Sim Local eSIM vs holiday.com
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Sim Local eSIM
Easily purchase and download local eSIM data, call, and text plans for over 100 countries. Keep your existing phone number and SIM card while enjoying cheaper data from local networks. Stay connected globally with instant setup and flexible plan management.
- Local eSIM data plans
- International calls and texts
- Keep existing phone number
- Instant eSIM download
- Manage multiple plans
- Track data usage
Read full descriptionHide full description
With Sim Local, you can save on local eSIM data, calls and texts plans from over 100 countries and download them straight to your eSIM-compatible device instantly. With our eSIM plans, you can keep your existing number and get cheaper data from local networks, all without removing your existing SIM Card. Stay Connected Wherever You Are with our eSIM app Find Local Data, Calls & Text Plans with a travel eSIM Keep Your Number & Manage Multiple Plans with a prepaid eSIM Manage Your Data Usage 3 Simple Steps to Worldwide Connection 1. Download the Sim Local app, 2. Select your destination county and choose your plan, 3. Purchase, install and you’re ready to go. Why Choose an eSIM for Travel? • Fast & easy set up • No hidden fees or surprise bills • No hassle • Flexible carriers and online payment options • Manage plans for the whole family • 24/7 customer support & access to how to guides Got Questions? Find answers to all your eSIM questions on our FAQ page.
holiday.com
Stay connected globally with unlimited mobile data in over 150 countries. This app provides an eSIM for seamless internet access without roaming fees or overpriced international plans. Enjoy fast, reliable data and easy setup for worry-free travel.
- Unlimited mobile data in 150+ countries
- No roaming fees
- High-speed, reliable connections
- Simple eSIM installation
- 24/7 customer support
- Digital and secure connectivity
Read full descriptionHide full description
Redefine travel connectivity with a holiday.com eSIM. Travel worry-free with unlimited mobile data and internet access in 150+ countries and regions around the world. Stay safe, comfortable, and connected wherever you go, without roaming fees or overpriced international plans. How does a holiday.com eSIM work? Install and open the holiday.com app Choose your destination and how many days you want unlimited data Purchase a plan and install the eSIM on your device As soon as you arrive at your destination, activate the eSIM for instant internet access Why choose holiday.com? We’ve perfected eSIM travel data, so it’s always on, always fast, and always ready to follow you wherever you go. To make travel data as seamless and convenient as possible, holiday.com eSIM comes with: 100% unlimited data with reliable, high-speed connections; no caps or throttling Simple, one-time, two-minute setup One eSIM for 150+ global destinations, including the USA, the UK, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Spain, and Thailand Safe and secure internet connection Exceptional 24/7 support Compatibility with most iOS devices An easy way to extend your stay and top up in the app on the go What is an eSIM? An eSIM is an embedded SIM card that lets you use different mobile data providers without needing to swap out physical SIM cards. When traveling internationally, a holiday.com eSIM connects you to local mobile networks so you can access the internet without roaming fees. With unlimited data and seamless connectivity with holiday.com eSIM, forget about logistics and focus on your trip. Why travelers love eSIMs: - Completely digital: no risk of losing or damaging a physical SIM card - Seamless activation: easily switch plans to suit your travel needs - Ready when you land: get connected right away - One eSIM for all of your trips: travel worry-free without changing plans or SIM cards. eSIM FAQs What is holiday.com? holiday.com is the ultimate travel companion that’s built to support your lifestyle. Whether you’re a casual day tripper or digital nomad, holiday.com empowers you to enjoy your trip the way you deserve while staying connected to everything and everyone that matters. What does a holiday.com eSIM plan come with? Designed for adventure, holiday.com’s prepaid eSIMs give you instant internet access in over 150 countries worldwide. Simply choose the data plan you want, activate your eSIM, and explore the world while staying connected with no contracts or long-term commitments! Who is holiday.com best for? Digital nomads World travelers Business travelers Exchange students Solo travelers When will I get my eSIM? You’ll receive your eSIM immediately once you’ve purchased a data plan. Just follow the instructions after checkout to install it. No wait and no queues: it’s that easy. When should I set up my holiday.com eSIM? You can set up your eSIM anytime, either before or during your trip, so long as you have internet access to activate it. However, it’s important that you turn on data roaming only after you arrive at your destination, or your data plan might start early. Can I make calls and send texts with a holiday.com eSIM? holiday.com eSIMs are data-only. Voice calls and text messages will be routed through your usual SIM instead. How many eSIMs do I need? holiday.com is a global eSIM, so you only need one for all your travels. When you buy additional data packs, these are automatically added to your eSIM, with no further setup required. Can I keep using my phone number? Yes, as long as your device supports the simultaneous use of a physical SIM and eSIM. You can keep using the phone number on your regular SIM to send and receive calls and text messages. Meanwhile, your new eSIM will be used for data only, so you don’t have to worry about expensive roaming fees. Are there any additional fees? No, there are no hidden fees!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is ads: holiday.com at none against Sim Local eSIM's shown. Sim Local eSIM's advantage is rating (4.8 vs 4.5) and review sentiment (78% vs 69%). On price, update cadence, in-app purchases and monetization model there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
Sim Local eSIM holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.5. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Sim Local eSIM has 669 ratings behind it against 132, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 78% of Sim Local eSIM's written reviews are positive against 69% of holiday.com's.
Both ship on a similar rhythm, roughly every 3 weeks. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 21, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Sim Local eSIM | holiday.com |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (669 ratings) — better | 4.5 (132 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 78.0% of reviews — better | 68.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 669 — better | 132 |
| Update frequency | Every 3 weeks | Every 3 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 15.1 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 66 MB | 49 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Sim Local (Ireland) Ltd | Express VPN |
Customer experience
Sim Local eSIM
holiday.com
Bugs and requests
Sim Local eSIM
Reported bugs
6 issues- Filter functionality traps users and prevents app navigation
- Data usage discrepancies between app display and actual phone usage
- Service activation failures requiring multiple attempts
- Unexpected service disconnection despite remaining data
- Network settings reset causing loss of original phone number
Show 1 moreShow fewer
- eSIM installation failures with inadequate troubleshooting support
Requested features
5 requests- Ability to purchase multiple eSIMs simultaneously
- Alternative SMS code delivery methods (WhatsApp, email)
- Temporary phone number inclusion with plans
- Improved data usage tracking and transparency
- Better coverage in remote areas
holiday.com
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Sim Local eSIM
No in-app purchases
holiday.com
No in-app purchases







