ReviewsMarch 12, 202611 min
Nomad vs. Holafly: Which One Is Better in 2026?
We compared Nomad and Holafly based on 10 key criteria. The verdict is clear: Holafly wins 6-4, but Nomad remains a viable option for four specific use cases.
eSIM COMPARISON · NOVEMBER 2026
Airalo or Nomad: which eSIM should you choose for your trip in 2026?
10 rounds, prices checked in 6 destinations and a final score: we pick a winner.
Airalo and Nomad are two of the best-known travel eSIMs whenever you look for a mobile data plan to stay online abroad. Airalo, founded in Singapore in 2019, claims more than 30 million users. Nomad, run by LotusFlare, has almost as many Trustpilot reviews. Both advertise more than 200 destinations, but their prices, unlimited plans, networks and extras are nothing alike.
On October 29, 2026, we checked the price of every plan in six destinations, for the same duration, noted the carrier used in each country, compared the unlimited data rules and counted the reviews. The result: an Airalo vs Nomad comparison in 10 rounds, with one winner per criterion. Airalo wins 5-4, but Nomad stays cheaper on almost every GB plan, and a third eSIM beats them both on price.
Rony
Updated: November 2026
16 min read
Résumé express
Airalo vs Nomad: at a glance
Airalo wins 5 rounds out of 10: multi-country plans, unlimited data (3 to 5 GB per day at full speed), 5G in Japan and the United Kingdom, support by chat and WhatsApp, top-ups and loyalty with Airmoney.
Nomad wins 4 rounds: cheaper than Airalo on 15 of the 18 30-day plans compared (by $0.50 to $6.00), tied on 2, hotspot use clearly stated in writing, full refund on an uninstalled eSIM and a better-rated app. Installation ends in a draw.
What they have in common: more than 200 destinations, prepaid plans from 1 to 50 GB with no contract, an app on iPhone and Android, support advertised 24/7 and similar Trustpilot ratings (4.2/5 for Airalo, 4.3/5 for Nomad).
Choose based on your trip: Nomad for a 5, 10 or 20 GB plan at the better price of the two, Airalo for unlimited data, video and multi-stop trips.
The alternative: voilà eSIM, our own eSIM, is cheaper than both on every one of the 18 plans compared, with excellent value for money, an easy-to-install eSIM, an easy-to-use app and 24/7 human customer support.
Scoreboard
Rankings for the 10 rounds
Before getting into the details, here is the winner of each criterion. Prices were checked on October 29, 2026 on the official websites, in dollars, for 30-day plans in Japan, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Turkey and Indonesia.
- 01GB plan pricesNomadAiraloPricier on 15 of 18 plansNomadCheaper on 15 of 18 plans
- 02Coverage and multi-countryAiraloAiralo200+ destinations, Discover global planNomad200+ destinations, Global plan
- 03Unlimited dataAiraloAiralo3 to 5 GB per day at full speedNomad2 GB per day at full speed
- 04Network and speedAiraloAiralo5G in Japan and the UKNomad4G in Japan and the UK
- 05HotspotNomadAiraloNot stated on its pagesNomadAllowed, stated in its FAQ
- 06InstallationMatch nulAiraloIn the app, or QR code and manual codeNomadIn the app, in a few taps
- 07RefundsNomadAiraloIn Airmoney, credit to spend with AiraloNomadFull if eSIM not installed (30 days)
- 08Customer supportAiraloAiraloChat and WhatsApp, 24/7NomadChat and email, 24/7
- 09App and reviewsNomadAiralo4.6/5 App Store, 4.2/5 TrustpilotNomad4.8/5 App Store, 4.3/5 Trustpilot
- 10Top-ups and loyaltyAiraloAiraloAirmoney from 5 to 10%NomadNomad Rewards, about 5%
Final score
5–4
Final score: Airalo wins 5 rounds to 4, with one draw. Airalo wins on unlimited data, network, multi-country plans, support and loyalty. Nomad wins on price, hotspot use, refunds and its app ratings.
Round 1
Prices and plans: which one is cheaper?
To compare Airalo and Nomad prices, we used the only fair yardstick: the same data, for the same duration. Nomad is cheaper than Airalo on 15 of the 18 30-day plans compared, with 2 ties.
Airalo
Airalo plansAiralo sells most of its data amounts over 7, 15 and 30 days, with a price that rises slightly with duration: in Japan, 10 GB costs $17.50 for 15 days and $18.00 for 30 days. Across our 18 plans, it beats Nomad only once: Spain 20 GB, at $20.00, which is $1.00 less. In Spain, the two are tied on 5 and 10 GB.
Nomad
Nomad plansNomad offers a 30-day plan in every destination compared, often $1 to $2.50 cheaper than Airalo. Part of its lead in Japan and Turkey comes from temporary sales: Japan 10 GB at $16.00 ($18.00 regular price), Japan 20 GB at $23.00 ($26.00), Turkey 10 GB at $13.00 ($15.00).
30-day plan prices, checked on October 29, 2026
| Plan | voilà eSIM | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan, 5 GB | $5.50 | $11.00 | $10.00 |
| Japan, 10 GB | $9.60 | $18.00 | $16.00* |
| Japan, 20 GB | $16.80 | $25.00 | $23.00* |
| Italy, 5 GB | $4.90 | $12.00 | $11.00 |
| Italy, 10 GB | $8.80 | $19.00 | $18.50 |
| Italy, 20 GB | $16.80 | $26.00 | $25.00 |
| Spain, 5 GB | $4.90 | $9.00 | $9.00 |
| Spain, 10 GB | $8.80 | $14.00 | $14.00 |
| Spain, 20 GB | $16.80 | $20.00 | $21.00 |
| United Kingdom, 5 GB | $4.90 | $13.00 | $12.00 |
| United Kingdom, 10 GB | $8.80 | $19.00 | $17.50 |
| United Kingdom, 20 GB | $16.80 | $31.00 | $25.00 |
| Turkey, 5 GB | $4.70 | $10.00 | $9.00 |
| Turkey, 10 GB | $6.60 | $15.50 | $13.00* |
| Turkey, 20 GB | $13.50 | $22.50 | $20.00 |
| Indonesia, 5 GB | $5.50 | $13.50 | $12.00 |
| Indonesia, 10 GB | $9.60 | $21.00 | $19.00 |
| Indonesia, 20 GB | $16.80 | $35.00 | $29.00 |
Price per GB, the real tiebreaker: on the 10 GB plan in Japan, you pay $1.80 per GB with Airalo, $1.60 with Nomad and $0.96 with voilà eSIM. In Indonesia, it's $2.10 with Airalo, $1.90 with Nomad, $0.96 with us. Across these six destinations, voilà eSIM is cheaper than both on every one of the 18 plans, often by half. Prices marked with an asterisk were on sale at Nomad on the day we checked.
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
Round winner·Nomad
Nomad, on 15 of the 18 plans compared. The gap stays modest, from $0.50 to $6.00.
Round 2
Global coverage and multi-country plans
On coverage, both go beyond 200 destinations, with plans by country, by region and for the whole world. Airalo takes the lead thanks to the biggest catalog on the market.
Airalo
Airalo coverageAiralo sells country plans with in-house names (Moshi Moshi in Japan, Maew in Thailand), regional plans (Europe, Asia, Latin America) and a global plan, Discover, designed for round-the-world trips. It also sells plans with minutes and SMS in some destinations, for example in Mexico (5 GB, 50 minutes and 50 SMS over 30 days).
Nomad
Nomad coverageNomad also offers regional plans, a Global plan and a long-term Global plan. In the United States, it adds long-term plans (75 GB over 180 days, 100 GB over 365 days), and in the United Kingdom plans with a local number and 100 to 450 minutes. Everywhere else, its eSIMs are data only.
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, for the breadth of its multi-country catalog and its Discover plan.
Round 3
Unlimited data and fair use limits
Both sell unlimited data, but neither keeps full speed all day long. Past a daily threshold, speed drops until the next day. That threshold is what hands the round to Airalo.
Airalo
Airalo unlimitedAiralo gives you 3 GB per day at full speed in Japan, Indonesia, Turkey and the United Kingdom, and 5 GB in Italy, Spain, Thailand and the United States. Its unlimited plans run from 3 to 30 days. Over a ten-day stay, that gives you 30 to 50 GB at full speed.
Nomad
Nomad unlimitedNomad slows you down to 1 Mbit/s after 2 GB in a day (512 kbit/s in Indonesia). Its unlimited plans last from 3 to 21 days in most countries (30 days in the United Kingdom). Over ten days, that's 20 GB at full speed, and these plans usually can't be topped up.
The unlimited data rules
| Unlimited | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Full speed per day | 3 or 5 GB depending on the country | 2 GB |
| Speed after the threshold | 1 Mbit/s | 1 Mbit/s (512 kbit/s in Indonesia) |
| Available durations | 3 to 30 days | 3 to 21 days (30 in the UK) |
| Full speed over 10 days | 30 to 50 GB | 20 GB |
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, with 3 to 5 GB per day at full speed versus 2 GB with Nomad.
Round 4
Network and speed by destination
The network shapes the quality of your connection more than the brand does. Where both use the same carriers, speed mostly depends on the nearest cell tower. Where they differ, Airalo advertises better.
Airalo
Airalo networksAiralo advertises 5G on three carriers in Japan (SoftBank, KDDI, Rakuten) and on EE, Three and Virgin Media O2 in the United Kingdom. In Italy, Spain, Turkey and Indonesia, it runs on the major local networks, in 5G.
Nomad
Nomad networksNomad advertises 4G in Japan (KDDI au, SoftBank) and the United Kingdom (Three, EE). In Italy, Spain, Turkey and Indonesia, it also relies on the major carriers, in 5G, often the same ones as Airalo.
Carriers advertised on October 29, 2026
| Destination | voilà eSIM | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | NTT docomo (5G) | SoftBank, KDDI, Rakuten (5G) | KDDI au, SoftBank (4G) |
| Italy | TIM, Iliad, Wind (5G) | Wind Tre, Iliad (5G) | Iliad, Vodafone (5G) |
| Spain | Orange, Movistar (5G) | Orange (5G) | Movistar, Orange (5G) |
| United Kingdom | EE (5G), Three (4G) | EE, Three, Virgin Media O2 (5G) | Three, EE (4G) |
| Turkey | Vodafone (5G) | Türk Telekom (5G) | Türk Telekom (5G) |
| Indonesia | Telkomsel (5G), XL (4G), Indosat (5G) | Indosat, Telkomsel, H3G (5G) | XLSMART, Telkomsel (5G) |
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, thanks to the 5G it advertises in Japan and the United Kingdom.
Round 5
Hotspot and tethering
Sharing your connection with a laptop or tablet makes all the difference when you work on the road. On this point, Nomad is the only one of the two to commit in writing.
Airalo
Hotspot with AiraloAiralo doesn't say on its official pages whether hotspot use is allowed on its plans. Without a written commitment, you can't know in advance whether your laptop will be able to connect.
Nomad
Hotspot with NomadNomad states it clearly in its FAQ: its eSIMs allow hotspot use. On a GB plan, you simply use up your data. On an unlimited plan, the 2 GB at full speed go fast as soon as a laptop connects.
Round winner·Nomad
Nomad, the only one of the two to allow hotspot use in black and white.
Round 6
Installation and compatibility
Installation is similar with both: you pick your destination, you pay, and the app installs the eSIM in a few taps, on iPhone and Android alike. It's a draw.
Airalo
Installing AiraloThe Airalo app adds the eSIM to your phone in a few steps. If direct installation doesn't work, Airalo also provides a QR code and an activation code for manual installation.
Nomad
Installing NomadWith Nomad, the process is the same: you create your account, choose your plan, pay, and the app installs the eSIM. Once you arrive, you select the eSIM line for mobile data and turn on roaming for that line.
SOUTH KOREA
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
SKTelecom, LGU+
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
THAILAND
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
AIS
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
JAPAN
active
20 Go
remaining
Operator
NTT docomo
Expires
In 3d • Jun 12
Top up
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
No blocked apps
Tethering enabled
24/7 customer support
No more roaming fees
Travel abroad with confidence: no more roaming fees, connection struggles, or unexpected top-ups. With a travel-friendly eSIM, stay connected everywhere, stress-free and surprise-free.
Draw
Draw. Both eSIMs work on any unlocked, eSIM-compatible smartphone: iPhone XR and XS and later, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later.
Round 7
Refunds: who really gives you your money back?
If you're not sure you'll travel, the refund policy becomes a real criterion. Nomad refunds in cash, Airalo in credit.
Airalo
Airalo refundsAiralo refunds eligible orders through the "Request Refund" button in the app, as long as the eSIM hasn't been installed. The refund is paid in Airmoney, so as credit to spend at Airalo. An expired or used-up eSIM isn't eligible.
Nomad
Nomad refundsNomad promises a full refund if the eSIM has been neither installed nor activated, on request within 30 days. Once the plan is activated, the refund is only partial, and only in case of a verified network outage.
The two refund policies
| Refund | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| eSIM not installed | Refundable if the order is eligible | Full, on request within 30 days |
| Plan activated | Expired or used-up eSIM not eligible | Partial, for a verified network outage |
| Refund method | In Airmoney, in the app | Not specified (promo code: non-refundable once installed) |
Round winner·Nomad
Nomad, with a full refund on an uninstalled eSIM, while Airalo refunds in credit.
Round 8
Customer support
Both advertise 24/7 support. The difference lies in the channels, and it's the criterion that matters most when your connection drops mid-trip. Airalo takes the round.
Airalo
Airalo supportAiralo answers by in-app chat and on WhatsApp, at any hour. A messaging app you already use is a real plus when you're abroad.
Nomad
Nomad supportNomad answers by chat and email, also 24/7. No WhatsApp: you go through the app or your inbox.
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, thanks to WhatsApp on top of chat.
Round 9
Mobile app and traveler reviews
On reviews, the two brands are neck and neck. Nomad is rated slightly higher everywhere, while Airalo is downloaded far more.
Airalo
The Airalo appTranslated into 53 languages, the Airalo app holds the most plans on the market, which makes it a little busier. It's rated 4.6/5 on the US App Store and 4.5/5 on the French App Store (9,366 ratings).
Nomad
The Nomad appThe Nomad app has the better rating of the two: 4.8/5 on the US App Store and 4.7/5 on Google Play. Like Airalo's, it lets you buy, install and track your usage in real time.
Ratings checked on October 29, 2026
| Platform | Airalo | Nomad |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.2/5 (48,905 reviews) | 4.3/5 (47,370 reviews) |
| App Store (United States) | 4.6/5 (102,316 ratings) | 4.8/5 (17,125 ratings) |
| Google Play | 4.6/5 (about 193,000 reviews) | 4.7/5 (about 17,500 reviews) |
| Google Play downloads | Over 10 million | Over 1 million |
Round winner·Nomad
Nomad, rated higher on Trustpilot, the App Store and Google Play.
Round 10
Top-ups, loyalty and subscription
When your data runs out, a top-up saves you from installing a new eSIM. And each brand gives you back part of what you spend. Airalo wins on both counts.
Airalo
Top-ups and AirmoneyWith Airalo, almost every plan we checked can be topped up: you buy a new plan for the same destination and it's added to your eSIM. Airmoney gives you back 5% of every purchase, then 6% once you've spent $20, 7% from $70 and 10% from $200. It can't be combined with a promo code.
Nomad
Top-ups, Rewards and Nomad PassWith Nomad, you add an "add-on plan" to eligible plans; unlimited plans usually can't be topped up. Nomad Rewards gives 5 points per dollar (100 points are worth $1), or about 5%, valid for six months. Nomad Pass is a subscription at $5 per month for one country ($7 for a region): 1 GB every 30 days and 15% off top-ups.
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, with wider top-up options and loyalty rewards that go up to 10%.
Verdict final
Final verdict: Airalo or Nomad in 2026?
After 10 rounds, Airalo wins 5 to 4. It wins on unlimited data, the network in Japan and the United Kingdom, multi-country plans, WhatsApp support and loyalty. Nomad wins on GB plan prices, hotspot use, refunds and its app ratings.
Choose Nomad if you're traveling with a 5, 10 or 20 GB plan, if you want to share your connection or if you're not sure you'll travel. Choose Airalo if you want unlimited data for video, if you're hopping between several countries or if you're heading to Japan and want 5G. Nomad Pass is only worth it if you often go back to the same country.
And if you just want to pay as little as possible, neither of them wins: across the six destinations compared, voilà eSIM is cheaper than both on every one of the 18 plans. For other head-to-heads, we also compare Airalo and Holafly and Nomad and Holafly. And if you're torn between Saily and Nomad, our Saily vs Nomad comparison also settles it over 10 rounds.
PodiumFinal podium
- #2Airalo
Winner of the head-to-head, 5 rounds out of 10
2e - #1voilà eSIM
Cheaper than both on the 18 plans compared
1er - #3Nomad
The cheaper of the two on GB plans
3e
voilà eSIM in numbers (November 2026)
- 1
Excellent value for money: cheaper than Airalo and Nomad on the 18 plans compared
- 2
An easy-to-install eSIM and an easy-to-use app to buy, top up and track your data
- 3
24/7 human customer support, on WhatsApp, before, during and after your trip
- 4
Hotspot use included, with no subscription or auto-renewal
- 5
4.8/5 on Trustpilot
Ready to compare prices for your next destination?
Explore voilà eSIM plansFrequently asked questions: Airalo vs Nomad
Nomad, most of the time. Across the 18 30-day plans compared on October 29, 2026, Nomad is cheaper than Airalo in 15 cases, by $0.50 to $6.00, and tied in 2 cases (Spain, 5 and 10 GB). Part of that advantage comes from temporary sales in Japan and Turkey. voilà eSIM, our eSIM, is cheaper than both on all 18 plans.
Airalo, 5 rounds to 4, with a draw on installation. Airalo wins on unlimited data, network, multi-country plans, support and loyalty. Nomad wins on price, hotspot use, refunds and its app ratings.
Airalo for the network: it advertises 5G on SoftBank, KDDI and Rakuten, while Nomad advertises 4G on KDDI and SoftBank. Nomad for the price, cheaper on the 5, 10 and 20 GB plans. Neither of them uses NTT docomo.
The data never stops, but full speed does. Airalo slows down to 1 Mbit/s after 3 or 5 GB per day depending on the country, Nomad after 2 GB per day. Full speed comes back the next day.
Nomad explicitly allows it in its FAQ. Airalo doesn't say on its official pages. On an unlimited plan, tethering quickly uses up the daily full-speed threshold.
Yes, under certain conditions. Nomad gives a full refund for an eSIM that has been neither installed nor activated, on request within 30 days. Airalo refunds eligible orders in Airmoney, a credit to spend in its app.
Both advertise 24/7 support. Airalo answers by chat and WhatsApp, Nomad by chat and email. At voilà eSIM, real human customer support answers you on WhatsApp, 24/7.
Both sell regional plans and a global plan. Airalo has the biggest multi-country catalog, with its Discover plan. For Europe, we also offer a regional plan on our Europe eSIM page.
No. You just select the eSIM for mobile data and turn off data roaming on your usual line. Your usual SIM card stays active so you can receive calls and SMS.
Yes. Your usual SIM card stays active to receive calls and SMS, and the eSIM handles mobile data. WhatsApp and iMessage keep working with your usual number.
Connected travel expert · voilà eSIM
Rony is our in-house travel-connected expert. Always curious and never too far from an airport, he explores the latest destinations while testing the newest eSIM solutions. He signs our articles on travel and mobile technology, with a single mission: to turn his discoveries into clear, reliable, and smart advice to accompany you anywhere in the world.
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