Roamic vs Holafly vs Yesim: which travel eSIM to choose by trip, data use and budget
A practical comparison of Roamic, Holafly and Yesim: destinations, pricing model, hotspot, subscription, pay as you go, support, recommendations by traveler profile and how to calculate the real cost.
Choosing an eSIM looks easy until you compare options: some sell unlimited data, others small gigabyte packages at very low prices, others pay as you go. Each model suits a different kind of traveler. In our network we work with three providers: Roamic, Holafly and Yesim. This guide compares them practically so you can choose according to your trip, your data use and your budget, without overpaying or ending up offline.
Summary of each provider
Roamic: an affordable eSIM, founded in 2024, with coverage in more than one hundred and ninety-four destinations, plans from €0.99 for one gigabyte for seven days in several European countries, hotspot allowed and support via WhatsApp, email and chat. It's part of the Globely ecosystem.
Holafly: an eSIM with unlimited data in more than one hundred and seventy-five destinations, QR activation, automatic network switching between countries and a monthly subscription with Holafly Plans. Hotspot conditions vary by plan.
Yesim: an eSIM with more than one hundred and eighty-five destinations, local, regional, global and pay-as-you-go plans, hotspot allowed by default, an app with real-time usage and fast 24/7 support.
Side-by-side comparison
| Aspect | Roamic | Holafly | Yesim |
|---|---|---|---|
| Destinations | 194+ | 175+ | 185+ |
| Main model | Budget packages | Unlimited data | Packages and pay as you go |
| Entry price | From €0.99 (1 GB, 7 days) | Higher, with unlimited data | From about USD 0.50 (1-day plan) |
| Hotspot | Allowed | Depends on plan | Allowed |
| Monthly subscription | Not a core product | Yes, Holafly Plans | Not a core product |
| Pay as you go | Yes | Not a core product | Yes |
| Calls and SMS | No | No | No |
| Support | WhatsApp, email, chat | App and web | 24/7 |
Prices are published references and change by destination and promotion.
When to choose Roamic
Roamic is the logical option if price is your priority and your usage is moderate. For a getaway in Europe, its one-gigabyte, seven-day plans from €0.99 are hard to beat. It's also good if you occasionally need to share data with your laptop. Keep in mind it's a young company and quality depends on the local operator.
When to choose Holafly
Holafly is the best option if you don't want to think about your usage. With unlimited data, you can use maps, social media, video calls and streaming without counting gigabytes. It's also ideal for nomads and frequent travelers thanks to Holafly Plans, the monthly subscription you can pause. If you need to connect your laptop, check the plan's hotspot conditions first.
When to choose Yesim
Yesim suits people who want total flexibility: small packages for short trips, regional and global plans, and pay as you go for unpredictable usage. Its default hotspot and fast support make it attractive for travelers who work.
Recommendations by traveler profile
Budget backpacker in Europe: Roamic.
Family on holiday using lots of internet: Holafly.
Digital nomad changing country every month: Holafly Plans.
Professional connecting a laptop: Yesim or Roamic, for the hotspot.
Traveler with short layovers in several countries: Yesim or Roamic pay as you go.
Traveler unsure how much they'll use: Yesim pay as you go or Holafly unlimited.
How to calculate the real cost
To compare fairly, think about the total cost for the trip. If you'll use fifteen gigabytes in two weeks, compare the price of those gigabytes on Roamic or Yesim with the price of a Holafly unlimited plan for the same period. If you use little, small packages win; if you use a lot, unlimited may be better value.
Why hotspot matters
If you work on a laptop, hotspot can be decisive. Roamic and Yesim allow it; on Holafly it depends on the plan. Remember that a laptop uses much more than a phone: set the connection as metered and pause updates so you don't burn through your data.
Network quality
All three eSIMs connect to local operators they have agreements with. Quality depends on the country and area: usually good in cities, variable in rural areas. Before a trip to a remote destination, look for recent traveler reviews about the eSIM's coverage in that region.
Support when something goes wrong
A connection problem on landing is stressful. Yesim stands out for fast 24/7 support; Roamic offers WhatsApp, email and chat; Holafly handles support through its app and website. Save the support contacts before traveling and keep your purchase email at hand.
Compatibility
All three require an unlocked, eSIM-compatible phone. Check your phone's settings or each provider's compatibility list before buying.
Combining eSIMs
You don't have to choose just one. Some travelers combine, for example, Holafly unlimited for the phone and an eSIM with hotspot for the laptop, or a regional plan for most of the trip and pay as you go for layovers. Modern phones let you store several eSIMs and choose which to use for data.
Common mistakes when comparing eSIMs
Comparing only the entry price. What matters is the cost for your real usage.
Ignoring hotspot. Critical if you work on a laptop.
Not checking the regional plan's country list.
Assuming they all include calls. None of the three includes traditional calls.
How the eSIM fits with your travel insurance
Whatever you choose, having data from landing lets you contact your travel insurance assistance. In our network you have options such as IATI, Assist 365, GO! Assistance, Protege tu Viaje and Globely for date-based trips, and Genki or SafetyWing for nomads.
Decision examples
Two weeks in Italy, moderate use, tight budget. A Roamic regional Europe plan with a few gigabytes of margin is usually the cheapest option.
Ten days in the United States with kids using videos and maps. Holafly unlimited avoids family arguments about data use.
A month working from Lisbon with a laptop. Yesim or Roamic with hotspot, or Holafly if the plan allows it, plus coworking wifi as the base.
A few hours' layover in three countries on the way to Asia. Yesim or Roamic pay as you go for the layovers and a regional plan for the final destination.
How to test before a long trip
If you're planning a long trip and have never used an eSIM, try a small plan on a short trip or at your first destination. That way you learn to install it, activate it and monitor usage with no risk. Then you can confidently choose the plan for the rest of the trip.
Keep an eye on promotions
All three providers frequently run promotions, such as discounts for new customers or free credit. Before buying, check whether one is running, but don't choose on the discount alone: what matters is that the plan fits your destination and usage.
Trips through Latin America
For travelers moving within the region, all three eSIMs offer plans for Latin American countries, although prices are usually higher than in Europe because of local operators' costs. For long stays in one country, such as Colombia or Mexico, compare with a local prepaid plan, which may offer more data for less money. For tours of several countries in the region over a few weeks, a regional plan or pay as you go may be the best option.
Trips to the United States
The United States is a destination where many travelers use a lot of internet: maps in sprawling cities, ride apps, shopping and entertainment. For families or long trips, an unlimited plan can avoid worries. For short business trips with low usage, a small package or pay as you go is enough.
Trips to Asia
In Asia, eSIMs are especially useful because buying a local SIM can involve language barriers and registration. Check coverage in each country on your itinerary and consider regional plans if you're visiting several. In destinations where many local apps are needed to pay or get around, data from landing is almost essential.
A quick decision table
| If your priority is... | Choose |
|---|---|
| The lowest price | Roamic |
| Not thinking about usage | Holafly |
| Flexibility and pay as you go | Yesim |
| Connecting your laptop | Yesim or Roamic |
| Living on the road with a subscription | Holafly Plans |
Business trips vs holidays
On a business trip, reliability usually matters more than price: a missed meeting due to lack of connection costs far more than the difference between eSIMs. On holiday, price usually matters more and a brief connection drop is just an annoyance. Match your choice to the nature of the trip: for work, prioritize support and reliable coverage; for leisure, prioritize price and simplicity.
One last question before buying
How much is it worth to you never to be left without internet? That answer usually tips the balance.
Always check current conditions
Prices, countries and hotspot rules change over time. Before paying, confirm current conditions on each provider's website.
Our general recommendation
If in doubt, start with usage: low usage, Roamic; high or family usage, Holafly; variable usage or laptop work, Yesim.
When you don't need any eSIM
If your trip is very short, your carrier includes free or cheap roaming at the destination, or you'll be on reliable wifi almost all the time, you may not need an eSIM. Check your carrier's terms before buying: in some cases, the roaming included in your plan is enough for a weekend.
Thinking about the trip home
A detail many people forget: when you get home, the travel eSIM is still installed. Switch it off as the data line so the phone uses your usual SIM and avoid using travel plan data unnecessarily. If you have a subscription, pause or cancel as appropriate.
Installation experience
All three eSIMs install with a QR code or from an app in a few minutes. Yesim and Holafly centralize management in their apps; Roamic sends the QR by email and lets you check usage on its website. If you prefer to manage everything from an app, Yesim and Holafly may feel more convenient; if you just want to install and forget, Roamic is just as simple.
Trust and track record
Holafly and Yesim have been on the market longer and have more reviews. Roamic is newer, founded in 2024, although it already has many user ratings. For a critical trip, such as an important business trip, some travelers prefer the brand with the longer track record; for budget leisure trips, Roamic's price weighs more.
What to prioritize if you can only look at one number
If you have little time to compare, look at the cost per gigabyte for your destination if you use little, or the unlimited price if you use a lot. That single figure is usually enough to choose between the three.
A quick test before a big trip
If you're unsure which provider suits you, the best way to decide is to test before a long or important trip. Buy a small plan from the provider you're considering for a short getaway or the first few days of your journey. Pay attention to how easy installation is, how quickly the connection works on arrival, the speed in the places you actually visit and how responsive support is if you have a question. Note how much data you really use per day, which helps you choose the right plan size next time. If the experience is good, you can buy a larger plan with confidence; if not, you've lost very little and can try another provider. Many experienced travelers end up keeping two eSIMs installed: one main provider and a backup in case of coverage problems in a specific area. Modern phones make it easy to switch between them in settings, giving you flexibility without carrying physical cards.
To see Globely's travel insurance, eSIM, visas and VIP lounges in one place, visit our guide at best.globalinsurancemall.com.
Conclusion
There's no perfect eSIM for everyone. Roamic wins on price and is ideal for short trips and tight budgets; Holafly wins on peace of mind with unlimited data and a monthly subscription; Yesim wins on flexibility with pay as you go, hotspot and fast support. Choose according to your usage and type of trip, and if you'd like help deciding, message us on WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Which of the three eSIMs is cheapest?
Roamic usually has the lowest entry prices, especially in Europe, with plans from €0.99 for one gigabyte for seven days.
Which has unlimited data?
Holafly is the one built around unlimited data.
Which allow data sharing?
Roamic and Yesim allow hotspot; on Holafly it depends on the plan.
Which is best for digital nomads?
Holafly Plans, for its pausable monthly subscription, although Yesim and Roamic are also useful for their hotspot.
Do any include calls?
No. All three are data only; use internet voice apps.
Can I use two eSIMs at once?
Many phones let you store several eSIMs and choose which one to use for data.