AloSIM
SimLocal
AloSIM vs SimLocal: Which eSIM Should You Buy?
Updated September 10, 2026
The Short Answer
Both sell fixed-GB eSIM data at similar prices for small plans, so the real difference isn't the gigabyte rate: it's what each provider bundles around it. AloSIM throws in a free international phone number through Hushed. SimLocal bundles in a real UK phone number on most of its UK plans, plus a genuinely no-questions refund policy, 24/7 WhatsApp support, and even a few physical airport stores.
The Core Similarity: Both Are Pay-Per-GB, Priced Close Together
Neither AloSIM nor SimLocal sells unlimited-only like Holafly. On a small single-country plan the entry prices land close together: AloSIM's US plans start around $4.50 for 1GB, and SimLocal's own site lists global options in roughly the same $4-5 per-GB range. Where they diverge is plan structure: AloSIM prices in single-GB increments, while SimLocal also sells larger bundled plans (its own site shows a UK plan at $13.50 for 20GB, and a US plan at $7.25 for 3GB) that work out cheaper per gigabyte the more data you buy at once.
Price Snapshot (before any code)
| Plan | AloSIM | SimLocal |
|---|---|---|
| United States, small plan | $4.50 (1GB) | $7.25 (3GB), roughly $2.42/GB |
| Larger regional/country bundle | Priced per GB, no bundled discount tier | $13.50 (20GB) in the UK, roughly $0.68/GB |
| Refund policy | Only if the eSIM fails to activate or is incompatible | "No Quibble Refunds": any reason, no justification needed |
AloSIM and SimLocal don't sell identical plan sizes, so this isn't a like-for-like unit price. The pattern that holds either way: SimLocal's bundled plans get cheaper per GB the bigger you buy, while AloSIM's per-GB rate stays flat regardless of plan size.
Discount Codes
- AloSIM: ALOSAVE, 15% off all plans. Full code details →
- SimLocal: ADAMANDLINDS, 10% off all plans (our own code). Full code list →
SimLocal's primary code shown here is ours, so we show it first on that provider's own page; it's not automatically the bigger discount of the two. AloSIM's is a public code, not ours.
Is AloSIM or SimLocal the Right Pick
Go with AloSIM if…
- You want an international number that works outside the UK, set up separately in AloSIM's app
- You want the choice of a fixed-GB or unlimited plan from the same checkout
- You're buying a small, single-country plan where AloSIM's flat per-GB rate is already competitive
Go with SimLocal if…
- You specifically want a real UK phone number bundled into the plan itself, not a separate app add-on
- You want a refund option that doesn't hinge on the eSIM technically failing to connect
- You're buying a bigger data bundle, or you're studying abroad and want a plan built for a longer stay
Two Things Worth Knowing Before You Decide
AloSIM's refund guarantee has a timing catch. It only covers eSIMs that fail to connect or turn out incompatible with your device, not ones you activated and simply didn't use much. SimLocal's "No Quibble Refunds" policy is broader: it doesn't require proving the eSIM was faulty.
The two "phone number" features aren't the same thing. AloSIM's is a free international number through Hushed, set up as a separate line inside AloSIM's own app after purchase; it works anywhere, but it's an add-on, not a real local number. Most SimLocal UK plans, by contrast, bundle in a full UK phone number for calls and texts as part of the plan itself, confirmed by buying one directly. If you specifically need a local UK number rather than a generic international one, that's SimLocal's plan, not an app add-on.
Neither provider's support looks like what the badges imply. AloSIM lists live chat support; SimLocal's 24/7 channel is WhatsApp rather than a website chat widget. If you specifically want to message from your phone mid-trip, SimLocal's approach fits that better even though it's not labeled "live chat" on a browser.
For device setup and eSIM basics that apply to both providers, see our eSIM compatible devices guide.
AloSIM vs SimLocal FAQ
Which is cheaper, AloSIM or SimLocal
For a small single-country plan, pricing is close. For a bigger data bundle, SimLocal's larger plans work out cheaper per gigabyte since AloSIM prices in flat single-GB increments with no bundled discount tier.
Which has the better refund policy
SimLocal's is broader: its "No Quibble Refunds" policy doesn't require proving the eSIM was faulty. AloSIM only refunds eSIMs that fail to connect or are incompatible with your device.
Does either include a phone number
Both do, but differently. AloSIM partners with Hushed for a free international number set up separately inside its app. Most SimLocal UK plans bundle in a full UK phone number for calls and texts as part of the plan itself.
Can I buy either eSIM in person, not just online
SimLocal runs a small number of physical stores at select airports, on top of its app and website. AloSIM is app-and-browser only.
Does either have plans for a longer stay, like studying abroad
SimLocal sells student-specific eSIM plans priced for longer stays. AloSIM's lineup is fixed-GB or unlimited plans without a dedicated long-stay tier.
Some codes and links on this page are affiliate codes and links, including our own (ADAMANDLINDS, where it applies). If you use one, we may earn a commission. We show our own code more prominently where we have one, not because it's automatically the best deal. See our about page for the full breakdown.