Deciding between Airalo and Holafly? Here is how they compare, point by point — and why SimbaSIM is the better pick than either: truly unlimited data that never stops, plus what neither of them gives you: refund if it never connects, even after installing; and unused days refunded.
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Why SimbaSIM beats both Airalo and Holafly
Truly unlimited — your data never stops
Every plan is unlimited data for its whole length, in all 136 destinations. No data packs to size, no top-ups to remember, no overage charges.
Add days to the same eSIM
A new plan bought with the same email goes onto the eSIM you already have.
Holafly: Top-ups are no longer offered; a longer trip needs a new eSIM.
Exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans
The same three lengths in all 136 destinations.
Airalo: No unlimited plan for exactly 14 days in Japan, 14 days in Europe.
Refund if it never connects, even after installing
Full refund if it will not install or never connects.
Airalo: Replacement or refund only for failures caused by Airalo that it cannot fix within 10 days.
Holafly: Case by case after activation, and only if reported during the trip.
Unused days refunded
Unused days refunded within 30 days of purchase.
Airalo: No refund once the eSIM is activated or used.
Holafly: Activated eSIMs are handled case by case.
Airalo vs Holafly vs SimbaSIM, side by side
From each brand’s own website, help pages and terms, checked 3 October 2026.
Feature
SimbaSIM
Airalo
Holafly
Every plan is unlimited data
Yes
NoAlso sells fixed-data packs you have to size.
Yes
No app or account needed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Days start when you land
Yes
Yes
Yes
Add days to the same eSIM
Yes
Yes
NoTop-ups are no longer offered; a longer trip needs a new eSIM.
Exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans
Yes
NoNo unlimited plan for exactly 14 days in Japan, 14 days in Europe.
Yes
Refund if it never connects, even after installing
Yes
PartlyReplacement or refund only for failures caused by Airalo that it cannot fix within 10 days.
PartlyCase by case after activation, and only if reported during the trip.
Unused days refunded
Yes
NoNo refund once the eSIM is activated or used.
NoActivated eSIMs are handled case by case.
24/7 chat without their app
Yes
Yes
Yes
Boxes ticked
8 of 8
4 of 8
5 of 8
Airalo or Holafly: which is better?
Airalo
Best for travellers who know roughly how much data they need and want the cheapest small pack, from the biggest catalogue.
Ahead of Holafly on
Add days to the same eSIM
Before you buy
No refund once the eSIM is activated, and refunds can come back as store credit.
Reviewers often mention fiddly installs and manual APN settings.
Some reviewers report connections dropping outside major cities.
Refunds
14 days to withdraw, ending once the eSIM is activated. Replacement or refund if an activated eSIM fails through Airalo’s error and cannot be fixed within 10 days; refunds may be paid as Airmoney credit.
Holafly
Best for travellers who want unlimited data at one simple price and can buy the exact number of days up front.
Ahead of Airalo on
Every plan is unlimited data
Exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans
Before you buy
No top-ups or extensions — a longer trip means buying and installing a second eSIM.
One price for every country, so destinations that cost less elsewhere — Thailand, the US — cost the same here.
Refunds for connection problems are only considered if you report them during the trip.
Refunds
Full refund within 6 months if the eSIM was never activated. After activation, case by case; connection problems must be reported before or during the trip, and a $3.50 fee can apply.
Or skip the trade-off: SimbaSIM
Truly unlimited data on every plan: 3, 7 or 14 days in 136 destinations
No app, no account — your eSIM is delivered in 1 minute
Days start when you land, and more days go onto the same eSIM
Full refund if it never connects; unused days refunded within 30 days
Airalo is ahead of Holafly on add days to the same eSIM. Holafly is ahead of Airalo on every plan is unlimited data; and exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans. Airalo suits travellers who know roughly how much data they need and want the cheapest small pack, from the biggest catalogue. Holafly suits travellers who want unlimited data at one simple price and can buy the exact number of days up front. If you want every box ticked — truly unlimited data, no app, a refund if it never connects — SimbaSIM is the better pick than either.
Do Airalo and Holafly need an app?+
Airalo can be used without its app. Holafly can be used without its app. SimbaSIM needs no app and no account: you buy on the website and your eSIM is delivered by email in 1 minute.
What are Airalo’s and Holafly’s refund policies?+
Airalo: 14 days to withdraw, ending once the eSIM is activated. Replacement or refund if an activated eSIM fails through Airalo’s error and cannot be fixed within 10 days; refunds may be paid as Airmoney credit. Holafly: Full refund within 6 months if the eSIM was never activated. After activation, case by case; connection problems must be reported before or during the trip, and a $3.50 fee can apply. SimbaSIM refunds in full if the eSIM will not install or never connects — even after you have installed it — and refunds unused days within 30 days of purchase.
Is there a better alternative to Airalo and Holafly?+
SimbaSIM. Every plan is truly unlimited data, and it gives you what neither Airalo nor Holafly does: refund if it never connects, even after installing; and unused days refunded. Plans start at $12.90 for 3 days in 136 destinations.
Airalo and Holafly are trademarks of their owners. SimbaSIM is not affiliated with or endorsed by either. Details about Airalo and Holafly were taken from their own websites and terms on 3 October 2026 and may since have changed.
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