A local SIM almost always requires documents
This is what travellers discover at the counter. In Thailand, since 2023 every SIM card requires your original passport, scanned and recorded in a national database. In Algeria, registration has been compulsory since 2018 and requires a passport carrying the visa. In Indonesia, inserting a local SIM triggers registration of your phone's IMEI at the operator's counter. In Brazil, many sellers cannot activate a line without a CPF, the Brazilian tax number.
An eSIM requires no paperwork
You buy and install it before leaving, from home. No passport to show, no airport queue, no local registration. You land connected, which matters most when you need a taxi or your accommodation in the middle of the night.
A local SIM is often cheaper on a long stay
That is true and we would rather write it: in several countries local plans are very cheap. If you are staying for weeks and the paperwork does not bother you, a local SIM may cost you less. An eSIM buys you immediacy and peace of mind, not necessarily the lowest price.
Your own number: the real difference
With a local SIM you remove your usual SIM: you are no longer reachable on your number, and your bank's verification codes stop arriving. With an eSIM on a dual-SIM phone, your main line stays active for calls and texts while the eSIM carries only data.
Can I keep WhatsApp on my usual number?
Yes. WhatsApp stays tied to your number, not to the card carrying the data. Your conversations continue as normal.
Does the eSIM give me a local number?
No. Our eSIMs provide mobile data. If a process strictly requires a text to a local number, you will need a local line.