Highest scored on our rubric: HelloRoam (4.6/5)Compare eSIM Providers for Bulgaria: Feature Matrix (2026)
Feature matrix
Weighted Scores: Bulgaria eSIM Providers
5 providers scored across 5 weighted dimensions for Bulgaria.
Score Breakdown by Dimension
| Dimension | Weight | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coverage | 20% | 4.5 | 4.9 | 4.3 | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Pricing | 20% | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.8 | 4.0 |
| Network Generation | 20% | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.2 | 4.3 | 4.4 |
| App Quality | 20% | 5.0 | 4.7 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 4.5 |
| Support | 20% | 5.0 | 4.2 | 4.7 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Weighted Total | 100% | 4.64 | 4.45 | 4.35 | 4.15 | 4.20 |
At a Glance
| Attribute | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2025 | 2019 | 2017 | 2020 | 2023 |
| HQ | United Kingdom | Singapore | Murcia, Spain | Santa Clara, CA | Vilnius, Lithuania |
| Support Channels | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Email + in-app chat | 24/7 chat + email | Email only | Email only |
| Refund Policy | 180-day refund | 14-day refund | 180-day refund | 30-day refund | 30-day refund |
| Starting Price | $3.50 | $4.50 | $2.99/day | $3.00 | $3.99 |
Coverage
Bulgaria Coverage, Provider Against Provider
Carrier Routing per Provider
| Provider | Carrier Partner | Network Type | Coverage score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | A1 | 4G LTE | 4.5 |
| Airalo | Vivacom | 4G LTE | 4.9 |
| Holafly | Telenor | 4G LTE | 4.3 |
| Nomad | A1 | 4G LTE | 3.9 |
| Saily | Vivacom | 4G LTE | 4.0 |
Network Count and Types
Bulgaria has 3 mobile networks: A1, Vivacom, Telenor. Network types present: 4G. 5G coverage is limited in Bulgaria. 5G trials in Sofia
Regional eSIM Alternative
Regional eSIM plans cover Bulgaria and surrounding countries. Here is when they save money. Bulgaria single-country entry: $2.21 (1GB). Neighbor entry-level prices: Åland Islands: $2.44 (1GB); Albania: $3.99 (1GB); Andorra: $3.78 (1GB); Austria: $2.21 (1GB). Buying individual plans for all 5 countries totals $14.63 minimum. HelloRoam, Airalo and Holafly sell multi-country bundles that put several destinations on one eSIM; Nomad and Saily sell single-country plans only. Bundle country lists differ, so check that Bulgaria and the stops above are on the one you are offered, then price it against that $14.63 total.
Pricing
Bulgaria Per-Tier Pricing
Fixed Data Plan Pricing
| Tier | HelloRoam | Airalo | Holafly | Nomad | Saily |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1GB | $3.15 | $2.21 | $2.69 | $2.70 | $3.59 |
| 3GB | $9.45 | $3.47 | $8.07 | $8.10 | $10.77 |
| 5GB | $15.75 | $5.20 | $13.46 | $13.50 | $17.96 |
| 10GB | $31.50 | $8.06 | $26.91 | $27 | $35.91 |
| 20GB | $63 | $17.03 | $53.82 | $54 | $71.82 |
Airalo prices from live data. Other provider prices are estimated from published starting rates. Actual rates vary.
Unlimited Plan Pricing
| Duration | Total | Per Day | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $2.52 | $2.52/day | 4% |
| 3 days | $7.23 | $2.41/day | 8% |
| 7 days | $16.87 | $2.41/day | 8% |
| 14 days | $32.65 | $2.33/day | 11% |
| 30 days | $64.45 | $2.15/day | 18% |
Per-GB Value Analysis
The cheapest per-GB rate for Bulgaria is $0.77/GB at the 1GB tier ($2.21 total). Larger data tiers typically reduce the per-GB cost. A 20GB plan often delivers 30-50% lower per-GB rates than a 1GB plan for the same destination.
Network data
Bulgaria Network Generation
Carrier Routing by Provider
| Provider | Carrier | Type | Network score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | A1 | 4G LTE | 4.3 |
| Airalo | Vivacom | 4G LTE | 4.4 |
| Holafly | Telenor | 4G LTE | 4.2 |
| Nomad | A1 | 4G LTE | 4.3 |
| Saily | Vivacom | 4G LTE | 4.4 |
5G Availability
5G coverage in Bulgaria is limited. 5G trials in Sofia Providers routing through 5G-capable carriers pick up 5G in the areas where it is deployed. 4G LTE fallback is available everywhere.
Speed Under Fair Use Policies
Holafly unlimited plans in Bulgaria run at full 4G LTE speed until the daily fair-use threshold. After the threshold, speeds reduce. Maps and messaging still work. Video streaming and large downloads do not. Fixed data plans from Airalo, Saily, and Nomad run at full speed until the data allowance is used.
Urban vs Rural Coverage
5G in Bulgaria sits in the cities. Rural areas fall back to 4G LTE, drop to 3G in places, or lose signal entirely in remote terrain. A1 Bulgaria offers the widest rural footprint among local carriers, and every provider on this page rides the same towers.
Support
Which Support Channels Each Provider Runs
Support Channels by Provider
| Provider | Channels | Real-time channel | Support score (0-5, our rubric) |
|---|---|---|---|
| HelloRoam | Live chat + WhatsApp + email | Live chat + WhatsApp | 5.0 |
| Airalo | Email + in-app chat | In-app chat | 4.2 |
| Holafly | 24/7 chat + email | 24/7 live chat | 4.7 |
| Nomad | Email only | None published | 3.9 |
| Saily | Email only | None published | 4.1 |
Refund and Guarantee Policies
| Provider | Guarantee |
|---|---|
| HelloRoam | 180-day refund |
| Airalo | 14-day refund |
| Holafly | 180-day refund |
| Nomad | 30-day refund |
| Saily | 30-day refund |
Activation and Setup Experience
Activation steps vary by provider. Here is how each one works for Bulgaria plans. HelloRoam: QR code via email. 4 steps, approximately 3-5 min to complete. Connects to A1 in Bulgaria. Airalo: QR code or direct install. 4 steps, approximately 3-5 min to complete. Connects to A1 in Bulgaria. Holafly: QR code via email. 4 steps, approximately 5-8 min to complete. Connects to A1 in Bulgaria. Nomad: QR code or manual APN. 4 steps, approximately 4-6 min to complete. Connects to A1 in Bulgaria. Saily: Direct in-app install. 4 steps, approximately 2-4 min to complete. Connects to A1 in Bulgaria. Plans activate on Bulgaria's 4G LTE network. Install before departure to skip airport setup delays. All 5 providers allow pre-trip installation.
Head-to-head
Head-to-Head Provider Comparison for Bulgaria
Two of the five providers in our Bulgaria matrix are HelloRoam and Airalo. Here is where they diverge.
HelloRoam routes through A1 (4G) in Bulgaria. Airalo connects via Vivacom (4G). Different carriers mean different coverage footprints outside Bulgaria's urban core.
Bulgaria plans range from $2.21 (1GB) to $17.03 (20GB). Pricing score gap: 0.3 points. HelloRoam has a cost advantage at this destination. The widest scoring gap is in support channels: HelloRoam leads by 0.8 points. Composite: HelloRoam 4.64/5 on our 2026 rubric, Airalo 4.45/5.
Matrix analysis
What the Bulgaria Feature Matrix Actually Means
Five equal-weight dimensions, five providers, one destination: Bulgaria. The matrix tells a specific story for this market.
Coverage: Bulgaria's 3-operator market (A1, Vivacom and Telenor) creates real differentiation. Providers routing through the dominant carrier gain a coverage edge in rural areas. HelloRoam scores 4.5/5 on our 2026 rubric, Nomad scores 3.9/5.
Network: Bulgaria runs on 4G LTE. Since all providers route through the same infrastructure, network scores track the carrier tier, not the provider. Pricing: plans start at $2.21 (1GB), $2.21/GB floor rate. Unlimited daily data from $2.62/day shifts the pricing calculus for heavy users. Overall spread: 0.49 points between #1 (HelloRoam) and #4 (Nomad). Provider selection matters significantly in Bulgaria.
Use cases
Matching Providers to Activities in Bulgaria
Score-weighted recommendations for Bulgaria travelers.
Video Streaming
Airalo
Airalo is the strongest pick for streaming in Bulgaria. Network Generation score: 4.4/5 on our 2026 rubric on Bulgaria's 4G LTE network via A1, Vivacom and Telenor. 4G LTE handles HD streaming where the signal is strong. Holafly's unlimited tier from $2.62/day avoids mid-stream data caps.
Remote Work
HelloRoam
HelloRoam ranks first for remote work in Bulgaria. Video calls need a steady connection more than a fast one. Bulgaria's 4G LTE network carries video calls where signal is strong. A real-time support channel matters when connectivity drops mid-session. HelloRoam: 24/7 support. Bulgaria's good WiFi supplements eSIM data for stationary work.
Social Media
HelloRoam
HelloRoam fits social-heavy travelers in Bulgaria. Instagram browsing runs 100-200 MB per hour and TikTok 300-500 MB per hour. At Bulgaria's floor rate of $2.21/GB, an hour of TikTok scrolling costs roughly $1.08 on the entry tier. App quality score: 5.0/5 on the rubric for data monitoring while uploading.
Navigation
Airalo
Airalo leads for navigation use in Bulgaria. Google Maps uses 10-15 MB per hour of active navigation. Coverage is the dominant factor: losing signal mid-route is worse than slow speed. Airalo routes through Vivacom in Bulgaria. Multi-operator market: carrier reach outside urban zones differs.
Budget Travel
HelloRoam
HelloRoam is the strongest pick on a cost-conscious Bulgaria trip. Pricing score: 4.4/5 on our rubric, starting from $3.50. Bulgaria entry: $2.21 for 1GB ($2.21/GB). Refund window: 180 days. A 180-day refund reduces purchase risk for uncertain itineraries.
Extended Stay
HelloRoam
HelloRoam fits extended stays in Bulgaria. Average trip length: 7 days. Unlimited plans scale: $64.45 for 30 days ($2.15/day, 18% discount). Support quality matters more on longer trips. HelloRoam runs live chat and WhatsApp.
Coverage quality
Coverage Quality by Provider in Bulgaria
How does coverage actually differ between providers in Bulgaria? The answer starts with carrier routing. HelloRoam: A1 (4G). Airalo: Vivacom (4G). Holafly: Telenor (4G). Nomad: A1 (4G). Saily: Vivacom (4G).
2 of 5 providers route through A1, the dominant carrier. Airalo connects via Vivacom. Holafly connects via Telenor. Saily connects via Vivacom. In Bulgaria's urban centers, all carriers overlap. Outside cities, the dominant carrier typically has wider reach. Rural travelers should verify their chosen provider's carrier covers their itinerary. Bulgaria has limited 5G coverage, concentrated in major cities. Most connections fall back to 4G LTE outside 5G zones. Bulgaria is a developing mobile market with good urban coverage.
Support quality
Customer Support for Bulgaria: Provider-by-Provider
Support is 20% of the composite score, the same as every other dimension, but for Bulgaria travelers hitting activation issues it becomes the one that decides the trip.
HelloRoam: real-time help on live chat and WhatsApp. 24/7 availability. 63 languages. 180-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Bulgaria's time zone. Airalo: real-time help on in-app chat. 24/7 availability. 12 languages. 14-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Bulgaria's time zone. Holafly: real-time help on 24/7 live chat. 24/7 availability. 10 languages. 180-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Bulgaria's time zone. Nomad: no real-time channel, email and in-app messages only. Business hours (UTC+8) availability. 2 languages. 30-day refund window. Business hours (UTC+8). Check overlap with Bulgaria's time zone (EET/EEST (UTC+2/+3)). Saily: no real-time channel, email and in-app messages only. 24/7 availability. 1 language. 30-day refund window. Available around the clock regardless of Bulgaria's time zone.
HelloRoam and Airalo and Holafly let Bulgaria travelers reach a person in real time. For activation problems at arrival, that beats waiting on an email queue. Longest refund window: HelloRoam and Holafly at 180 days. Useful when Bulgaria trip dates shift after purchase.
App usability
Bulgaria eSIM Setup: App-by-App Walkthrough
App Features carries 20% of the composite score. For Bulgaria, app-specific factors shift the ranking.
HelloRoam: App score 5.0/5 in our comparison matrix. Airalo (4.7/5): QR code or direct in-app install. 3-5 minutes. Tracking: Granular: per-profile usage, hourly projections, remaining data alerts. Standout: Airmoney cashback (5-10%), real-time data tracking with hourly estimates. Holafly (4.1/5 on the rubric): QR code via email + in-app mirror. 5-8 minutes. Tracking: Minimal: unlimited plans remove the need for consumption monitoring. Standout: Unlimited plan management. No data cap tracking needed.. Nomad (3.9/5 on this scorecard): Email QR code. Manual scan in phone settings. 4-6 minutes. Tracking: Basic: data balance only. No real-time estimates or usage projections. Standout: Lowest per-GB pricing in covered markets. Minimal UI.. Saily (4.5/5 on this scorecard): Direct in-app install with VPN bundled. 2-4 minutes. Tracking: Standard: data balance display, VPN status indicator, remaining allowance. Standout: Integrated NordVPN on every plan at zero cost.
Bulgaria's 3-operator market means the app's carrier selection is locked at install time. The app does not let you switch carriers after activation. App score leader for Bulgaria: HelloRoam at 5.0/5 in our comparison matrix.
Pricing analysis
What Bulgaria eSIM Plans Actually Cost Per Gigabyte
The pricing comparison for Bulgaria is not a single number. It is a curve that changes shape at 3, 5, 10, and 20 GB.
1GB: $2.21 ($2.21/GB). 3GB: $3.47 ($1.16/GB). 5GB: $5.20 ($1.04/GB). 10GB: $8.06 ($0.81/GB). 20GB: $17.03 ($0.85/GB).
Best value: 10GB at $0.81/GB. Worst value: 1GB at $2.21/GB. Ratio: 2.7x difference between cheapest and most expensive per-GB rate. A 7-day trip at 0.8 GB/day needs ~6 GB. The 10GB tier at $8.06 covers that. Unlimited at $2.62/day = $18.34 total. The fixed 10GB saves $10.28 unless you exceed 10 GB. Pricing score leader for Bulgaria: Nomad at 4.8/5 in our comparison matrix.
A SIM bought on arrival at Sofia (SOF) costs $5-10 for 5-10GB / 28 days. The cheapest eSIM plan in this matrix for Bulgaria is $2.21 for 1GB. The per-GB floor across the 7 scored Bulgaria plans is $0.77/GB.
Quick comparison
Bulgaria Provider Matchup Summary
Matrix summary
Bulgaria Feature Matrix Overview
5 providers scored across coverage, pricing, network generation, app, and support for Bulgaria. HelloRoam leads the matrix. Plans start at $2.21 on A1's 4G LTE network.
Verdict
Bulgaria Verdict Matrix
Scenario-based recommendations for Bulgaria travelers.
Budget trips
Nomad scores highest
Nomad publishes the lowest per-GB rate card of the five, from $3.00. For Bulgaria, the cheapest tracked plan is $2.21.
1GB fixed data planHeavy Data Users
Holafly scores highest
Holafly unlimited data at $2.62/day in Bulgaria. No data caps. Fair-use throttling applies after the daily threshold.
Unlimited daily at $2.62/dayPrivacy-Conscious Travelers
Saily scores highest
Saily includes NordVPN protection on every plan at no extra cost. Its published rate card starts at $3.99 across destinations. Backed by Nord Security's infrastructure.
Fixed data + integrated VPNMulti-Country Trips
Airalo scores highest
Airalo regional bundles cover 200+ countries on a single eSIM. Asialink, Eurolink, and Discover Global work in Bulgaria alongside neighboring destinations.
Regional multi-country bundleBulgaria Specifically
Airalo scores highest
Airalo scores highest overall for Bulgaria in our 2026 matrix. Widest coverage catalogue. Airalo leads coverage at 200+ countries, the widest catalogue in the matrix, with regional multi-country bundles for complex itineraries.
Recommended: AiraloFAQ
Bulgaria Provider Comparison Questions
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Bulgaria?
Which eSIM provider scores highest across Bulgaria?
HelloRoam scores 4.6/5.0 overall in our weighted matrix. Coverage on A1 Bulgaria rates 4.5/5.0. Pricing rates 4.4/5.0 with plans from $2.21. All five dimensions carry equal 20% weight.
Which of Airalo and Holafly leads across Bulgaria?
Which of Airalo and Holafly leads across Bulgaria?
Airalo scores 4.5/5 on our rubric.0 with fixed data plans from $2.21. Holafly scores 4.3/5.0 with unlimited daily data at $2.62/day. Airalo covers 200+ countries. Holafly covers 160+.
Which provider prices Bulgaria eSIM plans lowest?
Which provider prices Bulgaria eSIM plans lowest?
The lowest per-GB rate for Bulgaria is $0.77/GB. A 1GB plan costs $2.21. Nomad offers competitive per-GB pricing starting at $3.00. Compare all tiers in the pricing grid above.
Does Saily work in Bulgaria?
Does Saily work in Bulgaria?
Saily covers Bulgaria on A1 Bulgaria at 4G LTE speeds. Its published rate card starts from $3.99 across destinations. Saily includes NordVPN protection on every plan at no extra cost. Saily covers 200+ countries total.
Which Bulgaria eSIM provider has the highest-rated app?
Which Bulgaria eSIM provider has the highest-rated app?
Airalo rates highest at 4.7/5 in our comparison matrix.0 on app quality with real-time data tracking, in-app installation, and Airmoney rewards. Saily rates 4.5/5 on our 2026 rubric.0 with an integrated VPN toggle. Holafly rates 4.1/5.0. Nomad rates 3.9/5.0.
Which Bulgaria trips justify unlimited data?
Which Bulgaria trips justify unlimited data?
Unlimited costs $2.62/day via Holafly in Bulgaria. A 7-day trip totals $18.34. The largest fixed plan (1GB) costs $2.21. Unlimited saves money above 5GB/day usage. Below that threshold, fixed plans offer better value per GB.
Can I use a regional eSIM instead of a Bulgaria-only plan?
Can I use a regional eSIM instead of a Bulgaria-only plan?
Airalo offers regional bundles covering multiple countries on a single eSIM. Asialink (16 countries), Eurolink (39 countries), and Discover Global (130+ countries) all include Bulgaria. Regional bundles cost more per-GB but save the hassle of managing multiple eSIMs on multi-country trips.
Which of the 4 Bulgaria eSIM providers fits your trip?
Which of the 4 Bulgaria eSIM providers fits your trip?
On a budget: Nomad (lowest per-GB from $3.00). Heavy data: Holafly (unlimited from $2.62/day). Privacy: Saily (NordVPN included). Widest coverage: Airalo (200+ countries). Your primary metric determines the right provider.
Bulgaria data, live on arrival
Compare all five providers. Plans from $2.21.