eSIM comparison · 2026
Airalo vs Holafly
vs CocoRoam.
Every provider connects to the same local networks. The only real difference is what you pay. Here’s how the prices stack up.
See CocoRoam plansSide by side
Real prices for a 5 GB, 7-day plan. All in GBP.
CocoRoam You’re here | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Local networks who you actually connect to | Local carriers | Local carriers | Local carriers | Local carriers |
Cheapest plan any destination | £1.11 | £3.42 | £9.21 | £2.93 |
Japan · 1 week 5 GB | £2.59 | ~£9.40 | £21.50 ✦ | £16.79 ✦ |
Europe · 1 week 5 GB | £3.33 | ~£9.40 | £21.50 ✦ | £13.14 † |
USA · 1 week 5 GB | £4.81 | ~£11.00 | £21.50 ✦ | £16.79 ✦ |
Hotspot | Plan-dependent | 1 GB/day cap | ||
Refund if unused | 30-day window | 6-month window | 30-day window |
✦ Unlimited plan — no exact 5 GB/7-day option available. † 10 GB/30-day plan used as closest equivalent. Competitor prices converted from EUR/USD at May 2026 rates.
How to choose
Which plan type fits your trip?
Taking a one- or two-week trip
A capped data plan (3–10 GB) is almost always cheaper than unlimited for a standard holiday. You'll likely use 2–5 GB — maps, messaging, browsing, the occasional video. Pick a plan that matches that, not one priced for a remote worker.
Working remotely or streaming constantly
If you're video-calling eight hours a day or running video content, unlimited plans start to make sense. Just check the hotspot policy — some cap tethering at 1 GB/day even on 'unlimited' plans, which matters if you're connecting a laptop.
Visiting multiple countries
Regional plans cover a group of countries under one eSIM — no swapping, no re-buying. Europe, Southeast Asia, and global plans all exist. Compare the per-country price against buying individual country plans: regional is often cheaper once you cross three or more borders.
Travelling somewhere less mainstream
Coverage varies by provider. Always check which local carrier an eSIM connects to in your destination before buying — some providers have broader catalogues for niche destinations. CocoRoam covers 150+ countries, but if you're heading somewhere remote, verify first.
The thing every comparison misses: you're on the same network
Every eSIM provider — CocoRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Nomad — connects you to exactly the same local mobile carriers in each country. In Japan you're on NTT Docomo or SoftBank. In Europe you're on local operators like EE, Orange, or Vodafone. The signal is identical.
What differs is what you pay for that signal, and the policies around it. This is the most important thing to understand before comparing: you are not paying for better coverage. You are paying for someone's margin.
Pricing: the gap is larger than it looks
For a 5 GB, 7-day Europe plan, CocoRoam charges £3.33. Airalo charges roughly £9.40, Holafly £21.50, and Nomad £13.14. That's a 6× difference at the top end for the same data allowance on the same networks.
Airalo's pricing is competitive for very small packs (1–2 GB) but catches up quickly as you scale. Holafly prices by duration rather than data, so if you don't use your allowance you've overpaid — which is why the refund policy matters.
Hotspot tethering
CocoRoam includes hotspot on every plan at no extra charge — useful if you need to get a laptop online. Nomad also allows it broadly. Airalo restricts hotspot to certain plans, so check before you buy. Holafly caps hotspot at 1 GB/day even on unlimited plans, which can be frustrating for laptop users.
Refund policy
CocoRoam refunds unused eSIMs — if you activate the plan but don't travel, you're not stuck. Airalo and Nomad offer 30-day refund windows. Holafly offers a 6-month window but the process is slower.
The key thing to check with any provider: does 'unused' mean the eSIM was never installed, or that data was never consumed? Policies vary. CocoRoam's policy covers plans that haven't been used.
Bottom line
For the majority of travellers — a week in Europe, Japan, the USA, or Southeast Asia — CocoRoam offers the same local network quality as any competitor at a fraction of the price. The savings on a 7-day Japan trip alone (£2.59 vs £9.40 on Airalo) are significant.
Holafly makes sense if you're a heavy data user who wants the psychological comfort of unlimited. Airalo is worth checking for obscure destinations not covered by CocoRoam. Everyone else: compare the price, you'll likely find CocoRoam wins.
Ready to pay less
for the same signal?
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