Airalo vs Holafly: Fixed Data or Unlimited, Which Costs Less?

Quick answer: Airalo or Holafly?

• Two models: Airalo sells fixed data packs, for example 10 GB for 30 days, and, according to Airalo, unlimited plans in 150 destinations. On its Turkey, USA and Thailand pages, Holafly sells unlimited data only, priced by the number of days.
• Unlimited for 7 days (as of Nov 6, 2026): Holafly $27.50 USD in Turkey, the USA and Thailand. Airalo $24.50 USD (Turkey), $25.00 USD (USA) and $21.00 USD (Thailand). Airalo was cheaper in all 18 unlimited plans we compared.
• Small data needs: at Airalo, 10 GB for 30 days costs $15.50 USD (Turkey), $22.50 USD (USA) and $11.00 USD (Thailand). Holafly has no fixed GB packs on these country pages.
• Throttling: Airalo Unlimited slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day by default. Holafly says network operators may slow speeds under a Fair Usage Policy for no more than one day, without naming a data threshold.
• Hotspot: Holafly lets you share 1 GB per day. Airalo says there is no limit on tethering for its unlimited plans.
• Trustpilot (as of Nov 6, 2026): Holafly 4.7 out of 5 from 116,456 reviews, Airalo 4.2 out of 5 from 49,243 reviews.
• Rule of thumb: light or medium data use: an Airalo fixed pack. Heavy use: Airalo Unlimited costs less but slows after 3 GB a day. Holafly costs more and names no daily threshold, but caps hotspot sharing at 1 GB a day.

Two models: data packs or unlimited by the day

Airalo sells eSIMs for 200+ destinations. Its classic product is a pack with a fixed amount of data and a fixed validity, such as 1 GB for 3 days or 20 GB for 30 days. Airalo launched unlimited plans in Q3 2025 and says they are now available in 150 destinations (Airalo, Jun 2, 2026). The Turkey, USA and Thailand pages offer both.

Holafly is built around unlimited data. On its Turkey, USA and Thailand pages, every plan is unlimited and you pick the number of days (Holafly Turkey). For long trips, Holafly also sells monthly subscriptions (Holafly Plans): Light with 25 GB at €45.95 a month, Unlimited at €59.95 a month and Ultra, which adds a local number, at €84.90 a month, valid in 160+ destinations (Holafly Plans).

So the real question is not only "who is cheaper" but: how much data do you actually use?

Prices compared: Turkey, USA and Thailand (as of Nov 6, 2026)

We read all prices on the English country pages on Nov 6, 2026. Both shops showed us prices in US dollars, so no conversion is needed. You may see a different currency at checkout, depending on your location and settings.

Unlimited plans

Sources: Airalo Turkey, USA, Thailand; Holafly Turkey, USA, Thailand, checked Nov 6, 2026. Holafly showed the same price table in all three countries.

Fixed data packs

Sources: Airalo Turkey, USA, Thailand, checked Nov 6, 2026. Holafly offers no fixed GB packs on these country pages.

What this means:

• Unlimited: Airalo was cheaper in all 18 comparisons. For 3 days the gap is small: $11.50 vs. $11.90 USD in Turkey. For 15 days it is larger: $39.00 vs. $50.50 USD in Turkey.
• Thailand is especially cheap at Airalo: 30 days of unlimited data cost $49.00 USD, compared with $73.90 USD at Holafly.
• If 5 to 20 GB is enough, an Airalo fixed pack costs even less. Example Thailand: 10 GB for 30 days at $11.00 USD.
• But price isn't everything. How fast you can still browse after heavy use and how much hotspot you get differ between the two. That's what the next sections cover.

Holafly vs Airalo unlimited: fair use and throttling

Sources: Airalo fair use policy, Holafly Turkey, USA and Thailand pages, checked Nov 6, 2026.

Airalo is more specific here: you know in advance how many GB you get at full speed and what speed follows. 3 GB a day covers maps, social media and some video. Holafly says a slowdown happens "in rare cases" and lasts no more than one day, but gives no number.

Hotspot and tethering

• Holafly: "Use your Turkey eSIM card as a WiFi hotspot and share 1 GB per day." The total depends on the plan length; a 7-day plan includes 7 GB (Holafly Turkey). The USA and Thailand pages state the same rule (USA, Thailand).
• Airalo: hotspot works as long as your device and the network support it. If your eSIM needs a manually set APN, you enter it for the hotspot too (Airalo Help). For unlimited plans, Airalo says "There is no limit on tethering or the number of devices you connect" (Airalo fair use policy).

If you regularly get a laptop or tablet online through your phone, this is a real difference. 1 GB a day is fine for email and browsing, but not for many video calls on a laptop.

Validity, top-ups, phone number and ID

Sources: Airalo validity and top-ups, Airalo identity verification, Airalo pages Turkey, USA, Thailand; Holafly pages Turkey, USA, Thailand, checked Nov 6, 2026.

With both, your phone must support eSIM and be carrier-unlocked. Check our list of compatible devices first.

Holafly reviews and Airalo reviews: Trustpilot (as of Nov 6, 2026)

Sources: Trustpilot Airalo, Trustpilot Holafly, checked Nov 6, 2026.

For Airalo, Trustpilot's AI summary of recent reviews says travelers often praise how easy the app is to install. Some mention connection or activation problems in certain countries, slow speeds, or long support chats. For Holafly, the most recent reviews we saw mostly praise easy setup, a working connection on arrival and helpful support.

Keep in mind that reviews are individual experiences. The rules above apply to everyone, so they often matter more than the score. For more on Airalo, including refunds and the app, read our Airalo review.

Turkey: both providers are blocked inside the country

Since July 2025, Turkey's telecom authority BTK has blocked access to at least 35 eSIM providers, Airalo and Holafly among them. The rulings were released on July 10 and July 17, 2025 (bne IntelliNews, Jul 21, 2025, citing EngelliWeb). According to German tech site GIGA, eSIMs installed before arrival usually keep working (GIGA, Jun 27, 2026, in German).

Holafly says on its Turkey page: "Access to some international eSIM websites and apps may be restricted while you're already in Turkey." It advises buying and installing the eSIM before your trip (Holafly Turkey). For you, that means: with either provider, buy and install at home. With an Airalo fixed pack, take a bit more data than you think, because topping up inside Turkey can fail. Details: Turkey eSIM blocked.

Which one fits your trip?

Short trip with hotel Wi-Fi (3 to 7 days)

A small fixed pack is usually enough. Airalo sells 1 GB for 3 days for $4.00 USD in Turkey, the USA and Thailand. Unlimited for 3 days costs $9.50 to $11.50 USD at Airalo and $11.90 USD at Holafly.

Two-week round trip, normal use

With maps, social media and photos, many travelers get by with 5 to 20 GB, and a fixed Airalo pack is the cheaper choice. If you don't want to watch your data at all, 15 days of unlimited data cost $39.00 to $46.00 USD at Airalo and $50.50 USD at Holafly.

Heavy users, streaming, working on the road

This is where unlimited plans fit. Airalo costs less and has no tethering limit, but slows to 1 Mbps after 3 GB a day. Holafly costs more and names no daily threshold, but caps hotspot sharing at 1 GB a day. If you mostly stream on your phone, Holafly can work well. If you work through your hotspot a lot, look closely at Airalo. For months on the road, Holafly's monthly plans are another option.

One more option for Turkey

Airalo and Holafly are not the only providers. One more option is eSIMFOX: for Turkey, 10 GB for 30 days costs €9.99 (as of Nov 6, 2026). According to the product page, validity only starts with the first network connection in Turkey and no ID check is needed. The same advice applies: install it before you travel (Turkey eSIM).

Sources

• Airalo: press release, Jun 2, 2026; country pages Turkey, USA, Thailand with unlimited packages on Turkey, USA, Thailand, checked Nov 6, 2026.
• Airalo rules: fair use policy, hotspot, validity and top-ups, identity verification, checked Nov 6, 2026.
• Holafly: country pages Turkey, USA, Thailand and Holafly Plans, checked Nov 6, 2026.
• Reviews: Trustpilot Airalo, Trustpilot Holafly, checked Nov 6, 2026.
• Turkey block: bne IntelliNews, Jul 21, 2025 and GIGA, Jun 27, 2026, checked Nov 6, 2026.
• Turkey eSIM price: Turkey eSIM product page, checked Nov 6, 2026.

Related guides

• Airalo review: costs, app and common problems
• Turkey eSIM blocked: what is affected and what still works
• Best eSIM for Turkey
• Best eSIM for the USA
• Best eSIM for Thailand
• What is an eSIM? How it works, setup and compatibility
• How to install and use your eSIM