When a travel eSIM provider advertises "unlimited", it pays to read the small print. In most cases "unlimited" really means: you can browse as much as you want, but past a certain daily threshold the speed gets cut drastically — until midnight, then the game restarts. This "fair-use policy" is industry-standard, but rarely communicated transparently. Here's the honest overview.
What does 'fair-use' actually mean?
Fair-use policy is the small-print clause that limits a seemingly unlimited plan. It works in two ways:
1. Daily allowance throttle: You may use e.g. 1 GB per day at full speed. After that the connection keeps running, but throttled to 128–512 kbit/s — about like 2G. Texting, maps and email work, video or fast uploads don't. At midnight (provider time zone) the daily allowance resets.
2. Hotspot sub-limit: Even if your main allowance is unlimited, tethering often runs with its own, lower limit (typically 500 MB/day). If you hook up the MacBook or share with the family, you'll hit it fast.
Throttling overview of the major providers
Status Q1 2026 — values can change at the provider's discretion, so double-check before purchase:
| Provider | Marketing claim | Real throttle threshold | Hotspot throttle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airalo | No "unlimited" plans — all data-capped (5/10/20 GB) | No throttling; hard block when data runs out | No separate hotspot limit |
| Simbye | No "unlimited" plans — data-capped | No throttling; hard block when data runs out | No separate hotspot limit |
| Nomad | No "unlimited" — mostly data-capped | No throttling; hard block when data runs out | No separate hotspot limit |
| Holafly | "Unlimited" as the main marketing argument | Throttling 500 MB–1 GB/day (country-dependent) | Hotspot often 500 MB/day (separate) |
| Yesim | "Unlimited" with a daily-cap notice | Throttling 500 MB–2 GB/day (clearly stated) | Hotspot usually from the data pool |
| Saily | "Unlimited" with transparent threshold | Throttling 500 MB–1 GB/day | Hotspot from data pool |
| Ubigi | Mix of capped and "unlimited" | On unlimited: usually 1 GB/day, then throttled | Hotspot without sub-limit |
Holafly: throttling per country
Because Holafly is the best-known "unlimited" provider, a closer look is worthwhile. The throttle threshold varies considerably by destination (excerpt as of Q1 2026):
| Country | Daily allowance before throttle | Hotspot sub-limit |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | Often unlimited (premium market) | Mostly unlimited |
| South Korea | Often unlimited | Mostly unlimited |
| USA | Daily allowance varies (min. 1 GB) | 500 MB / day |
| Thailand | 1 GB / day | 500 MB / day |
| Mexico | 500 MB / day | 500 MB / day |
| Turkey | 500 MB / day | 500 MB / day |
| Brazil | 500 MB / day | 500 MB / day |
| Vietnam | 500 MB / day | 500 MB / day |
| Europe | 1 GB / day | 500 MB / day |
When is unlimited worth it?
| Usage profile | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist (maps, WhatsApp, social) | 5–10 GB data-capped | Need < 700 MB/day, fair-use throttle wouldn't even reach you |
| Heavy streamer (Netflix HD, YouTube) | Holafly Unlimited (in a suitable country) OR 20+ GB capped | Need 2–3 GB/day — capped is cheaper, unlimited is less stressful |
| Hotspot for the MacBook (workation) | 20 GB data-capped (Airalo / Simbye) | Holafly throttles hotspot separately to 500 MB/day — frustrating |
| Vlogger / cloud upload | True unlimited (Holafly Japan/South Korea) OR 30+ GB capped | 4K uploads blow through any daily limit |
| Family (4 people, 1 eSIM) | 20+ GB capped | Holafly's hotspot sub-limit would slow everyone down |
| Safety buyer ("who knows what comes next") | 10 GB capped + readiness to top up | Less money up front, top up when needed |
Common questions about fair-use
What exactly happens when I exceed the fair-use limit?
Speed gets throttled to 128–512 kbit/s — depending on provider and plan. Still works: WhatsApp text, email without large attachments, Google Maps (slow load), browsing with reduced image quality. What no longer works: video streaming (not even SD smoothly), HD photo upload, video calls in acceptable quality. Throttling usually lasts until midnight (provider time zone), then the daily allowance resets.
Which providers offer real unlimited plans without fair-use throttling?
True unlimited (no data cap, no throttling at normal usage) only exists with a few plans — and even there usually only for select countries. Holafly: Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore partly without throttling; many others throttled. Yesim, Saily: real unlimited options, but mostly with a hard daily cap. Airalo, Simbye, Nomad: don't advertise "unlimited" at all — they're honestly data-capped (which is often cheaper).
Why do providers throttle if they advertise "unlimited"?
Because they buy data from roaming partners — and there, volume contracts apply. True unlimited on roaming would be impossible to calculate for the provider (one heavy user with 500 GB streaming would tip the whole business model). Fair-use is therefore not a trick but technically and economically necessary. But: if the marketing only says "unlimited" and the small print mentions a 1 GB/day throttle threshold, that's misleading. Hence this guide.
How do I find out whether my country gets throttled?
Holafly has a "Fair-Use Policy" table per destination — but it's often buried (footer of the country page). For Yesim and Saily it's listed in the plan details under "Restrictions". Airalo and Simbye don't have a throttling table because they don't sell unlimited plans. Rule of thumb: if a plan for a country costs < €30 for 7 days unlimited, there's a 90% chance of fair-use throttling. At €60–80 for 7 days the probability of true unlimited is much higher.
What's the difference between throttling and a hard block?
Throttling: speed gets reduced, connection stays. You can still text and surf slowly. Holafly, Yesim, Saily do this. Hard cap (block): data connection is fully stopped. You can't send/receive anything until you buy a top-up. Airalo, Simbye, Nomad do this (but only when you've actually used up your purchased data volume). Most users find throttling less annoying than a hard block — as long as the throttle speed is enough for messaging.
Is Holafly Unlimited worth it compared to 20 GB from Airalo?
Do the math: Holafly Thailand 7 days unlimited = ~€27 (with throttling after 1 GB/day). Airalo Thailand 10 GB / 30 days = ~€14. For a 7-day trip with max. 1 GB/day actually usable at full speed on Holafly = 7 GB high-speed. With Airalo you get 10 GB for half the price. Holafly is only worth it if you really need more than 1 GB/day and the slower throttling doesn't bother you (e.g. because you're mostly on Wi-Fi anyway).
Which providers are transparent about fair-use?
Based on our research (status Q1 2026): Yesim has the most transparent disclosure — throttle threshold is shown directly in the plan. Saily is also clean. Holafly has a separate fair-use table you have to find — not hidden, but not prominent either. Airalo, Simbye, Nomad sidestep the issue by selling only data-capped plans — that's the most honest form of transparency.
What about hotspot/tethering — is there a separate throttle?
Yes, often a separate throttle threshold. Examples: Holafly Unlimited usually throttles hotspot to 500 MB/day separately (even if the main allowance is unlimited). Airalo and Simbye have no separate hotspot throttle — tethering pulls from the data pool, at the same speed. If you're hotspot-heavy (family + iPad + MacBook), avoid Holafly and instead pick a large data-capped plan (20+ GB) at Airalo/Simbye.
