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As a self-proclaimed eSIM nerd, I’ve been meaning to review Sim Local for a while now.
The company has been in the SIM space for a while, starting in 2011 in Dublin, with physical stores in my home ground (Athens) and they branched in to the eSIM space in 2021.
Overall, a perfect ground to have a good product. They are on the top of the lists of reliable eSIM providers, with brands like Airalo and Saily so it’s time to take a closer look at what they offer, what makes them stand out, and why you’d pick them.
I tested their eSIM in Greece across a few different locations and will update this review as needed after more destinations.
👉 You can use discount code: BACHELORTRAVEL for 5% off all your Sim Local plans
QUICK OVERVIEW
| Highlight | My Take |
|---|---|
| Overall Verdict | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Excellent all-round eSIM with great value for money |
| Best Feature | Transparent unlimited plans with no hidden throttling or hotspot restrictions |
| Customer Support | 24/7 WhatsApp, live chat, phone and email support |
| Refund Policy | “No-Quibble” refunds on eligible purchases |
| Best For | Travelers who want reliable connectivity over flashy features |
| Worth Buying? | Yes. One of the easiest eSIM providers to recommend. |
Quick Refresher: What Is an eSIM?
If you’ve never used one, an eSIM is a digital SIM.
You don’t get a plastic card you need to swap out like we used to do, but a QR code you activate and can switch between different eSIMs as needed.
If that all sounds a bit complicated, it really isn’t.
I’ve been an eSIM convert for many years, and I promise it will make your life much easier (and cheaper) if you go that route.
The alternative to eSIMs so far has been:
- Buying a physical card at arrival to your destination
- Activating roaming charges through your home country carrier (quite expensive)
- Relying on WiFi in hotels
👉 The quickest way to check if your phone supports one:
- dial *#06# on your keypad.
- If you see an EID (Embedded Identity Document) number listed, your phone is eSIM compatible and you’re good to go.
The whole check takes about 10 seconds and saves a lot of guessing.
Where Sim Local Sits in the Market
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Countries | 200+ |
| Score | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| App Required | No (but there’s a good one) |
| Local, Regional and Global Plans | Yes |
| Calls & Texts | Available on select plans/destinations |
| Typical Pricing | $$ |
| Overall Feedback 🎉 | Long validity windows, genuinely fast unlimited plans, solid support |
Sim Local isn’t one of the brand-new names in this space so it makes sense they have a variety of offerings.
As I mentioned, it started out as a physical SIM retailer with airport kiosks before moving into eSIMs, which probably explains why the network partnerships feel more established than some of the newer apps.
If I had one criticism, it’s that Sim Local doesn’t have one standout feature that’s easy to market.
Saily has Nord VPN and Holafly has unlimited data plans.
Sim Local’s strengths are a little less flashy. Its plans are competitively priced, it partners directly with premium local networks, and it’s one of the few providers that doesn’t throttle speeds on its plans (something I’ll cover in more detail below).
So what about Sim Local?
I’d describe Sim Local as a great company that flies under the radar sometimes. But they are great value for money with convenient packages and clear instructions.
The Website
Since Sim Local has been around for much longer than some of the other providers, the website UX is less polished but clean and easy to navigate.
I’m not a huge fan of the boxes, for navigating prices and package options (so I would recommend browsing on the app instead).
The two key features that stand out here for me, are:
- WhatsApp 24/7 support
- Store Locator
I also appreciate how the “Destinations” menu differentiates between different regional plans, countries and even student promos, so you don’t have to go looking for things.
The App
Most eSIM companies nowadays also have an app. I don’t like it when you are forced to download the app to use the product, but when its complimentary it works well.
I suggest you go the app route, since it will make activation of the eSIM plan easier as well.
You can sign up using Gmail or Apple credentials (much faster and appreciated) and then all your purchases will show up there.
From there, it is literally super fast to activate the plan onto the phone and get data.
The Data Plans
Now let’s talk about the product on offer, which is the data plans.
After reviewing almost a dozen eSIM companies and using even more, I’ve come to appreciate thoughtful positioning of packages or data bundles.
Some companies go overboard with how many options they offer, while others have too few and you don’t find the one that fits your needs directly.
In my case for example, most of my travel plans fall between 10GB – 20GB data needs for a period of 10-15 days.
Some companies have 10 day packages and then the next upgrade is 30 days.
Some only do unlimited data plans.
You’ll have to spend a little bit of thinking time, on what YOUR needs are when buying a data plan first.
So what do I LOVE or not like?
I already mentioned how I don’t love the multiple boxes as a way to get an overview of the list. But on the other hand, you do get a filter box that is AMAZING.
You can filter by speed, data, length and price. So that works wonders if you know what you’re looking for.
Most countries have plans for:
- 1GB for 3 days
- 3GB for 7 days
- 5GB for 30 days
- 10GB for 30 days
- 20GB for 30 days
- Unlimited for 7 days/ 15 days – 5GB per day
- Unlimited for 7 days/16 days – 10GB per day
I actually really like the unlimited plans breakdown here, and it makes sense from a customer standpoint because it gives you two valid options.
If you are aware of how much data you use, then 5GB a day is a decent amount for high speed access.
I much prefer that transparency to how other companies hide their unlimited data plans behind throttles.
Installing the eSIM
If you go the app route, the install process is super fast.
It might take you a few extra minutes the first time you try it, but I promise it is not scary at all.
From the app, you get step by step instructions.
The process takes under 1 minute:
- Go to your Plan Details and click “Install Plan”
- Box will pop up and you click “Activate”
- You’ll answer if this plan is “Data Only” or “Includes Calls and Messages”
- Once the Plan is installed on your phone you’ll be prompted to turn on “Data Roaming”
- The Account section has all the information you need to navigate to your plan.
- The “Install Plan” button will start the whole process which takes under 1 minute.
- There is also support in the “Support & Guides” section.
Throttling and Hotspotting
This is one hill I’ll die on, and it is that companies with sketchy or hidden policies on throttling and hotspotting are not reliable.
One of the best features of Sim Local is how transparent they are on this front.
You can see that from how they structure their data plans, and by the information they provide as well when you book.
So what is throttling? When a company says you get “x” data but it drops your speed after you pass a hidden number that you are not aware of.
For example, you get an unlimited data plan but suddenly you notice that opening a website takes 2 minutes and takes forever to load.
So what is the policy for Sim Local:
- Throttle on unlimited data plans is prominently stated at 5GB or 10GB per day. Which means if you exceed this daily allowance your speed will drop. This is WAY more than most providers than have a 2GB or 3GB daily limit.
- Not throttle or hotspot/tethering restrictions. A lot of companies will offer unlimited plans but won’t allow you to hotspot your laptop or another phone. With Sim Local there is no cap, no restriction and you just need to stay within the limits of the daily allowance on all devices.
These are major advantages compared to competition and one of the best reasons to switch to a company like Sim Local in my opinion.
Refunds and Support
Another key area when it comes to eSIMs is refunds and support.
Here, Sim Local shines on both counts.
Their refund policy is “no quibble” meaning if you purchase the wrong plan or run into an issue they’ll refund directly. The only time you won’t be eligible is if you’ve used a large part of the plan already.
In terms of support they also have the most options available compared to competition.
It includes:
- Live chat
- WhatsApp 24/7
- & in store support in their locations like Athens
Which means you can reach them at all times.
With so many companies making it difficult to reach them directly or get information, I find Sim Local very transparent on this front as well.
👉 You can use discount code: BACHELORTRAVEL for 5% off all your Sim Local plans
Final Thoughts
After testing Sim Local, I can confidently say it deserves its place among the best travel eSIM providers.
The main things I like are the transparency on throttling, refunds and hotspotting.
The plans are also really well priced and if you come into any issues you have great support.
👉 You can use discount code: BACHELORTRAVEL for 5% off all your Sim Local plans
