In short: In the Ubigi vs Holafly comparison, there isn't one eSIM that's inherently better: Ubigi sells rechargeable data by the GB and suits frequent travelers who monitor their consumption; Holafly sells unlimited data per day and is ideal for a one-off trip where you don't want to keep track of your usage. The real difference lies in your consumption pattern, not the brand.
Ubigi and Holafly have been two of the most sought-after travel eSIMs for years, and it's no coincidence: each has embraced and maintained a distinct business model. Ubigi was born with the ambition of being a "serious" data operator, offering gigabyte-based plans designed for those who connect multiple devices and travel regularly. Holafly built its brand around an easy-to-understand promise: unlimited data, no surprises, no calculations. This guide honestly compares both —coverage, price, activation, fine print— so you can choose based on how you travel, not on which one sounds better.
Ubigi and Holafly aren't competing for the same thing
Before comparing prices or coverage, it's important to understand that both address different needs. Ubigi sells data packages by the gigabyte with daily validity: you buy a bundle, consume it at your own pace, and recharge when it runs out or before it expires. Holafly sells unlimited data plans based on the number of travel days: you pay for the period, not the volume, and in theory, you don't have to think about the meter again.
This difference in models explains almost everything else. If your consumption is predictable and moderate—maps, messaging, some social media with hotel Wi-Fi—paying per gigabyte usually works out cheaper because you're not financing a margin of data you'll never use. If your consumption is high or unpredictable—you work remotely from the road, upload video daily, share your connection with others—unlimited data removes a real worry: running out of data mid-afternoon in a place without decent Wi-Fi.
Coverage and destination catalog
In common tourist destinations—Western Europe, major US cities, busier Southeast Asia—both rely on local networks of established operators, so the signal itself is rarely the problem. Where there is a difference is in the catalog: which countries each plan covers, whether there's a regional plan for several consecutive countries, and whether there's a global plan option for those who travel across continents on the same trip.
Before buying either, check your exact destination in their catalog and don't assume that "it covers the whole area": some regional plans exclude specific countries, and you'll find out too late if you don't check. If your route is European, a regional plan almost always pays off more than going country by country; you can compare the criteria in regional eSIM vs global eSIM. And if you're torn between buying an international eSIM or relying on your own operator's roaming, it's worth first understanding exactly what data roaming is and when you really need something else.
Gigabytes vs. Unlimited: How to Know What's Right for You
This is the real core of the decision. With Ubigi, you pay for what you consume: if you have leftover gigabytes, you lose them when the plan expires, and if you run out, you can top up from the app in seconds. With Holafly, there's no volume counter, but as with practically all unlimited eSIMs in the industry, there's a fair usage policy that can reduce speed after very intensive and sustained daily consumption. It's not a trick: it's the fine print that makes it viable to sell "unlimited" at a fixed price, and it's worth reading before you buy, not after your speed drops mid-trip.
To calculate your profile, be honest with yourself, phone in hand: check how much you spent on your last similar trip using your phone's data settings. An urban trip with hotel Wi-Fi and normal map and messaging use consumes little each week; a trip where you'll be making daily video calls, streaming video without Wi-Fi, or sharing your connection with another person consumes much more. The closer you are to the second scenario, the more sense unlimited makes; the closer you are to the first, the more money you'll be wasting by paying for it.
A trick to avoid surprises: install the eSIM before you travel (at home, with Wi-Fi) and check your phone's settings to see how much you consumed on your last similar trip. That number, not the brand, should be what decides for you.
Price: the honest comparison
The price for both varies depending on the destination, duration, and plan volume, so there's no universal "X wins" or any point in publishing specific figures that expire as soon as a rate changes. What remains stable is the pattern: Ubigi charges per data bundle and Holafly per day of unlimited use. The correct way to compare is not to look at the headline price of each, but to estimate your actual gigabytes for the specific trip and calculate which model works best in that scenario, not in the abstract.
A common mistake is to buy the unlimited plan "just in case" without having estimated anything, and return with plenty of data that is no longer useful. The opposite mistake also exists: buying a tight gigabyte bundle and running out of data on the last day of a long trip, just when you need the flight locator. Neither model is bad; the one that ends up being expensive is the one that doesn't fit your actual consumption.
| Criterion | Ubigi | Holafly |
|---|---|---|
| Data model | Per GB, with top-up | Unlimited per travel day |
| Best suited for | Frequent traveler, medium or controlled consumption | Occasional trip, high or unpredictable consumption |
| Main advantage | You only pay for what you use | No need to think about the data counter |
| Risk to monitor | Running out of gigabytes at a bad time | Fair usage policy if daily consumption is very high |
| Activation | QR or app, in minutes | QR or app, in minutes |
| Compatibility | Requires eSIM-enabled phone | Requires eSIM-enabled phone |
Installation, activation, and common failures
The installation process for both is practically a tie: you buy, receive a QR code (or manage it from their app), scan it in your phone's settings, and activate the data line at your destination. On a compatible phone, installing the eSIM takes about a minute. The most common failure isn't technical; it's calendrical: people install the eSIM at the departure airport, with saturated public Wi-Fi, and the QR takes too long to load just when they're checking their luggage and their family is waiting.
The correct way is to install the eSIM at home, with stable Wi-Fi, days before flying, and save the data activation—not profile installation—for when you land. This way, you avoid depending on airport coverage and don't risk the QR code due to last-minute rush. If you've never installed an eSIM or are unsure of the steps, follow the guide on how to install an eSIM before buying either, so you reach the payment moment without last-minute technical doubts.
Compatibility and support
Both require an eSIM-compatible phone, which most recent models are, but it's advisable to check in your phone settings before paying, not after. Also, keep in mind that some phones arrive "eSIM-free" due to the decision of the operator who sold them, even if the hardware supports it: if you bought your phone financed with a company, check that this restriction is not activated.
In terms of support, what truly makes a difference in the middle of a trip is having help in a language you understand and at a time that covers your destination's time zone, not the company's headquarters. A connection problem on a Sunday night in a country with several hours' time difference is resolved very differently depending on who you can message. If your question is whether an international eSIM is more worthwhile than buying a local physical chip upon arrival, compare it in international chip vs eSIM before deciding on Ubigi, Holafly, or a prepaid SIM bought at your destination.
What almost no one tells you before choosing
There are a few details that neither Ubigi nor Holafly highlight on their websites, and they significantly change the actual user experience.
"Unlimited" is almost never your actual maximum speed. This isn't exclusive to Holafly: practically all unlimited eSIMs on the market apply throttling (speed reduction) after a high daily consumption threshold, even if they call it "fair usage." For browsing, using maps, or messaging, you'll never notice it; for working by uploading heavy files or streaming in 4K for several hours straight, you might. Read the terms and conditions before buying, not after your speed has already dropped at your destination.
Ubigi's gigabytes expire and do not roll over from one plan to another. If you buy a 10 GB bundle for ten days and only use 4, the other 6 do not carry over to your next purchase. Buy an amount adjusted to the actual duration of your trip, not "extra to be safe," because that margin won't be recovered.
The advertised speed is not always what you'll experience. Just because a plan says "5G" doesn't guarantee you'll have real 5G in every area of your destination: it depends on which local operator the eSIM has partnered with in that specific country and the coverage of that network there. You can delve deeper into this difference between what is advertised and what is actually received in real speed vs advertised speed.
You don't always need Ubigi or Holafly. And it's important to say this even if it doesn't benefit us to sell you something: if you travel within the European Union with a Spanish line, your operator already includes roaming at no additional cost within the bloc, so buying an extra eSIM for a weekend in Lisbon or Paris is a waste of money. These eSIMs make sense outside the EU, on long trips, or when your Spanish plan does not include roaming or significantly limits it. Check before paying for something you might already have included.
Verdict by traveler type
With all the above, three quite clear profiles emerge. Frequent traveler with medium or controlled consumption: Ubigi, for the flexibility of paying only for what you use and being able to top up without buying a whole new plan. Occasional trip with high or unpredictable consumption—remote work, daily video calls, streaming—: Holafly, for the peace of mind of not having to monitor usage. Short getaway with Wi-Fi available at accommodation: the adjusted gigabyte bundle almost always wins, because unlimited data is expensive when you're barely going to consume any.
If after reading this you still don't know which group you belong to, the first step is to calculate your actual consumption, not blindly choose a brand. Do so with the eSIM vs. roaming guide, which also helps you rule out the option of buying nothing if your operator already covers you well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ubigi or Holafly better for frequent travel?
For those who travel frequently and have moderate and predictable data consumption, Ubigi usually fits better: you pay per gigabyte and top up only when necessary, without buying an entirely new plan each time. Holafly performs better on occasional trips where you prefer not to think about the data meter.
Which is cheaper, Ubigi or Holafly?
It depends on your consumption, not the brand. With moderate use, Ubigi's gigabyte bundle is usually more economical because you don't pay for data you won't use. With high use and long stays, Holafly's unlimited option can be worth it by avoiding repeated top-ups. Calculate your actual GB from your last similar trip and compare that specific scenario.
Does Holafly's unlimited plan have any practical limits?
There's no limit to the volume of data, but like most unlimited eSIMs on the market, it applies a fair usage policy that can reduce speed after very intensive and sustained daily consumption. For browsing, using maps, or social media, it's more than sufficient; for heavy work or prolonged streaming, it's advisable to check the terms before purchasing.
What happens if I run out of gigabytes with Ubigi mid-trip?
You can top up from the app in a few minutes, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection or some residual data to complete the purchase. That's why it's advisable not to adjust the plan too precisely and leave a reasonable margin, especially if you're going to areas with unreliable public Wi-Fi where topping up on the go can be complicated.
Can I install either on my phone?
Only if your phone is eSIM compatible, which most recent models are, although some arrive blocked by the operator who sold them even if the hardware supports it. Check the actual compatibility in your mobile settings before paying for either.
Do I need Ubigi or Holafly if I travel within the European Union?
If you have a Spanish line with roaming included in the EU, usually not: your plan already covers data at no extra cost within the bloc. These eSIMs make more sense outside the EU, on long trips, or when your plan does not include roaming or significantly limits it.
Do I need to top up data during the trip with either of them?
With Ubigi (per gigabyte), it's likely you'll top up if you exhaust your plan early; with Holafly (unlimited), you usually don't need to do anything during the entire trip. If you choose the per-gigabyte model, estimate your consumption with enough margin so you don't depend on topping up precisely when you have the worst coverage.
Conclusion
Ubigi and Holafly do not compete on the same ground: one prioritizes the flexibility of paying by gigabytes, the other the convenience of not counting anything. The right decision stems from your actual consumption and the type of trip you have ahead, not from the name that sounds more appealing. If your route is European and you're looking for an alternative with a clear price, check out the eSIM for Europe; and if you need data within Spain without depending on your usual operator, there's the eSIM for Spain. Always compare with your actual consumption before deciding between these two brands or another option.
