#1 Hologram IoT alternative

At first glance, Hologram and Telnyx appear to be quite different. Telnyx operates in the CPaaS space, providing a suite of connectivity APIs that allow developers to incorporate voice, messaging, fax, webRTC, networking, video, and wireless capabilities into their applications. Hologram, in contrast, focuses solely on wireless connectivity.

Both Telnyx and Hologram offer a cellular IoT SIM card and global wireless coverage. Let's compare these offerings to help you decide which cellular IoT connectivity provider best fits you.

Telnyx vs. Hologram: Comparing cellular IoT features

Hologram and Telnyx both offer the fundamental features required for global wireless connectivity, including network redundancy, seamless carrier switching, and SIM management via a user interface or API.

However, Telnyx stands out by addressing organizations' core challenges when implementing IoT solutions. Specifically, Telnyx offers enhanced security via private LTE networks and greater network control via over-the-air active steering. These features are crucial in overcoming security and network control limitations that often hinder IoT adoption.

<col span="1" style="width: 60%;">
<col span="1" style="width: 20%;">
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</colgroup> Telnyx vs. Hologram: Cellular IoT Connectivity Features

<tr>
  <th></th>
  <th>Telnyx</th>
  <th>Hologram</th>
</tr>

</thead>

<tr>
  <td>Global coverage</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>✅</td>
</tr>
<tr>
  <td>SMS integration</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>✅</td>
</tr>
<tr>
  <td>Programmatic API</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>✅</td>

</tr>

<tr>
  <td>SIM lifecycle management</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>✅</td>
   </tr>
<tr>
  <td>Private LTE network</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>❌</td>
   </tr>
<tr>
  <td>LPWAN access</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>✅</td>
   </tr>
<tr>
  <td>Automatic carrier switching</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>✅</td>
   </tr>
<tr>
  <td>OTA based active steering</td>
  <td>✅</td>
  <td>❌</td>
   </tr>
<tr>

</tbody> </table>

  <br>

Key wireless features explained

Let's further explore two distinguishing features that set Telnyx apart from Hologram: private LTE networks and over-the-air-based active steering.

Private LTE networks

The number one barrier to IoT adoption is security. 86% of enterprises using IoT say their IoT deployments have been delayed or constrained by security concerns, and 50% cite security as their biggest challenge to successful IoT implementation.

Private LTE networks are an effective solution to this problem, offering secure private connections that bypass the risks of the public internet. Telnyx, built on a private IP network, supports enterprise-grade security with private LTE networks, which are relatively easy to set up.

Over-the-air- (OTA) based active steering

Organizations today expect wireless coverage across multiple carriers and automatic carrier switching. Both Hologram and Telnyx meet these needs with coverage across hundreds of networks globally and automatic carrier switching.

However, many providers use automatic carrier switching to cut their costs, often compromising network quality. Telnyx Wireless addresses this issue by prioritizing the highest quality network available and allowing users to configure their SIMs to prefer certain networks in real time through over-the-air updates.

Telnyx differentiates itself from Hologram by giving users access to the highest-quality available network and allowing them to configure SIMs to prefer specific networks in real-time via over-the-air updates.

Main takeaway: While Hologram offers many of the basic features expected of an IoT connectivity solution, Telnyx is the clear choice for those seeking enhanced security options or more network control.

Why developers choose Telnyx over Hologram

Developers prefer Telnyx as their IoT connectivity provider for several reasons. Telnyx makes building, scaling, and monitoring IoT applications easier, offering greater security and network control than alternatives. We’ve provided the highlights for why we think developers prefer Telnyx below. But you can find more details about why users prefer our platform by checking out Telnyx and Hologram user reviews on G2.

Easy configuration and monitoring

• Granular usage data: Access detailed usage data for granular insight into SIM behavior.
• API control: Experience full programmatic configurability via our RESTful API.
• Bulk SIM management: Group SIM cards as needed and manage them in bulk, e.g., with shared data limits or network preferences.

Network redundancy and control

• OTA-based active steering: Remotely configure your SIMs to preference specific networks.
• Private LTE networks: Connect SIMs to your corporate network via our private IP network, bypassing the public internet for end-to-end private connectivity and enterprise-grade security.
• LTE-M access: Gain access to 25+ LTE-M networks globally to power your IoT products.

Telnyx also offers free in-house technical support 24/7/365 and has a dedicated developer Slack channel where you can access technical support, engineering teams, and product managers.

Partner with the best for your IoT needs

Implementing an IoT system can be complex, but with Telnyx, it doesn't have to be. We offer superior features and competitive pricing, ensuring a robust and secure IoT system that meets your needs.

Telnyx provides reliable global connectivity with our IoT SIM cards, robust security through our private LTE network, and intelligent network switching. Our API lets you activate and monitor all your devices remotely with one global SIM.

Our IoT solutions cater to various industries, from healthcare to retail and transportation. We've helped numerous customers build innovative IoT experiences and solutions, and our experts can help you deploy IoT for the first time or improve existing IoT deployments with better cost efficiency.

Compared to Hologram, Telnyx offers superior features and a proven track record of customer satisfaction. Experience the Telnyx difference and see why we are the clear choice for your IoT needs.

Contact our experts today to purchase and deploy your IoT SIM cards.

To learn more about IoT management, check out some of our other resources:

• Use our Quickstart Guide to start using data today.
• Control your IoT devices with Telnyx Messaging.
• Explore top IoT trends and use cases.

FAQ

What is a Hologram IoT SIM card? A Hologram IoT SIM is a cellular SIM or eSIM designed for connected devices, offering multi-carrier coverage across many countries for roaming resilience. It is built for remote provisioning, scalable management, and machine-to-machine traffic rather than consumer smartphones.

What is an IoT eSIM and how is it different from a consumer eSIM? An IoT eSIM uses the GSMA eUICC standard to let you remotely download and switch carrier profiles without swapping plastic SIMs. Unlike consumer eSIMs, IoT eSIMs emphasize long device lifecycles, rugged deployments, and fleet management at scale.

Are eSIM providers legitimate and secure for IoT deployments? Many providers are legitimate, but you should verify carrier agreements, GSMA-aligned provisioning, clear SLAs, and responsive customer support. Ask for details on data protection, profile management controls, and fallback behavior before committing.

What are the top alternatives to Hologram for IoT connectivity? Alternatives typically include global MVNOs focused on IoT, national MNO IoT divisions, and hybrid options that add satellite or private LTE for hard-to-reach areas. Compare network coverage, API reliability, contract terms, and billing transparency rather than brand name alone.

What should I look for in Hologram IoT eSIM reviews? Prioritize real-world feedback on coverage stability, latency under load, provisioning speed, API quality, and support responsiveness. If devices need to send photos or rich alerts, confirm that the stack supports MMS messaging and that media-size limits match your payloads.

How do coverage and roaming impact IoT device performance with eSIMs? Roaming quality shapes attach times, jitter, handovers, and battery life, especially for mobile assets or rural deployments. If alerts are sent via text, understanding SMS vs. MMS helps you choose the right channel and avoid oversized payloads that stall delivery.

What costs do reviewers commonly flag with IoT eSIM plans? Watch per-MB data rates, connection or platform fees, rounding increments, and extras like SMS, static IP, or VPN surcharges. For fleets that broadcast media-based alerts, factor the difference between group and broadcast MMS so your messaging budget stays predictable.