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Wondering which travel eSIM wins out of Holafly vs Nomad? Here’s my in-depth comparison of the two…
Below, I’ve laid out the main differences between the two brands. I’ve looked at price, coverage, data speeds, and the general user experience to help you work out whether Holafly or Nomad is right for you.
This post has been sponsored by Holafly; however, I have genuinely used both Holafly and Nomad eSIMs on a variety of trips and have previously purchased from both brands using my own money. All of the information below is fact-checked from independent sources or based on my own first-hand experiences from testing both brands.
DISCOUNT CODE: Get 5% off any Holafly eSIM when you use my promo code: EMILYLUXTON – click here for more info.
Holafly vs Nomad eSIM
Quick Comparison
| Holafly | Nomad | |
|---|---|---|
| Availability | 270+ destinations | 200+ destinations |
| Website Languages | 19 total | 14 total |
| Unlimited Data? | Yes | Only some plans/destinations |
| Calls Included? | No | No* |
| TrustPilot Score** | 4.5/5 (66,000+ reviews) | 4.4/5 (21,000+ reviews) |
| Customer Service | 24/7 Support via live chat, email, and WhatsApp. Livechat defaults to an AI chatbot. In testing, I was transferred to a human agent in under 30 seconds. | 24/7 Support via live chat and email. Livechat defaults to an AI chatbot. In testing, I was transferred to a human agent in under 30 seconds. |
| DISCOUNT CODE | EMILYLUXTON for 5% discount | EMIL96SV for $5 off your first purchase. |
*with the exception of the Thailand eSIM.
**as of October 2025
Pricing Comparison
| Holafly | Nomad | |
|---|---|---|
| USA 7 days unlimited | £24 | £17.26 |
| Canada 7 days unlimited | £29 | £30.76 |
| Spain 7 days unlimited | £24 | £17.26 |
| Europe | £30 10 days unlimited | £36.01 50GB, 30 days (no unlimited plans) |
| Japan | £30 | £17.26 |
| Asia | £39 14 days unlimited 16 countries | £54.02 50GB, 45 days 14 countries |
| Global | £37 7 days unlimited Monthly Plans: from £29* a month for 25GB or £38 a month unlimited | £27.01 5GB for 30 days |
FYI: Where there is no unlimited plan available on Nomad, I have included the largest data plan available for comparison.
Nomad can often work out cheaper, especially for a shorter trip to a single destination. For longer trips and multi-destination plans, Holafly usually have the edge. Nomad don’t always offer unlimited plans, so for heavy data users, Holafly’s unlimited plans will often work out cheaper than Nomad’s largest limited-data plans. Finally, Holafly’s pay-monthly global plan (covering 160+ countries) is definitely the better option for frequent travellers.
If you know you won’t need much more than 1 or 2 GB of data, it may work out cheaper to buy a small data package from Nomad. It’s always worth comparing both brands before purchasing, to see what’s going to work out best for you.
*Recurring monthly global plan, priced at $38.91 when paid annually. GBP price based on the current conversion rate as of October 2025.
Coverage & Data Speeds
Holafy sells eSIMs for over 270 destinations, while Nomad offer over 200. So there are going to be some destinations where you can’t use Nomad.
Data speed and network coverage of any eSIM is determined by the local carrier and the type of network used. Each company will perform differently in different destinations, so it’s tricky to give an exact comparison.
Holafly download speeds: “usually range between 20 Mbps to 100+ Mbps” (according to their website). PC Mag’s testing found download speeds ranged from 43.9Mbps to 48.5Mbps.
Nomad download speeds: “range from 15 to 100 Mbps” (according to their website). PC Mag’s testing found “download speeds as slow as 16.8Mbps and as fast as 96.4Mbps, with the average around 75Mbps”.
My experience: I’ve used both eSIMs in multiple destinations and never had any issues or lag using my data for “real-world” travel tasks like Google Maps, WhatsApp calls (including video calls), researching the local area, using Uber, and uploading videos to Instagram.
I’ve never had a signal issue or noticed any slowness on Holafly. However, when I used my Nomad eSIM in the USA last year, I did find there were a few times when I lost signal (usually in more rural areas), while friends on other networks didn’t. But this was rare, and the performance of either brand’s eSIMs is likely to depend on the destination.
Honestly, I think for regular users, the difference between the eSIMs is so minimal as to not be worth much consideration.
Ease of Use
Both Nomad and Holafly have very good, clear websites, which make finding the right data plan for your destination simple. Personally, I find the styling and general layout of Holafly’s site a little easier to navigate, but there’s not a whole heap in it.
Nomad have numerous different plans for each destination. These are laid out in a clear grid so it’s easy to get an at-a-glance overview of the different options. Holafly, on the other hand, only offers unlimited data plans: you simply input the destination and the number of days, and they’ll tell you the price. Both have very straightforward checkout systems – so whichever you choose, it’s likely to be a fairly smooth process.
In my experience, Holafly have the easier installation process. There are three methods to install: you can scan a QR code, follow the instructions for manual installation, or use one-button installation if your phone is iOS 17.4 or above. Once you’ve made your purchase, Holafly send the installation guidelines and QR code via both WhatsApp and email. Send the QR code to a friend to scan it using your phone for the easiest installation.
Nomad also send an email with clear instructions, but the addition of the WhatsApp message makes Holafly that little bit easier to use. You can also contact Holafly on WhatsApp if you have any questions, so they’re easier to get in touch with, as well.
App
Both brands have apps which you can use to purchase and manage your eSIMs. Holafly’s app has a light colour scheme and a clean, uncluttered feel. Nomad’s has a dark blue background, large photo-based buttons, and banners at the top advertising current offers. Personally, I prefer the overall look and style of Holafly’s, but this is really just personal preference.
You can manage all your eSIMs in Holafly’s app, and see how many days are left on the plan. Nomad’s app also lets you manage your eSIMS, and in theory, it should tell you how much data you have left if you’re on a limited data plan. However, on my last trip, the eSIM wouldn’t appear in the app, so I was never able to track it this way – although I think this was likely a one-off glitch, as it’s always worked before.
There’s one other difference between the two apps. Holafly’s app has a “Guides” tab, which features step-by-step guides to help you install and activate your SIM. You can also contact customer support on this tab. Nomad’s app has no guides, but you can access the help centre and customer support from the “Profile” tab.
Top Up
Holafly: If you decide to spend longer at your destination, you can easily add more days to your plan without needing to install a new eSIM.
Nomad: You can buy add-on data for some plans, but only while they are still active. This is not possible for all Nomad eSIMs, so you need to check the specific details of the plan you’re buying. If you purchased a 7-day eSIM and need to more data after the 7 days are over, you will need to purchase a new eSIM.
Overall Winner
A quick glance at the comparison tables at the top of this page shows that Holafly generally has the edge over Nomad. However, there’s not too much in it, and in my experience, both eSIM companies have been great. Ultimately, it comes down to price and personal preference. I’d always recommend checking the prices of both brands to see which will work out cheapest for your trip.
Best Choice Overall = Holafly
Holafly has a higher TrustPilot score, more customer support options, and offers a cleaner, more user-friendly experience on both the website and app. They offer eSIMs for far more destinations than Nomad, and have unlimited data plans in all destinations, while Nomad generally offer limited data plans.
Holafly are always my first choice for any trip. It’s by far easier to take an unlimited data plan, rather than work out how much data you’re probably going to use on a trip. I’ve also had consistently good cell service and data speeds whenever I’ve used a Holafly eSIM for a trip, so I trust them to give me the best experience every time.
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READ MORE: Holafly eSIM Review
Cheapest Choice for Smaller Plans and Shorter Trips = Nomad
If you’re trying to save money, Nomad’s smaller, limited-data plans will often work out cheaper than buying an unlimited plan with Holafly. You’ll be limiting yourself, but if budget is your number one concern, Nomad may often have the edge.
Best Choice for Unlimited Data and Longer Trips = Holafly
For longer trips, heavy data users, multi-destination trips, and frequent travellers, Holafly’s unlimited plans can work out cheaper. If you’re a very frequent traveller, their pay-monthly Global plans could save you a lot of money.
DISCOUNT: Use code EMILYLUXTON to get 5% off (CLICK HERE).
Hopefully, this comparison of the Nomad and Holafly travel eSIMs will help you work out which is right for you. Got a question – or some feedback about your experience with either company? Scroll down to leave a comment!
