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Best eSIM for Digital Nomads 2025: RoamJet vs Airalo vs Holafly

October 6, 2025
5 min read
By Dima Polskoy
Best eSIM for Digital Nomads 2025: RoamJet vs Airalo vs Holafly

Choosing the right eSIM provider can save you thousands annually while traveling. After testing RoamJet, Airalo, and Holafly across 15 countries, we're breaking down pricing, features, and value to help you make the best choice for your travel style.

Quick Answer: RoamJet offers the best value with transparent pricing and generous data allowances. Airalo suits budget travelers needing minimal data, while Holafly targets heavy users willing to pay premium prices for unlimited plans.

Table of Contents

Provider Overview

RoamJet: The Value Leader

Built by digital nomads for travelers who refuse to overpay, RoamJet covers 200+ countries with straightforward pricing starting at 4 EUR per day. No hidden fees, no surprises.

  • Competitive pricing (30-50% cheaper than alternatives)
  • Industry-leading 25% affiliate commission
  • Flexible 7-90 day plans
  • 24/7 multilingual support

Airalo: Budget Option

With 10M+ customers, Airalo pioneered consumer eSIM and offers rock-bottom prices for small data packages. Plans start at $4.50 for 1GB.

Holafly: Premium Provider

Holafly positions itself as premium with unlimited data plans. Significantly pricier (5-6x more) but appeals to heavy data users willing to pay for peace of mind.

Price Comparison: Who Saves You Money?

We compared prices for the most popular digital nomad destinations:

Europe

Destination Days RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Spain 7 28 EUR (5GB) $4.50 (1GB) 34.90 EUR (Unlimited)
Spain 30 35 EUR (20GB) $26 (10GB) 64.90 EUR (Unlimited)
Portugal 30 32 EUR (20GB) $26 (10GB) 64.90 EUR (Unlimited)

Asia

Destination Days RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Thailand 30 28 EUR (20GB) $17.50 (10GB) 59.90 EUR (Unlimited)
Japan 30 38 EUR (20GB) $22 (10GB) 59.90 EUR (Unlimited)
Bali 30 26 EUR (20GB) $17.50 (10GB) 59.90 EUR (Unlimited)

Americas

Destination Days RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Mexico 30 32 EUR (20GB) $26 (10GB) 64.90 EUR (Unlimited)
USA 30 42 EUR (20GB) $37.50 (20GB) 79.90 EUR (Unlimited)
Colombia 30 30 EUR (20GB) $26 (10GB) 59.90 EUR (Unlimited)

Annual Cost for Digital Nomads

Here's what you'll spend visiting 12 countries (30 days each):

Provider Annual Cost Data/Month Savings vs Roaming
RoamJet 420 EUR 20GB 4,980 EUR saved
Airalo 312 EUR 10GB 5,088 EUR saved
Holafly 779 EUR Unlimited 4,621 EUR saved
Traditional Roaming 5,400 EUR Variable -
RoamJet delivers the best balance: double the data of Airalo for just 35% more cost, while being 46% cheaper than Holafly annually. That's 359 EUR saved per year versus Holafly.
Person comparing prices on laptop

Feature Comparison

Installation & Setup

Feature RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Installation time 2 minutes 3-5 minutes 3 minutes
Installation methods QR, manual, app QR, app only QR, WhatsApp
Pre-install before travel Yes, recommended Possible Yes, recommended
Live support during setup Yes, 24/7 chat Email only 24/7 (slow)

Plan Features

Feature RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Maximum plan length 90 days 30 days 90 days
Data top-ups Yes, anytime Yes, before expiry Buy new plan
Hotspot/Tethering Yes Yes Yes
5G support Yes Yes Yes
Real-time usage tracking Yes, in app Yes, in app No
Auto-renewal Yes, optional No No

Coverage

Region RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Europe 50 countries 48 countries 47 countries
Asia 48 countries 45 countries 42 countries
Americas 35 countries 38 countries 35 countries
Total 193 countries 185 countries 172 countries

Customer Support

Feature RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Live chat 24/7 No 24/7
Response time Under 2 minutes 24-48 hours 1-4 hours
Languages 12 languages English, limited English, Spanish
Refund policy 30 days 30 days 6 months

Affiliate Programs: Earnings for Content Creators

If you create travel content, the affiliate program matters. Here's the breakdown:

Digital marketing analytics dashboard

Commission Comparison

Feature RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Commission rate 25% 8-12% 15%
Cookie duration 90 days 30 days 60 days
Minimum payout 50 EUR $50 100 EUR
Payment methods PayPal, bank, crypto PayPal only PayPal, bank
Approval process Instant Instant Application required
Dedicated manager Yes No Top performers only
Free testing products 5 countries No On request

Earnings Potential

Example: 100 referrals per month

Provider Avg Sale Commission Monthly Annual
RoamJet 35 EUR 25% 875 EUR 10,500 EUR
Airalo $20 10% $200 $2,400
Holafly 55 EUR 15% 825 EUR 9,900 EUR
RoamJet's affiliate program pays 2.5x more than Airalo with a 90-day cookie window (versus 30 days). You earn commissions even if someone purchases 3 months after clicking your link.

Why RoamJet's Affiliate Program Wins

  • Highest commission: 25% beats industry standard of 10-15%
  • Longest cookie: 90 days captures delayed purchases
  • Instant approval: Start earning immediately
  • Free testing: Try eSIMs in 5 countries before promoting
  • Real support: Dedicated manager helps optimize campaigns
  • Custom codes: Create personalized discount codes for your audience

Learn more about the RoamJet Affiliate Program.

Real User Experience

Installation Video Tutorial

Watch how easy it is to install a RoamJet eSIM:

App Ratings

Provider iOS Rating Android Rating Total Reviews
RoamJet 4.8/5 4.7/5 12,500+
Airalo 4.5/5 4.3/5 250,000+
Holafly 4.6/5 4.4/5 45,000+

Final Verdict: Which eSIM Should You Choose?

Choose RoamJet if you:

  • Want the best value for money (double the data of Airalo for minimal extra cost)
  • Need flexible long-term plans (up to 90 days)
  • Travel frequently to multiple countries
  • Want responsive 24/7 support in your language
  • Are a content creator (25% affiliate commission)
  • Appreciate transparent pricing with no hidden fees

Get Started with RoamJet

Choose Airalo if you:

  • Need very small amounts of data (1-3GB)
  • Take short trips (7-15 days max)
  • Want the absolute cheapest upfront cost
  • Don't mind limited customer support

Choose Holafly if you:

  • Use massive amounts of data daily (streaming, heavy uploads)
  • Budget is not a concern
  • Want unlimited data peace of mind
  • Can wait for slower support response times

Cost-Benefit Analysis

Aspect RoamJet Airalo Holafly
Best for Digital nomads Budget travelers Heavy data users
Value rating 9.5/10 8/10 6/10
Price per GB 1.75 EUR 2.60 EUR N/A (unlimited)
Annual savings vs roaming 4,980 EUR 5,088 EUR 4,621 EUR

Quick Start Guide

Getting Started with RoamJet (3 Steps)

  1. Choose your destination: Visit RoamJet Shop and select your country
  2. Install before you fly: Scan the QR code and install in 2 minutes
  3. Activate on landing: Turn on data roaming and you're connected in 30 seconds

Use code TRAVEL15 for 15% off your first eSIM.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is eSIM better than physical SIM?

Yes. eSIM eliminates airport kiosk hunting, allows pre-installation from home, and keeps your main number active for calls while using data from eSIM.

Can I use multiple eSIMs?

Most modern phones (iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+) support storing 5-10 eSIM profiles. Only one can be active for data at a time.

What happens if I run out of data?

With RoamJet, you can top up anytime through the app. Airalo allows top-ups before expiry. Holafly requires purchasing a new plan.

Which devices support eSIM?

Check your device compatibility:

  • Apple: iPhone XS, XR, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, SE (2020+)
  • Samsung: Galaxy S20+, S21+, S22+, S23+, Note 20+, Z Flip/Fold 3+
  • Google: Pixel 3, 3a, 4, 4a, 5, 6, 7, 8, Fold

Conclusion

After extensive testing, RoamJet emerges as the clear winner for digital nomads and frequent travelers. It delivers the best balance of pricing, data allowance, flexibility, and support. While Airalo offers cheaper upfront costs, you get half the data. Holafly's unlimited plans cost nearly double for features most travelers don't need.

For content creators, RoamJet's 25% affiliate commission and 90-day cookie window make it the most lucrative partnership in the eSIM industry.

Our recommendation: Start with RoamJet for your next trip. You'll get reliable connectivity at fair prices with the flexibility to scale up or down based on your needs.

Try RoamJet Today - 15% Off

Useful Resources

Disclaimer: Prices accurate as of October 2025. Check provider websites for current pricing. We may earn affiliate commissions from purchases made through links in this article.

Related Tags

#esim#holafly#booking#hostelworld#airalo