What is a Local eSIM? (And how it compares to a data roaming eSIM)

Staying connected for travel used to be simple: you’d either opt for international roaming or buy a local SIM card, insert it, and get on with your holiday. But the emergence of eSIM has changed the market and giving travellers even more options to consider. Today, you can consider international roaming, public WiFi, local SIM card or eSIM. We've compared all of these options in another post where you can see how eSIM comes out on top as the most secure, cost-effective and convenient choice.

Despite eSIM now being the best option to stay connected while abroad - not all eSIM plans are built the same and one of the biggest differences (and biggest sources of confusion) is whether you are buying a local eSIM plan or a data roaming only eSIM plan.

In this guide, we’ll explain what a local eSIM plan is, how it works, and why it can be a smarter option for longer trips, frequent travel, study abroad, and business travel. We’ll also break down the difference between local eSIM vs roaming eSIM, and show real examples of local eSIM options available at Sim Local.

TL;DR: If you just want a quick answer, read the comparison table below to see whether a local eSIM or data roaming eSIM is best for your next trip.

A local eSIM plan is a digital mobile plan designed to work like a local SIM would in the country you are travelling to.

Instead of relying on roaming agreements, a local eSIM typically connects you directly to local mobile networks, with a plan structure that can feel much closer to what residents in your destination use.

Depending on the destination and plan type, a local eSIM may include:

• Local data allowance
• Local phone number
• Calls and texts (on certain plans)
• Reliable network performance using in-country infrastructure
• Longer duration options, including 15 days, 30 days, or more. We have some local plans that have up to 90 days validity.

Local eSIM plans are ideal for travellers who want a more stable, “like-a-local” mobile experience, especially for longer stays or higher or more demanding device usage.

A data roaming only eSIM plan is an eSIM that provides mobile data through roaming, usually by connecting you to a partner network in your destination country.

These plans are often:

• Data-only (no calls or texts)
• Designed for convenience and quick travel setup
• Best for short trips where you mainly need internet access

A roaming eSIM can be a good fit if your main goal is simple connectivity for maps, social media, and messaging apps, without needing a local number, calls or texts.

Most travel eSIM providers offer roaming-based eSIMs only. These plans connect to local networks through third-party agreements, meaning your data is technically roaming even though you’re on an eSIM.

While the roaming plans setup offers wide coverage across many countries, it usually comes with trade-offs:

• Higher data costs due to middlemen and international routing.
• Slower or less consistent speeds, as your connection is not native to the local network so you may be de-prioritised by the network during busy times.
• No local number, which means you can’t receive calls, texts, or one-time passwords (OTPs). Roaming eSIM plans are usually data only.

By contrast, a local eSIM plan such as from Sim Local connect you directly to the best local network operators in your destination. You get:

• Full native network access for the fastest speeds and best coverage in your destination.
• Local data rates, often can be cheaper than global roaming plans.
• A local phone number, plus the ability to make and receive calls and texts.

That last point around a local phone number matters more than you might think. Having a local number helps with 2FA codes, taxi apps, restaurant reservations, and deliveries so it’s a small feature that makes being abroad even easier. Having a second phone number can be especially important to students, digital nomads and business travellers.

Sim Local offers local eSIM plans from well-known, trusted mobile operators, giving you access to strong coverage and dependable service in your destination.

Here are a few examples of local eSIM plans you can find on Sim Local:

EE is known for strong coverage and fast performance, making it a great option if you want reliability for day-to-day travel, work, and navigation.

30 GB eSIM

80 GB eSIM

United Kingdom

Unlimited Local SMS

EE UK

Duration

30 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$20.00

More Info

Buy Now

UK's Most Reliable Network

Winter Promo

Best for: UK travel where you want consistent performance and highest quality coverage.

Three UK is a popular choice for travellers and longer stays, especially when you want good value and generous data allowances. Our Three UK plans are local plans which offer UK data, calls, texts & a UK number but also include roaming data for over 70+ destinations.

200 GB eSIM

United Kingdom

+Roaming

Three UK

Duration

30 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$26.75

More Info

Buy Now

UK's Fastest 5G Network

Best for: Longer UK trips, UK +EU travel, budget-focused travellers, and everyday use.

Orange is a major network brand in several European destinations, often suited to travellers who want dependable connectivity on well-established networks. As well as Europe, we also offer regional Orange plans for Asia, Africa, Oceania, North America, South America.

20 GB eSIM

France

+Roaming

Orange

Duration

31 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$23.50

More Info

Buy Now

Global Reach, Local Care

Best for: Multi-country travel and longer stays across key destinations worldwide.

Lyca is widely used for affordable plans and can be a strong option for travellers who value low-cost connectivity, particularly for longer stays.

18 GB eSIM

United States

+Roaming

Registration required

Lycamobile US

Duration

30 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G / 5G

Price

US$33.00

More Info

Buy Now

16 Million Global Customers

Best for: Students, long-stay travellers, and value-focused users.

Sim Local only partners with top-tier network operators, ensuring you are always connected to the most reliable local service rather than vague info about roaming partners pre-purchase. Sim Local's local eSIM plans come from trusted names such as EE, Three, Orange, Lyca, DTAC, AU Japan, and Digicel, giving you peace of mind that you are always using a premium and established network.

Whether you are visiting one country or many, Sim Local lets you choose between local eSIMs or roaming eSIMs that cover multiple regions. We offer Europe eSIM plans and Global eSIM plans directly from Orange.

50 GB eSIM

Europe

43 countries

+Roaming

Orange

Duration

31 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$46.75

More Info

Buy Now

Global Reach, Local Care

20 GB eSIM

Global

153 countries

+Roaming

Orange

Duration

31 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$35.00

More Info

Buy Now

Global Reach, Local Care

or we also have local Three UK plans for the UK that also include roaming for those who may visit the UK and Europe (or other destinations) during one trip.

100 GB eSIM

United Kingdom

+Roaming

Three UK

Duration

30 Days

Plan

Data/​Calls/​SMS

Speed

4G

Price

US$20.00

More Info

Buy Now

UK's Fastest 5G Network

Most of Sim Local local eSIM plans include calls, texts, and a number, something most travel eSIM providers do not offer. That means easier communication and smoother access to local services.

No hidden fees or vague “fair use” limits. You see exactly what you are paying for and what you can expect from your plan.

Purchase, download, and activate your plan in minutes, all before you even land in your destination. So you can be connected to a top local network by the time you even leave the airport.

Whether you are a frequent traveller, a digital nomad, or just escaping for a short trip, choosing a local eSIM plan from Sim Local gives you the best of everything: the highest quality network coverage from top local networks and more ways to stay connected over data, calls, texts & a local number without the hassle.

Stay connected like a local with Sim Local, the eSIM provider that partners only with the best networks.

Local eSIM plans are not just for tourists. They are often the better option if you’re travelling longer, using your phone heavily, or need your mobile plan to feel more like home.

If you’re living abroad for weeks or months, you’ll likely want:

• predictable pricing
• stable connectivity for daily life
• the option of calls and texts depending on the plan
• a setup that feels like a normal mobile plan

A local eSIM can be a great fit because it’s designed around everyday usage, not just quick holiday connectivity.

Business travel needs are usually non-negotiable. If your phone is part of how you work, you’ll want:

• stable network access for meetings and calls
• data for hotspotting and on-the-go productivity
• reliable performance in airports, hotels, and cities

Local eSIM plans can be better suited than roaming data-only plans for work-heavy trips, especially if you’re in one country for more than a few days.

If you’re staying in one destination for a while, a roaming plan can feel expensive or limiting over time.

A local eSIM plan can offer:

• better value for longer use
• easier top-ups (depending on plan)
• consistent connectivity throughout your stay

Many travellers do not realise this until it becomes a problem.

If you need to:

• make calls to local numbers
• receive calls for bookings
• use SMS verification codes for banks and apps
• contact accommodation providers

…then a local eSIM plan may suit you better, especially compared with a data-only roaming plan.

If you want the simplest rule of thumb:

• Choose a local eSIM plan if you are travelling for longer, want the best local network coverage, or need calls and texts
• Choose a data roaming only eSIM plan if you want data only for a short trip

The biggest advantage of buying from Sim Local is that you don’t have to guess. You can choose the plan type that fits your trip, your budget, and how you actually use your phone while travelling.

If you're travelling soon and want an eSIM that feels more like a local mobile plan, a local eSIM can be one of the easiest upgrades you make before you arrive.

With Sim Local, you can choose between local and roaming eSIM plans, from trusted networks like EE, Three UK, Orange, and Lyca, so you can travel connected, confidently.

Ready to find your local eSIM plan? Browse Sim Local eSIM plans and get set up in minutes.

Q.What happens to my original SIM when I activate a Sim Local eSIM?
A. When you activate a Sim Local local eSIM plan, your original physical SIM stays in your phone or your original eSIM plan is still available within your settings. Your home SIM is simply not used for data, calls, or texts while your travel local eSIM is active and selected for data, calls & texts. You can manage multiple SIM profiles on most phones and switch between them at any time. After your trip, you can deactivate or delete the travel eSIM profile and switch your data, calls & texts back to your original SIM as normal.

Q. Do Sim Local offer local eSIM plans & roaming eSIM plans?

A. Yes. When you click on your chosen destination, you will see whether we offer local eSIM plans, roaming eSIM plans or both for your chosen destination. So you can choose the perfect plan for your destination and travel needs.

Q.Will I have a local phone number, and can I make calls or receive texts with a local eSIM?

A. It depends on the plan. Most of our local eSIM plans include data, calls and texts. It is worth checking your plan specifications before purchasing. We clearly highlight on all of our plans whether the eSIM plan includes data only or also texts, calls & phone numbers.

Q.Which countries or networks are supported by Sim Local’s local eSIM plans?
A. Sim Local offers local eSIM plans from top network providers including EE (UK), Three (UK with roaming for 70+ countries), Orange (France, Europe & Global plans), Lyca (UK, USA, Ireland, France, Portugal), DTAC (Thailand), AU Japan, and Digicel Caribbean. These local partners ensure you always get reliable coverage and high-quality connectivity in the world's most popular travel destinations.

Q. If I am traveling across multiple countries, should I choose a local eSIM or a roaming eSIM?
A. If you are visiting one country, a local eSIM is usually the best choice as it offers the fastest speeds, best rates, and a local number. For trips across several countries within a region, Sim Local offers both local and regional roaming eSIM plans that provide smooth coverage across multiple countries under one plan. If you want calls, texts, and the most reliable connection, a local plan is best. If you only need data, a roaming plan will suit you better.

Q. How do I activate a Sim Local local eSIM and how long does setup take?
A. You can purchase your Sim Local eSIM plan online, download the profile to your smartphone, and activate it by following the simple on-screen steps. We will also email you instructions and we have activation guides and videos available online. The process usually takes only a few minutes. We advise activating your eSIM plan before you fly so you can be connected as soon as you arrive at your destination.