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Inbox eSIMTravel eSIM

Holafly vs Saily

Unlimited-data eSIMs priced by the number of days in 200+ destinations, plus monthly subscriptions. App-based travel eSIM from Nord Security (maker of NordVPN) with fixed-GB and unlimited plans. Their prices could not both be read, so this compares how they work. We sell eSIMs too (Inbox eSIM), shown as a third column so you can judge.

HolaflyNo app needed to buy: checkout on the website with an email; the app is optional (log in with that email).
VS
SailyAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
HolaflyNo app needed to buy: checkout on the website with an email; the app is optional (log in with that email).
VS
SailyAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.

How they differ

Holafly and Saily feature by feature, with Inbox eSIM as a third column
FeatureHolaflySailyInbox eSIM
PlansMostly unlimited data by days (1 to 90), local, regional or global; also monthly 25 GB or unlimited subscriptions.sourceFixed-GB plans from 1 GB, unlimited plans in select places, country, regional and global, plus Ultra subscriptions.sourceFixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries
App or accountNo app needed to buy: checkout on the website with an email; the app is optional (log in with that email).sourceAccount required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.sourceNone: no app and no account
How you get itQR code sent by email right after payment; also shown in your Holafly account and the app.sourceInstalled from the Saily app; manual setup uses details shown in the app.sourceQR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying
When days startWhen you turn on data roaming for the eSIM at the destination; on iOS 16.4+ install may also activate it.sourceWhen the phone connects to a supported network at the destination; it starts by itself 180 days after purchase.sourceWhen the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country
HotspotLimited per destination: for example 1 GB of shareable data per day in Japan (7 GB on a 7-day plan).sourceAllowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.sourceUsually allowed; the local network can still limit it
Top-upsNo top-ups: for more days you buy and install a new eSIM.sourceYes, on the same eSIM in the app: a one-time top-up or Auto top-up when data runs out.sourceYes, on the same eSIM, from the order page
Phone numberDay plans are data only. The monthly Unlimited subscription adds a local number for incoming SMS.sourceOptional add-on: a US (+1) number with call and SMS packages, USD 1.99 a month plus usage packs.sourceNo: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM
RefundsNot activated, within 6 months: full refund to the original payment method. Used: partial, USD 3.50 fee.sourceNot installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.sourceUnused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days
Support24/7 chat on the website, app and WhatsApp, plus email at help@holafly.com.source24/7 live chat (in the app only) and email; no phone support.sourceEmail, around the clock; a person answers
PaymentVisa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay (payment logos shown on plan pages).sourceCredit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS) and Google Pay, in the app or on the website.sourceCard, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)

Plans

Holafly
Mostly unlimited data by days (1 to 90), local, regional or global; also monthly 25 GB or unlimited subscriptions.
Saily
Fixed-GB plans from 1 GB, unlimited plans in select places, country, regional and global, plus Ultra subscriptions.
Inbox eSIM
Fixed GB (1 to 50 GB), country, regional and Global packs, plus a Day Pass in many countries

App or account

Holafly
No app needed to buy: checkout on the website with an email; the app is optional (log in with that email).
Saily
Account required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM.
Inbox eSIM
None: no app and no account

How you get it

Holafly
QR code sent by email right after payment; also shown in your Holafly account and the app.
Saily
Installed from the Saily app; manual setup uses details shown in the app.
Inbox eSIM
QR code and a one-tap Add eSIM link by email, about a minute after paying

When days start

Holafly
When you turn on data roaming for the eSIM at the destination; on iOS 16.4+ install may also activate it.
Saily
When the phone connects to a supported network at the destination; it starts by itself 180 days after purchase.
Inbox eSIM
When the eSIM first connects to a network in a covered country

Hotspot

Holafly
Limited per destination: for example 1 GB of shareable data per day in Japan (7 GB on a 7-day plan).
Saily
Allowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies.
Inbox eSIM
Usually allowed; the local network can still limit it

Top-ups

Holafly
No top-ups: for more days you buy and install a new eSIM.
Saily
Yes, on the same eSIM in the app: a one-time top-up or Auto top-up when data runs out.
Inbox eSIM
Yes, on the same eSIM, from the order page

Phone number

Holafly
Day plans are data only. The monthly Unlimited subscription adds a local number for incoming SMS.
Saily
Optional add-on: a US (+1) number with call and SMS packages, USD 1.99 a month plus usage packs.
Inbox eSIM
No: data only. Your own number stays on your main SIM

Refunds

Holafly
Not activated, within 6 months: full refund to the original payment method. Used: partial, USD 3.50 fee.
Saily
Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated.
Inbox eSIM
Unused and never installed: full refund to the card within 30 days

Support

Holafly
24/7 chat on the website, app and WhatsApp, plus email at help@holafly.com.
Saily
24/7 live chat (in the app only) and email; no phone support.
Inbox eSIM
Email, around the clock; a person answers

Payment

Holafly
Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Apple Pay and Google Pay (payment logos shown on plan pages).
Saily
Credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay (iOS) and Google Pay, in the app or on the website.
Inbox eSIM
Card, Apple Pay or Google Pay, in your own currency (Stripe)
Holafly
  • Priced by days, not GB: Japan read at USD 11.90 for 3 days, 27.50 for 7 days, 73.90 for 30 days. source
  • "Always On": 1 GB of backup data every 30 days in 150+ countries while the eSIM stays installed. source
  • Terms bar domestic use and limit each continuous stay in one destination to 90 days. source
  • Since 28 Sep 2026 an unactivated plan can be transferred to another person once. source
Saily
  • Built by Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. source
  • Free extras in the app: ad blocker, web protection and virtual location (115+ locations). source
  • Partial refunds after use are at Saily's discretion; a decision comes within 5 working days. source
  • Ultra subscribers get 8% of data plan purchases back as Saily credits. source

Which one to pick

Holafly

Pick Holafly if

  • You stream or work heavily on your phone for a set number of days and do not want to track GB at all.
  • You book far ahead: an unactivated Holafly eSIM can be refunded up to 6 months after purchase (ours: 30 days).
  • You travel every month and want one subscription that renews, with a local number for incoming SMS.
  • You want to pay with PayPal.
Saily

Pick Saily if

  • You want an ad blocker, web protection and a virtual location built into the travel data app.
  • You need a real phone number: Saily sells a US (+1) number with calls and SMS as an add-on.
  • You want unlimited plans with 5 GB a day at full speed (our Day Pass gives 3 GB a day).
  • You want to pay with PayPal.
Inbox eSIM

Or neither, if

  • You would rather skip the app and the account.
  • You want the QR by email and a refund to the card if you never install it.
Inbox eSIM prices →

Questions

Do Holafly and Saily need an app?

Holafly: No app needed to buy: checkout on the website with an email; the app is optional (log in with that email).. Saily: Account required. Plans can be bought on the website, but the Saily app is needed to install the eSIM..

What are their refund rules?

Holafly: Not activated, within 6 months: full refund to the original payment method. Used: partial, USD 3.50 fee.. Saily: Not installed or not activated, within 30 days: full refund. Card or credit is not stated..

Can I use them as a hotspot?

Holafly: Limited per destination: for example 1 GB of shareable data per day in Japan (7 GB on a 7-day plan).. Saily: Allowed; hotspot data counts against the plan and the fair use policy applies..

Which is better for unlimited data?

Holafly: No fixed cap; local networks may slow heavy users for up to a day. Hotspot is capped per destination.. Saily: 5 GB at high speed per 24 hours, then 1 Mbps for the rest of that period (Ultra Premium: 30 GB a month)..

Is there an option without an app?

Inbox eSIM (this site) sends the QR and a one-tap install link by email, with no app or account. We sell eSIMs, so weigh that; the prices above show where we are cheaper and where we are not.

Or skip the appInbox eSIM: QR and a one-tap install link by email, in about a minute.

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