Sim Local
Sim Local is a Dublin-based direct-to-consumer eSIM provider founded in 2010 that sells prepaid travel data plans across 200+ destinations to over 4 million international travelers, aggregating local network operators (EE, Orange, Three and others) via its website, mobile app, and airport retail stores.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2010
- HeadquartersDublin, Ireland
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Sim Local does
Sim Local is a Dublin-headquartered direct-to-consumer travel connectivity provider founded in 2010, operating as one of the larger SIM and eSIM specialists in the travel sector with a claimed base of more than 4 million customers worldwide and coverage across 200+ destinations. Its core product is the Travel eSIM — a digital SIM delivered through the Sim Local website and iOS/Android mobile apps that provisions prepaid connectivity on local networks at roughly 10% of carrier roaming prices, with plans ranging from US$4.00 (Japan 1GB) to US$13.50 (UK 20GB) and including country-specific, regional, unlimited, calls-and-text, and student variants. The underlying technology platform aggregates connectivity from leading local network operators (EE, Orange, Three, Lyca Mobile, AU Japan, True Thailand, Digicel, Mobifone, Truphone, Smartroam, A1, Drei, Vodafone Greece, Masmovil, Lebara, Cube), enabling instant eSIM download, multi-plan device management (up to 10 active plans), and 24/7 WhatsApp support, alongside physical distribution through airport retail stores and vending machines for last-minute travelers.
The business model is asset-light and predominantly transactional: revenue is generated primarily through prepaid pay-as-you-go travel eSIM plan sales (unit-priced by destination and data allowance), supplemented by in-store service fees (e.g., £5 SIM application, £10 bundle application per the UK store terms) where Sim Local acts as a disclosed agent for top-up credit for VAT purposes. Go-to-market is hybrid direct-to-consumer, combining digital self-serve (website, app, app stores) with physical airport retail, supported by a referral program (US$5 per referral, 10% off for the referred friend), a free 1-day app trial, and a price-match promise. The customer base is a long-tail of individual international travelers (leisure, students, event attendees such as World Cup 2026 visitors), and the company operates through two main legal entities — Sim Local (Ireland) Ltd. in Dublin and Sim Local (UK) LTD — backed by a single disclosed institutional investor, Cardinal Capital Partners, since August 2021.
Sim Local firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Sim Local
- Legal name
- Sim Local (IRELAND) Ltd.
- Website
- https://simlocal.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2010
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Sim Local is a Dublin-based direct-to-consumer eSIM provider founded in 2010 that sells prepaid travel data plans across 200+ destinations to over 4 million international travelers, aggregating local network operators (EE, Orange, Three and others) via its website, mobile app, and airport retail stores.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Sim Local industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Travel eSIM and Mobile Connectivity Services
- NAICS
- Telecommunications Resellers and Agents for Wireless Telecommunication Services (51712), Wired and Wireless Telecommunications (except Satellite) (5171)
- SIC
- Services-Telephone Interconnect Systems (7385)
- akta.pro primary industry
- SIM/eSIM, Mobile Connectivity & Student Tech Setup (EDAIANAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Mobile Roaming & Interconnect Services (roaming hubs, IREG/TADIG, clearing) (HDAIAEAE)
Keywords
Where Sim Local is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dublin
- HQ country
- Ireland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices2 records
Markets served
Sim Local business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Travel eSIM Plan Sales: Primary revenue stream from selling prepaid travel eSIM plans to travelers. Plans are sold as one-time purchases with specific data allowances and validity periods. Revenue is generated through direct online sales via website and mobile app, as well as through airport retail stores and vending machines. The company acts as a disclosed agent for the sale of top-up credit for VAT purposes.
- Service Fees: Store terms indicate SIM Card application and Top up application service at standard rate of £5 (inc VAT); Bundle Application Service of £10 (inc VAT). These fees are charged for in-store activations and bundle applications.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | United Kingdom eSIM - 20GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | United States eSIM - 3GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Japan eSIM - 1GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Thailand eSIM - 3GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | France eSIM - 1GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Australia eSIM - 3GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Canada eSIM - 1GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Germany eSIM - 1GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Vietnam eSIM - 1GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Spain eSIM - 1GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Europe eSIM - 3GB |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Mexico eSIM - 3GB |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Unlimited eSIM Plans |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Plans with Calls & Texts |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Student Plans |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Global/Multi-destination Plans |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Sim Local product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Sim Local sells prepaid travel eSIM plans that give international travelers access to local mobile network connectivity in 200+ destinations without physical SIM swaps or roaming charges. The offering is delivered through a website, a mobile app (iOS/Android), and physical airport retail stores and vending machines, with 4G/5G speeds, instant activation, and 24/7 WhatsApp support. Plans include country-specific single-destination eSIMs, regional/global multi-destination plans, unlimited data plans, plans with calls and texts, and specialized student and event plans.
Product overview
Sim Local is a travel eSIM marketplace and service provider operating on a platform-plus-partner-network model. The core offering is the Travel eSIM product, which allows international travelers to download and activate local mobile network plans digitally without physical SIM cards. The product portfolio includes country-specific eSIM plans (UK, US, Europe, Thailand, Japan, and 200+ destinations), Unlimited eSIM Plans, eSIM Plans with Calls & Text, and specialized plans for Students and World Cup 2026. The Sim Local App serves as the companion platform for managing eSIM purchases, activations, and data usage. The company acts as an aggregator, partnering with leading local network providers including EE, Orange, Lycamobile, Three, AU, True, Digicel, Mobifone, Smartroam, and Truphone to deliver 4G/5G connectivity at a fraction of roaming costs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Travel eSIM Digital SIM card that lets travelers connect to local mobile networks in 200+ destinations worldwide without physical SIM swaps or roaming charges. Targeted at individual international travelers seeking affordable mobile data, calls and texts abroad.
- Unlimited eSIM Plans eSIM plans offering unlimited data usage for travelers who require continuous high-bandwidth connectivity without data caps. Targeted at heavy-data users such as event travelers and long-stay visitors.
- eSIM Plans with Calls & Text eSIM plans that include voice calling and SMS in addition to mobile data, available in popular travel destinations. Targeted at travelers who want full mobile telephony, not just data.
- Country-Specific eSIM Plans (UK, US, Europe, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Vietnam, Spain, France, Mexico, Global) Prepaid eSIM plans tailored to specific destinations (UK, US, Europe, Thailand, Japan, Australia, Canada, Germany, Vietnam, Spain, France, Mexico) and multi-country Global plans. Targeted at individual travelers needing connectivity in a specific country or region.
- eSIM Plans for Students Specialized cost-effective eSIM plans tailored for students studying abroad, offering affordable mobile data for educational and personal use during study-abroad programs.
- World Cup 2026 eSIM Promotional eSIM plans tailored for FIFA World Cup 2026 attendees, covering North American host cities with connectivity for streaming matches and staying connected across borders.
- Sim Local App Mobile application for iOS and Android enabling travelers to browse plans, purchase eSIMs, activate them with one-click downloads, monitor data usage, and manage multiple active eSIM plans (up to 10) on a single device.
Quantifiable outcome
- 4 million+ customers served
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Sim Local
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Sim Local technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature3 records
Sim Local partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- EEcoreEE is a network partner providing local network connectivity for Sim Local eSIM plans in the UK. Sim Local connects travelers to the #1 network provider in more countries.
- OrangecoreOrange is a network partner providing local connectivity for Sim Local eSIM plans, enabling coverage across Orange's global network footprint.
- Lyca MobilecoreLyca Mobile is a network partner providing affordable international mobile services through Sim Local's eSIM platform.
- ThreecoreThree UK is a network partner providing local 4G/5G connectivity for Sim Local eSIM plans in the UK market.
- AU (Japan)coreAU is a major Japanese network operator partnered with Sim Local to provide eSIM connectivity for travelers in Japan.
- True (Thailand)coreTrue is a Thai telecommunications provider partnered with Sim Local to offer eSIM plans for travelers in Thailand.
- DigicelcoreDigicel is a mobile telecommunications provider operating across the Caribbean and Pacific, partnered with Sim Local for regional eSIM coverage.
- MobifonecoreMobifone is a Vietnamese mobile network operator partnered with Sim Local to provide eSIM connectivity in Vietnam.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Sim Local competitors and assessment
Company assessmentMarket position
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Sim Local social profiles
Digital presenceSim Local compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Sim Local financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Sim Local leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Sim Local funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Sim Local M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Sim Local
What does Sim Local do?
Sim Local sells prepaid travel eSIM plans that give international travelers access to local mobile network connectivity in 200+ destinations without physical SIM swaps or roaming charges. The offering is delivered through a website, a mobile app (iOS/Android), and physical airport retail stores and vending machines, with 4G/5G speeds, instant activation, and 24/7 WhatsApp support. Plans include country-specific single-destination eSIMs, regional/global multi-destination plans, unlimited data plans, plans with calls and texts, and specialized student and event plans.
Is Sim Local a public or private company?
Sim Local is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Sim Local founded?
Sim Local was founded in 2010. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Sim Local based?
Sim Local is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, in the Europe region.
How does Sim Local make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Travel eSIM Plan Sales are the primary driver. The others are service Fees.
Does Sim Local have an API?
No public API is recorded for Sim Local.
What industry is Sim Local in?
Sim Local's product category is Travel eSIM and Mobile Connectivity Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAIANAG, SIM/eSIM, Mobile Connectivity & Student Tech Setup, with a secondary code of HDAIAEAE, Mobile Roaming & Interconnect Services (roaming hubs, IREG/TADIG, clearing). Its NAICS code is 51712 and its SIC code is 7385.