The eSIM market has exploded and there are so many options available.
Since we travel quite frequently, I’ve made it my mission to test and try as many eSIMS as possible, and recently I’ve been testing an eSIM from the provider “SimOptions”. I’m going to take you through my thoughts on the eSIM itself, and the company SimOptions, because they’re a little different from most eSIM companies (in a good way!)
So let’s get started…
So before I delve into all the ins and outs of eSIMS and what services SimOptions provides, I want to begin by telling you one of the great USPs the company offers!
SimOptions is like the comparison website for eSIMS, (Like the Kayak of the eSIM world!) so if you’ve been thinking to yourself “There’s too many eSIMS, I don’t know who to choose”, then this is the website you need!
In case you're not fully informed, an eSIM functions as a virtual SIM card.
Instead of relying on a physical SIM card every time you switch countries, you basically use an eSIM.
Instead of physically inserting a SIM card into your phone's tray, you activate an eSIM by scanning a QR code or inputting a number manually, depending on your phone and eSIM provider.
Additionally, you have the option to add multiple eSIMs if desired, which is super useful if you want to switch between your home network (for receiving texts) and your eSIM for data.
When it comes to advantages and disadvantages of eSIMS, there are many more advantages than disadvantages, so let’s go through some of them.
1. No More Sim Card Scavenger Hunts: Say goodbye to the hassle of hunting down local SIM cards every time you set foot in a new country! (Trust me, I despised this frantic search during our travels across various countries, especially when we were doing a few countries in a short period!)
2. Clumsy-proof: Perfect for folks like me who tend to be a tad clumsy! (there’s a reason my sister calls me Bambi). With an eSIM, there's no risk of misplacing it.
3. Eco-Friendly: Go green with digital eSIMs, no physical product is needed, so better for the environment
4. Budget-friendly: Say goodbye to overspending woes! With eSIMs, you pre-pay, ensuring no surprises or unnecessary charges sneak up on you. (I've been "accidently charged many times- one time over £200 for having my data on in India by accident for like 10 minutes....I cried hahah)
One of the only disadvantages is that you don’t *always* have access to a local mobile number.
However, this is changing, and I know with plans such as O2, and Orange (both of which you will find on the SimOptions platform), they provide you with a number where you can receive texts and make calls!
But even if you opt for an eSIM that does not include a local number, don’t worry, you can always make phones via WhatsApp, which we always find is the best way to communicate when abroad anyway!
As I mentioned at the beginning, with eSIMS you can also dual sim.
This means you can switch to your normal phone sim when you want to make a phonecall, and switch to your eSIM for data.
On my phone, I always have my calls and texts set to my default sim, and my eSIM is always set as my data (so I’m never at risk of unnecessary charges!)
As of 2024, this is the current list of eSIM-supported devices:
Apple Phones:
*iPhones purchased from China or Hong Kong are dual sim, with no eSIM.
Samsung Phones:
*The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G or 5G is not compatible with eSIM.
Samsung Galaxy S20 Hybrid Dual SIM – Samsung produces both eSIM and no eSIM versions.
Google Phones:
*Pixel 3a purchased in South East Asia
Huawei Phones:
Huawei P50 Pro and Huawei P40 Pro+ has no eSIM support.
Other Devices:
So, Sim Options is a website marketplace that allows you to search and compare eSIMS for over 200 different countries.
They offer their own eSIM plans, but they also show eSIMs from other providers.
This means you can get a clear overview of what’s the best option.
For example, if I search for Iceland:
Not only do they show me a list of providers available for Iceland, but they also provide me with all the extra information I may need, in a very concise manner.
For example, if I want to know how many countries an eSIM covers, for example here, I can see that the o2 package is likely a Europe sim, because it includes 37 countries, compared to the Sim Options one, which specifically does Iceland.
I can also see what speeds the eSIM uses, whether it include a number and much more.
This is brilliant in a world where there are SO many eSIMS on offer, because it can become overwhelming, and Sim Options gives you a place where you can sort through that data and make an informed decision! I love it!
This is important because not all eSIM providers cover a lot of countries. A few of the eSIMS I’ve used in the past have included only 50, or some only 100 countries. But if you travel frequently, or you’re on a big backpacking adventure, then the fact that you have the opportunity of internet coverage in this many countries, is a big advantage.
Sim Options cover Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean, Asia, South East Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa.
So you’ll pretty much be sorted for wherever you go!
If you’re backpacking through Asia or South America, or interrailing through Europe, then you’re going to be passing through a variety of countries in a relatively shorter period.
That’s when having a regional eSIM is super flexible and makes your life much easier.
SimOptions cover Europe, North America, South America, the Caribbean, Asia, South East Asia, Oceania, the Middle East and Africa.
They also offer great deals, for example for Europe, you get coverage in 32 European countries for 15 days, at $14.90 for 5GB!
Or you can get a whopping 50GB for less than $70 for 60 days (perfect for those interrailing trips around Europe!)
SimOptions offer SIM cards and plans without requiring you to sign long-term contracts, or even be bogged down to an eSIM for a year (I’ve seen this on other eSIM providers).
This is perfect if you need flexibility and want to avoid being tied down to a specific provider or plan for an extended period.
This is technically only a disadvantage if you were seeking out unlimited data.
Unlimited data always sounds great on the forefront but 99.9% of cases, your data is slooooowwwweeeddd right down after about 3-5GB daily, depending on what provider and plan you've went for.
This is a problem if you've got your eSIM for hotspotting. But basically, what I'm trying to say is, decide what you're going to using your eSIM for and that will dictate how much data you need. If you need it for social media and google maps ect, then you'll be surprised at how far just 1GB will go!
Do note that for apps such as YouTube, Netflix and Amazon prime, you can stream is lower quality to limit internet usage. It's typically easy to adjust these features in the settings areas of your apps! Some apps will default to lower quality (such as my amazon does it naturally when it sees I am running on data), but this may not be the case for everyone, so it's best to double check!
It is worth noting that on some options, such as a Thailand eSIM, unlimited data is available through another provider, so it will be dependent on the country and provider!
It’s simple!
There are manual ways to add your eSIM, and it will explain to you how to do this the email you have received with your eSIM. However, most modern phones will add your eSIM automatically.
Psssst, sometimes you may need to restart your phone if the data isn't showing automatically after a few minutes!
I’ve been testing my Sim options eSIM across Iceland. I’m spending a month traveling the entire country, and so far I’ve been using it in North and East Iceland. My home SIM has been using the “Siminn” network, and my eSIM from Sim Options has been using Vodafone.
I’ve found this extremely useful in the northern parts of Iceland, where the internet can be remote in certain areas.
Overall the setup was easy and quick, it took about 2 minutes for my phone to set up the eSIM, and I simply reset my phone and my new eSIM was working perfectly!
I’ve had no issues with speed or coverage so far, so overall I am extremely happy with the eSIM and the price! It’s $14 for 5GB of data in Iceland, which has a duration of 30 days, and this is a perfect amount for using Google Maps to get from A to B, research restaurants, book hot springs, and much more!
I've only needed this eSIM for my mobile phone use, i.e Google maps, and YouTube music to keep the road trip tunes flowing, and the speed has been perfectly fine! I have not used the device for hotspotting, simply because I'm staying in hotels every evening!
Absolutely. With an excellent price point, ease of use, and great coverage, I’m very pleased with the eSIM by sim options. I simply love that they are also a marketplace for eSIMS in general, so I can compare the best eSIMS for any destination and know I’m getting exactly what I need for my trip!
So there you have it, my SimOptions eSIM review! I hope this post has helped you make a choice as to whether this is the eSIM for you!
If you have any questions, then just drop them below, and remember you can get your eSIM here.
If you'd like even MORE eSIM inspiration, then you can check out some of my other guides:
Leave a comment
Let us know what you think!