Airalo vs Sim Local
Airalo and Sim Local travel eSIMs compared on price, value per GB, unlimited data, destination coverage and verified prices, built from 3,588 plans we track. Each figure is cited to its source and dated.
Price observation dates for these two providers: Oct 28, 2026 to Oct 30, 2026. Check each plan's date and source before buying.How we verify
Sim Local starts from $2.75, versus $4.00 for Airalo; on best value per GB they are closer ($0.61/GB vs $0.55/GB). Airalo covers more of the destinations we track (183 vs 176). Cheapest entry price is not the whole story: check the data allowance and validity of the plan you actually buy.
From $4.00 · 2,645 plans in 183 destinations
15% off (at most $3) a first Airalo eSIM with code MYFIRSTAIRALO for customers in the US and Canada, or NEWTOAIRALO15 for everyone else. How to use it
We earn a commission if you buy through Airalo and Sim Local links here, at no extra cost to you. In our recommended order those providers get a disclosed partner boost; it never changes a price, and lists sorted by price alone stay in price order.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Starts from | $4.00 | $2.75 |
| Best value per GB | $0.55/GB | $0.61/GB |
| Unlimited-data plans | 785 plans (30%) | 153 plans (16%) |
| Destinations tracked | 183 | 176 |
| Prices verified | 100% of 2,645 | 100% of 943 |
| Cheapest trip-ready plan | $6.50 | $6.50 |
Every figure is aggregated from the plans we track for each brand and links to the record that proves it. How we verify prices.
Airalo vs Sim Local for popular destinations
The best-value Airalo and Sim Local plan for each destination both cover, lined up on price, data, validity and per-GB price.
Closely matched on price. Airalo (5 GB, 15 days) and Sim Local (5 GB, 30 days) are closely matched for United States, at $13.00 and $14.25 (about a $1.25 difference) ($2.60/GB vs $2.85/GB). Sim Local is valid longer (30 vs 15 days). They use different local networks (T-Mobile, Verizon vs AT&T, Verizon), which can change coverage in parts of United States. Pick on data allowance, validity and which provider you prefer.
| Plan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | total | total |
| Data type | ||
| Speed / fair-use policy | Fixed data allowance | Fixed data allowance |
| Data | ||
| Validity | 15 days | 30 days |
| Destination | United States | United States |
| Provider | Airalo | Sim Local |
| Coverage | T-Mobile, Verizon | AT&T, Verizon |
| Last checked | Oct 30, 2026 · 1 source | Oct 30, 2026 · 1 source |
| Buy |
We earn a commission if you buy through Airalo and Sim Local links here, at no extra cost to you. In our recommended order those providers get a disclosed partner boost; it never changes a price, and lists sorted by price alone stay in price order.
Closely matched on price. Airalo (5 GB, 15 days) and Sim Local (5 GB, 30 days) are priced within a dollar for Thailand, at $7.50 and $8.00 ($1.50/GB vs $1.60/GB). Sim Local is valid longer (30 vs 15 days). They use different local networks (dtac vs AIS), which can change coverage in parts of Thailand. Pick on data allowance, validity and which provider you prefer.
| Plan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | total | total |
| Data type | ||
| Speed / fair-use policy | Fixed data allowance | Fixed data allowance |
| Data | ||
| Validity | 15 days | 30 days |
| Destination | Thailand | Thailand |
| Provider | Airalo | Sim Local |
| Coverage | dtac | AIS |
| Last checked | Oct 29, 2026 · 1 source | Oct 30, 2026 · 1 source |
| Buy |
We earn a commission if you buy through Airalo and Sim Local links here, at no extra cost to you. In our recommended order those providers get a disclosed partner boost; it never changes a price, and lists sorted by price alone stay in price order.
Closely matched on price. Airalo (5 GB, 15 days) and Sim Local (5 GB, 30 days) are priced within a dollar for Japan, at $10.50 and $11.00 ($2.10/GB vs $2.20/GB). Sim Local is valid longer (30 vs 15 days). They use different local networks (Softbank, KDDI, Rakuten vs SoftBank, KDDI au), which can change coverage in parts of Japan. Pick on data allowance, validity and which provider you prefer.
| Plan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | total | total |
| Data type | ||
| Speed / fair-use policy | Fixed data allowance | Fixed data allowance |
| Data | ||
| Validity | 15 days | 30 days |
| Destination | Japan | Japan |
| Provider | Airalo | Sim Local |
| Coverage | Softbank, KDDI, Rakuten | SoftBank, KDDI au |
| Last checked | Oct 28, 2026 · 1 source | Oct 30, 2026 · 1 source |
| Buy |
We earn a commission if you buy through Airalo and Sim Local links here, at no extra cost to you. In our recommended order those providers get a disclosed partner boost; it never changes a price, and lists sorted by price alone stay in price order.
Closely matched on price. Airalo (5 GB, 15 days) and Sim Local (5 GB, 30 days) are priced within a dollar for Singapore, at $9.50 and $9.50 ($1.90/GB vs $1.90/GB). Sim Local is valid longer (30 vs 15 days). They use different local networks (Singtel, M1 vs Starhub), which can change coverage in parts of Singapore. Pick on data allowance, validity and which provider you prefer.
| Plan | ||
|---|---|---|
| Price | total | total |
| Data type | ||
| Speed / fair-use policy | Fixed data allowance | Fixed data allowance |
| Data | ||
| Validity | 15 days | 30 days |
| Destination | Singapore | Singapore |
| Provider | Airalo | Sim Local |
| Coverage | Singtel, M1 | Starhub |
| Last checked | Oct 29, 2026 · 1 source | Oct 30, 2026 · 1 source |
| Buy |
We earn a commission if you buy through Airalo and Sim Local links here, at no extra cost to you. In our recommended order those providers get a disclosed partner boost; it never changes a price, and lists sorted by price alone stay in price order.
More brand comparisons
Frequently asked
- Is Airalo or Sim Local better for travel?
- Sim Local starts cheaper (from $2.75 vs $4.00), though best value per GB is closer. Match the plan's data and validity to your trip.
- How much does Airalo cost compared to Sim Local?
- Airalo plans start from $4.00 (best value $0.55/GB), and Sim Local plans start from $2.75 (best value $0.61/GB). Exact prices depend on the destination, the data amount and the validity. Each price is cited to its source and dated.
- Which covers more destinations, Airalo or Sim Local?
- We track Airalo across 183 destinations and Sim Local across 176. Airalo covers more of the destinations in our catalogue, though both cover the major travel destinations.
- Which has unlimited data, Airalo or Sim Local?
- Both offer unlimited-data plans: Airalo has 785 (30% of the plans we track) and Sim Local has 153 (16%). "Unlimited" plans usually keep full speed up to a daily cap, so check the fair-use cap on the plan you buy.
Each price is cited to its source and dated. How we verify