Choosing the right travel eSIM comes down to how much data you need, where you’re travelling and how much you want to spend. Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Simify and Nomad all work a little differently, so the cheapest option for one trip might not be the best fit for another. We compare the major differences in data, pricing, coverage and features below to help you see which eSIM makes sense for your trip.
Airalo vs Holafly
Airalo and Holafly solve the same problem in opposite ways. Airalo sells capped data, you buy 3GB, 10GB, whatever fits your trip, and it’s gone when it’s gone. Holafly sells unlimited data at a flat rate, no counting required.
| Airalo | Holafly | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 200+ countries | 190+ countries |
| Data model | Capped (pay per GB) | Unlimited |
| Price from | ~$4.50 AUD | ~$35 AUD (15 days) |
| Data rollover | No | N/A, unlimited |
| Best for | Light to moderate users | Heavy users, streamers, remote workers |
If you’re checking maps and sending messages, Airalo will almost always cost less for the same trip. If you’re the type who streams music on transit, hops on video calls, or just doesn’t want to think about a data counter, Holafly’s flat unlimited rate ends up being the simpler and often cheaper option once you’re past 10 to 15GB of use.
Our take: light users save more with Airalo. Heavy users get better value and less hassle with Holafly.
Which is cheaper, Airalo or Holafly?
Airalo will probably work out cheaper if you stay within your data allowance, but the moment you go over and need to buy more data, you’ve blown your budget. If you can stretch to Holafly with unlimited data, you’ll have certainty and probably save yourself money.
Can I use Airalo and Holafly on the same trip?
Yes. Most modern phones, such as Apple iPhone 13 and above can support 2 eSIMs on a trip. That’s something you’ll want to check before you leave.
Airalo vs Saily
These two are closer than any other matchup on this page. Both are capped, pay-per-GB eSIMs with similar country coverage, similar app quality, and similar loyalty cashback schemes. The real differences are pricing structure and who’s behind the app.
| Airalo | Saily | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 200+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Data model | Capped | Capped (some unlimited regional options) |
| Price from | ~$4.50 AUD | ~$3 to $4 USD (1GB) |
| Parent company | Independent, founded 2019 | Nord Security (NordVPN, NordPass), launched 2024 |
| Loyalty | Airmoney, 5 to 10% cashback | Saily credits, similar cashback rate |
| Best for | Widest brand recognition, largest catalogue | Slightly cheaper entry pricing, security-focused parent |
Saily often undercuts Airalo on short single-country plans by a small margin, largely because it’s newer and pricing aggressively to build share. Airalo has the longer track record and the bigger catalogue of destinations and plan types. If you already use NordVPN, the bundle discount is a genuine reason to lean Saily. Otherwise it’s close enough that either is a safe pick.
Our take: near-identical in practice. Saily edges out on price for short trips, Airalo edges out on range of plan types and years in the market.
Is Saily owned by NordVPN?
Saily is owned by Nord Security, the owners of NordVPN.
Does Saily or Airalo have better coverage in Asia?
Airalo has slightly broader coverage and more depth (it’s been doing this a lot longer). But, if you’re not disappearing into the jungle, you’re unlikely to have issue with either.
Simify vs Holafly
This one’s a genuine trade-off between an Australian-run generalist and a European unlimited specialist.
| Simify | Holafly | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 190+ destinations | 190+ countries |
| Data model | Both capped and unlimited plans | Unlimited only |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | Dublin (Spanish-founded) |
| Hotspot on unlimited plans | Yes | Varies by plan |
| Best for | Australians wanting local support, APAC trips | Guaranteed unlimited data anywhere |
Simify’s Sydney base shows up in the details that matter to Australian travellers: support hours that overlap with home, and noticeably strong coverage and speed across the Asia-Pacific region specifically. It also gives you the choice of capped or unlimited, so you’re not locked into paying for data you won’t use. Holafly’s advantage is consistency, unlimited is unlimited everywhere, with no capped-vs-unlimited decision to make, though hotspot support is patchier on some of its plans.
Our take: Simify if you want flexibility and strong APAC performance from an Aussie-run provider. Holafly if you want one unlimited plan that works the same way everywhere and don’t need to worry about hotspot limits.
Is Simify an Australian company?
Yes, it was started in 2018 in Sydney.
Does Simify allow hotspot on unlimited plans?
You can hotspot and tether on Simify unlimited plans.
Holafly vs Saily
The most clear-cut matchup of the four: unlimited premium versus capped budget.
| Holafly | Saily | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 190+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Data model | Unlimited | Capped |
| Price from | ~$35 AUD (15 days) | ~$3 to $4 USD (1GB) |
| Parent company | Independent, founded 2017 | Nord Security, launched 2024 |
| Best for | Heavy data users, simplicity | Budget-conscious, light to moderate users |
There’s not much overlap in who each of these actually suits. A light user comparing the two will find Saily cheaper in almost every scenario, since they’re not paying for unlimited headroom they won’t touch. A heavy user comparing the two will find Holafly cheaper, since Saily’s capped pricing scales up fast once you’re buying 15 to 20GB blocks. The security angle from Saily’s NordVPN parentage is a genuine differentiator too, if that matters to you, it’s not something Holafly offers.
Our take: work out roughly how much data you’ll use before you pick. Under 10GB, Saily wins. Over that, Holafly usually does.
Is Saily cheaper than Holafly?
For short trips and light usage, Saily will work out cheaper than Holafly.
Does Holafly or Saily have better security features?
Coming from the owners of NordVPN, Saily has better security, but neither should be considered perfect.
Airalo vs Nomad
Both are app-managed, capped-data marketplaces with broad country coverage, so this comparison comes down to regional pricing strength and trial terms.
| Airalo | Nomad | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 200+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Data model | Capped | Capped |
| Free trial | No | 1GB / 3 days, 49 destinations, no card required |
| Price from | ~$4.50 AUD | Plans from 5GB up to 1000GB |
| Best for | Widest brand recognition, largest catalogue | Testing before you buy, strong Europe per-GB pricing |
Nomad’s free trial is the standout difference here, it’s a genuinely low-risk way to confirm network quality in your destination before spending anything, and Airalo doesn’t offer an equivalent. Where Nomad specifically pulls ahead is Europe, where its per-GB pricing tends to beat Airalo’s regional plans. Airalo still wins on sheer catalogue size and brand recognition if you want the safest, most well-known option.
Our take: try Nomad’s free trial first if you’re unsure. If you’re headed to Europe specifically, check Nomad’s pricing before defaulting to Airalo.
Does Nomad have a free trial?
1GB of free data is available for 3 days over many popular destinations as a free trial with Nomad.
Is Nomad cheaper than Airalo for Europe?
Yes, Nomad is generally cheaper than Airalo for larger data blocks.
Holafly vs Nomad
Unlimited simplicity against a capped plan with the safety net of a free trial.
| Holafly | Nomad | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 190+ countries | 200+ countries |
| Data model | Unlimited | Capped |
| Free trial | No | 1GB / 3 days, 49 destinations, no card required |
| Price from | ~$35 AUD (15 days) | Plans from 5GB up to 1000GB |
| Best for | Heavy users, simplicity | Trying before you commit, flexible plan sizes |
These two suit different instincts. If you’d rather not think about data at all once you land, Holafly’s unlimited model removes that decision entirely. If you’d rather test the network first and then buy exactly the amount of data you need, Nomad’s free trial and wide range of plan sizes, from small top-ups to very large 1000GB packs, give you that control. Nomad also edges Holafly on pure destination count.
Our take: Nomad if you want to try before you buy and pick your own data size. Holafly if you’d rather skip the decision entirely and go unlimited.
Can I try Nomad before paying?
Yes, you can access a free data trial plan.
Does Nomad offer unlimited data like Holafly?
No, Nomad does not offer unlimited data.
Which eSIM Is Right for You?
There isn’t one eSIM that suits every traveller. Airalo and Nomad give you more control over how much data you buy, while Holafly is built around unlimited data and simplicity. Saily sits closer to Airalo as a budget-friendly capped-data option, while Simify gives Australian travellers another choice with both capped and unlimited plans.
The best option depends on your destination, how much data you expect to use and whether features such as unlimited data, hotspot access, local support or a free trial matter to you. Before buying, compare the plans available for your destination rather than choosing purely on the headline starting price.
You can find all our eSIM promo codes here and all our eSIM Guides here.
Michael is a contributor to The Champagne Mile – Deals. No fancy credentials – just a genuine obsession with finding ways to travel better for less, and sharing those finds with anyone who’ll listen. Michael figures there are plenty of other Australians who’d rather spend five seconds clicking a link than five hours searching for a working code. When he’s not buried in promo codes, Michael is probably planning his next trip overseas or dirtbike adventure.
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Last Updated on 19 September 2026 by michael
