Holafly vs. GigSky Review: What Travelers Discover After Their First Trip

If you're landing in a new country and have no idea how you'll stay connected without asking foreign strangers how to get a SIM card, there are two options that come to mind: GigSky and Holafly.

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Founded in 2010, GigSky helped Apple shape the eSIM standard and became part of the iPhone XS ecosystem when it launched.

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Today, GigSky is known as the one eSIM that keeps you connected in 200 countries and 200 cruise ships, making it one of the best pay as you go SIM solutions for international travelers.

Meanwhile, Holafly has built a reputation for offering unlimited data plans for short trips and is frequently mentioned in every Holafly eSIM review for its city-focused coverage.

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So, how do you make the right decision before you travel?

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In this Holafly eSIM review and GigSky review comparison, we'll get candid about each eSIM provider and what's best for your needs. Let's dive in:

Pricing & Data Plans

GigSky offers several data plans, ranging from 1 GB to 100 GB or unlimited data plans with validity periods from 1 to 180 days, depending on your destination country and region. 

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This approach makes it one of the best SIM only deals with roaming for travelers who need different data amounts.

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For unlimited plans, GigSky's throttling policy is specified: unlimited data plans give you 2.5GB of high-speed data each day. After that, speeds are reduced until the next day when high-speed data resets.

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Holafly, on the other hand, only offers unlimited data plans for a maximum validity period of 365 days.

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Because their throttle policy is not disclosed, travelers are often confused when they buy unlimited plans for a certain number of days.

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For example, if they purchase the eSIM for 6 days but use a lot of data in the first 3 days, they might receive a notification on day 4 that their speed has been throttled down to zero.

Free Data Options

GigSky offers data plans from 100 MB to 500MB at $0, available in 125 destinations with no credit card required. 

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This is useful if you want to test GigSky before committing to a paid plan, representing the best pay as you go SIM approach for cautious travelers.

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For Visa Infinite or Signature cardholders in the US, Canada, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and 30 other countries across the Americas and the Caribbean, you can get up to 3GB of free data for up to 15 days with a GigSky eSIM, usable in 175 countries.

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Holafly, by contrast, doesn't have a free data plan, so you need to buy one from the start.

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GigSky is the only eSIM provider offering Cruise + Land data plans and Cruise-only plans, with coverage on 200+ cruise ships equipped with Cellular at Sea service.

The land options include Europe, Asia, the Americas, and the Middle East.

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The best eSIM for you will depend on your usage patterns, destination, and whether you need occasional check-ins or heavy streaming capabilities.

Coverage & Network Quality

When choosing an eSIM for travel, both network coverage and connectivity reliability matter.

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GigSky operates as what's known as a heavy MVNO (mobile virtual network operator).

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This means it partners directly with local networks around the world and has control over how your device connects while you're abroad.

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Thanks to this setup, with GigSky you don't need to manually set up the eSIM upon arrival.

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That's one of the reasons why GigSky works in both big cities and remote places. It even works in Cuba, a country known for its poor internet infrastructure. 

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Many travelers in their GigSky review praise this coverage.

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Holafly, by contrast, functions as a reseller rather than a network operator, offering access to a wide range of networks through third-party providers.

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That's one of the reasons why, in Holafly reviews, travelers comment that their eSIM doesn't work on intercity roads and only works in big cities and capitals.

Regional Coverage Breakdown

Both providers offer global, regional, and local eSIM plans. Here's how their coverage compares by region:

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GigSky's global plan covers 172 countries, compared to Holafly's 113, making it one of the best sim only deals with roaming for extensive international travel.

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GigSky also leads in regional coverage across Europe, Asia, Oceania, North America, Africa, and the Caribbean. However, Holafly has a broader reach in Latin America and the Middle East.

As specified in Holafly's technical specifications, if you travel to remote, desert or mountainous areas, you will have unstable coverage and will need to check coverage in those areas through their customer service.

Ease of Setup & App Usability

Both GigSky and Holafly simplify global connectivity through intuitive, app-based eSIM solutions, no physical SIM card needed.

GigSky Setup Process

The eSIM activation method is seamless with GigSky. You can activate through the GigSky app or through a QR code, but travelers prefer using the app because they only need to download it and tap "activate eSIM."

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Upon arrival, you don't need to activate the eSIM or set it up because, as a network provider, it will automatically connect to the best network.

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GigSky offers one eSIM that you install once for use across 200+ countries and 200+ cruise ships, which you can reuse anywhere with no QR codes or extra steps.

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Everything happens in-app, and when you land, it connects automatically without needing to adjust settings or manually start the plan.

Holafly Setup Process

With Holafly, you need to activate during your flight or when you arrive at your destination.

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You only have the option to install with QR codes, and you need to install manually. For manual installation, you'll receive an email with the QR code, which you'll need to scan to add the data plan.

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These steps can be complicated for some travelers because they're expecting the email with the QR code, and sometimes it never shows up, so they need to reach out to customer support. 

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This is challenging when travelers type their email address incorrectly. It can take up to two full days to set up.

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Customers appreciate that when installing GigSky, they don't need to wait for an email with a QR code.

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The most popular method is through the app, where they just need to download the GigSky app, install it, and when they arrive at their destination, they'll be connected automatically with no extra steps.

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While both deliver smooth onboarding, GigSky's one-eSIM-for-all model appeals to those who prefer simplicity over switching profiles per trip.

Data Speed & Performance

Both GigSky and Holafly rely on local LTE/5G networks in 200+ countries. In urban hubs, users generally enjoy fast, stable data suitable for streaming, navigation, and calls.

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GigSky reviews highlight its reliability in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, though speeds on cruise ships or remote inland areas may vary.

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Shipboard performance reaches approximately 3Mbps down/1Mbps up, which is enough for browsing or creating a hotspot, though cabin location and coastal interference can cause drops.

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Holafly offers strong city performance but doesn't support maritime access and may be slow in remote, mountainous, and desert zones.

Customer Support

Both brands provide global eSIM support with 24/7 chat and email, but their support structures work differently.

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GigSky operates its own network, which helps streamline troubleshooting and enables direct, multilingual assistance.

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Holafly, built around a reseller-based model, requires additional steps to address connectivity issues and relies on structured, policy-driven assistance.

Refund & Reliability Policies

Both GigSky and Holafly offer flexible refund options, each with its own strengths.

Holafly sets a 6-month window from purchase and handles requests via in-app or web chat, while GigSky evaluates requests based on the reason with no fixed deadline and accepts them through chat, email, or forms.

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GigSky completes transfers within a week once approved, while Holafly doesn't specify how long it takes to complete transfers.

Partnerships

GigSky has carrier-level integrations with Apple and Google.

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GigSky users with Visa Infinite or Signature cards in the US, Canada, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and 30 other countries across the Americas and the Caribbean can get between 1GB and 3GB of free data. There's no bank-specific requirement, check your eligibility in the app.

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Meanwhile, Holafly doesn't disclose partnership details.

GigSky vs Holafly Recap: Which One is Better?

GigSky is ideal for travelers wanting:

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• Broad, reliable coverage across both land and sea
• Flexible data options with free trial plans
• Automatic activation in 200+ countries and 200+ cruise ships
• A single reusable eSIM for multiple trips
• Coverage that extends to remote regions

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Holafly works well for those seeking:

• Short-term unlimited data plans
• Coverage primarily in major cities
• Simple unlimited data without concern for remote areas or cruises

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Both offer app-based eSIM setup, 24/7 customer support, and a range of global, regional, and local plans.

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For travelers who prefer a single reusable eSIM, automatic best-network connection on arrival, and coverage that extends to remote regions and cruise ships, GigSky offers a seamless experience.

Enjoy Seamless Connectivity Worldwide (Even at Sea) With GigSky

This eSIM review shows that with GigSky's unlimited data plans, instant in-app activation, and coverage in 200+ countries and 200+ cruise ships, you can skip SIM swaps, surprise fees, and weak signals.

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Travel smart and stay connected, wherever your journey takes you.