The Best eSIM Plan for Long Term Travelers

There are a lot of eSIM companies in the world. They all work in a similar way: you download their app, choose your package, install an eSIM on your smartphone, and off you go. There’s a lot I like.

But the one I like the most is Holafly and I have been using their eSIMs for years. I find their app easy to use and their prices are really competitive.

So when Holafly launched Holafly Plans, a single eSIM that works as an ongoing subscription across 160+ destinations, I was excited. It’s a great option for those looking for more data and flexibility compared to a traditional eSIM. (An eSIM is a digital SIM card built directly into your phone’s hardware, so there’s no physical card to insert or swap. Instead of visiting a store to get a plastic SIM card, you activate the plan by scanning a QR code or installing it through an app, and you’re connected within minutes. Because it’s software-based, one phone can hold multiple eSIMs, letting you switch between a home number and a local or global travel plan without touching your device. I have 10 of them installed. lol)

In this post, I’ll explain what the product is, how it differs from a traditional eSIM, and who I think this option is for!

What are Holafly’s plans?

Holafly Plans is a single global eSIM that covers 160+ destinations in one continuous subscription. You buy it once, install it once, and it keeps working as you move from one country to another. No re-swapping SIMs, no re-downloading anything, no repurchases, no searching for a new QR code every time you get somewhere new.

It automatically reconnects you when you land in a new place. Think of it like a traditional mobile carrier – but a lot cheaper.

You can purchase it monthly or annually and it comes in two tiers: Light and Unlimited. There is no annual contract and you can cancel at any time.

The unlimited plan includes no data caps and unlimited hotspot so you can tether to your laptop on the go. If you’re a digital nomad who uploads video, makes video calls, or just someone who never wants to think about data again, this is a great addition. This tier also comes with a local phone number from the US, UK, or Canada, allowing you to receive SMS messages.

The Light Plan gives you 25GB of data per month, still includes a hotspot, and still covers the same 160+ destination coverage. For someone who uses maps, messaging apps, and occasional Instagram swipe, this package is probably the best option.

Plus, with both Holafly plans, once you activate your plan, you’ll get the Always On feature of 1GB of data backup every month, automatically for life, even if you eventually cancel your subscription entirely.

The price varies slightly by region and currency and depends on the duration of purchase, so check their current prices on the website Holafly plans page. However, for example, their unlimited plan costs just $55 per month for one year, which is a lot cheaper than any US-based carrier charges for their basic option of unlimited 5G data abroad. You can get monthly, quarterly, or annual plans. Quarterly plans save approximately 10% while annual plans save 15%.

Use promo code NOMADICMATT at checkout to get 10% off Holafly plans and 5% off all standard Holafly eSIMs.

eSIM Classic vs. Classic plans

Holafly eSIM Classic cards are designed for a single trip. You can choose a country or region (there are over 200 available), choose the number of days of data you need, and it only covers that trip. If you’re traveling to Portugal for two weeks, the classic eSIM is still the simplest and cheapest option. It’s a one and done purchase. If you only take a couple of trips a year, this is still the best option.

On the other hand, if you are a digital nomad, who has left your home country for most of the year and moves between different countries all the time, Holafly Plans is a much better option. It’s a global, perpetual subscription designed for people who are always somewhere. Instead of buying a new eSIM every time your travel itinerary changes, you have one number, one contact, one bill, tracking you across borders indefinitely. Plus, you get a phone number, unlimited data, and a hotspot. In the US, if you were to get a T-Mobiles plan, which caps data and is the closest thing we have to “affordable” international plans, you’d be spending over $100 a month (I know because I used to use that plan!). Holafly plans cost less and give you more.

Here’s how they compare:

How it works and how to subscribe

Setup takes a few minutes, not a few hours:

• 1. Check compatibility – Most modern smartphones support eSIM, but it’s worth checking this before purchasing.
• 2. Choose your plan – Head to Holafly plans pagechoose Unlimited or Light, choose monthly, quarterly, or annual billing, and complete your purchase. Attention: Your billing cycle starts the moment you pay, not the moment you land somewhere, so if you’re purchasing before a flight, time it close to departure.
• 3. Install the eSIM – You’ll get a QR code and email guide, or you can install it directly through the Holafly app, which walks you through the whole thing in about two minutes.
• 4. Turn on data roaming – When you land, activate the eSIM, and you’re connected. There is no local SIM shop, and no rush when crossing the border.

If anything goes sideways during setup, real people will be on the other end with 24/7 support.

Who is it actually for
Holafly plans aren’t for everyone. If you’re taking one two-week vacation, a classic Destination eSIM will cost you less. However, if you’re a frequent traveler in and out of multiple countries during a given month or you’re a digital nomad who needs reliable, constant connectivity for work, not just casual browsing, get the Holafly plans. It’s easier and will save you money in the long run.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• One eSIM covers more than 160 destinations, without switching borders
• Unlimited data and true hotspot at the top level, no throttling
• Always On gives you free data backup for life, even after you cancel
• Cancel at any time, no lock-in contract
• Bills monthly, quarterly or annually, with real savings if you go annually
• No hidden fees, 6-month refund policy, and real humans answering support
• Setup takes about two minutes

cons:

• Not the cheapest option if you are staying in one country for a long time
• Unlimited local phone number only, not included in Light
• Data plan costs vary by currency/region, so you’ll need to double-check prices on the Holafly website before purchasing

Holafly plans make life easier if you are traveling for a long time. You don’t have to switch sim cards, you get unlimited data, and you get a phone number. It’s the closest thing to a traditional phone plan out there but without any of the huge costs or data caps.

As someone who travels around the world a lot and uses a lot of data, especially for streaming video and using my phone as a hotspot, these plans save me a lot of money!

If you are globetrotting and plan to stay out of your country for a while, this is the product to get!

Use promo code NOMADICMATT at checkout to get 10% off Holafly plans and 5% off all standard Holafly eSIMs.

Instructions

Are Holafly plans different from regular Holafly eSIM? Yes. Regular Holafly eSIMs are one-time purchases for a single trip or destination (more than 200 available). Holafly Plans is an ongoing global subscription for people who are always traveling in one form or another.

Does “always on” cost extra? No, it’s automatically included with every Holafly Plans subscription and continues to give you 1GB of backup data per month across 150+ destinations even after you cancel.

Can I switch between Light and Unlimited? You’ll need to cancel your current plan and purchase the other tier — there’s no actual upgrade yet.

What if I don’t like it? Holafly backs plans with a 6-month money-back policy, which is more generous than what most eSIM companies offer.

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