Sim Local has been in the travel connectivity game since 2011, which makes them one of the older players in this space. They were founded by Irish entrepreneur Killian Whelan, and if you’ve ever wandered through a major international airport, there’s a decent chance you’ve walked past one of their kiosks, they’ve got physical locations in over 100 airports worldwide.

What sets them apart from a lot of eSIM providers is that many of their plans include actual calls and SMS, not just data. Some plans even come with a real UK (+44) or French (+33) phone number, which can be genuinely useful if you need to receive verification texts or make local calls the old-fashioned way.

They partner directly with carriers like EE, Orange and Three UK rather than relying on generic roaming networks, which tends to mean more reliable connections and better speeds in most places.

Sim Local works well for a pretty broad range of travelers. Holiday goers heading to a single destination will find their country specific plans simple and good value. Business travelers who need calls and SMS functionality (not just WhatsApp) are well catered for too. If you’re studying abroad or relocating temporarily, the option to get an actual local phone number is a genuine advantage, handy for opening bank accounts, signing rental agreements or any of that admin stuff that requires a real number.

They also offer regional and global plans for people hopping between countries, though honestly these tend to come at a premium compared to buying individual country plans.

Sim Local covers over 200 destinations across the usual regions: Europe, Asia, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, Oceania and the Caribbean. Their European coverage is particularly strong given their partnerships with major carriers there.

Sim Local partners with many established local carriers in each country. In the UK you might connect through EE, in France through Orange, and so on. This approach generally results in solid performance because you’re essentially getting the same network quality as local customers.

They support 4G LTE and 5G depending on location and network availability. 5G access is included at no extra cost where it’s available, you don’t and shouldn’t ever need to pay more for faster speeds.

---

Sim Local eSIMs work with most modern devices that support eSIM technology:

• iPhones from the XS onwards
• iPads with eSIM capability
• Android phones with eSIM support
• Windows 10 and 11 laptops with eSIM functionality

Before buying, it’s worth double checking your specific device model supports eSIM, as compatibility can vary by region and carrier version. Your phone also needs to be unlocked to work with different networks.

Performance varies quite a bit depending on where you are, which is true of pretty much every eSIM provider. In some countries Sim Local delivers excellent speeds that’ll handle anything you throw at it: Streaming, video calls, uploading photos, the lot. In other destinations, speeds are more modest but still perfectly functional for everyday travel needs like maps, messaging and browsing.

European destinations tend to perform particularly well given their strong carrier partnerships there. The UK, Portugal and France generally deliver fast, reliable connections. Performance in the US is solid though not chart topping. Some destinations in Asia and Latin America can be a bit more variable.

The bottom line is that for typical travel usage, Sim Local gets the job done reliably in most places.

Country Plans: These cover a single destination and are usually the most affordable option per GB. Validity typically ranges from 4 to 90 days depending on what you choose. You’ll find both fixed data plans and unlimited options, with some including calls and SMS.

Regional Plans: These work across multiple countries in the same region. Particularly handy if you’re doing a Euro trip or bouncing around Southeast Asia. You pay a bit more than buying individual country plans, but the convenience of not switching eSIMs at every border crossing can be worth it. Regional plans run from 7 to 90 days.

Global Plans: For serious travelers hitting multiple continents, Sim Local offers global plans covering up to 153 countries. These range from small 1 GB/1 day options to larger 30 GB/30 day plans. Some include calls and SMS, others are data only. Fair warning though, global plans are pricey. You’re paying a hefty premium for the convenience.

Unlimited Plans: Sim Local has unlimited options for select destinations including the UK, USA, Japan, Turkey, Thailand, Australia and Europe-wide. These range from 4 to 90 days.

Like all “unlimited” eSIM plans, there’s a fair use policy. Sim Local caps high-speed usage at 10GB per day, which is actually pretty generous compared to some competitors. Once you hit that, speeds get throttled until the next 24-hour period. For most people, 10GB daily is more than enough. We’ve never come close to hitting it during normal travel use.

Interestingly, Sim Local claims they’ll give you an emergency 1GB extension if you somehow burn through your daily allowance – just contact customer support. Haven’t needed to test this ourselves, but good to know it’s there.

This is where Sim Local genuinely stands out from a lot of competitors. While most eSIM providers are data only, many Sim Local plans include actual voice calls and SMS.

Some plans come with UK (+44) or French (+33) phone numbers. These aren’t just nice extras, they’re properly useful when you need to receive verification codes, make local calls, or have people call you on a local number.

Certain plans include unlimited calls and SMS within the country you’re visiting. Others throw in international calling minutes so you can phone home without needing a separate service.

This focus on proper phone functionality is particularly valuable for students studying abroad, remote workers who need to be contactable or anyone doing admin that requires a working phone number.

That said, plans with calls and SMS do cost more than data only options. If you’re mainly using WhatsApp, FaceTime and other internet based apps, a data only plan works fine and saves money.

All Sim Local plans support hotspot functionality, so you can share your connection with a laptop, tablet or travel companion’s phone. No restrictions or extra charges for tethering.

Here’s something genuinely unusual, Sim Local offers a free eSIM trial. You get 500MB of global data valid for 1 day, no payment required. It’s not a huge amount, but it’s enough to test whether the service works properly with your device before committing any money. Very few providers offer this, so it’s worth taking advantage of if you want to try before you buy