HelloRoam vs Holafly: which eSIM is better in 2026?

eSIMs work well for international travel from South Africa. You set one up before your holiday, connect the moment you land, and pay a flat prepaid rate with no surprise charges at month end. HelloRoam covers 185+ countries. Compared to Vodacom or MTN daily roaming, a prepaid eSIM keeps your data cost fixed and known before you fly. That certainty matters when you pay in rands, especially with the exchange rate.

HelloRoam lets you top up in the HelloRoam app whenever you run low on your holiday. Open My eSIM, tap Top up on that eSIM's card and pay. The new data goes onto the eSIM you already have and joins what's left, with no new QR code to scan. If your plan doesn't take top-ups, buy a new plan instead. Holafly sells unlimited plans by trip length, so there is no data to top up. For fixed plans from any provider, adding more data mid-holiday is a quick, self-service step through the provider's app.

Tracking works the same way whether you use an eSIM or a physical SIM. Both connect to cell towers using the same cellular protocols. HelloRoam eSIM profiles use GSMA encryption and stay locked to your handset's hardware, protecting against physical theft. The tracking risk is identical to a physical SIM card on every network across 185+ countries.

Most providers, including HelloRoam and Holafly, sell eSIM plans as a bundle with data included. You pick a destination and a data size at checkout. There is no separate step to buy just the eSIM hardware, since it is built into your handset and activated when you purchase a plan. For South African travellers, you buy the plan before your flight and activate it on arrival at your destination.

South African networks including Vodacom, MTN, Cell C and Telkom support converting a physical SIM to eSIM. Contact your network or use its app to start the switch. eSIM vs physical SIM: an eSIM activates when you scan a QR code, with no SIM tray needed, while a physical SIM must be inserted by hand. For travel, add a HelloRoam eSIM alongside your existing eSIM. HelloRoam covers 185+ countries for your holiday.

Switching between eSIM profiles takes just a few taps. On iPhone, go to Settings, then Mobile Service, and pick which line handles data. On Android, open Settings, then Network, and choose your active SIM. You can keep your Vodacom or MTN line active for calls and texts while switching to the HelloRoam eSIM for affordable international data at your destination.

HelloRoam eSIM plans are fully prepaid with no contracts, no monthly bills, and no cancellation fees. You buy a plan when you need it and use it for your holiday. Holafly's and Airalo's travel eSIMs also come without contracts. This pay-as-you-go approach suits travellers who want data on demand without any ongoing financial commitment.

Holafly gives you a 6-month window to request a refund, and it refunds unactivated eSIMs in full. Refunds for connection issues can carry a US$3.50 admin fee, and you must contact Holafly support during your trip. An eSIM is not transferable between devices once installed, so check the plan fits your trip before you scan the QR code. HelloRoam gives you a 180-day refund on unactivated eSIMs, with no admin fee.

Most modern smartphones can hold more than one eSIM profile. iPhone XS and newer models with a SIM tray run one physical SIM plus one eSIM, and two active eSIMs start at the iPhone 13. On Android, two active eSIMs start at the Google Pixel 7, while Samsung lists the Galaxy S24 as one physical SIM plus one eSIM. You can keep your Vodacom or MTN SIM on one line for calls and texts while HelloRoam handles your data on the other, all in one handset on the same trip.

You buy HelloRoam eSIM plans directly through the app or at helloroam.com. Select your destination from 185+ countries, choose a fixed plan or, where offered, an unlimited plan, and receive your QR code by email. Holafly and Airalo also sell directly online. You can buy and set up a plan at home in South Africa, or from anywhere else with an internet connection.

HelloRoam refunds unactivated eSIMs within 180 days. Contact HelloRoam support to start your refund. Holafly also has a refund policy for specific conditions. An eSIM is not transferable between devices once installed, so always purchase the plan for the handset you will actually use on your holiday abroad.