Bouygues vs. Orange vs. Airalo vs. Holyfly European eSIMs: Pros & Cons and Reviews

What is Bouygues Telecom?

Bouygues Telecom is a mobile phone, internet service provider, and IPTV company in France. It is the third oldest mobile network operator in France. The company deals both with eSIMs and physical SIM cards, but doesn’t have a dedicated eSIM plan for France. Instead, all their plans are regional and limited to Europe.

Bouygues offers eSIMs with coverage in all European countries, enabling you to enjoy vacations or business trips without worrying about roaming charges. One of the main benefits that Bouygues offers is a local French phone number which you can use to make calls and send SMS messages all over Europe.If you must have a local phone number, Bouygues is the way to go.

Bouygues does also have apps for iOS and Android, but they’re mostly aimed at the users of their long-term local users rather than eSIMs for travelers.There’s no need to download any app as with the other eSIMs on this list. You can transfer your Bouygues eSIM profile from one smartphone to another or delete it when you no longer need it.

Bouygues eSIM Pros and Cons

Bouygues eSIM Plans and Pricing

There are 4 international data plans to choose from with Bouygues, each of which provide coverage in 52 countries, making them great options for Euro trips.

Bouygues Telecom's Travel Basic+ and My European plans are tailor-made for the traveller who values both data and unlimited conversations. Offering plans with 15GB or 30GB of data plus the luxury of unlimited calls within Europe, these options ensure you're well-equipped to share every moment and make every reservation with ease.

One of the main benefits that Bouygues offers is a local French phone number which you can use to make calls and send SMS messages all over Europe. So while there are no unlimited plans, and the overall selection is quite limited, if you must have a local phone number, Bouygues is the way to go.

>>Get Bouygues eSIM Plans

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What is Orange?

Orange is a French multinational telecommunications corporation founded in 1988 and headquartered in Issy-les-Moulineaux, near Paris. Orange has been the corporation's main brand for mobile, landline, internet and Internet Protocol television services since 2006. 

Like its rival Bouygues Telecom, Orange offers an eSIM package that works in most European countries.Orange offers local, regional, and global coverage. Whether you’re backpacking across Europe or visiting the United States for just two weeks, there’s a plan for you.  Customers can also get a French phone number with international calling and minutes of calling in Europe.

Orange doesn’t offer individual local plans for most European countries. You’re automatically redirected to its Europe regional plans when you attempt to purchase a local plan for a country in Europe.

Orange eSIM Pros ans Cons

Orange Europe eSIM Plans and Pricing

Orange offers a total of 4 different eSIM plans for Europe, which include not only data, but phone calls and SMS messages as well.

This eSIM has rigid plans that cannot be customized, as you can with Holafly. I also don’t like that 5G is restricted to the most expensive plan. However, Orange’s extensive network coverage and robust SMS and calling allowance still make up for Orange to be included in the list.

>>Get Orange Europe eSIM Plans

What is Airalo?

Founded in Singapore in 2019,Airalo is the world's first and largest eSIM store with eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions world-wide.It’s an eSIM provider powered by a user-friendly platform and wide network coverage. Users often praise its helpful customer support, competitively priced plans, and reasonable connection speeds across multiple continents. It offers eSIM plans that can be easily purchased and installed through its mobile app or website.With Airalo eSIMs, travelers can get connected the moment they land in their destination and avoid nasty data roaming charges.

Airalo offers European coverage and eSIMs for over 39 countries across the region.You can choose from regional plans spanning the entire Europe or specific sub-regions like Eastern or Northern Europe for targeted savings.However, most plans are data-only with no additional voice minutes or messaging facility.That means you need to be online to make calls, using apps like WhatsApp, Facetime, Skype, etc.

Airalo eSIM Pros and Cons

Airalo Europe eSIM Plans and Pricing

Airalo's pricing structure is straightforward and transparent, with no hidden fees or contracts. However, purchasing a local SIM can sometimes be a cheaper option in some regions than Airalo. Here’s a summary of the Europe eSIM plans:

>>Get Airalo Europe eSIM Plans

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What is Holafly?

Founded in 2018, Holafly is considered one of Europe's best eSIM.Holafly now offers eSIMs in over 175 countries.Whether you're seeking local or regional eSIMs, Holafly offers a comprehensive range of options. You'll find unlimited data plans in multiple destinations.

While both Holafly and Airalo offer eSIM solutions, Holafly distinguishes itself by focusing on carefully curated regional plans, ensuring excellent coverage and service quality within those specific areas. This approach makes Holafly an ideal option for travelers who are planning trips predominantly within regions where Holafly has a strong presence, such as Europe, North America, or Asia.

Holafly stands out among other travel eSIMs because it offers a very convenient plan that packs unlimited data and calls that are customisable according to your stay. For Young travellers around the world, this is not just a few bucks to save, but it also makes them travel-conscious. The customer support available through WhatsApp is highly responsive and convenient, providing real-time assistance when you need it most. Holafly is a solid choice for travelers who unlimited data usage.

Holafly eSIM Pros and Cons

Holafly Europe eSIM Plans and Pricing

In contrast, in most destinations, Holafly's data packages are unlimited including the Europe eSIM.There's no sugarcoating it: unlimited data is a massive plus for many travellers. It means you get to travel and never have to worry about when you will hit your limits. So when it comes to pricing, Holafly is generally more expensive than Airalo. 

You can choose how long you want to use the eSIM(up to 90 days), and the price automatically changes. The Europe eSIM unlimited plan cost from €5.90 to €128.90.

>>Get Holafly Europe eSIM Plans

Bouygues vs. Orange vs. Airalo vs. Holyfly European eSIMs: Comparison Side by Side

1. Network Coverage

Network coverage is an important thing to consider when choosing the best eSIM provider.It can be equally frustrating to find yourself in parts of a country where your eSIM service doesn’t work or is unstable. 

Bouygues’ website says it offers coverage in 52 European countries. However, when you examine its list of countries closer, you can see that some are not really separate countries. Places like Sicily or Sardinia are areas in Italy, and Crete is an integral part of Greece. Actually, there are 52 places, but closer to 30 countries.

Orange offers local eSIM plans for half as many countries. This comprehensive global coverage sets Airalo apart from Orange.If you’re visiting popular travel destinations like Italy, Japan, France, Spain, and the USA, you won’t have a problem finding eSIM plans from both Airalo and Orange. However, if you’re visiting less popular destinations like Belarus or Cuba, there’s a higher chance Airalo will have a plan for you and Orange won’t.Plus, Airalo has regional plans for Africa, the Caribbean Islands, Latin America, North America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East and North Africa, while Orange only offers regional coverage in Europe.

On the other hand,Airalo offers data plans to over 200 countries and regions,available in Europe (42 countries).Holafly now offers eSIMs in over 175 countries(32 countries in European).

2. Average Speed

The average speed of an eSIM service may vary from country to country, depending on the local carrier and network quality. Generally, 5G and 4G are much faster than 3G and LTE. But, even with a 5G connection, network congestion may result in slower speeds.

Orange,Airalo and Holafly all offer 5Gnetworks,ensuring fast speeds wherever you go.So their speeds are comparable.However, Holafly’s eSIM plans come with unlimited data, which is a great advantage, meaning you travel without worrying about running out of internet and never having to pay to recharge the eSIM again. You have the security that you are paying a single amount for “X” days of unlimited internet connection.

Bouygues only provide high-speed connection in 4G/LTE across Europe.

3. Customer Service

You can contact Bouygues in several ways. You can email them, call the number listed on the website, or open a ticket with their support directly on the website.

Orange’s help center contains answers to many questions about the eSIM service. You can search the help center to find exactly what you’re looking for; this makes navigating the library of information much easier.If you need further assistance, you can contact Orange’s customer service team via chat or fill out a contact form on the company’s website. You can also send an email to contact@travel-orange.com and wait for a response. However, some users have complained about late responses and unclear messages from Orange’s customer support.

Airalo offers several support channels, including email, in-app chat, and social media. However, they do not provide phone support.It’s important to note that Airalo website support is only available in English. If you change the language on the website, the live chat will still appear in English, but you can get support in other languages if you contact them through other available channels if you click the three dots on the live chat.

In terms of customer service, Holafly takes the lead compared to Airalo.Holafly customer support is available in different languages. You only need to change the website language, and you are good to go. There are various channels to get support as well like WhatsApp or the phone number clearly stated at the top of the website.Holafly support is also faster, as most customer support answers are given in less than a minute. 

4. Payment 

What’s also important to check out is the payment methods these eSIM providers offer. Flexible payment methods are crucial for eSIMs, offering convenience and accessibility to customers worldwide while ensuring secure transactions.

Comparison Table

Conclusion: Which eSIM Is Best?

Ultimately, the best eSIM provider for you depends on factors such as your destination, budget, and desired features. You should assess your requirements and preferences to determine which provider aligns best with your needs.

If you want to travel worry-free, watch videos, snap and send photos, and upload your content without counting your MBps along the way, Holafly is the best for you. Holafly unlimited eSIM data plan allows you to use Uber, make video calls, send videos to your friends, and relax after a long day of exploring by sitting back and watching your favorite Netflix show — all that without even thinking about your data usage.

If you must have a local phone number, Bouygues is the way to go.Bouygues eSIM plan offers a local French phone number which you can use to make calls and send SMS messages all over Europe. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How to activate bouygues eSIM on iPhone?

1. In “Settings”, select “Cellular”.

2. Select “Add Cellular Plan”.

3. Scan the QR code and register your profile.

4. Your eSIM is activated. That's it!

Does Orange eSIM work in Portugal?

Yes. If you want to stay connected when traveling to Portugal, Orange eSIM Holidays is the perfect roaming solution.

Can I activate my Orange eSIM before travel?

You can buy your eSIM before your departure. You will need an Internet connection to install it so I advise you to do it from your home country bu wait your arrival at destination to enter the PIN code in order to make sure your credit validity doesn't start being deduced.

Does Orange eSIM give you a phone number?

Some Orange eSIM plans offer a phone number, voice, text.

Is Orange the best eSIM for Europe?

Yes. This provider is an excellent option for travelers — particularly if you're visiting Europe. However, there are limited plans if you're visiting other parts of the world.

Does Airalo work with Apple?

Airalo is an eSIM marketplace that provides affordable eSIM plans for 200+ countries and regions worldwide. You can purchase a plan, install an eSIM on your iPhone, and instantly connect to a mobile network at your destination. Your iPhone must be carrier-unlocked to install an eSIM from a third-party provider.

Does Airalo have hidden fees?

Airalo eSIMs are prepaid, so you know exactly what you're getting. There are no hidden roaming fees, and you won't be hit by a surprise bill when you return home.

Is Holafly really unlimited data?

Holafly's data is really unlimited. However, based on our test, we need to clarify a few things here.First, what Holafly mean by data being "unlimited" is that you won't run out of data. In other words, you'll never reach a point when Holafly cuts you off from a connection to the internet altogether (unless, of course, your term duration runs out).

However, it's worth remembering here that Holafly works directly with dozens of local network carriers to provide an internet connection to their customers. Each of these carriers would have its own contractual agreements with Holafly, which, alongside other international measures, might all affect the speed of your connection.

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