Comparing Unlimited Data eSIM Plans: Holafly, GigSky, Airalo, and Maya

If you travel often, unlimited data eSIM plans probably sound appealing. No tracking your usage, no surprise overage fees, no stress about running out of data halfway through your trip.

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What's worth knowing is how "unlimited" works in practice. Most plans will slow your speeds if you burn through a lot of data quickly, think several gigabytes in one day.

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For perspective, typical travel usage sits around 500 MB to 1 GB daily. That covers maps, messaging, scrolling social media, some streaming. At that level, you won't hit any slowdowns.

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Speed limits only kick in with heavy continuous use, like streaming HD video for hours or downloading large files.

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In this article, we compare unlimited data eSIM plans from GigSky, Holafly, Airalo, and Maya.

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We look at what "unlimited" delivers in practice, how each option performs on the road, and which type of traveler each plan is best suited for.

Gigsky: The Best for Frequent International Travelers

GigSky takes a different approach to eSIM unlimited data. Instead of requiring separate eSIMs for each destination, it operates as one eSIM covering over 120+ destinations.

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You install the eSIM once and it works across borders without switching profiles or buying new plans.

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At $4.24, it's the second most affordable unlimited option while offering more functionality than cheaper alternatives.

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How the unlimited data works: You get 5 GB of high-speed data daily, the highest among unlimited eSIM providers. After that, speeds reduce until midnight when your allowance resets.

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Data never stops completely, you'll still handle messages, navigation, and browsing, though streaming slows down. The throttling policy is stated upfront, so there are no surprises.

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GigSky allows unlimited hotspot usage. You can share connectivity with your laptop, tablet, or travel companions without hitting arbitrary daily caps.

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Coverage and connectivity: As a mobile virtual network operator, GigSky doesn't resell third-party access, it keeps direct relationships with operators globally.

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When you land at your destination, you're connected immediately. No manual settings, no toggling airplane mode, no troubleshooting why your phone won't connect.

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If you do encounter connectivity issues, the system automatically switches to the best available local network without any action on your part.

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The unlimited plan covers over 120+ destinations across Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, North America, and the Caribbean. This includes major travel hubs and emerging destinations within these regions.

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The notable gap is that unlimited plans aren't available for the Middle East and Africa. If those regions are your primary destinations, you'll need to confirm alternative GigSky plan options.

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Setup: Install the eSIM once through the GigSky app and reuse it trip after trip. No reinstalling, no new profiles.

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Apart from the unlimited plans, with the GigSky One subscription, you can purchase unlimited plans for 1 month in 120+ destinations, making it practical for everything from weekend getaways to long-term travel.

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Best for: Travelers crossing multiple borders frequently, digital nomads needing consistent long-term connectivity, or business travelers who can't afford connectivity gaps.

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The transparent throttling, highest daily high-speed data allowance, and reusable eSIM make it practical for frequent travelers.

Holafly: Budget-Friendly With Some Limits

Holafly markets heavily as an affordable eSIM unlimited data option, starting at $3.90 with coverage in 160+ destinations. While the price point is appealing, the limited clarity around data policies may leave some uncertainty.

How the unlimited data works: Details around when speeds may be reduced are limited, and the daily data thresholds or throttled speeds are undisclosed.

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Users report unexpected slowdowns without understanding why. For light usage, messaging, social media, maps, it generally works fine. Heavy users streaming video or on video calls hit undisclosed limits and experience frustrating slowdowns.

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Coverage and connectivity: Regional plans cover entire continents, which simplifies multi-country trips within Europe or Asia. However, Holafly operates as a reseller, connecting through various local operators. Performance varies between countries depending on which partner network you're routed through.

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Hotspot capability is limited to 500MB–1GB daily, meaning you need to consider this when sharing connectivity with other devices or travel companions.

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Setup: Standard QR code installation.

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Works well for: Budget-conscious travelers who use data moderately, looking for cheap eSIM plans unlimited data and don't need heavy hotspot usage.

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If you're spending two weeks in Europe and mainly using your phone for navigation and photos, Holafly's price makes sense. It's less ideal if you need predictability or plan to travel frequently.

Airalo: Clear Policies, Limited Reach

Airalo built its reputation on transparency, and its unlimited data eSIM plans reflect that. The throttling policy is clearly communicated, though geographic coverage is more limited than other eSIM providers.

How the data works: You get 3 GB of high-speed data per 24-hour period. After that, speeds throttle to 1 Mbps until midnight. That 1 Mbps is enough for messaging, email, and maps, but streaming or uploading photos becomes slow.

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If you're a heavy data user, 3 GB can disappear quickly on video calls or backing up photos. The upside? You know exactly what to expect. No guessing when speeds will drop or by how much.

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Coverage and connectivity: Unlimited plans cover 70+ countries, focusing on popular destinations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. That's significantly less than GigSky's 120+ or Maya's similar reach.

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Regional plans help with multi-country trips, but you're working with a smaller coverage map overall.

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As an eSIM reseller, Airalo aggregates services from different providers, so performance varies by destination and the specific local partner.

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Setup: Straightforward installation, though minimum purchase is 3 days, no single-day options. Plans work for the purchased duration without reuse across trips.

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Works well for: Travelers visiting popular destinations who want clear throttling policies and don't mind starting with a 3-day minimum.

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The transparent 3 GB daily limit works if you can plan your usage, download content in the morning before hitting the limit.

Maya: Transparent but Premium-Priced

Maya takes a similar transparency approach to Airalo but with gentler throttling and broader coverage. The trade-off is higher pricing and a 5-day minimum purchase.

How the data works: You get 3 GB high-speed daily. After that, speeds throttle to 10 Mbps if you exceed the limit, dropping further to 1 Mbps only with very heavy continued use. Any throttling resets within 24 hours.

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That 10 Mbps throttled speed is significantly more usable than Airalo's 1 Mbps, you can still stream at lower quality and handle most tasks reasonably well.

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Coverage and connectivity: 119+ destinations with unrestricted hotspot, almost matching GigSky's geographic reach.

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Setup: Standard eSIM installation, but you must start with a 5-day plan minimum, no shorter durations available.

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Works well for: Travelers who want transparent policies and gentler throttling across many destinations, and who are taking trips of 5+ days.

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The higher starting price and longer minimum commitment make it less practical for short trips or budget travelers.

What to Consider Before Choosing an Unlimited eSIM

Throttling transparency: Most providers tell you exactly when speeds reduce and by how much. Others leave you guessing. That matters more than you'd think when you're trying to join a video call or upload work files and suddenly everything crawls.

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Reusability: A reusable eSIM that works trip after trip versus reinstalling new profiles every time changes the friction of frequent travel significantly. If you cross borders regularly, that difference compounds.

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Coverage consistency: Direct operator relationships versus reselling through third parties affects how smoothly you transition between countries. With reseller models, you might need to toggle airplane mode or manually reconnect.

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Recap: Comparing Unlimited Data eSIMs

There's no single best unlimited data eSIM for everyone. The right choice depends on where you're going, how often you travel, and how you use data.

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• For travelers who cross borders frequently and need predictable connectivity across multiple trips, GigSky offers the most comprehensive solution among cheap eSIM plans unlimited data options.
• When comparing eSIM unlimited data providers, look beyond the daily rate. Consider throttling transparency, coverage breadth, and whether you'll need to reinstall profiles for every trip.
• Holafly offers the lowest entry price if you're taking one regional trip and your data needs are moderate. Just accept that you won't know exactly when or how throttling happens.
• Airalo provides clear policies and works well for popular destinations if you're comfortable with aggressive throttling after 3 GB and can start with a 3-day minimum.
• Maya gives you gentler throttling and broad coverage but costs more and requires longer commitments.

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Even among cheap eSIM plans unlimited data, the most valuable option is the one that matches your travel patterns without forcing compromises on connectivity.

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