ReviewsMarch 21, 202611 min
GigSky vs. Holafly: Which One Is Better in 2026?
We compared GigSky and Holafly based on 10 key criteria. The verdict is clear: Holafly wins 6-4, but GigSky remains a viable option for four specific use cases.
eSIM COMPARISON · NOVEMBER 2026
GigSky or Airalo: which eSIM should you choose for your trip in 2026?
10 rounds, prices checked in 6 destinations and a final score: we settle it.
GigSky and Airalo come up again and again when you look for a travel eSIM to stay online abroad. GigSky is an American company founded in 2010 in Palo Alto, which started out supplying data to airlines. Airalo was born in Singapore in 2019 and claims more than 30 million customers. Both advertise around 200 destinations, but their prices, unlimited plans, networks and refund rules have little in common.
On October 31, 2026, we checked the price of every plan in six destinations, at equal data volume, noted the carrier listed in each country, compared the unlimited data rules and counted the reviews. The result: a GigSky vs Airalo comparison in 10 rounds, with one winner per criterion. Airalo wins 6-4, but GigSky is still cheaper on almost every plan it offers, and a third eSIM comes in under both.
Rony
Updated: November 2026
16 min read
Résumé express
GigSky vs Airalo: at a glance
Airalo wins 6 rounds out of 10: a 5, 10 or 20 GB plan in every country compared, listed carriers, refunds available, support on WhatsApp, better-rated apps and a loyalty program.
GigSky wins 4 rounds: cheaper than Airalo on 12 of the 13 plans both offer, more flexible unlimited data (from 1 to 30 days, 3.5 GB per day at full speed), a single eSIM for all your trips, and data on cruises and flights.
What they have in common: around 200 destinations, country, regional and global plans, an app on iPhone and Android, and 24-hour support.
Choose based on your trip: GigSky to pay less than with Airalo, to go on a cruise or to keep the same eSIM from one trip to the next; Airalo to find a plan everywhere, know which network you are on and be able to get a refund.
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 going into detail, here is the winner of each criterion. Prices were checked on October 31, 2026 on the official websites, in dollars, for Japan, Italy, Turkey, Indonesia, the United States and Morocco.
- 01GB plan pricesGigSkyGigSkyCheaper on 12 of the 13 plansAiraloMore expensive, except in Morocco
- 02Choice of plansAiraloGigSky5 of the 18 plans missingAiraloAll 18 plans available
- 03Unlimited dataGigSkyGigSky1 to 30 days, 3.5 GB per dayAiralo3 to 30 days, 3 or 5 GB per day
- 04Network and carriersAiraloGigSkyNo carrier listedAiraloCarrier listed in every country
- 05Installation and activationGigSkyGigSkyA single eSIM, one year to install itAiraloOne eSIM per destination
- 06RefundsAiraloGigSkyCase by case, no written ruleAiraloIn Airmoney, if the order is eligible
- 07Customer supportAiraloGigSkyIn-app chat, 24 hours a dayAiraloChat and WhatsApp, 24 hours a day
- 08Cruises, flights and extrasGigSkyGigSky290+ ships, 15+ airlinesAiraloNothing at sea or in flight
- 09App and reviewsAiraloGigSky4.5/5 App Store, 4.35/5 Google PlayAiralo4.6/5 App Store, 4.6/5 Google Play
- 10Top-ups and loyaltyAiraloGigSkyAlert at 80%, in-app top-upAiraloAirmoney from 5 to 10%
Final score
4–6
Final score: Airalo wins 6 rounds to 4. Airalo wins on choice of plans, network transparency, refunds, support, reviews and loyalty. GigSky wins on price, unlimited data, installation and data on cruises and flights.
Round 1
Prices and plans: which one is cheaper?
To compare GigSky and Airalo prices, we took the same amount of data in the same country. GigSky is cheaper than Airalo on 12 of the 13 plans both offer.
GigSky
GigSky plansGigSky undercuts Airalo by $0.71 to $6.51 depending on the plan: $16.79 for 10 GB in Japan versus $18.00, $21.49 in the United States versus $22.50. Its 20 GB plans last longer: 90 days in Italy, 180 days in the United States. The only big exception is Morocco, where its 10 GB costs $138.99.
Airalo
Airalo plansAiralo sells its data over 3, 7, 15 and 30 days and offers 5, 10 and 20 GB plans in each of the six countries compared. It is more expensive than GigSky everywhere except Morocco, where its 10 GB costs $34.00, less than a quarter of the price.
Plan prices checked on October 31, 2026 (30 days unless stated)
| Plan | voilà eSIM | GigSky | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan, 5 GB | $5.50 | $10.29 | $11.00 |
| Japan, 10 GB | $9.60 | $16.79 | $18.00 |
| Japan, 20 GB | $16.80 | Not offered | $25.00 |
| Italy, 5 GB | $4.90 | $11.29 | $12.00 |
| Italy, 10 GB | $8.80 | $17.79 | $19.00 |
| Italy, 20 GB | $16.80 | $23.99 (90 days) | $26.00 |
| Turkey, 5 GB | $4.70 | $9.29 | $10.00 |
| Turkey, 10 GB | $6.60 | $14.29 | $15.50 |
| Turkey, 20 GB | $13.50 | Not offered | $22.50 |
| Indonesia, 5 GB | $5.50 | $12.79 | $13.50 |
| Indonesia, 10 GB | $9.60 | $19.79 | $21.00 |
| Indonesia, 20 GB | $16.80 | Not offered | $35.00 |
| United States, 5 GB | $6.80 | $12.49 | $13.50 |
| United States, 10 GB | $12.40 | $21.49 | $22.50 |
| United States, 20 GB | $23.80 | $29.99 (180 days) | $36.50 |
| Morocco, 5 GB | $10.30 | Not offered | $22.00 |
| Morocco, 10 GB | $17.90 | $138.99 | $34.00 |
| Morocco, 20 GB | $31.70 | Not offered | $43.00 |
The price per GB, the real deciding factor: on the 10 GB plan in Italy, you pay $1.78 per GB with GigSky, $1.90 with Airalo and $0.88 with voilà eSIM. In Indonesia, it's $1.98 with GigSky, $2.10 with Airalo and $0.96 with us. Across these six destinations, voilà eSIM is cheaper than both on every one of the 18 plans, often by half, and it stays cheaper even against the temporary discounts GigSky was showing 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·GigSky
GigSky, cheaper on 12 of the 13 plans both offer.
Round 2
Coverage and choice of plans
Both advertise around 200 destinations. The difference shows when you look for a specific amount of data: Airalo has a plan for every case compared, GigSky leaves gaps.
GigSky
GigSky coverageGigSky advertises more than 190 countries, with regional plans (Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America…) and a global eSIM valid in more than 120 countries. But across our six destinations, it doesn't sell 20 GB in Japan, Turkey or Indonesia, and in Morocco it offers neither 5 nor 20 GB.
Airalo
Airalo coverageAiralo advertises more than 200 destinations, regional plans (Europe, Asia, Africa…) and a global plan, Discover. Across our six destinations, you'll find a 5, 10 and 20 GB plan over 30 days everywhere, and an unlimited plan in every country.
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, the only one of the two to offer all 18 plans compared.
Round 3
Unlimited data and fair use limits
Both sell unlimited data, with a daily threshold beyond which speed drops until the counter resets. GigSky takes the round thanks to its price and its pick-your-own duration.
GigSky
GigSky unlimitedGigSky gives you 3.5 GB per day at full speed, then 500 kbit/s. You choose your duration down to the day, from 1 to 30 days: 10 days cost $32.49 in Japan, Italy, Turkey, Indonesia and the United States, but $49.49 in Morocco.
Airalo
Airalo unlimitedAiralo gives you 3 GB per day at full speed in Japan, Turkey, Indonesia and Morocco, and 5 GB in Italy and the United States, then 1 Mbit/s. Its durations are fixed (3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days): 10 days cost $34.50 in Japan and $35.00 in Morocco.
The unlimited data rules
| Unlimited | GigSky | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Full speed per day | 3.5 GB | 3 GB (5 GB in Italy and the United States) |
| Speed after the threshold | 500 kbit/s | 1 Mbit/s |
| Durations offered | Your choice, from 1 to 30 days | 3, 5, 7, 10, 15 or 30 days |
| 10 days in Japan | $32.49 | $34.50 |
| 10 days in Morocco | $49.49 | $35.00 |
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·GigSky
GigSky, cheaper over 10 days in four of the six countries, with more full-speed data in three of them.
Round 4
Network and carriers by destination
The network decides the quality of your connection more than the brand does. Knowing in advance which carrier you'll connect to means knowing where you'll get signal. On this point, Airalo is the more transparent of the two.
GigSky
GigSky networksGigSky presents itself as a carrier that works directly with its network partners, and promises to connect you to the best local network available. But it doesn't name a single carrier, either on its country pages or in its FAQ.
Airalo
Airalo networksAiralo shows the carrier for each plan: KDDI, SoftBank and Rakuten in Japan, Wind Tre and Iliad in Italy, Türk Telekom in Turkey, Telkomsel, Indosat and H3G in Indonesia, Verizon and T-Mobile in the United States (on 4G for the plans compared), IAM and Orange in Morocco.
Carriers listed on October 31, 2026
| Destination | voilà eSIM | GigSky | Airalo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | NTT docomo (5G) | Not specified | KDDI, SoftBank, Rakuten (5G) |
| Italy | TIM, Iliad, Wind (5G) | Not specified | Wind Tre, Iliad (5G) |
| Turkey | Vodafone (5G) | Not specified | Türk Telekom (5G) |
| Indonesia | Telkomsel (5G), XL (4G), Indosat (5G) | Not specified | Telkomsel, Indosat, H3G (5G) |
| United States | Verizon, AT&T (5G) | Not specified | Verizon, T-Mobile (4G) |
| Morocco | Orange Maroc (5G) | Not specified | IAM, Orange (4G) |
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, the only one of the two to list its carrier in every country.
Round 5
Installation and activation
With both, installation happens in the app, on iPhone as well as Android. The difference shows on your next trip: with GigSky, you only install your eSIM once.
GigSky
Installing GigSkyYou install the GigSky eSIM just once in the app, with no QR code, then reuse it on every trip, even on another continent. You have one year after purchase to install it, and the plan starts the first time it connects to a network. New customers can try the service with 100 MB free.
Airalo
Installing AiraloThe Airalo app adds the eSIM to your phone in a few steps, with a QR code and a manual code as a backup. You can top up an eSIM that's already installed for the same destination, but a new destination often means a new eSIM.
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·GigSky
GigSky, thanks to its reusable eSIM and its one-year window to install it. Both work on any unlocked eSIM-compatible smartphone: iPhone XR and XS onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later.
Round 6
Refunds: who actually gives you your money back?
If you're not sure you'll travel, the refund policy becomes a real criterion. Airalo has a written rule, GigSky decides case by case.
GigSky
GigSky refundsIts FAQ states that no refund is granted once the purchase is made, then specifies that requests are reviewed case by case, especially for an eSIM that doesn't work: you submit the request from the purchase history in the app. No written rule covers a canceled trip.
Airalo
Airalo refundsAiralo refunds eligible orders via the "Request Refund" button in the app, as long as the eSIM hasn't been installed. The refund is paid in Airmoney, meaning credit to spend with Airalo. An expired or used-up eSIM isn't eligible.
The two refund policies
| Refund | GigSky | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Canceled or changed trip | No written rule | Refunded if the eSIM isn't installed |
| Expired or used-up eSIM | Not specified | Not eligible |
| eSIM that doesn't work | Request reviewed case by case | Request in the app |
| Form of refund | Not specified | In Airmoney, in the app |
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, which refunds canceled or changed trips in credit, whereas GigSky has no written rule.
Round 7
Customer support
Both advertise 24-hour support, and it's the criterion that matters most when your connection drops in the middle of a trip. Airalo takes the round thanks to WhatsApp.
GigSky
GigSky supportGigSky advertises customer service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. It answers via live chat in the app and through its help center, full of tutorials to fix common problems on your own.
Airalo
Airalo supportAiralo answers via chat in the app and on WhatsApp, at any time of day and in several languages. A messaging channel you already use is a real plus when you're abroad.
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, with WhatsApp on top of chat.
Round 8
Cruises, flights and extras
This is GigSky's home turf. It covers the sea and the skies, Airalo stays on land.
GigSky
GigSky extrasGigSky sells data on board more than 290 cruise ships and on flights from more than 15 airlines, with activation in the air. Holders of certain Visa cards also get free data. On the other hand, its eSIMs are data only: no phone number.
Airalo
Airalo extrasAiralo offers nothing at sea or in flight. It does, however, sell plans with minutes and SMS in some destinations, Mexico for example.
Round winner·GigSky
GigSky, the only one of the two to connect you on cruises and flights.
Round 9
Mobile app and traveler reviews
On reviews, GigSky narrowly beats Airalo on Trustpilot, but Airalo is better rated on both app stores, with far more votes. Airalo takes the round.
GigSky
The GigSky appThe GigSky app is rated 4.5/5 on the US App Store and 4.35/5 on Google Play, where it has passed one million downloads. On Trustpilot, GigSky scores 4.3/5, a tenth of a point more than Airalo.
Airalo
The Airalo appTranslated into 53 languages, the Airalo app is rated 4.6/5 on the US App Store, with more than 100,000 ratings, and 4.6/5 on Google Play, with nearly 193,000 reviews. On Trustpilot, Airalo scores 4.2/5.
Ratings checked on October 29, 2026
| Platform | GigSky | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Trustpilot | 4.3/5 (8,384 reviews) | 4.2/5 (48,905 reviews) |
| App Store (United States) | 4.5/5 (5,990 ratings) | 4.6/5 (102,316 ratings) |
| Google Play | 4.35/5 (5,591 reviews) | 4.6/5 (192,831 reviews) |
| Google Play downloads | Over 1 million | Over 10 million |
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, better rated on the App Store and Google Play, with 17 to 34 times more votes.
Round 10
Top-ups and loyalty
When your data runs out, a top-up saves you from buying a new plan. Both offer it, but only Airalo gives you back a percentage of your purchases.
GigSky
Topping up with GigSkyGigSky sends you an alert when you've used 80% of your plan, with the top-up ready to confirm in the app. Careful: a top-up starts from the day of purchase, so it doesn't add days to your current plan.
Airalo
Top-ups and AirmoneyWith Airalo, you can top up your eSIM: 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 (thresholds set in dollars).
Round winner·Airalo
Airalo, thanks to Airmoney.
Verdict final
Final verdict: GigSky or Airalo in 2026?
After 10 rounds, Airalo wins 6 to 4. It wins on choice of plans, network transparency, refunds, support, reviews and loyalty. GigSky wins on price, unlimited data, installation and data on cruises and flights.
Choose GigSky if you're going on a cruise, if you want an unlimited plan matching the exact length of your stay, or if you'd rather keep the same eSIM from one trip to the next. Choose Airalo if you want a plan in every country, to know which network you're on and to be able to get a refund if your trip changes.
And if you simply want to pay as little as possible, neither one 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 GigSky and Holafly and Airalo and Holafly.
PodiumFinal podium
- #2Airalo
Winner of the head-to-head, 6 rounds out of 10
2e - #1voilà eSIM
Cheaper than both on the 18 plans compared
1er - #3GigSky
The cheaper of the two, and the only one on cruises
3e
voilà eSIM in numbers (November 2026)
- 1
Excellent value for money: cheaper than GigSky and Airalo 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 sharing included, with no subscription or auto-renewal
- 5
4.8/5 on Trustpilot
Ready to compare prices for your next destination?
See voilà eSIM plansFrequently asked questions: GigSky vs Airalo
GigSky, most of the time. On the plans checked on October 31, 2026 in six countries, GigSky is cheaper than Airalo on 12 of the 13 plans both offer. In Morocco, Airalo is much cheaper. voilà eSIM, our own eSIM, is cheaper than both on the 18 plans compared.
Airalo, 6 rounds to 4. Airalo wins on choice of plans, networks, refunds, support, reviews and loyalty. GigSky wins on price, unlimited data, installation and data on cruises and flights.
Yes. GigSky has been around since 2010, has more than one million downloads on Google Play and scores 4.3/5 on Trustpilot. Its weak point is transparency: it doesn't disclose the carriers it uses.
The data never stops, but full speed does. GigSky slows down to 500 kbit/s after 3.5 GB per day, Airalo to 1 Mbit/s after 3 or 5 GB per day depending on the country. The counter resets every 24 hours.
Yes. GigSky allows hotspot sharing without restrictions on all its plans. Airalo explicitly allows it on its unlimited plans, whatever the number of devices. On an unlimited plan, sharing quickly uses up the daily full-speed threshold.
With GigSky, case by case: its FAQ rules out refunds after purchase, but GigSky reviews requests, especially for an eSIM that doesn't work. Airalo refunds eligible orders as long as the eSIM hasn't been installed, in Airmoney, credit to spend in its app.
Both advertise 24-hour support. GigSky answers via chat in its app, Airalo via chat and WhatsApp. At voilà eSIM, our human customer support team answers you on WhatsApp, 24/7.
GigSky: it's the only one of the two that sells data on board, on more than 290 cruise ships. Airalo only works on land, on the networks of the countries where the ship calls.
GigSky, no: its service is data only. Airalo offers minutes and SMS on some plans. Either way, your usual SIM card stays active to receive your calls and SMS.
GigSky for price: $10.29 for 5 GB and $16.79 for 10 GB, versus $11.00 and $18.00 with Airalo. Airalo for choice, with a 20 GB plan that GigSky doesn't sell. Neither one lists NTT docomo. Our plans are on our Japan eSIM page.
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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