often cited as its best selling point. At TravelNet, we focus on human support and prices shown upfront, with no hidden fees. It’s for you to weigh what matters most for your trip.
Verdict: Which Profile Fits Which Service?
The choice depends on your usage, not a single winner. Holafly suits you if you want unlimited without thinking about it, one flat price, and 24/7 support, and if budget comes second to simplicity. It’s a clear offer, openly positioned as premium.
TravelNet suits you if you want to pay for what you actually use. A fixed-GB plan for light use, or unlimited that’s cheaper than Holafly if you’re a heavy user. Across our five tested destinations, TravelNet unlimited runs 35% to 75% cheaper than Holafly. To compare against another large marketplace, see our TravelNet vs Airalo comparison too.
Comparison Table: Unlimited Price by Destination
Here are the numbers, on a 30-day unlimited plan. Prices in US dollars, checked on 2026-07-04.
| Destination | TravelNet (unlimited 30 d) | Holafly (unlimited 30 d) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | $18.65 | $73.90 | TravelNet −75% |
| France | $19.01 | $73.90 | TravelNet −74% |
| Spain | $24.27 | $73.90 | TravelNet −67% |
| USA | $38.66 | $73.90 | TravelNet −48% |
| Thailand | $48.26 | $73.90 | TravelNet −35% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holafly really unlimited?
Holafly plans are advertised as unlimited, but a fair-use policy applies. There’s no fixed daily cap posted, but the operator can manage speed under heavy use (Holafly, 2026). As everywhere, read the terms before buying any plan labeled unlimited.
Why is Holafly more expensive than TravelNet?
Holafly charges one flat price for unlimited, whatever the destination: $73.90 for 30 days. TravelNet adjusts prices by country and also offers fixed-GB plans. The result: across the five destinations tested, TravelNet unlimited is 35% to 75% cheaper (checked 2026-07-04).
Can I share my connection (hotspot) with Holafly?
Yes, but with a limit. Holafly caps hotspot sharing at 1 GB per day (Holafly, 2026). That’s enough to help out a second device, but not enough to work all day on a laptop over tethering.
Do I keep my phone number?
Yes, with both services. The travel eSIM handles data only, and your main line stays active for calls and texts. The Holafly eSIM is data-only, with no dedicated number. You need a phone that supports eSIM and is unlocked.
Ready to Choose Your Travel eSIM?
The verdict is simple: if you want unlimited, TravelNet offers it cheaper than Holafly across our five destinations, and adds fixed-GB plans so you only pay for what you need. Check your destination and the plan that fits your real usage. Browse eSIM travel plans by destination and land already connected.
Sources
All URLs retrieved 2026-07-04.
- Holafly (2026). eSIM Japan — plans and prices. https://esim.holafly.com/esim-japan/
- Holafly (2026). eSIM USA — plans, hotspot and data-only terms. https://esim.holafly.com/esim-usa/
- Holafly (2026). eSIM Spain / Thailand / France — plans and prices. https://esim.holafly.com/esim-spain/
- Wikipedia (2026). Holafly. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holafly
- Holafly (2026). Are there eSIMs with unlimited data? — Fair Usage Policy explained. https://esim.holafly.com/faq/about-esims/are-there-esims-with-unlimited-data/
- TravelNet pricing: TravelNet eSIM product catalog, retrieved 2026-07-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
TravelNet Editorial Team
eSIM Experts
The TravelNet Editorial Team is a group of eSIM and travel connectivity specialists with first-hand experience across 100+ countries. We test every plan, verify network coverage, and research the best mobile internet solutions so you stay connected wherever you go.