Holafly vs PuraSim: an honest comparison for travelers in 2026

What is Holafly and what is PuraSim?

Before diving into the comparison, it’s worth understanding where each company comes from. If you’re not familiar with the basic concept yet, we recommend reading our guide on what an eSIM is — you'll grasp it in two minutes.

Holafly is a Spanish company founded in 2017 that became one of the pioneers in the eSIM market for travelers. Its main proposition is simple: unlimited data (with nuances) in a specific destination, with plans ranging from a few days to several months. They have grown significantly thanks to influencer marketing and word-of-mouth, and today they cover over 150 countries.

PuraSim is a newer alternative that prioritizes transparent pricing and plans tailored for the modern traveler: people who don't want to overpay, who travel to multiple countries on the same trip, or who need reliable connectivity without surprises. PuraSim offers both daily plans and specific data options, with coverage in Europe, Asia, America, and international destinations.

Both offer digital eSIMs: there's no physical card, they are installed directly from your phone with a QR code and don't take up space in your luggage. The big difference lies in how they structure their plans, their prices, and the user experience.

If you already understand what an eSIM is and want to activate yours without complications, our guide on how to install your eSIM step-by-step can also help you.

Main differences between Holafly and PuraSim

The comparison between these two platforms doesn't have an absolute winner: it depends on your travel style. These are the key differentiating factors:

Data Model

Holafly banks on "unlimited data" marketing, which attracts many people. The reality is that most of their plans do offer data without a GB limit, but speed can be reduced (throttling) after certain intensive use, depending on the destination and local operator.

PuraSim offers plans with defined data (X GB for X days) and also high-capacity options depending on the destination. The advantage: you know exactly what you have and can buy top-ups if you need more. No fine print about speed.

Flexibility of Destinations

Holafly works very well for a single country or region. If you plan a trip to Europe with stops in several countries, you need to choose their "Europe" plan — which usually covers the Schengen area — instead of individual country plans.

PuraSim has well-structured regional coverage: you can choose between an eSIM for Europe, an eSIM for Asia, or an international eSIM that covers multiple zones. Especially useful for long-distance trips or routes that cross several continents.

Customer Support

Holafly has a quite active support team, with web chat and social media response. During peak season, response times can be longer.

PuraSim prioritizes Spanish support with personalized attention, which makes it especially convenient for Spanish-speaking travelers who prefer to resolve queries without language barriers.

Purchase Process

Both platforms have simple online purchase processes. The notable difference is that PuraSim shows final prices without surprises from the start, while with Holafly, it's advisable to carefully review the conditions of each plan before confirming.

Price and plan comparison

Price is, logically, one of the decisive factors. Here's an honest analysis, without inventing exact figures that can vary depending on the destination and purchase date:

Practical tip: before buying, estimate how many GB you'll actually need. If you're a social media and maps user, 3-5 GB per week is usually more than enough. If you make frequent video calls or upload content, you'll need more. With that in mind, compare specific plans on both platforms for your actual destination.

For trips across the Asian continent, prices and coverage vary quite a bit: check the options for eSIM for Asia and compare them with what Holafly offers for that region.

Which is easier to activate?

One of the most frequent questions from first-time eSIM buyers is: is this complicated? The answer is no. But there are differences in the experience.

Process with Holafly

1. Go to the website, choose destination and duration.
2. Pay with card or PayPal.
3. Receive the QR code by email within minutes.
4. Scan it from your phone's settings.
5. The eSIM is installed; activate it when you arrive at your destination.

Process with PuraSim

1. Select the plan that best fits your trip.
2. Complete payment in a few steps.
3. Receive the QR and personalized installation instructions based on your phone model.
4. Install it, and you can schedule activation for when you land.
5. Once active, manage your data usage from the app.

Both processes are fast and digital. PuraSim's advantage is that the instructions are more personalized by device, which reduces confusion for those installing an eSIM for the first time. If you want to do it right from the start, check the complete guide on how to install your eSIM.

Compatibility: both work with iPhone (from XS), Samsung Galaxy (from S20), Google Pixel (from 3a), and most modern Android phones with eSIM support. If you have doubts about your model, check before buying.

Which option is for which type of traveler?

There's no universal answer. The best choice depends on how you travel. Here are real profiles to help you identify with one:

Choose Holafly if...

• You are traveling to a single country for one or two weeks.
• You consume a lot of data (streaming, long video calls) and prefer not to worry about GB.
• You already know the brand and have had a positive experience before.
• You seek the peace of mind of "unlimited data" even if speed may vary.

Choose PuraSim if...

• You have an itinerary with several countries or continents.
• You want to know exactly how much data you have and top up if you need more.
• You are looking for clear pricing without fine print.
• You value close support in Spanish.
• You prefer to manage your connectivity from an app.

For frequent travelers who often go to Europe, an eSIM for Europe with broad coverage in the Schengen area is the smartest option. And if your adventure takes you further, the international eSIM covers destinations beyond a single continent.

Conclusion — Which one to choose?

Holafly and PuraSim are two good options for staying connected while traveling without paying abusive roaming charges. The choice depends on your priorities: if you are looking for the promise of unlimited data for a specific destination, Holafly is a known and tested alternative. If you prefer transparent pricing, multi-destination flexibility, and the ability to manage and top up your data from an app in Spanish, PuraSim fits the modern traveler better.

The most important thing is to leave behind physical SIMs and your operator's expensive roaming plans. Either option will give you better value for your money. If you still have doubts, explore the available plans and find the eSIM that best suits your next trip.

Escrito por Marc González Sáez Fundador de PuraSim y especialista en eSIM y conectividad para viajeros. Lleva años ayudando a viajar conectado por todo el mundo sin pagar de más por el roaming, y prueba personalmente las eSIM en cada destino antes de recomendarlas.