Sim Local Review: The Best eSIM for International Travel?

If you’ve got some fun travel adventures lined up this year, and you’d quite like to avoid those eye-watering data roaming charges, while still having reliable, affordable data – what modern traveller doesn’t? Then let me point you in the direction of Sim Local as they could be the best eSIM choice for your upcoming travel plans!

Not only are they trusted by a whopping 4 million users, they’re also a travel eSIM provider with a bit of a difference. Unlike other eSIM brands, Sim Local partners with the best local network in each country. Meaning you get strong, reliable connections wherever you are in the world. Which, let’s be honest, is a huge relief when you’re abroad and your phone suddenly becomes your map, translator, restaurant finder and emergency lifeline all rolled into one!

Sim Local let me test out one of their speedy data eSIMs in Germany to see what I thought of it, and it was genuinely flawless. It was easy to set up, simple to manage, and I didn’t experience a single dropout the entire trip. From the moment we touched down on the runway at Cologne Bonn airport, I just flicked the toggle on for my eSIM and it connected almost instantly. No faffing about, and no stress. It couldn’t have been simpler.

With endless plans there’s an affordable option to suit pretty much every budget. And if you use my discount code ROOSTANDROAM at checkout, you’ll also save yourself 5%.

Sim Local at a Glance 👀

They partner with local networks for strong reliable connections
Daily full speed data cap of 10GB
Sim Local cover over 200 destinations
Simple to set up and easy to manage
Affordable customisable plans

In this article...

What is an eSIM?

If the concept of an eSIM feels completely alien to you, don’t worry – it’s much simpler than it sounds. An eSIM is essentially just a virtual SIM card, and the word itself stands for ’embedded sim’. Instead of physically popping a SIM card into your phone, you download a data plan directly to your device and switch it on when you arrive at your destination.

No tiny metal pin or back of an earring required. Just a few taps in your phone’s data settings and you’re good to go.

Will an eSIM Work on My Device?

Most importantly, you’ll need to check that your phone is eSIM compatible. Most modern smartphones are, but some budget models don’t have this feature. If you’re not sure whether it does or not, there’s this handy device checker on the Sim Local website you can use.

What Plans and Destinations do Sim Local Cover?

With eSIM plans covering over 200 destinations, Sim Local is a solid choice whether you’re heading off on a sunny beach escape in Spain, a snowy winter adventure in Lapland, or something in between. You can choose plans for individual countries, European-wide options for that long awaited Euro summer you’ve been dreaming of, regional plans for places like South America or the Caribbean, or even global plans if you’re lucky enough to be hopping between multiple countries on a once in a lifetime trip.

Because Sim Local connects you to local networks, you’ll get access to both 4G and 5G in all their destinations, all at local prices too. Which means no nasty data roaming surprises, because nothing kills the post holiday glow faster than a hefty phone bill getting posted through your letterbox or landing in your inbox.

Is Installation Easy and Customer Support There When You Need Help?

This eSIM gets set up faster than you can eject a SIM tray and then immediately panic about losing the tiny plastic card forever. It’s super quick, incredibly easy and zero faff.

After purchasing a plan on their website (I did also spot a Sim Local vending machine in Heathrow airport!) you’ll receive an email with a step-by-step installation guide, but it’s very straightforward. All you need to do is download the data plan you’ve bought (I did this a few days before travelling) so that it’s ready and waiting on your phone the moment you arrive.

Just before leaving the UK, head into your phone’s data roaming settings and turn off data roaming on your usual phone line to avoid any accidental charges. Otherwise your phone will enthusiastically try to connect the moment you land, and we don’t want that. When you arrive, head back into your cellular data settings, toggle on your Sim Local eSIM, then give it a minute or two to find the local network, and that’s it. You’re connected.

If you do hit a snag or need a bit of guidance, Sim Local’s support team is refreshingly helpful. They offer assistance via email, online chat, and WhatsApp and will help get you up and running quickly. Which is reassuring when you’re abroad and just need things to work.

Switching to eSIM data plan Sim Local review

Is Network Quality Better with a Sim Local eSIM?

One of Sim Local’s biggest strengths compared to other eSIM providers, is that they’re the only travel eSIM provider that partners with all the best local networks in each destination. That includes all the big names like Three, EE, Orange, Lyca Mobile, and many, many more.

Connecting directly to local providers means you’ll always get the strongest most reliable coverage with fewer dropouts no matter what country you’re in. Ideal when you’re placing all your trust in Google Maps to guide you around an Icelandic road trip with absolutely no plan B. Well… maybe apart from a good old fashioned paper map!

Even in Germany’s Phantasialand – a very busy theme park, I had no coverage issues at all. No spinning wheels. No dropped signal. Just data doing what it’s supposed to do, and quickly at that.

Fly Phanstasialand from Hotel Charles Lindbergh

Looking for Tailored eSIM’s to Suit Your Travel Plans?

My eSIM plan was data only, which was all I needed for this particular trip (I could still make calls through WhatsApp without any issues). However, unlike most other eSIM companies who only offer data plans, Sim Local can be tailored to what you need, with plans that include calls, SMS and data, with both unlimited and limited options available.

If you know you’ll need more than just data on your travels, Sim Local gives you the flexibility to stay connected with SMS and calls just like a local would. I can’t comment on this feature myself, as I haven’t yet used a call plan. But if it’s anything like their data plans, then i’m positive it would be great!

They’re also a trusted name, with over 15 years of connectivity experience under their belt. And if for any reason you’re not happy with your eSIM, Sim Local offers a 100% refund policy, which definitely adds a bit of peace of mind when purchasing.

How Does Sim Locals Unlimited Data Allowance Work?

Unlike some other eSIM providers who quietly cap their ‘unlimited’ data plans between 1GB and 3GB per day. Sim Local have a generous daily data cap of 10GB! Thats more than enough to keep any traveller connected each day. Plus it’s full speed too, so messaging, browsing, streaming and even a spot of mindless doomscrolling will all stay fast and frustration free. At least as far as the data goes – I can’t promise you won’t be annoyed at yourself for spending too long glued to your phone.

I was impressed with how quick everything loaded during my time in Germany, and I never once found myself staring at a loading bar slowly creeping across the screen which, while travelling, is always a win.

Are There Affordable eSIM Options for Every Budget?

Even if you’re travelling on a shoestring budget, Sim Local will likely have a plan that works for you with their competitive pricing which you can check here.

My eSIM for 20GB of data in Germany cost £18.50, and it was easy to keep track of my usage within the Sim Local app. I opted for a larger data plan as I wasn’t sure whether the rest of my family might need to hotspot from my phone – which leads me neatly on to my next point…

Can You Hotspot and Tether?

Being able to hotspot from one device to another without any extra charges was incredibly handy while we were in Germany. Whether it was connecting a laptop, an iPad, or sharing data with the rest of the family, it made everything far more convenient (and far more affordable) to be able to share.

Hotspotting is available on all Sim Local plans, giving you plenty of flexibility in how you use your eSIM data. This gets a big thumbs up from me. Especially now that I have older, pre-teen children, who want to connect on their own devices.

Would I Use Sim Local Again?

Overall, Sim Local genuinely impressed me. From the quick and painless installation to the reliable coverage and generous data allowances, it did exactly what I needed it to do. Not having to worry about data roaming charges and being connected from the moment we landed made the whole trip feel smoother and far less stressful.

If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable eSIM that connects you to the best local networks, offers flexible plans, and actually delivers on what it promises, Sim Local is well worth considering. I’ll certainly be using them again on future trips and recommending them to anyone who likes to stay connected whilst on holiday with fast, affordable and fuss-free data.

You can take a look at Sim Local’s plans here, and don’t forget, you can save yourself 5% by using my discount code ROOSTANDROAM at checkout. It all helps the pennies stretch a little further!

Before you go …

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This post was sponsored by Sim Local, but as always on Roost & Roam, all words, experiences and views are my own.

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