Holafly eSIM Review: The Best eSIM for Digital Nomads?

Introduction

Staying connected while traveling isn’t really optional anymore, especially when you’re working on the road. Between uploading photos, writing articles, answering emails, and keeping in touch with family, a weak connection can quickly turn into a real headache.

We tested the Holafly eSIM during a two-week stay in Serbia. Coming from France, the difference in mobile networks was noticeable, especially outside big cities. Tina’s family home doesn’t have fiber yet, and since we knew we’d be working on the blog every day, we needed a reliable backup with plenty of data.

Holafly reached out and offered us two free eSIMs to test. We used them daily for work, calls, uploads, and general life stuff. This article is a full Holafly eSIM review based on real use, not a quick airport test or a speed test screenshot.

Tip: Get 5% discount on your Holafly eSIM with the code THEDAILYPACKERS

What Is Holafly eSIM and Who Is It For?

Holafly eSIM is a digital SIM card that lets you access mobile data abroad without using a physical SIM. No plastic card, no shop visit, no swapping tiny chips at the airport. You buy your plan online, scan a QR code, and you’re connected.

The idea is simple: land in a new country and have internet straight away. For us, that’s already a big win, especially when you’re traveling with a baby, luggage, and zero patience for airport SIM queues.

Holafly mainly targets travelers who rely heavily on data. Think digital nomads, remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone who uses their phone the same way they do at home. Google Maps, WhatsApp, cloud storage, uploads, calls, hotspots… all of it.

What sets Holafly apart from many other providers is its unlimited data plan. You don’t have to track your usage, worry about running out of GBs, or decide whether uploading photos today means scrolling less tomorrow. That peace of mind is a big part of the appeal.

Plans are available for individual countries, regions such as Europe, or global coverage. That makes it practical whether you’re staying in one place or moving around a lot.

In our case, we used the eSIM Holafly during a stay in Serbia, including time outside major cities. It wasn’t a “vacation usage” test, but real daily use with work, uploads, and constant connectivity needs.

Why We Needed an eSIM in Serbia

Before this trip, we already knew that connectivity in Serbia wouldn’t be the same as back home in France. Mobile internet works, of course, but speeds can be uneven, and once you leave city centers, things slow down quickly.

We were spending most of our time at Tina’s family house, and while the connection there is fine for everyday use, there’s no fiber yet. For normal browsing, it’s okay. For working on a travel blog, uploading images, managing WordPress, and writing articles every day, it’s another story.

On top of that, we were moving around a bit, including trips to places around Zlatibor. That meant relying even more on mobile data rather than Wi-Fi.

Since we knew we’d be working throughout the trip, having a reliable data connection wasn’t a nice-to-have; it was essential. Holafly giving us unlimited data removed a lot of stress straight away. We didn’t have to think twice before uploading photos, backing up files, or using hotspot when Wi-Fi felt too slow.

Another important point for us was staying connected with family. We mostly use WhatsApp for everything: calls, messages, and video chats. Milo calling grandparents, us calling family back home, or even just coordinating pickups after landing. We barely use regular calls or SMS anymore, even in France, so data matters more than minutes.

Having Holafly eSIM meant we landed in Belgrade, turned on mobile data, and were instantly reachable. We could message Tina’s brother right away to coordinate the pickup, without hunting for Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Tip: Get 5% discount on your Holafly eSIM with the code THEDAILYPACKERS

Setup and Installation Experience

This was probably the easiest part of the whole experience. We’re both on Android, and setting up the Holafly eSIM took just a few minutes.

After purchasing the eSIM, you receive a QR code by email. Before leaving, we scanned the QR code directly from our phones, and the eSIM installed automatically. No app needed, no complicated steps, no tech headache.

Once we landed in Serbia, all we had to do was switch our mobile data to the Holafly eSIM in the phone settings. That was it. We were online straight away, still on the plane taxiing in Belgrade.

There was no activation delay, no manual configuration, and nothing to troubleshoot. The connection kicked in immediately, which is exactly what you want when you’ve just landed and need to message someone or check directions.

What we liked is that the eSIM just sits alongside your regular SIM. You keep your usual number active for things like banking or two-factor authentication, and you simply use Holafly for data.

If you’re even remotely comfortable using a smartphone, this part won’t be an issue. Compared to finding a local store, buying a local SIM, showing ID, waiting your turn, and maybe even dealing with language barriers, this was much simpler.

In Belgrade Airport, the option to get a physical SIM would have been in the luggage claim area, where MTS and Yettel are located. However, many travelers faced issues with those.

Daily Usage: Speed, Stability, and Coverage

Once everything was set up, what really mattered was how Holafly performed day after day. We weren’t casually scrolling or checking maps once in a while. We were working. A lot.

For most of our stay in Serbia, the connection was solid. Pages loaded quickly, Google Drive worked fine, WordPress uploads went through without issues, and we could work pretty much the same way we do back home. That was a big relief, especially knowing the local Wi-Fi wasn’t always reliable.

At Tina’s family house, where there’s no fiber connection yet, Holafly clearly made a difference. We often used it as our main connection or as a hotspot when the Wi-Fi slowed down. Uploading images, editing articles, and managing the blog felt smooth and stress-free.

That said, it wasn’t perfect all the time. There were moments, especially in more rural areas or while moving around, when coverage dropped or speeds slowed down. But honestly, that felt more like a Serbian network issue than a Holafly one. Coming from France, you do feel that the infrastructure here is a bit behind in certain areas.

In cities and towns, though, the experience was very consistent. We didn’t have random disconnections, and the data felt stable throughout the day, which matters more than hitting top speeds for a few minutes.

Overall, for real-life use, not just testing, Holafly did exactly what we needed it to do: keep us connected without constantly thinking about the connection.

Unlimited Data: What It Really Means

On paper, unlimited data sounds great. In real life, it’s even better when you actually need it.

For us, this was probably the biggest advantage of using Holafly eSIM. Knowing we didn’t have to monitor our usage changed the way we worked and traveled during those two weeks in Serbia. No checking how many GB were left, no “maybe I’ll upload this later,” no holding back on backups or updates.

We uploaded many photos, worked on several articles, updated outdated content, and managed the blog daily. We also used Hotspot fairly often when Wi-Fi wasn’t working. Having unlimited data meant we could just get on with the work instead of worrying about the connection.

It also made everyday life easier. Streaming a bit of music, scrolling, checking maps, sending videos to family… all those small things add up. With a limited plan, you start making micro-decisions all day. With Holafly, we didn’t.

Now, it’s worth being honest: “unlimited” doesn’t mean flawless, high-speed internet everywhere at all times. As mentioned earlier, coverage depends on local networks, and in some rural areas, speeds dropped. But we never hit a hard limit, never got cut off, and never received a usage warning.

For digital nomads, remote workers, or anyone who needs a lot of data without thinking about it, this alone makes Holafly very appealing.

Things to Keep in Mind

As good as the experience was overall, Holafly isn’t perfect, and it’s worth knowing the limits before buying.

The first thing to keep in mind is that Holafly eSIM is data-only. You don’t get a local phone number for regular calls or SMS. For us, that wasn’t an issue at all since we use WhatsApp for everything. But if you rely mostly on traditional calls or need a local number, this might not be the right solution for you.

Battery usage is also worth mentioning. Using mobile data extensively, especially as a hotspot, drains your battery faster. Again, that’s not specific to Holafly, but it’s something to plan for if you’re working long hours from your phone.

Finally, price. Holafly isn’t the cheapest option out there, especially compared to local SIM cards. You’re paying for convenience, unlimited data, and peace of mind. Whether that’s worth it or not depends on how much you rely on being connected.

Holafly Pricing

Holafly pricing depends on three main factors: the destination, the duration of your stay, and whether you choose a country-specific plan or a regional one, such as Europe. You don’t pay per gigabyte, which is kind of the whole point. All plans include unlimited data, and you can choose how many days you need.

For a country like Serbia, prices are higher than a local SIM, but still reasonable if you compare it to the time saved, the ease of setup, and not having to worry about data limits. The same logic applies if you’re traveling across several countries in Europe or moving around a lot.

We personally find Holafly makes the most sense in those situations:

• You are working remotely or are a digital nomad
• You need unlimited data
• You want internet, the moment you land
• You don’t want to deal with local SIM cards

If you’re only staying a couple of days and not using your phone that much, it might not be the cheapest option. But for digital nomads, long stays, or work trips like ours, the pricing feels fair.

Holafly Discount Code

If you decide to try it, you can get 5% off your plan by using our Holafly discount code or applying the code: THEDAILYPACKERS

The discount works on any destination and any plan, so it’s an easy way to save a bit, especially on longer stays.

Tip: Get 5% discount on your Holafly eSIM with the code THEDAILYPACKERS

How Holafly Compares to Other eSIMs

If you start looking into eSIMs, you’ll quickly realize there are a lot of options out there. Different prices, different data limits, different promises. That’s why we think it’s important to look at how Holafly actually compares in real-life use, not just on a pricing table.

Compared to many other providers, Holafly’s biggest difference is its unlimited data plan. Most eSIMs work on a fixed amount of GB. That can be fine for light use, but once you start working remotely, uploading photos, or using a hotspot, those limits disappear fast.

In our case, not having to think about data was a huge advantage. With other providers, we would have had to constantly check usage or switch back and forth between Wi-Fi and mobile data. Holafly removed that stress completely.

Another strong point is simplicity. Setup was fast, the connection worked right away, and there was nothing to configure manually. That’s not always the case with cheaper options, where you sometimes need to install extra apps, set APN settings, or troubleshoot.

On the flip side, if you’re only traveling for a short city break, barely using your phone, or staying somewhere with excellent Wi-Fi, Holafly might feel like overkill. In those cases, a cheaper, limited plan can make more sense.

We break all of this down in more detail in our full best eSIM comparison article, where we compare different providers based on travel style, data needs, and destinations across Europe and beyond. If you’re hesitating between several options, that guide will help you decide what actually fits your trip.

Final Thoughts: Is Holafly eSIM Worth It?

After two full weeks using Holafly eSIM in Serbia, our answer is quite clear: yes, it’s worth it if you actually need reliable data while traveling.

For us, this wasn’t just a test or review. We were working every day, uploading content, managing the blog, and staying in constant touch with family. In that context, unlimited data made a real difference. It reduced stress, saved time, and let us focus on work rather than watching data bars.

If you’re a digital nomad, remote worker, or slow traveler moving between countries in Europe, Holafly fits naturally into that lifestyle. It’s also a solid choice if you want internet the second you land, without dealing with SIM cards or data limits.

Plus, Holafly covers mobile data in over 200 destinations, with 24/7 customer service, and it is compatible with most smartphones.

For us, Holafly did exactly what it promised. And when it comes to connectivity on the road, that’s honestly all we’re asking for.

Tip: Get 5% discount on your Holafly eSIM with the code THEDAILYPACKERS