Simrah vs BackpackLink
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Simrah
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Simrah — the #1 eSIM for your Umrah journey. Stay connected in Makkah, Madinah and across Saudi Arabia from the moment you land. No more searching for SIM cards at the airport. No more roaming charges. No more buffering when you want to share that view of the Kaaba with your family. WHY PILGRIMS CHOOSE SIMRAH • Instant activation — install before your flight, your plan starts when you arrive • No VPN required — WhatsApp calling, Instagram, TikTok and more, all unblocked out of the box • Keep your number — your eSIM works alongside your physical SIM, your regular number stays active • Local networks — connected to STC and Mobily for reliable coverage at the holy sites • Pay in your own currency • 24/7 support in your own language • 1 GB free trial — try it before you commit HOW IT WORKS 1. Open the app and choose your plan 2. Pay securely with Apple Pay, Card, iDEAL, Bancontact or PayPal 3. Install your eSIM with one tap — your phone does the rest 4. Land in Saudi Arabia and you are online instantly NO QUEUES. NO SIM SWAP. NO HASSLE. Forget standing in line at Jeddah airport. Forget swapping your physical SIM and losing your WhatsApp. Forget paying €15 per MB to your home carrier. With Simrah you arrive, unlock your phone, and everything just works. DESIGNED FOR THE UMRAH JOURNEY Simrah is built specifically for pilgrims travelling to Makkah and Madinah. Our plans cover the durations that matter — short Umrah trips, longer stays, family groups — at prices that respect a religious traveller's budget. We've handled hundreds of pilgrims and we know what matters: data that works, support when you need it, and peace of mind so you can focus on your ibadah. KEEP TRACK FROM ONE PLACE Manage all your eSIMs in the app. See your remaining data at a glance. Top up with one tap when you need more. Share a free 1 GB plan with friends and family heading on Umrah. SECURE & TRUSTED Hundreds of pilgrims trust Simrah for their journey. Your payment is processed by Stripe, the same payment platform used by Apple, Amazon and Booking.com. Your data is encrypted. Your details never leave our secure servers. Have questions? Tap the chat icon in the app — we reply within minutes during opening hours, on WhatsApp or in-app chat. We are here to help. Download Simrah and stay connected throughout your Umrah, in shaa Allah.
BackpackLink
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Land, scan, get online. BackpackLink gives you instant mobile data in 200+ countries — no roaming bills, no queuing for a local SIM, and no swapping the tiny tray card you'll inevitably lose. Buy an eSIM before you fly, scan the QR code, and you're connected the moment you land. WHY TRAVELLERS USE BACKPACKLINK • Instant delivery — your eSIM appears in your account seconds after payment. • 200+ destinations — country, regional and worldwide plans in one place. • Keep your number — your eSIM runs alongside your normal SIM, so calls and texts still reach you. • No roaming shock — transparent prepaid pricing, paid once, up front. • Hotspot ready — tether your laptop and travel companions on most plans. • Up to 5G — full speed wherever the local network supports it. • Top up anytime — running low? Add data to the same eSIM in a couple of taps. HOW IT WORKS 1. Search your destination and pick the data, validity and speed that suit your trip. 2. Pay securely by card. 3. Scan the QR code from your account, and you're online. TRACK YOUR DATA See exactly how much data is left on each eSIM, check coverage before you travel, and keep every order and QR code in one place. HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT Chat with our support team from inside the app, browse install guides and troubleshooting, and read tips from other travellers. REQUIREMENTS An eSIM-capable, carrier-unlocked iPhone. Plans are data-only unless the plan says otherwise. BackpackLink is a reseller of global eSIM connectivity. Coverage and speeds depend on our local network partners in each destination.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is iOS requirement: BackpackLink at 13.0 against Simrah's 15.1. On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support 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.
| Parameter | Simrah | BackpackLink |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Devices | iPhone, iPod | iPhone, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 15.1 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 68 MB | 19 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Simrah | Didarul Islam |
In-app purchases
Simrah
No in-app purchases
BackpackLink
No in-app purchases









