My Sim Local Review for 2026. Is It Worth It?

If you have traveled to another continent before 2010, you know what trouble it was traveling without data or having all the hassle of trying to buy new data SIM cards on the spot, where you had exactly 3 options:

1. End up with absolutely overpriced ones at the airport.
2. Try to buy one with a contract from a local telco operator.
3. Have your own data package, which again ended up super overpriced.

Then eSIM providers entered the game, and to this day, I still consider it a game changer—only a little in terms of vacation cost, but immensely massive in terms of ease and enjoyment of travel on the spot.

 

Is eSIM worth it for traveling?

On a quad in the Namib Desert near Swakopmund—still want to be online if anything happens

 

It’s not even a question to answer. The answer is a resolute yes. It changed the travel industry forever.

If you’ve read any of my other reviews, you know that my taste for upscale things is rather refined in a typical “hillbilly got rich” fashion, which means my standards are very high and usually beyond reason.

No stone will be left unturned in my review, and I will have no shame in judgment, ensuring you have all the information you need to decide whether to use Sim Local eSIM or any other eSIM—or be stupid and use the “old-fashioned” way.

 

Is Sim Local eSIM worth it?

Stay connected hassle-free—instant eSIM activation, fast coverage in 150+ countries, no roaming stress

 

This is the true question you stumbled upon in my article. I still remember when I was first introduced to eSIMs for travel by a friend, and it changed the game and enjoyment of intercontinental travel for me forever. First, I started with Airalo, with which I am kind of satisfied, though always struggling with the installation of their eSIM. So I wondered whether there was a better and easier solution for my untechnical brain.

I will answer the questions “Is Sim Local worth it?” and “Is Sim Local the best eSIM for international travel?” briefly right now. If you are interested in further details, you can read below.

• Value for money: 9/10
• Design and UX: 10/10
• Setting up and Installation: 11/10
• Data and speed: 9/10
• Overall: 9.7/10

As you can see, without further reading, it is very much worth it. It’s well priced and, most importantly, it’s so easy to install and so foolproof that even the most technically challenged people like me will manage.

Side note: I have used eSIMs for over 30 trips now, and I would not change it for anything, as it improves travel convenience straight into the stratosphere.

But you can take a look for yourself at Sim Local here. Btw, I have multiple discount codes via my partner programs – you can get 5% discount for Sim Local if you write the code NEXTLEVEL.

 

Value for money

Sim Local offers great value for money—plans start from just $6.25, and in most cases they’re as cheap or cheaper than competitors like Airalo or Saily

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Luckily for us, it’s not literally a million dollars, but is it good value for money? Yes, I really like the value for money on Sim Local; it felt cheap for what you get.

And the reality is that most of the eSIM providers can really only compete in a few categories:

1. Which providers do they have under contract, aka the quality of your signal.
2. Ease of use or UX.
3. Prices, prices, prices—as telco and data have for a long time been almost commodity-like products.

I will go into much more detail about all these points below, aside from the price, which I will answer right away.

 

Sim Local comes out on top against Airalo and Saily—easier setup, better value on larger bundles, calls and SMS included, and even a refund guarantee

 

Price-wise, I found Sim Local very competitive compared to its peers like Airalo or Saily. Sometimes competitive, sometimes cheaper, and sometimes dirt cheap. It really depends on where you are going and their contracts with providers.

I never found them to be more expensive, which is a big check for me.

I recommend buying an eSIM when you are still at home so you’re set when you arrive at your final destination. It has the perk of being online—yes, you really need to be online to install an eSIM, which makes you online abroad. I would say this is the only downside of the industry, as it could make it difficult on the spot.

 

Sim Local’s app is designed for travelers—intuitive, foolproof, and fast

 

Another advantage of buying Sim Local upfront is that you have plenty of time to install it, prepare it, choose your package, and be ready to go without the stress of deciding what and how you will install it after a 12-hour flight.

In Value for money, it's an easy 9/10 – It could still be free for 10/10, ehh.

 

Design and UX

Another super important part of any application or eSIM provider is their design, likeness, and familiarity, plus some useful tutorials and perks.

How does Sim Local do in this “design” area?

I must say that I honestly loved the “cartoonish” design, and the UX through the app and navigation seemed seamless. Even as a constant “idea thief,” I found some of the design ideas so intriguing that I felt free to inspire myself for some of our apps we developed, which I think is the highest praise there is.

Navigation is stupid-proof

All the buttons and information are exactly where you expect them. Some of the manuals are very useful, and some of them are very useless—for example, the data guide was a bit off compared to the current iOS, which is reasonable, as Apple is constantly upgrading its OS, so keeping pace is hard.

Also, it’s super useful that they mention it’s pay as you go, as previously you had to buy a SIM card and sometimes make a contract with a telco operator, like I did in Peru…

A Perfect UX Add-on: What's genius about it is the buy now and use later option, which is more than unique as well.

 

Paying for Sim Local is transparent

What? Why is it in the design category? Because I consider it a design feature and an engineering choice.

You can pay with the usual card, Android Pay, and Apple Pay. All the usual, really—again, it would only be points down for that area.

 

Why gamble with random networks when Sim Local hooks you up with the big guys? Unlimited Japan data for $26 and a refund guarantee—it just works, and that’s what matters when you land

 

Then I like the little feature table—so you know exactly where you are. Data, or data and calling? Which operators? I find it great; usually you have to find out by trial and error.

For the Design, I honestly 10/10, but I gather it’s a matter of personal preference.

 

 

Setting up a plan and Sim Local Installation

 

Now, the grueling part of the whole eSIM world, where I gather most older folks or someone who is not strong in technology, would rather give up.

There is a super easy tutorial, though I would prefer it if it asked whether you have an iPhone or Android and showed you the real screens on how to find the settings.

 

Installing Sim Local is foolproof—clear in-app steps, QR code option, and even a YouTube tutorial if you need extra hand-holding

 

For example, if you are technically minded like I am, this is always the make-or-break part in applications and their usability. The first little tutorial is not useful, as it uses information you don’t know you will need yet. The true installation guide is just superb.

Top tip: You have the option to install via QR code or watch a specific device installation guide, which is very helpfully idiot-proof, and it’s almost impossible not to manage.

Once you click on the “Install your plan” button, your device will just walk you through. If you have any unexpected complications, you can just contact customer support, and they will walk you through it.

You will also get the tutorial in your email after buying your eSIM. It can’t be more stupid-proof, really.

Another good thing about Sim Local data plans is that most of the packages last 30 days, whereas with the competition, it varies and can last only 7 days, which is super limiting. You’re in a hurry to use all the data so as not to waste it, and it usually doesn’t last the full vacation. Then you have to buy again. I mean, I understand this tactic, but from a user’s perspective, it’s super annoying.

 

Don’t forget to add the promo code NEXTLEVEL for a discount

 

Installation of Sim Local 

Yes. The most dreaded part of all the eSIM providers. Will I understand the installation? Will I like the UX? Will it be easy, or will I have to be lame and ask anyone more technical than me to help me install the SIM locally?

I bet these questions are all in your head when you are going to use the new eSIM app. To shortly answer the questions and from a perspective of someone who is absolutely mega experienced traveler, also owner of Biggest Czech Digital Agency (we are making a lot of apps and websites.. I mean a lot!), it can’t be more stupid proof.

If you won’t manage the installation of Sim Local, you are about the age and technical knowledge of my Grandma (she is dead, btw – which is at par with the technical knowledge of someone who can’t install Sim Local). But to walk you through step by step…

 

Finding the app in your App Store or Android Store

Yes, unsurprisingly, this is the first step: type “Sim Local,” scroll down below the competitors’ ads, and install it.

 

Sim Local in the App Store—5 stars, simple interface, and no nonsense. Download, install, and you’re online in minutes

It’s a very straightforward process, as with any app, and you really can’t get any points for that anymore—though you could be collecting negative points for it.

1. Signing Up for Sim Local

Creating an account with Sim Local is quick and flexible—sign up with Google, Apple, or just your email

 

This is really the first place where you will encounter the full UX and tutorials of Sim Local.

Side note: What I like about Sim Local is that it’s a bit of a latecomer in this industry, which means they have to try harder and offer better prices to compete with companies such as Airalo.

Compared to the competition, it seems Sim Local truly understands that the ease of installation is super important.

Airalo has always seemed ultra-complicated to install and activate, and sometimes I even had to buy a second SIM card, what a technical failure I am.

Really, you can create an account within a few seconds, with options to continue via Meta, Google, or your own sign-up.

But really, the biggest perk is that you can continue as a guest and not make an account, which is especially useful for those maniacs who think everybody follows them.

But honestly, I skip this option, as I strongly prefer to have offers and discounts that usually go with having an account. Though you can create an account later anyway.
 

So make an account. Nobody cares about your personal data and ever will unless you are Jeff Bezos or a really important CEO, which none of us is or ever will be.

 

2. Installing your eSIM package with Sim Local

This part I failed at many, many times before with eSIM providers. Partly not their fault, but due to the messed-up setup in the iPhone for a secondary SIM. But of course, as the usual technical user, it’s the fault of the eSIM provider—what else could it be?

Jokes aside, this is where Sim Local really excels. I just bought my eSIM, it gave me some stupid-proof tutorials for installation, I just activated that, and wham—it was done. I went into my Data options in my settings and changed to the secondary SIM card—my Sim Local.

I was not even sure whether it was some sort of trick. It was so easy, I was convinced that it wouldn’t work, and there must be some technical issue.

It couldn’t possibly be that I, a technical retard, could install it within seconds and without the help of anyone.

To my surprise and delight, Sim Local worked just fine the whole trip I reviewed it. No glitches, no technical mistakes, no errors.

You can try it yourself with my link.

For the whole dreaded Installation process, I give Sim Local in my review 10/10. Any better would be an installation by itself without me knowing it, and that would be creepy.

 

For setting up and mainly Installation, I must go for 11/10 on my imaginative and very scientific scale. Mainly because it was so easy, I thought it was a mistake.

 

Data and Speed

Unlimited data in Japan for just $19, no roaming fees, instant download, 24/7 support, and even a refund guarantee

 

I am not 100% sure, but I believe this part mainly depends on contracts with telco providers in the country. I found a really big variety of plans and providers with Sim Local.

Having tested mostly in mountainous areas, I felt pretty safe, with the speed usually varying between 4G and 5G.

I didn’t have any trouble with the varying speed, but I also didn’t use all my data.

Once in a while, I had no signal, but I believe it’s not a problem with the eSIM itself, but rather a “no signal” issue in those areas.

I found the connection speed of the Sim Local most satisfactory, so 10/10 is what I feel about it.

I must also mention the superb Sim Local return policy—if you change your plans, you can just ask for a refund, which is nice. Companies mostly don’t offer that, especially if they have customers from different parts of the world.

It also has decent service even in more remote mountain areas, but then again, I guess it’s mainly dependent on the providers.

 

Conclusion: Is Sim Local worth the money? Or is there any better provider?

There might be a better provider, but I have yet to find it. Why I review Sim Local so highly is mainly for:

1. Prices – they are simply better, and there are no arguments about this point.

2. Design – I like the intuitive cartoonish style; a lot of work was clearly put into it.

3. Foolproof plan setup and installation → This is by far the best feature and the strongest argument for me. The price differentials are only 2–5 USD per plan, but the pain—oh, the pain—you suffer with bad UX, and installation is unbearable with some other services.

So if you are a comfort-seeking traveler like I am, this is the way to go.

 

My overall review is 9.7/10, and I feel it's about right.

If you wish to buy Sim Local, feel free to use my Discount code NEXTLEVEL and you will have 5% discount, or you can just click here.

 

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