When should I choose a one-time Holafly eSIM?

Use a one-time plan for short, single-country trips (typically 5–30 days). It’s cheaper and ends automatically.

Who should use the Holafly Monthly Plan?

Nomads, expats, or frequent flyers crossing borders multiple times per month benefit from continuity and less admin.

Does Holafly allow hotspotting?

It depends on destination/plan. Some allow tethering; others restrict it. Check the plan page before purchasing.

Will my phone work with eSIM?

Most modern iPhone/Android models support eSIM. Verify in Settings → About for eSIM/IMEI.

Holafly eSIM: When to Use a One-Time Plan vs. a Monthly Plan (+ a discount code!)

Sep 15

Written By Stephanie Hays

Updated • Editorial rating: 4.7/5

Holafly eSIMs: One-time vs. Monthly — What to choose

Short trips = one-time eSIM. Frequent or multi-country travel = Monthly Plan. Below is the practical breakdown we use when advising clients.

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Overview

Why travelers like Holafly

Roaming is expensive and airport kiosks waste time. With Holafly you install at home and land connected—maps, tickets, hotel emails ready to go. The only question is whether a one-time plan or the Monthly Plan fits your itinerary.

Option 1

The one-time Holafly eSIM

Pick a country/region and duration (typically 5–30 days). It activates when installed and ends when the days run out—no auto-renew.

Perfect for short trips or single-country stays.
Great for vacations and one-off work trips.
Cheapest if you only travel a couple times a year.

Option 2

The Holafly Monthly Plan

Subscription that renews every 30 days and covers many countries (regional or global, depending on plan). The value is continuity—your phone just works as you cross borders.

Best for nomads, expats, and frequent flyers.
One setup, fewer repurchases when changing countries.
Worth it when connectivity is mission-critical.

Compare

Side-by-side

Feature	One-time eSIM	Monthly Plan
Best if you	Take short trips / single country	Travel monthly or cross borders often
Billing	One-off payment	Auto-renews every 30 days
Flexibility	Buy per trip	Continuous coverage in many countries
Typical duration	5–30 days	Ongoing
Countries covered	One or regional pack	Dozens (plan-dependent)
Who it suits	Vacationers, occasional travelers	Nomads, expats, frequent flyers

Decide fast

Quick checklist

Under 3 weeks? → One-time plan.

3+ countries in a month? → Monthly Plan.

Several trips per year? → Run costs; monthly may win.

Living abroad? → Monthly = fewer headaches.

Watch-outs

Hidden considerations

Network quality: partners vary by destination—check the plan page.
Fair-use throttling: heavy use may be deprioritized; normal browsing/maps are fine.
Hotspot: tethering can be restricted on some plans/destinations.
Calls/SMS: most plans are data-only; keep your physical SIM for number-based services.
Install timing: add the eSIM at home on strong Wi-Fi; switch data on arrival.

Our take

Verdict

Short, single-country trip → buy a one-time plan. Long/constant travel → Monthly Plan. Either way you’ll avoid roaming fees and airport lines.

See plans & apply code

Simple rule: short trips = one-time. Long or multi-country = monthly.

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Stephanie Hays