Is Sim Local Worth It? My Honest eSIM Review (2025)
This article was sponsored by Sim Local. All opinions and writing are my own. You can find affiliate links throughout the article, and if end up making a purchase through one of them, I will make a commission at no additional cost to you.
Getting a reliable eSIM card is one of the most important steps when planning a trip to another country 🌴 Not all cell phone plans include international data, calls, and messaging, and the last thing you want is to be stuck abroad without cell phone service, or even worse, pay crazy high fees for roaming to your cell service provider, because your plan doesn’t include it 😕
If you are anything like me, you need a reliable eSIM card for more than just staying in touch with your family – from keeping your social media up to date ✅ to checking work emails 👩🏽💻 and navigating a new city with Google Maps 🗺️ there are many things that your eSIM card will make possible.
In the past, you had to get expensive SIM cards for that. But things have changed, and now you can get up to 10(!) eSIM cards for your phone as you travel from country to country.
So what’s the difference?
An eSIM is a digital card built that allows you to connect to a local network after you activate it online 💻 while a regular SIM is a physical card that needs to be inserted into a device. eSIMs give you the convenience of remote activation and switching between networks in different parts of the world 🤩
The world of eSIM cards has grown competitive in recent years, and now with so many options on the market, it could be tough to choose one. In this article, we will look at the Sim Local eSIM card, which I used on one of my recent trips, and talk about whether it’s worth your hard earned money.
Sim Local Overview 📱
Based in Dublin, Sim Local is one of the most friendly eSIM companies for digital nomads and long-term travelers. The company sells local SIM cards and eSIM plans through retail stores, kiosks, vending machines, mobile apps, and online stores. It awarded its first contract in London Heathrow Airport ✈️ in 2012 and launched the eSIM service in 2020, and now has many stores and kiosks in airports across the world.
👉 Key features of Sim Local eSIM
1. Top speed and coverage
The company partners with the best networks and guarantees 4G and 5G connections in all of its destinations. The company offers more than 3x more high-speed data than most unlimited plans.
2. Unlimited data
Sim Local unlimited data plans stand out because we offer up to 10GB per full-speed usage per day with no speed reduction.
3. Good variety of plans
Sim Local offers plans for more than 220 destinations, including regional plans like South America, the Caribbean, and Europe. Their global plans are perfect if you are traveling to multiple countries.
4. Excellent technical support
The company can get you the help you need in seconds, as it offers support via email, WhatsApp, online chat, and a phone number for specific queries. Whether you are in the United States, Europe, Mexico, or any other part of the world, you can quickly get in touch with their customer support team, who will answer your questions.
What countries does Sim Local serve? 🌎
Sim Local offers coverage in over 150 countries including the UK, most of Europe, Mexico, and Turkey. The company has local, regional, and global eSIM plans with varying coverage. Their regional eSIM cards are great for Europe, because they allow you to travel from one country to another without switching your plans. If you plan a more global trip, get their Global eSIM, which works in over 100 countries.
Local eSIM Plans – covers Ireland, the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Turkey, USA, Canada.
Regional eSIM Plans
Covers the UK and Europe – this is the best area of coverage for eSIM, with most comprehensive and flexible plans ranging from limited to unlimited data and offering a more local and complete travel experience, an advantage that many other eSIMs don’t provide.
The company offers regional plans in the Caribbean, Africa, South America, Oceania, Europe, and Asia. However, the most comprehensive regional plan is for Europe, with options ranging from limited data to unlimited data. It also includes calls and texts, an advantage that many other eSIMs don’t have.
Global eSIM Plans
Covers up to 149 countries across the globe, and includes 1GB for 3 days or 10 GB for 14 days. The Global eSIM is ideal if you move across multiple countries and want to avoid purchasing a separate eSIM for each destination. Global plans range from 1GB to 90 GB, with durations from 1 day to 90 days. For example, the Three Plan offers roaming in over 70 destinations with up to 30 GB of data per month, totaling 90 GB over 90 days.
If you are looking for coverage in a specific country, check it on the Sim Local’s website.
How does Sim Local work? 🧐
To find the right plan, head to Sim Local’s website and browse available options. Once you find the right plan for your destination (you can find it in the dropdown menu), enter your credit card information, and voila – you will get the activation code via email.
Download their app on your smartphone, so you can manage your eSIM from your phone and check available data while on the go. What’s great is that you will pay local prices and avoid the exorbitant roaming charges that many cell phone companies have for international data and calls.
After you buy your plan and get an email with your information, you can activate the Sim Local eSIM with a simple click of a button. All you need to do is enable data roaming on your eSIM settings after you install the plan, all while keeping your original SIM card in your device.
This is especially convenient, because in the past, you had to take out your original Sim card, insert a new one and risk losing it while you travel.
Don’t forget about this ⬇️
Keep in mind that your new eSIM will have a new number. So if you want to contact your friends and family back home, let them know that your number will be different.
The best way to do this is to set up everything one day before your trip, and when you arrive at your destination, activate your eSIM in settings (do it as soon as you land), so your cell phone is instantly connected to a local network and you don’t get charged high fees, because your phone tries to connect to a local network.
Your plan starts the moment you activate it, and you can always check your available balance through the app or on your computer when you log into your account.
✅ PRO TIP: Make sure your phone is compatible with eSIM cards before buying one.
Sim Local Plans 👀
Sim Local offers eSIM plans that include calling, SMS, and data, as well as both limited and unlimited data options in most countries where they offer service. This makes Sim Local the most comprehensive solution in the eSIM market if you are looking for full connectivity, because many eSIM card companies offer only data plans, which makes their customers rely on apps for calls and messages.
How do I find the right plan?
To find the right plan, all you need to do is use Sim Local’s “Find My Plan,” where you can find the best plan that suits your travel and consumption needs. Their plans range from 1GB up to unlimited data, so you only pay for the data that you use.
Sim Local Prices 💰
The majority of Sim Local’s plans are extremely competitive. The user can pay less than 1 USD per 1GB in most destinations. They also offer a 100% refund policy, while some eSIM card companies don’t have a clear policy or none at all.
Their unlimited data plans come with a daily data cap of 10GB, which comes in handy if you work remotely and need that data.
For comparison, most eSIM card companies offer up to 3 GB of full speed per day on their unlimited plans. If you are traveling in Europe, consider their eSim, which only costs $59 – a great deal compared to other eSIM companies like Airalo that charge much higher prices.
All Sim Local plans include hotspot and tethering, so you can share your data with other devices, as part of your daily allowance. It’s a perfect option for working or streaming on the go, without worrying about extra charges or having to look for a wi-fi connection.
Does Sim Local offer Good Value For Your Money? 💵
Sim Local offers an incredibly good value for the money compared to other providers, which usually charge significantly for the same amount of data. You can buy your eSIM before your trip and activate it with a simple click of a button when you arrive at your destination. Their customer service is available 24/7 and you can find their kiosks in many airports.
Sim Local eSIM: FAQ’s
Is my phone compatible with Sim Local?
Sim Local is compatible with a variety of phones including Apple iPhone, Apple iPad, Google Pixel, Samsung, Microsoft, Motorola, Huawei, HMD Global, Hammer, Honor, Motorola, Nut Mobile, OnePlus, Sony, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Sharp. Be sure to check if your specific model is compatible with most plans. You can find the full list of devices that support their plans on their website.
How does Sim Local work?
Once you pay for the plan, you will receive an email with instructions and a QR code to activate your plan. All you need to do is click a button! Install the plan and enable data roaming in your settings. Download your eSIM to a device once and avoid deleting it while still on a trip.
What is the best eSIM for the USA?
Sim Local offers generous coverage for the USA. The company’s plans range between 1 and 20 GB of coverage for a duration between 3 to 30 days.
Who is the owner of Sim Local?
Sim Local is a privately owned company headquartered in Dublin, Ireland. It has been on the market for more than 13 years and is supported by its physical locations at various airports.
Is Sim Local eSIM good?
Yes, Sim Local eSIM is an excellent option, if you need convenient and flexible mobile data for your trip abroad. It offers generous data plans for many countries and regions and is ideal for dual SIM setups or keeping your home number active.
Sim Local Final word:
Sim Local is a fantastic eSIM option that offers the best local and regional plans across. Europe and extensive global coverage in countries like the US, Mexico, and Vietnam. I highly recommend Sim Local because it’s easy to activate, making it a great option for those looking to avoid the hassle of swapping physical SIM cards or dealing with roaming charges. Sim Local is the perfect option for staying connected while traveling, whether you choose a GB or unlimited data plan.
