Review: Sim Local as an Airalo Alternative for Travel
If you’re looking to compare two top eSIM providers and pick the one that truly delivers on value, flexibility, and full connectivity, then in this post I’m going to break down why you should choose Sim Local over Airalo. I’ll walk you through my own travel experiences and show how Sim Local’s mix of voice, SMS, data, and pricing flexibility makes it the most competitive eSIM option on the market.
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post in partnership with Sim Local. All opinions and experiences shared are entirely my own, based on real-world use during international travel.
What’s an eSIM and why should I buy one?
An eSIM (short for “embedded SIM”) is a digital SIM card built into your phone or device, which allows you to activate a mobile plan without needing a physical SIM card. Instead of swapping tiny plastic SIMs when you travel, you can download a data, call, or text plan straight to your phone through an app. eSIMs make it easy to stay connected when you’re abroad because you can activate them before your trip, switch between plans on the go, and even use them alongside your regular number if your phone supports dual SIM. It’s a modern, flexible way to stay online without the airport SIM card scramble or paying high fees with your local cell plan’s international roaming.
Why I love using an eSIM
I started using eSIMs about three years ago. I installed my first one on a trip to Ireland and the UK. It blew my mind that I could pre-install the eSIM cards before departure through an app, not have to hassle with paying my cell provider way too much money a day to use international data, or having to run around the airport upon arrival looking for a local SIM card kiosk (and then handing over my passport to them and worrying about losing my tiny local SIM card the whole trip!).
All I had to do was toggle between my Canadian SIM and my new European SIM and BAM – I was connected to data while deplaning in Dublin. It was also seamless when I crossed the country border from Ireland into the UK, and also seamless when I needed to top up my data. I didn’t have to go anywhere in person, I could just solve my data usage needs through an app. It was magical, and I’ve never looked back since.
My Hunt For The Best eSIM Provider
While using Airalo and eSIMs has completed changed my travel experience, there have also been limitations, which is why I was in the market to try a new provider – Sim Local.
Some of the issues I encountered while using my Airalo eSIM included the fact that on most plans, I couldn’t also purchase voice and text, just data. This really became a problem on a recent trip to Fiji. Even though I had purchased an Airalo eSIM card, it wouldn’t work because there was poor data coverage on the island. And because I didn’t have calling or regular SMS included, I had no way to contact anyone. This manifested as near disaster when we landed and our hotel shuttle was nowhere in sight and we had no way to reach them. Ultimately, I had to beg a local shop vendor to call them on my behalf to pick us up. On another occasion on this trip, we needed to get in contact with a scuba and snorkel vendor, and the driver wasn’t reachable on Whatsapp, just local calling – and without that, we weren’t able to reach them.
Another issue I encountered while using Airalo was missed messages upon return. For some reason, if someone had texted me while I was abroad and using my Airalo eSIM in another country, I wouldn’t receive their message – not even when I returned! Who knows how many missed connections I have from these trips. I often only found out later when I would get an email or a text from friends who said they’d been trying to reach me.
An Airalo Alternative
In comparison, I haven’t encountered either of these issues since switching to Sim Local. Not only was I able to get a plan on a recent trip to the USA that included calling and texting, I no longer experienced the dropped messaging problem.
Probably the most impressive aspect of my experience with Sim Local was how quickly and seamlessly it connected to local cell towers and how strong the signal was. I compared Sim Local to my husband’s roaming plan (a Canadian and USA cell plan) on a recent trip to Seattle from Vancouver. Not only did my Sim Local eSIM activate immediately after we crossed the border, but I had better cell and data service than him the whole weekend. His plan didn’t connect to the local towers for 2 hours, so thankfully we could use my phone to navigate. Thanks Sim Local!
Who Sim Local Is Best For
- Money-conscious travelers who want unbeatable value
- Planners who like to set up everything before departure
- Detail-averse travelers who want a stress-free setup
- Remote workers or digital nomads needing reliable full-speed data with tethering
- Multi-country travelers who benefit from global or regional plans across 220+ destinations
- Individuals who don’t want to have to disconnect from their own cellular SIM number but need international calling.
What Makes Sim Local the Best eSIM Provider
- Best local network partners: Sim Local partners with top-tier carriers like EE, Lyca Mobile, Three, and Orange to guarantee fast, stable 4G/5G coverage.
- Tailored plans: Choose plans with data, voice, SMS, or all three.
- Hotspot/tethering included: Share your connection with other devices, unrestricted.
- 100% refund policy: No-questions-asked guarantee.
- Global and regional plan variety: Over 220 destinations including regional bundles.
- Established experience: In business since 2011.
- Top-rated support: 5-star reviews on Trustpilot and Google; support via email, WhatsApp, online chat, and phone.
- Unlimited data plans: While others offer 1 to 3 GB per day, Sim Local offers up to 10GB per day.
How Airalo Compares
Airalo does a few things well:
- Broad international coverage (200+ countries)
- Competitive data pricing for light users
- Customer support available via in-app live chat
- Setup before departure
Where Airalo falls short:
- Airalo primarily offers data plans and has few SMS/Voice options
- Some complexities in setup
- Lost messages when switching between SIM cards
While Airalo can work for basic data needs, it lacks the reliability, flexibility, and local feel that Sim Local delivers.
Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Sim Local | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Voice & SMS | Available in most plans | Only available on the global e-sim plan |
| Refund Policy | Full refund guaranteed | Limited Policy |
| Support Options | Email, Live chat, WhatsApp, phone | Live chat in App |
| Company Age | Operating since 2011 | Operating since 2019 |
| Unlimited Plans | 10GB daily limits | 1-3GB daily limits |
Why I Recommend Sim Local As An Airalo Alternative
Sim Local delivers what travelers actually need: data, voice, SMS, fast speeds, hotspot capability, and a no-hassle refund promise. It’s a complete eSIM solution for real-world travel. Whether you’re planning a short hop or a long-term global trip, Sim Local offers the reliability and support that makes travel smoother.
FAQs about using Sim Local
Where can I buy an eSIM from Sim Local?
Visit simlocal.com to explore plans or download the app. Use my referral link ADVENTURE for 5% off!
How do I activate a Sim Local eSIM?
- Purchase a plan in app or on the web.
- Download Sim Local app and follow the on screen instructions, which involve going into your phone’s cellular settings, selecting the eSIM, toggling mobile data and data roaming on, and assign voice/text/data as needed. It only takes a few minutes and you can even install it while still at home.
Is my phone compatible with an eSIM?
Most recent iPhones (iPhone 11+) and Android devices (Google Pixel, Samsung Fold/S21+) support eSIM. Your phone must also be unlocked. Sim Local offers a compatibility checker to confirm before you buy.
Can I have multiple eSIMs active?
Yes. Sim Local allows you to store several eSIM profiles and switch between them as needed—ideal for multi-country trip. Note your device may limit active profiles to two simultaneously.
Can I keep my home number active too?
Absolutely. With a dual-SIM phone, you can use your regular SIM for home calls/messages and Sim Local for travel data/voice/text.
What happens if I run out of data?
If your plan supports it, you can top up through Sim Local’s app. If not, you’ll need to purchase a new eSIM plan when you run out.
Are eSIMs secure and private?
eSIMs use the same encryption as physical SIMs, and because they’re built into your device, they cannot be lost or stolen like a plastic SIM card.
