Should You Buy a Sim Local eSIM? Complete Review (2026)
Are Sim Local Any Good?
Looking for an honest Sim Local review? I recently put this eSIM to the test during my five-day trip to Porto, and I’ll tell you straight up whether it’s worth your money.
If you’re wondering whether Sim Local actually delivers fast, reliable connections without the usual faff of setting up international data, you’re in the right place. I’ve travelled enough to know that dodgy Wi-Fi and complicated eSIM setups can properly ruin a trip.
You want something that just works when you land.
Here’s what happened: I downloaded the app and got everything sorted before my flight. The moment I touched down in Porto, I switched on the eSIM and boom, connected.
No hunting for Wi-Fi passwords, no standing around the airport trying to get a signal, none of that stress.
Throughout my entire stay, the connection held up brilliantly. Whether I was navigating narrow streets in Ribeira, looking up restaurant recommendations, or video calling back home, Sim Local kept me connected without a hitch.
So is Sim Local any good for European travel? Let me break down everything you need to know.
Disclosure: Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking through them, I may earn a commission. This is a sponsored post from Sim Local, but it is my honest review from my experience. See my Privacy Policy.
Sim Local Review Quick Guide
- Where To Purchase: You can download the app for free and purchase your plan with ease. I had no issues.
- Who Is Sim Local eSIM For?
Travellers who want a fast and hassle-free way to get connected the moment they land. It is perfect for people who prefer a reliable local SIM without roaming fees, long queues or confusing setup. - Honest Opinion: I loved using the Sim Local ESIM on my Porto trip. It was very fast and I had no issues with connectivity dropping.
How Does SIM Local Work?
It’s honestly very easy.
You download the Sim Local app and purchase the eSIM for your destination, whether it’s Portugal, Ireland, the US, or wherever you want.
Prices vary by destination, but I received a 40GB Sim Local eSIM for Portugal, which normally costs €25. It lasts 15 days, and you can even use it as a hotspot—a lifesaver if you need to do remote work while travelling.
There’s no contract, so you can buy once-off, which I love. Pay only for what you need!
But make sure to read all the small print so you know you’re getting what you need, as I mentioned before: it varies per location.
In Europe, the networks are Trusted European Networks as Orange, Lyca, Three, EE, and I connected to Lyca in Porto.
Every day I had 10 GB (can you believe it), whereas I know other companies offer as little as 3 GB, so it was a big plus for me.
Pro Tips For Using Sim Local eSIM – Best eSIM for American And Travellers In Europe
Set up everything before you leave.
Why? Because then all you need to do is turn on the data once you land. Trust me, even though the setup is quick, if you’re rushing through the airport trying to grab a taxi or need to connect fast, you’ll have a problem.
Another benefit of setting up your Sim Local before you leave is that if you run into any issues, which is unlikely, you can chat with their WhatsApp support and they’ll make sure you’re all good to go.
I urge you to pick up the best eSIM for Americans in Europe, Sim Local!
Where To Buy A Sim Local eSIM?
Since Sim Local is an eSIM, you can download the app for free and then purchase your eSIM for your country right here.
You can always buy a physical SIM, but they’re far more expensive and often don’t offer fast, reliable connections.
I got stung once in Bali.
We’d just arrived at Denpasar Airport when our taxi driver suggested he’d take us to a shop to get a SIM. What sounded like a nice gesture turned out badly in the end.
We ended up paying way more than we should have, and the connection was rubbish! They were his mates, we found out later, but we should have known. Don’t make this rookie mistake!
Oh, how I wish I’d known about Sim Local then!
Installation of Sim Local eSIM
In the days before I departed for Porto, I set it all up.
I purchased the SIM on the app and downloaded my plan automatically. Now, there is an option to get a QR code if you’re buying for another person, but for me, it’s best to just download it automatically.
Once you activate it, click continue.
Once the screen tells you it’s trying to connect to the network (it takes a couple of minutes), it should say “cellular plan is complete.” Then select “default line” and choose the option that isn’t primary, normally “secondary” or “travel.”
Select “primary” to keep on FaceTime and iMessage if you want to keep them on. Choose “primary,” and under “mobile data”, choose “secondary” to use eSIM data.
Make sure “allow mobile data switching” is off.
Rename the eSIM so you don’t get confused; this happened to me before with another network.
Choose your new eSIM and under “custom label”, change the name to something like “Sim Local” or your destination.
Turn on data roaming on the secondary one, and you’re good to go with the best local eSIM.
How I Tested Sim Locals eSIM?
I tested Sim Local during my five days in Porto, an epic city on the north coast of Portugal.
As this was a short trip, I needed a reliable and fast connection so I could send pictures and videos to family and friends.
I was nervous when I sat down in Porto airport and turned on my eSIM because it was my first time, and my trip depended on this connection.
PHEW! I saw the four signal bars pop up, WhatsApp messages started to ding, and Instagram notifications started to pop.
Why was I worried, I asked myself later! This has to be one of the best eSIMs for international travel out there.
Who Is Sim Local For?
Let’s be honest, who actually needs a reliable, fast internet connection?
The answer is obvious: anyone who uses the online world. Families with kids who need consistent connectivity, solo travellers like me, or anyone wanting a stress-free eSIM setup, because there are enough tech issues in today’s world, right?
However, my experience was in a large city in Europe.
If you’re travelling to places like the Alps, tiny islands around the edge of Europe, or remote rural areas, it may not be as fast.
I have to be honest about that.
You can read more about activating your Sim Local eSIM here.
Final Thoughts – Is Sim Local eSIM Worth It?
After five days in Porto, here is my Sim Local review.
I can confirm that Sim Local actually worked. And worked well.
It’s one of the cheapest eSIMs for Europe. More importantly, it’s one of the best eSIMs with unlimited data you can find.
It was easy to set up, and they even have a WhatsApp chat for quick messages if you run into any issues.
This is my honest review. I was a bit sceptical beforehand, having used other eSIMs like Airalo, which worked well. But Sim Local was just as good, if not better, throughout my trip.
I have no issue recommending any traveller to use Sim Local. From my experience, it was perfect for my trip!
Ready to get connected in Europe? Use my coupon code JAMESTRAVEL
Thanks for reading,
James
FAQs
Which SIM Is Best In Ireland?
You can use Sim Local in Ireland, and I’m confident it’ll be excellent based on my experience in Portugal. It’s a trusted network with plenty of positive reviews. My Sim Local review is further proof that it’s a solid choice when travelling in Europe. You can purchase a Sim Local eSIM for Ireland and get set up before you arrive on the Emerald Isle. Just like I did in Porto, no issues whatsoever.
How Does SIM Local ESIM Work?
SIM Local works by downloading the free app on Android and Apple devices. You then go through the setup, which is straightforward. Sim Local provides all the necessary steps. It only took me a few minutes to get everything sorted. Once I arrived in Porto, I turned on the eSIM, switched off my physical SIM, and voila, connectivity that works.
What Countries Does SIM Local Work In?
Sim Local works pretty much all over the world. That’s the beauty of it. From Brazil to Thailand to China to Canada, you’ll have options, as well as coverage across Europe. After testing it out and making this Sim Local review, I reckon it’s a great option for short and long-term travellers who need a connection that’s reliable and affordable whilst travelling in Europe and further afield.
