Searches for a “Holafly US number” or an “eSIM with US number included” jumped after Holafly started bundling a phone number with its data subscriptions. It is a real feature and useful for some travellers. It is also narrower than the phrase “US number” suggests. Here is what Holafly’s own pages say, checked on October 28, 2026, and how it compares with a standalone US number such as the TripoSIM US Virtual Number.
What does Holafly’s included number do?
The FAQ on Holafly’s plans page says: “Unlimited Plans purchased on November 4, 2025, or later include a phone number for US, UK, or Canada. Please note that this service supports inbound SMS only and VOIP-based calling (traditional incoming cellular calls are not supported).”
Holafly’s more detailed help page, How to receive SMS abroad with Holafly Plans, last updated June 11, 2026, adds:
- Which plans: the Unlimited Plan only, “not eSIMs by days”. On the plans page, the Ultra plan, which Holafly describes as “Everything in Unlimited”, also lists a local number. The Light plan card does not.
- Which number: you choose a +1 prefix (US and Canada) or a +44 prefix (UK) in the Holafly app. Holafly says “This choice is permanent.”
- Where texts arrive: “in the Holafly App or your email, never your phone’s native message application.”
- What is not supported: “Outgoing SMS and phone calls are not supported.”
- Codes: Holafly says “some banks or services may not send verification codes to non-local numbers.”
- Keeping it: “Don’t delete your Holafly eSIM, doing so permanently removes your assigned number.”
The plans page mentions “VOIP-based calling” while the help page says phone calls are not supported. We could not find more detail on Holafly’s site, so treat calling as unconfirmed and ask Holafly if it matters to you.
How are Holafly Plans billed?
Holafly Plans are data subscriptions. According to Holafly’s subscription FAQ, monthly plans renew every 30 days and can be cancelled anytime, while annual plans carry a 12-month commitment. When we checked on October 28, 2026, the plans page showed the Unlimited plan at 59.95 euros a month, billed monthly, with quarterly and yearly options at a discount. Prices may differ by currency and location.
On cancelling, Holafly says the subscription stays active to the end of the billing cycle, and that “reactivation isn’t available yet, so you’ll need to purchase a new subscription and receive a new eSIM.” Its pages we checked do not say what happens to the assigned number when a subscription ends. If you plan to give that number to a bank, ask Holafly first.
Holafly number vs a standalone US number
The core difference is what you are buying. With Holafly, the number is an extra on a data plan. With a standalone US number, the number is the product, and you bring your own data (Wi-Fi, a local SIM or any eSIM).
| Holafly Unlimited number (per Holafly, Oct 2026) | TripoSIM US Virtual Number | |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | A data subscription; the number is included | The number itself: $100 a year or $12.99 a month |
| Mobile data | Included | Not included; uses any Wi-Fi or mobile data. Yearly plan adds $5 app credit for travel eSIM data or extra minutes |
| Receiving texts | Inbound SMS, delivered to app or email | Texts from US and Canadian senders, in the app |
| Sending texts | Not supported | Not included |
| Outgoing calls | Holafly’s help page says not supported | 300 min/month to US and Canada |
| Incoming calls | Help page says not supported; plans page mentions VoIP calling | Yes, ringing in the app, with voicemail |
| Choosing the number | +1 or +44 prefix, chosen once | Choose by state or area code after an ID check |
| Tied to | Your Holafly eSIM; deleting it removes the number | Your TripoSIM plan, independent of any data plan |
| After you stop paying | Not stated on the pages we checked | Held 30 days (yearly) or 90 days (monthly), then released |
| 911 | Not mentioned | Not included |
Both are internet-based numbers, and neither replaces a US carrier line. The TripoSIM number receives verification codes (OTP SMS) from apps, including WhatsApp. For more on the difference, see how an eSIM with a US number works.
When is the Holafly number enough?
- You already want an unlimited travel data subscription, and Holafly covers your destinations.
- You only need to receive the occasional code or text, and you are fine reading it in an app or email.
- You do not need anyone to call you on that number, and you do not need to call US phones.
- You are comfortable that the number lives with that Holafly eSIM.
In that case, paying separately for a standalone number may be money you do not need to spend.
When does a standalone US number fit better?
- You need to call US or Canadian phones. The TripoSIM number includes 300 outgoing minutes a month to the US and Canada. See calling the US from abroad.
- You want people to call you. Calls ring in the TripoSIM app, and missed calls go to voicemail.
- You want a specific area code, such as a client’s city or where your family lives.
- You want the number to outlast a data plan. You can switch eSIMs, use local SIMs or stay on Wi-Fi without touching the number.
- You want to keep it for years on a yearly plan, rather than as an add-on to a data subscription.
If you need to send texts, neither option fits. Look at a two-way texting service or a US carrier line instead.
The TripoSIM number receives verification codes (OTP SMS) from apps, including WhatsApp and WhatsApp Business. TripoSIM tested 22 apps from October 3 to 18, 2026, and that list shows examples, not a limit. You can look up a specific service with the app check tool, and read more on receiving texts from US senders.
Can you use both?
Yes. They do different jobs. A Holafly eSIM can carry your data while the TripoSIM app uses that data for calls and texts on your US number. The TripoSIM app needs an internet connection, and any data connection works.
Bottom line
Holafly’s included number is a sensible bonus on its Unlimited data plans for receiving texts and codes. By Holafly’s own help pages it does not send texts or make calls, and it lives with the eSIM. If you need calls, an area code you choose or a number you keep regardless of your data plan, a standalone number fits better. Compare the TripoSIM plans or run the fit checker first.