There are now dozens of travel eSIM providers. But the three you'll actually hear about are Airalo, Holafly, and VayaConData. Here's the honest comparison, based on the specs and real-world use.
The Short Version
| Provider | 50GB Europe | Network | Phone # | Throttle Policy | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VayaConData | $34 | Orange only | ✅ +33 French | No throttle | Best overall value |
| Airalo | ~$42 | Mixed (varies) | ❌ No | No throttle | App convenience / established brand |
| Holafly | "Unlimited" ~$75 | Orange/Vodafone | ❌ No | Throttles after ~1-2GB/day | Heavy users who want "unlimited" |
| Saily | ~$44 | Mixed | ❌ No | No throttle | NordVPN bundle users |
| Nomad | ~$40 | KPN/Telefonica | ❌ No | No throttle | Regional flexibility |
Airalo: The Market Leader
Airalo is the biggest name in travel eSIMs. Its app is polished, it covers 190+ countries, and it's the default recommendation in most travel forums.
The good:
- Mature app with purchase history and eSIM management
- Huge country list (190+ countries)
- Transparent pricing, no "unlimited" gimmicks
- Works well if you just need data
The not-so-good:
- Data only — no phone number for SMS/calls/2FA
- Uses mixed networks — you might get Orange, or you might get a weaker secondary network, depending on what's available
- More expensive per GB than VayaConData at most tiers
- Regional plans can be confusing (Europe vs country-specific)
Holafly: The "Unlimited" Option
Holafly sells itself on unlimited data. Sounds great. But there's a catch hiding in the fine print.
The good:
- True "unlimited" (with throttling caveats)
- Often rides on Orange/Vodafone in Europe
- Simple single-plan model for most countries
The not-so-good:
- No phone number (data only)
- Hotspot/tethering blocked on some plans — dealbreaker for laptop users
- Expensive per week at $75+
- Throttling policy is a gamble
VayaConData: The Value + Phone Number Play
VayaConData (that's us) takes a different approach: guaranteed Orange network — France's largest, with the best rural coverage — plus a real French phone number with unlimited EU calls and SMS on every voice plan.
The good:
- Real +33 French phone number — hotel check-ins, Uber verification, restaurant reservations, 2FA codes, local calls
- Guaranteed Orange 4G/5G — no network roulette
- Best $/GB at most tiers (50GB for $34 vs Airalo's ~$42)
- Hotspot/tethering included, no throttle
- 30+ European countries on one plan
The not-so-good:
- Younger brand than Airalo
- Europe-focused (not a 190-country global SIM)
- Voice plans cost slightly more than data-only equivalents
Head-to-Head: The Details That Matter
1. Network Quality
This is the one spec most comparison articles skip. Airalo and Saily use "local partner networks" — meaning you get whatever network is cheapest for them that day. Sometimes it's Orange (great). Sometimes it's a budget MVNO (meh). VayaConData is Orange-only, guaranteed.
2. Phone Number (The Hidden Differentiator)
Data-only eSIMs leave you stranded in the exact situations a traveler needs a number:
- Hotel check-in ("we need a contact number")
- Restaurant reservations (they call to confirm)
- Uber/Bolt verification (SMS code)
- Bank 2FA (SMS code to your number)
Only VayaConData includes a real +33 French number with unlimited EU calls/SMS. This one feature is why travelers who've been burned once don't go back to data-only.
3. Hotspot/Tethering
Holafly blocks tethering on some plans. Airalo allows it. VayaConData allows it with no limits. If you travel with a laptop, this matters — hotel WiFi is not your friend.
4. Pricing at Each Tier
| Plan Size | VayaConData | Airalo | Holafly |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10GB | $15 | ~$15 | n/a (unlimited only) |
| 50GB | $34 | ~$42 | ~$75 (unlimited) |
| 100GB | $49 | ~$65+ | n/a |
| 500GB/90d | $129 | n/a | n/a |
Who Should Buy What
| You are... | Buy | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Staying in one city, need basic data | Airalo (budget) or VCD 10GB | Both work; Airalo's app is mature |
| Multi-country trip, want a phone number for bookings/2FA | VayaConData | Only one with a French # at this price |
| Digital nomad with laptop, needs hotspot | VayaConData 100GB+ | Unthrottled tethering, Orange network |
| Absolute max data, don't care about speed drops | Holafly unlimited | If you accept the fair-use throttle |
| Already on NordVPN | Saily | Bundle pricing if it's cheaper |
📱 Try the Value + Phone Number Combo
Orange 4G/5G eSIM. 10GB data-only for $15. Voice+SMS with a real French phone number: 20GB for $29, 50GB for $34, 100GB for $49.
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