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As you should know by now, the old days of fumbling with tiny plastic SIM cards are well and truly over. No more waiting in line at the phone shop as soon as you land at the airport, no more poking your phone with a paperclip to swap sims, and no more feeding discarded sims to marine life.
Because the era of the eSIMs is well and truly upon us — digital SIM cards that you install directly onto your phone (what witchcraft is this I hear you say..)
The eSIM market has proper exploded over the last few years. From global giants to tiny startups, there are now hundreds of eSIM providers popping up left, right, and centre. But with so much choice comes confusion. Who’s legit? Who’s overpriced? Who’s actually offering decent coverage and value?
That’s why we were keen to check out Zen Sim, an Aussie-based eSIM provider that claims to be “sick of the corporate BS.” Big words boys — but do they live up to it? Let’s find out.?
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.
Zen Sim At a Glance
Zen Sim is a proudly Australian company founded in 2022, born out of frustration with traditional telcos and their endless fees, confusing contracts, and sneaky little terms.
Their mission manifesto is refreshingly simple:
“No contracts. No hidden fees. Just fair, simple, and affordable mobile data for travellers and locals.”
They focus on keeping things stress-free — hence the name “Zen.” So whether you’re exploring Bali (as is every Aussies rite of passage), backpacking across Europe, or just need solid data in Australia without the usual corporate nonsense, Zen Sim aims to make it easy.
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How Zen Sim Works
Getting started with Zen Sim is pretty straightforward. Here is a step by step guide;
- Head to the website — zensim.com
(No app needed — everything is handled directly through the site.) - Pick your destination — They’ve got eSIMs for over 200 countries (I didn’t even know there were 200 countries!)
- Choose your data package — Each Zen plan is valid for 30 days. The variables are different data amounts to suit light users or heavy streamers.
- Checkout — Enter your details, email, and payment.
- Install the eSIM — You’ll receive a QR code instantly via email. Scan it with your phone and the eSIM will install within minutes.
- Activate when you land — The eSIM only starts counting down once you connect to a network at your destination.
It’s really that simple. No waiting. No physical SIM cards. No trips to a shop.
Who Can Use Zen Sim
Here’s an important clarification — you don’t need to be Australian, in Australia or Australia-adjacent in any way, shape or form to use their travel eSIMs. These work globally otherwise we wouldn’t even bother reviewing them.
Zen Sim actually offers two types of services:
- Aussie Mobile Plans — For locals who want a contract-free SIM for daily use within Australia. Great for any traveller who fancies a year of hard labour working down under.
- Travel eSIMs — For anyone (Wallabees and Limeys alike) heading overseas.
This review focuses entirely on the Travel eSIMs, because — well — this is a travel blog, not an Aussie phone plan review.
What Travel Sims do Zen Sim Offer?
In short? A lot.
Zen Sim offers Travel eSIMs for over 200 countries and regions, from single-country plans to global bundles. Whether you’re heading to Thailand for a wee happy ending or doing the whole Eurotrip thing, they’ve probably got you covered.
A Few Popular Destinations:
- Japan
- USA
- United Kingdom
- Thailand
- Indonesia (Bali)
- Europe (multi-country packages)
How the Plans Work:
- Duration: Always 30 days
- Data Allowance: Varies by plan
- Price: Based on data amount and destination
Sample Packages:
| Destination | Duration | Data Allowance | Price (AUD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | 30 days | 5GB | $18 |
| Thailand | 30 days | 10GB | $25 |
| Europe | 30 days | 20GB | $59 |
| USA | 30 days | 10GB | $37 |
| Indonesia | 30 days | 5GB | $18 |
(Prices checked as of June 2025 — always double-check the website for latest rates.)
Do Zen Sim Offer Phone Numbers?
Here’s the deal — like the vast majority of eSIM providers, Zen Sim’s travel eSIMs are data-only offerings.
That means:
- You get mobile data for browsing, Google Maps, WhatsApp, Instagram, email, etc.
- You do not get a phone number for SMS or traditional calls.
Is this a problem?
For most travellers, no. Apps like WhatsApp, Messenger, FaceTime, and Zoom cover 99% of communication needs nowadays.
However, sometimes a local number does come in handy. For example if you want to get GoJek working in Bali you will need a local number.
Workarounds if you need a number:
- Keep your home SIM active for SMS verification (check with your provider about roaming fees).
- Use apps like Skype Number, Google Voice, or Hushed to rent a temporary number.
- For frequent travellers, consider a separate roaming SIM purely for calls.
Pros and Cons of Zen Sim
- Super simple setup — No app, no fuss, QR code via email.
- Transparent pricing — No hidden fees, no shady contracts.
- Good coverage — Over 200 destinations and reliable networks.
- Data only — No phone number for SMS or calls.
- Fixed durations — Only 30-day plans (no shorter or longer options).
- No app — Some might prefer managing via app instead of browser/email.
Final Thoughts
Zen Sim don’t piss about with flashy marketing, or endless plan customisations. What they do offer is something rarer — simplicity, fairness, and minimal corporate nonsense.
Here are the key takeaways;
- The plans are affordable.
- The process is dead easy.
- The coverage is solid.
Are there downsides? Well it’s data-only, and perhaps some users would like to see flexible plan lengths in the future to better suit short trips. But honestly — if you just want to land, turn on data, and get moving without stress — Zen Sim does exactly what it says on the tin.
Buy Us a Coffee!
A couple of you lovely readers suggested we set up a tip jar for direct support as an alternative to booking through our links, since we’ve decided to keep the site ad-free. So here it is!
You can now buy The Broke Backpacker a coffee. If you like and use our content to plan your trips, it’s a much appreciated way to show appreciation 🙂
