This article answers a simple question: when two providers use the word "Unlimited", are they really offering the same thing? The comparison between BLIVALE and Holafly is the clearest case on the market for understanding the difference.

Note: if you don't yet know what FUP (Fair Use Policy) is and how it works technically, we recommend reading our complete guide to FUP in eSIMs first. Here we analyse both providers specifically with real data.

1. Holafly: what it promises

Holafly is one of the best-known brands in the traveler eSIM market. Founded in Madrid in 2018, it grew rapidly to reach over 15 million global users. Its positioning is clear and simple: unlimited data, no counters, no anxiety.

Holafly's offering is based on a single model: all plans are "Unlimited". Fixed GB plans don't exist (or only exist for a few secondary destinations). Pricing is calculated by destination and number of days — typically €4–7 per day, among the highest in the eSIM market.

Holafly's strengths are real: customer support is fast, activation is simple, and for many tourists the plan works well. The problem emerges when you dig into exactly what "Unlimited" means in their terms and conditions.

2. Holafly: what it actually delivers (the FUP you won't find on the front page)

Holafly formally states it does not throttle directly — shifting responsibility onto the local operator. But for the user who paid for "Unlimited" the result is identical: GPRS-era speeds at the most critical moment of the day.

The three concrete problems with Holafly's model

Problem 1 — 512 kbps after the threshold. At 512 kbps, the following do not work: Zoom or Google Meet video calls, file uploads, modern browsing, Google Maps while driving, any streaming. Only text messages and emails without attachments work. For business travelers or digital nomads, this speed is unusable.

Problem 2 — Blocked or heavily limited hotspot. On many Holafly plans, tethering (sharing the connection with a laptop) is limited to around 500 MB per day or blocked entirely. Those who work while traveling with a laptop — the category that most needs truly unlimited data — are excluded from the main use case.

Problem 3 — Lack of transparency. Independent travel bloggers and comparison sites have repeatedly flagged that Holafly's FUP conditions are not clearly highlighted on the purchase page. Buyers expecting a genuinely unlimited connection only discover the reality mid-trip.

3. BLIVALE: the unlimited model that declares everything

BLIVALE has been active since 2017, headquartered in the Canary Islands (Spain) and London. Unlike Holafly, it doesn't have a single model: it offers four distinct product lines with different features, and is transparent about the conditions of each one.

The 4 types of BLIVALE eSIM clearly explained

eSIM Unlimited Premium — The no-compromise product. No FUP declared by BLIVALE: speed is always at the maximum available 4G/5G bandwidth for the entire duration of the plan. In specific cases speed may be affected by the local cell — not by BLIVALE's choice but by the conditions of the local operator's network the device connects to on-site — a technical variable independent of the eSIM provider, common to all global mobile services. Some Unlimited Premium plans, such as USA + Hawaii + Alaska Unlimited, always guarantee the maximum available speed with no limitations whatsoever. Each plan clearly states its own features on the product page. → Discover eSIM Unlimited Premium

eSIM Unlimited Smart — The flexible model. Each day you receive a package of GB at the maximum available speed. When you consume them, for Unlimited eSIMs where this applies, speed is reduced for the rest of the day — then returns to maximum at local midnight. For other Smart eSIMs where consumption is purchased per period (not per day), there is no minimum speed threshold: you always browse at maximum speed until the purchased GB are used up, with no intermediate speed interruptions. It is the ideal plan for those who want flexibility without worry. → Discover eSIM Unlimited Smart

eSIM Unlimited 10 Days — Unlimited data for 10 days. Ideal for short, intensive stays. Hotspot included. → Discover eSIM 10 Days

eSIM Standard (by country) — Fixed GB plan at maximum speed. Data is consumed; when it runs out, the connection stops (it does not slow down). Available for individual countries or geographic areas. → See eSIM by country

4. Comparison table: BLIVALE vs Holafly on 7 real criteria

📌 Data based on public conditions and independent sources updated to May 2026. Rates may vary by destination and period. Always check the provider's official website before purchasing.

5. 512 kbps vs real speed: what you can actually do while travelling

Abstract numbers communicate nothing. Here is what the speed difference concretely means — between Holafly's post-FUP and the various BLIVALE scenarios — in the daily practice of those who travel for work or intensive leisure.

What works at each speed

6. Who is the right choice for which traveller profile

Neither BLIVALE nor Holafly is "the best" in absolute terms. It depends on who you are and how you use your connection. Here is an honest comparison by real usage profile.

7. Conclusion: two very different "Unlimiteds"

The eSIM market has a communication problem: the word "Unlimited" has no shared definition. Holafly uses it to describe a service that slows drastically to 512 kbps after a few GB per day, without clearly stating this on the page. BLIVALE uses it to describe several precise scenarios — all declared in advance: always maximum speed with no FUP (Premium), maximum until the threshold then reduced where applicable (Smart), or maximum until GB exhausted with no intermediate thresholds (periodic consumption plans). The difference is not just about speed: it is about commercial honesty.

The difference is not trivial. For a tourist browsing Instagram, 512 kbps may be intermittently acceptable. For someone who needs to make a call, upload files or use a laptop hotspot, it is the difference between working and not working. And for those who simply want to know with certainty what they are buying before they pay, the choice is clear.