Deciding between Sim Local and Holafly? Here is how they compare, point by point — and why SimbaSIM is the better pick than either: truly unlimited data that never stops, plus what neither of them gives you: add days to the same eSIM; and refund if it never connects, even after installing.
4.7★★★★★564 traveller reviews
Rated excellentby our travellers
Full refund if it never connects
eSIM delivered in 1 minute
24/7 support by chat
Secure checkout with card, Apple Pay or Google Pay
Why SimbaSIM beats both Sim Local and Holafly
Truly unlimited — your data never stops
Every plan is unlimited data for its whole length, in all 136 destinations. No data packs to size, no top-ups to remember, no overage charges.
Days start when you land
Days start when you first connect at your destination.
Sim Local: Most plans start on arrival, but the rule varies by network.
Add days to the same eSIM
A new plan bought with the same email goes onto the eSIM you already have.
Sim Local: Depends on the network; Japan AU eSIMs cannot be topped up.
Holafly: Top-ups are no longer offered; a longer trip needs a new eSIM.
Exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans
The same three lengths in all 136 destinations.
Sim Local: No unlimited plan for exactly 3 days in Japan, 14 days in Japan, 14 days in Europe.
Refund if it never connects, even after installing
Full refund if it will not install or never connects.
Sim Local: Only for technical failures that stopped activation.
Holafly: Case by case after activation, and only if reported during the trip.
Unused days refunded
Unused days refunded within 30 days of purchase.
Sim Local: No refund once activated.
Holafly: Activated eSIMs are handled case by case.
Sim Local vs Holafly vs SimbaSIM, side by side
From each brand’s own website, help pages and terms, checked 3 October 2026.
Feature
SimbaSIM
Sim Local
Holafly
Every plan is unlimited data
Yes
NoAlso sells fixed-data packs you have to size.
Yes
No app or account needed
Yes
Yes
Yes
Days start when you land
Yes
PartlyMost plans start on arrival, but the rule varies by network.
Yes
Add days to the same eSIM
Yes
PartlyDepends on the network; Japan AU eSIMs cannot be topped up.
NoTop-ups are no longer offered; a longer trip needs a new eSIM.
Exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans
Yes
NoNo unlimited plan for exactly 3 days in Japan, 14 days in Japan, 14 days in Europe.
Yes
Refund if it never connects, even after installing
Yes
PartlyOnly for technical failures that stopped activation.
PartlyCase by case after activation, and only if reported during the trip.
Unused days refunded
Yes
NoNo refund once activated.
NoActivated eSIMs are handled case by case.
24/7 chat without their app
Yes
Yes
Yes
Boxes ticked
8 of 8
2 of 8
5 of 8
Sim Local or Holafly: which is better?
Sim Local
Best for travellers who want a named local network, or a plan with calls, and like having an airport store to walk into.
Before you buy
No refund once the eSIM is activated, and only 14 days to ask before that.
Top-ups depend on the network, and an active plan cannot be extended.
Two unlimited tiers per destination make the choice harder to read.
Refunds
Full refund within 14 days if the eSIM was never activated; later only for technical failures that stopped activation. No refund once activated.
Holafly
Best for travellers who want unlimited data at one simple price and can buy the exact number of days up front.
Ahead of Sim Local on
Every plan is unlimited data
Days start when you land
Exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans
Before you buy
No top-ups or extensions — a longer trip means buying and installing a second eSIM.
One price for every country, so destinations that cost less elsewhere — Thailand, the US — cost the same here.
Refunds for connection problems are only considered if you report them during the trip.
Refunds
Full refund within 6 months if the eSIM was never activated. After activation, case by case; connection problems must be reported before or during the trip, and a $3.50 fee can apply.
Or skip the trade-off: SimbaSIM
Truly unlimited data on every plan: 3, 7 or 14 days in 136 destinations
No app, no account — your eSIM is delivered in 1 minute
Days start when you land, and more days go onto the same eSIM
Full refund if it never connects; unused days refunded within 30 days
Holafly is ahead of Sim Local on every plan is unlimited data; days start when you land; and exact 3, 7 and 14-day plans. Sim Local suits travellers who want a named local network, or a plan with calls, and like having an airport store to walk into. Holafly suits travellers who want unlimited data at one simple price and can buy the exact number of days up front. If you want every box ticked — truly unlimited data, no app, a refund if it never connects — SimbaSIM is the better pick than either.
Do Sim Local and Holafly need an app?+
Sim Local can be used without its app. Holafly can be used without its app. SimbaSIM needs no app and no account: you buy on the website and your eSIM is delivered by email in 1 minute.
What are Sim Local’s and Holafly’s refund policies?+
Sim Local: Full refund within 14 days if the eSIM was never activated; later only for technical failures that stopped activation. No refund once activated. Holafly: Full refund within 6 months if the eSIM was never activated. After activation, case by case; connection problems must be reported before or during the trip, and a $3.50 fee can apply. SimbaSIM refunds in full if the eSIM will not install or never connects — even after you have installed it — and refunds unused days within 30 days of purchase.
Is there a better alternative to Sim Local and Holafly?+
SimbaSIM. Every plan is truly unlimited data, and it gives you what neither Sim Local nor Holafly does: add days to the same eSIM; refund if it never connects, even after installing; and unused days refunded. Plans start at $12.90 for 3 days in 136 destinations.
Sim Local and Holafly are trademarks of their owners. SimbaSIM is not affiliated with or endorsed by either. Details about Sim Local and Holafly were taken from their own websites and terms on 3 October 2026 and may since have changed.
SimbaSIM Support AgentAnswers in seconds, 24x7
Hi — anything I can help with? Ask me about a destination, a price, or how to install it. If you have already bought, I can look up your order, check what the network sees, send your eSIM again, or refund you.
I’m an automated agent, so I answer instantly. Sanjay, who runs SimbaSIM, reads every conversation and steps in by email when it needs him.
