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SIM Local review 2025: Is it worth it?
I’ve lost count of how many eSIMs I’ve tested while traveling. Some have been great, others... not so much. For my trip to Lisbon, I tried SIM Local and Holafly to see which one actually delivered. Here’s how it went.
This September, I headed to Lisbon with big plans — work meetings, exploring the city, and keeping in touch with family back home.
I needed internet access for everything: checking emails, booking rides, and finding the best pastel de nata!
So, two weeks before my trip, I started searching for the best international eSIMs. After diving into reviews and comparisons, it came down to SIM Local, Airalo, Nomad, Holafly and a few other contenders.
Here’s how it went.
Holafly made my trip (and could make yours too!)
How does SIM Local work?
When it came to getting a SIM Local eSIM, I had two choices: their website or mobile app. I went with the mobile app — it just felt more convenient to handle everything on my phone.
After downloading the app, I was prompted to create an account (you can also log in with your Apple ID or Google account).
Once I was in, I selected their free trial plan. It offered 500 MB of data for one day and covered 99 countries — perfect for testing things out.
There was no need for QR codes or any manual setup. The app took care of everything, and the eSIM installed itself automatically. I didn’t have to scan a QR code.
For anyone trying an eSIM for the first time, SIM Local provides a step-by-step guide. It shows you how to use the SIM PIN, label the eSIM, and set it as your primary line.
Since I’ve used eSIMs before, I knew what to do and quickly enabled data roaming. But I can see how these instructions would be super helpful if you’re new to this.
After following the final on-screen steps, my eSIM was ready to go.
Since the free trial plan worked so well, I decided to buy a plan — but this time, I used their website. It’s pretty easy. They offer plans for individual countries, specific regions, and even a global plan (like the free trial I used).
For my trip, I went with a plan for Portugal. They offer two types of plans:
- A data-only plan
- A plan with calls, unlimited texts, and data
Since my trip was just a week long, I checked their 7-day data-only plan. It offered 1 GB of data for £3 ($4 USD).
While the price was tempting, 1 GB didn’t feel like enough for everything I needed — maps, work emails, and, let’s be real, scrolling through Instagram.
Just using Google Maps for navigation can eat up 100–200 MB per day, and video-heavy apps like Instagram or YouTube can burn through even more.
Research shows that social media, navigation, and work apps can drain mobile data fast. If you’re unsure how much you’ll need, try this handy data usage calculator to estimate your consumption.
Unfortunately, this was the only option available for my trip length, so I decided not to buy it. Instead, I started searching for an alternative. Stay tuned — I’ll spill the details later!
| 📲Not sure if your phone supports an eSIM? Check out this eSIM-compatible phones list. |
SIM Local data plans and pricing
SIM Local offers three main categories of plans: individual country plans, regional plans, and global plans. Let’s break them down:
Global Plan
- Global 500 MB Plan: £3 ($4) for 1 day, covering 99 countries
- Global 1 GB Plan: £5 ($6.50) for 3 days, covering 99 countries
- Global 10 GB Plan: £25.50 ($32) for 14 days, covering 155 countries
Regional plans (Europe only)
These plans cover 43 European countries and include data, international minutes, and text options. They’re ideal for Europe-only trips.
- Europe 12 GB Plan (Orange FR): £17 ($21.50) for 14 days, covering 43 countries with 30 international minutes and 200 texts
- Europe 30 GB Plan (Orange FR): £32 ($43) for 14 days, covering 43 countries with 120 international minutes and 1000 texts
- Europe 70 GB Plan (Orange FR): £42.50 ($53.50) for 28 days, covering 43 countries with 120 international minutes and 1000 texts
Local or individual country plans
Suitable for single-country use, these plans include both data-only and EU-roaming options
- Portugal 1GB Plan (Smartroam): £3 ($4) for 7 days
- Portugal 3GB Plan (Smartroam): £6.50 ($8) for 30 days
- Portugal 5GB Plan (Smartroam): £7 ($9) for 30 days
- Portugal 10GB Plan (Smartroam): £11.50 ($14.50) for 30 days
- Portugal 20GB Plan (Smartroam): £22 ($27.50) for 30 days
- Portugal 30GB Plan + EU Roaming (Lycamobile): £17 ($21.50) for 15 days with 1,000 local minutes and unlimited texts
- Portugal 40GB Plan + EU Roaming (Lycamobile): £21.25 ($27) for 15 days with 1,000 local minutes and unlimited texts
Pros and cons of using SIM Local
When choosing an eSIM provider, a few things matter most: flexibility, ease of setup, and data options that fit your travel plans. So, how does SIM Local stack up? Here’s what I found:
Pros
✅ No QR code needed: Setting up the eSIM was simple. I didn’t need to scan a QR code or go through extra steps. The app handled it all for me.
✅ Easy to use on your phone: I liked that I could do everything from the app — pick my plan, set it up, and get started. It was fast and great for someone like me who (doesn’t have the patience) wants everything sorted quickly.
✅ Find stores easily: If you want to buy a SIM in person, their website has a map showing store and kiosk locations, often in airports. This is handy when you arrive in a new country.
✅ Help Anytime: Their 24/7 customer service, including WhatsApp support, is helpful.
Cons
❌ Plans don’t fit all trips: Their plans start at 7 days and go up to 30 days. If your trip is longer or shorter, such as 3 days, 10 days, or as long as 90 days, you’ll need an alternative.
❌ No option to add more data: Once your data runs out, you can’t add more to the same plan. You’ll need to buy a whole new plan, even if you only need a little extra.
❌ No unlimited data plans: If you’re streaming, using GPS frequently, or working online, you’ll need to watch your usage carefully or buy extra plans.
❌ Fixed regional plans: For regional eSIMs, they only offer plans for set times, like 14 days. This means you’re stuck paying for days you don’t use if your trip is shorter or longer.
So, is SIM Local worth it?
I appreciated SIM Local’s straightforward setup and app usability. Still, with fixed plans that don’t include unlimited data, I started exploring alternatives.
Holafly: The smart choice for unlimited data abroad
If you’re like me and want a plan that doesn’t leave you counting every megabyte, then Holafly is a great option.
The setup was easy — I went to their website (you can also access the Holafly App for iOS and Android), searched for my destination, and found exactly what I was looking for.
Holafly offers only unlimited data-only plans, which I loved because I didn’t have to worry about running out of data. Plans start at $6.90 for 1 day.
For my 5-day trip, Holalfy’s Portugal eSIM was ~£17 ($20.90), but they had a discount running, and I ended up paying only ~£14 ($17.57) — which was a good deal!
Their customer support chat was a big help. I wasn’t sure which plan would be best for my trip, but they guided me through the options and helped me choose the right one. They also walked me through the setup process, making everything even easier.
After making the payment, I received an order confirmation in my email along with the QR code to set up the eSIM.
Scanning the QR code was straightforward, and I followed the on-screen instructions to install it on my phone.
To make the most of my plan, I waited to activate it until I landed in Lisbon. That way, I could save my active days for when I actually needed them.
If you’re staying within Portugal, your eSIM keeps you connected without any extra steps. But If you’re traveling across borders, you don’t need to buy a new plan or change anything.
Holafly’s regional plans for Europe cover multiple countries — including popular destinations like Spain, Italy, France, Germany, Greece, and even Turkey and the UK — so you can stay connected wherever you go.
Plus, Holafly offers the option to extend your plan if you need more days than initially planned, which is super convenient.
Here’s something extra: Holafly has a referral program where you can get 5% off your plan. Just share your referral link with friends. They get a discount, and so do you!
Holafly made my trip (and could make yours!)
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Based in Mumbai, Sharan Kaur Phillora has 6+ years of experience in the B2B writing industry. She has written for brands like Pocket52, Nexweave, Maze, NaNLABS, and Userpilot. When she's not working, Sharan can be found immersed in murder mystery novels or exploring Mumbai's streets on her bicycle in search of the perfect slice of pizza.
