eSIM vs Local SIM vs Roaming: Which Is Best?

If you are looking to find the best way to access internet data while travelling, this is the post for you. If you are wondering if you should let your phone roam, grab a SIM card when you land, or set up an eSIM before they leave, this will help you and save you time and money.

Here’s a breakdown of all three options, as well as my opinion as to which is best. based on what I’ve used over hundreds of trips over multiple decades.

Quick comparison

The quick answer

If you want a quick answer: an eSIM is usually your best bet for price, ease of use and variety of data options. It’s the option I use on every trip I take, no matter where I am going. I personally always use aloSIM, and I’ll explain why below.

Option 1: eSIM

This is the one I ALWAYS choose now from trying all other options many times. I wouldn’t ever personally use the other options anymore. And I always use aloSIM (get discount codes below).

Where it works well: You can buy it and install it before you even leave home, so there’s no scrambling around at the airport looking for a SIM shop. You can also buy or install it once you are there too, you just need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM, but doing it in advance is the best option to make sure you will have data from the moment you land.
eSIMs usually activate the moment you land and connect to the network. You can keep your home SIM active in the phone at the same time, which means you still get texts and calls on your normal number while using the eSIM purely for data.
That’s actually how I use aloSIM on every trip, my main SIM stays in for texts, calls, Facetime and iMessage, and the eSIM just handles data.
You can buy more data as needed, and a few providers have unlimited data too, such as aloSIM.

Where it falls apart: While the vast majority of phones accept eSIMS (both Android and iPhone), but if your phone is very old, it might not have support for eSIMs, so make sure you check first.
I have an iPhone 13 which is pretty old and I have 2 SIM slots, a physical SIM slot and an eSIM slot, and it works fine.

Why I use aloSIM specifically

I’ve tried numerous eSIM providers over the years and aloSIM is the one I always use no matter where I am going or for how long.
The reason I always pick aloSIM is because they have a wide range of data packages including small, large or even unlimited data packages, coverage has been perfect everywhere I’ve used it (even in remote parts of the USA), the setup is simple, and their pricing is very competitive compared to many other providers, plus you get a free US phone number with each data package you buy.
Plus, their customer service is really amazing. Good, quick customer service is one thing that many other eSIM providers fail to have. aloSIM actually helps you quickly which can be important as you don’t want to be waiting days for a reply if you have any issues.

If you want to try an eSIM, you can get an aloSIM eSIM here.
If it’s your first time using aloSIM, make sure to use one of my discount codes:
CHRONICTRAVEL for 15% off OR MYTRAVEL for $3 off ($3 discount converts to your local currency) with no minimum spend at all, and valid worldwide!
You also get a free US phone number with any data package you buy.

I’ve also written a full aloSIM review if you want a deeper look at how it performs, plus a more detailed guide on aloSIM.

Option 2: Buying a local SIM card

Where it works well: If you’re staying in one country for a few weeks or longer, a local SIM can be a cheap way to get good amount of data plus a local number, which is handy if you need to book things locally or receive verification texts.

Where it falls apart: You have to actually find a shop that sells them, which isn’t always obvious when you’ve just landed and you’re tired. In some places, you have to really hunt for a shop too. Some shops aren’t cheap either, so you may end up visiting many shops to find the one for you.

You lose your home number while the local SIM is in your phone, so anyone trying to reach you via your normal phone number won’t get through.

If you’re only in a country for a few days, the hassle isn’t worth it. And if you’re visiting multiple countries, you’re repeating this process in every country, which becomes a lot of work and takes a lot of time.

There’s also the physical SIM problem. Some phones only take one physical SIM, so if you take out your home SIM to put the local one in, you have to remember where you put a tiny piece of plastic that’s incredibly easy to lose.

Option 3: Roaming with your home SIM

This is the easiest option, and sometimes that’s what you might want. You land, your phone connects, and you don’t have to think about it. But it is almost always the most expensive option, and you are often capped at a certain amount of data or for a certain amount of days roaming.

Where it works well: If you’re on a plan with free or cheap roaming in your destination (a lot of UK providers include EU roaming, and some US carriers have day pass options), this can genuinely be the easiest choice. No setup, no new numbers, nothing to configure.

Where it falls apart: You are often limited to a certain amount of data or a certain amount of time you can roam. Outside of those covered areas or after a certain amount of data, roaming charges get excessive quickly. I’m talking pounds per megabyte in some cases. Even providers that advertise “free roaming” often cap it at a handful of countries or throttle your speed once you hit a certain amount of data.

And if you’re hopping between multiple countries on one trip, you could be paying full roaming rates in half of them.

Roaming is the one I personally wouldn’t recommend unless you really have a good roaming package and are only travelling for a short period.

So which one should you pick?

Think about things like this:

• Short trip, single destination, decent roaming deal on current plan: roaming might be fine, just double check the terms first, or an eSIM.
• Long stay in one country, need a local number: a local SIM might be ok, but an eSIM will usually be cheaper, save you the hassle of finding a shop, and be ready before you even land.
• Anything else, especially multi country trips or short breaks: eSIM. And from my own experience, aloSIM wins on convenience and price, especially if you are new as you can use the discount codes on this post.

FAQ

Can I use an eSIM and keep my normal number active at the same time? Yes, as long as your phone supports dual SIM functionality, which the vast majority of modern smartphones do. Your physical SIM stays active for calls and texts while the eSIM handles data, so you can even use iMessage and Facetime too.

What eSIM providers are best? aloSIM is the one I would always recommend most with the best overall features and value, but if you want to know about other companies, there are other providers such as Airalo and Drimsim.

Do I need wifi to set up an eSIM? You’ll need an internet connection to download the eSIM profile, so it’s best to do this before you leave home while you’re still on your home Wi-Fi, although if you would rather wait, you can do it when you arrive in the country, just make sure you have Wi-Fi, such as at your hotel or at the airport.

Is eSIM more expensive than a local SIM? It depends on the provider and destination, but in most cases eSIM data plans are cheaper than local SIM prices, especially once you factor in the time saved not hunting for a shop that sells SIMS. And remember with eSIMS, you can just buy more data on the app if needed. Simple!

What happens if my phone doesn’t support eSIM? You’ll need to use a physical SIM, either your home SIM on roaming or a local one bought at your destination. Do make sure to check that it doesn’t support eSIM as you might be surprised to find out it does have a second eSIM slot.

I’ve been through all three of these options many times, so I know which one I’d pick without thinking twice, and it’s a eSIM using aloSIM every time.
If you’re heading off soon, get it set up before you leave so it’s just ready when you land. Don’t forget that if you use aloSIM, to make sure you use the discount codes!
Any questions, drop them in the comments and I’ll get back to you.