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Are you ready to go and roam the globe? Backpack, head torch, phone, passport, all sussed? Well how about a global eSim? Are you struggling to find the perfect one? Well I’ve got you covered….
There is SO much info out there about sims that it can be bloody difficult to discern what’s essential and what’s excess to requirement… And once you’ve decided what you do need, there is the question of which option do you buy? I’ve done a deep dive into the perks, the pitfalls and the peculiarities of a plethora of eSims for you.
That’s right, I’ve made it my mission to handle figuring out what the best global eSim is so you’ve got more time to daydream about your globetrotting. With the right eSim, you’ll return home showing your loved ones your camera roll, rather than reeling from crazy roaming charges.
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
The Broke Backpacker is supported by you. Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more.
PSSSTTT – In case you are in a hurry then let me tell you right here right now that the best Global eSim provider is Sim Local. They basically at as a Sim Market Place and offer a range of different Global Sim packages from a number of different providers.
You can even get 10% by using the code BACKPACKER at checkout.
Check Sim LocalWhy Buy an eSim Card?
Whether you’re playing virtual chess in a room full of people you could be talking to (like my friends above) or trying to maps your way to the nearest cafe, the world now operates through the internet.
From translation apps that help you mis-communicate, to scrolling socials that help find the hot spot to eat, the reasons to have an eSim are abundant. Then there is the hassle-free living of strolling off the plane, and hopping straight into an Uber without having to faff with airport wifi or bartering taxi fares.
Being prepared and connecting your eSim means that you’ll be connecting to the best local networks, ensuring you have reliable coverage as you roam… Without any sneaky fees!
Image: Nic Hilditch-Short
With an eSim, you’re left with one less bit of admin to do – you don’t need to buy a physical sim card in each country you visit so thats less plastic waste and admin. You can also keep your native number operational at the same time as running the eSim meaning that your credit company back home can still chase you for that unpaid debt. What’s not to love?!
If that hasn’t sold you, let me inform you further about what an eSim does and how it can help make your travels better. Because let’s be honest, smartphones are almost as essential as passports when travelling these days and connection means more than WiFi.
What a Global eSim Does
A global eSim is basically a sim that works all over the globe. Everywhere. Or at least, in a very impressive number of different countries.
Most SIM card and eSims only work in 1 single country but a global eSim is designed to seamlessly keep you connected whether you are breakfasting in Benidorm (God forbid) or sun-dowing in Cincinnati. They are ideal for regular travellers, people on multi country backpacking trips, digital nomads and international spies of course.
It is worth noting that most eSims don’t provide you with a phone number so calling and texting is only available via apps like WhatsApp, Skype and Telegram.
The Best Global eSim Provider
OK ok, there are now so many Global eSim providers out there all screaming “pick me pick me, Sir I give you very good price!” like touts outside the Taj Mahal. But the fact is that they are not created equal. This is why we put the hard yards in and found the very best Global eSim provider in the world.
And it is….
SimLocal
Number one in the hot seat and able to handle the heat is SimLocal. These guys do not mess around, if you don’t like what they’ve got, cash back, baby, no questions asked. If that doesn’t put your mind at ease as broke backpackers travelling on a budget, I don’t know what will!
SimLocal is my overall pick for the best global eSim provider because they basically act an aggregator or sim comparison function and hook you up with the number one local network in each country you visit. This means that their eSim’s are reliable, more than that, they’re the best, automatically, without you having yet another thing to research. SimLocal connects to locally trusted companies in over 150 countries so you know you’re going to be covered.
Looking at the Sim Local site now, the cheapest Global eSim pack on offer is powered by Three, works in 73 countries and prices start at $25.25.
On that note, their real-person helpline is always online, on the phone (or even in person) which is always reassuring. You can get calls and texts hooked up with SimLocal which is a special spin that not every eSim provides. You’ll be connected like a local and able to live fast and free as you surf the net.
Not only will you be keeping pace with all the cool cats in town, you’ll receive personalised travel tips from SimLocal and their prolific team. That’s the beauty of working with real humans – community and conversation and boots-on-the-ground experience. This is not the cheapest international eSim, but you do get what you pay for. That said, followers of The Broke Backpacker can bag themselves a juicy 10% discount by using the code BACKPACKER at checkout.
If you want to know more you can check out our full SimLocal review here.
Cons of using e-Sim
Nothing in life is perfect and there may be some downsides or complications using e-Sim for some of you. Even the top eSIMs for travel have some downsides.
Photo: @danielle_wyatt
First up, depending on how and when you bought your phone, the e-Sim capability may be limited to a particular network or cartel of networks. This means some e-Sim packages may not work on your phone. Also, in case you are one of those rare creatures who still stores all of their contacts and numbers on a sim card… You won’t be able to do this anymore.
Another bummer is that they generally don’t offer a phone number so you can’t make calls or send SMS texts unless you do it through WhatsApp or some other app.
From a data privacy point of view, losing the ability to anonymously buy, use and dispose of sim cards may represent something of a loss. Although to be honest, I am not knowledgeable enough to really advise on this. In any event, whenever you travel you should always install a VPN onto all of your devices anyway.
Final Thoughts on the Best Global eSim
The future of communication while travelling the globe is undoubtedly eSims. They allow fast access to a variety of providers and take one more piece of admin off the plate for travellers.
Before long (once you ditch your vintage smartphone), waiting in line at airport booths for an overpriced SIM will be a thing of the past completely. This unprecedented accessibility will change the face of communication on0the0go globally even more drastically than ever.
I hope that by now my guide to the best global eSim has helped you make your decision on which will suit you best. Remember that my overall top pick is SimLocal for its elite service and worldwide accessibility. These guys are the cat’s pyjamas when it comes to global communication and you’ll sleep easier having it sorted – trust me!
Have you used an eSim before? Do you have any extra tips, tricks or thoughts? Let me know in the comments, I’d love to chat!
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