Orange
SimLocal
Orange vs SimLocal: Which eSIM Should You Buy?
Updated October 8, 2026
The Short Answer
Pick Orange if you want calls and texts included as a standard carrier service across Europe and don't mind paying more for it. Pick SimLocal if you want a real local phone number bundled into a UK eSIM at a much cheaper price, plus a working 10% discount code. They're not really competing for the same traveler: one is a telecom carrier's bundle, the other is a budget specialist with a narrower but more concrete number-based perk.
The Core Difference: Carrier Calling Bundle vs. a Bundled Local Number
Orange Travel is the international eSIM arm of Orange, one of Europe's largest telecom groups. Its Europe plans include unlimited calls and SMS plus hotspot tethering as standard, across 39 specifically named countries and territories on the plan we checked. That's a calling service layered on top of data, not a dedicated phone number.
SimLocal works differently and more narrowly: most of its UK eSIM plans come bundled with an actual UK phone number, not just data or a generic calling allowance. We bought a UK plan ourselves to confirm it. That's a real number you can give out and receive calls and texts on, but it's specific to UK plans, not a Europe-wide calling feature baked into every destination the way Orange's bundle is.
Feature Snapshot
| Orange | SimLocal | |
|---|---|---|
| Price category | Expensive | Cheap |
| Calls/texts | Unlimited, included on Europe plans | Real UK number on most UK plans |
| Working discount code | None confirmed | Yes, 10% off (ours) |
| Refund policy | Full refund if eSIM unused | "No Quibble Refunds," no reason needed |
| Support | Standard carrier support | 24/7 WhatsApp, email, help centre |
| 90-day/500GB Europe tier | €99.99 (40% off €169.99 list) | No equivalent long-haul tier published |
Orange's discounts are automatic strike-through markdowns built into bigger plans, not a code. SimLocal's 10% comes from entering a code at checkout.
Discount Codes
- Orange: no working code confirmed. The previously circulated AW0 doesn't appear on the real site and is marked invalid; its savings come from automatic bulk-tier pricing instead. Full details →
- SimLocal: ADAMANDLINDS, 10% off all plans. Full code list →
SimLocal's code is ours, confirmed by actually buying a plan with it. Orange has no promo code field anywhere in its checkout; the discount is already baked into the sticker price on bigger plans.
Is Orange or SimLocal the Right Pick
Go with Orange if…
- You're touring multiple European countries and want calls/SMS included everywhere, not just in the UK
- You're booking a longer stay where the automatic bulk markdowns kick in
- You want the backing of an established telecom carrier over a smaller reseller
Go with SimLocal if…
- Your trip is UK-specific and you want a real UK number, not just data
- You want a working discount code instead of relying on a fixed sale price
- You might change your mind and want a no-questions refund
SimLocal's staffed eSIM counter at Heathrow Airport, spotted on a recent trip through London.
Two Things Worth Knowing Before You Decide
Orange's "discount" isn't a code at all. We checked its checkout flow directly and found no promo field anywhere. The savings on bigger Europe plans are automatic strike-through markdowns, up to 40% off list price on the largest 90-day/500GB tier we checked, scaling with how much you commit to upfront.
SimLocal's phone number is UK-specific, not global. If your trip covers multiple European countries the way Orange's calling bundle does, SimLocal's number perk doesn't follow you the same way; it's tied to its UK plans. For a broader calls/SMS bundle across the continent, Orange's carrier-backed approach covers more ground, just at a higher price and without a code to apply.
For device setup and eSIM basics that apply to both providers, see our eSIM compatible devices guide.
Orange vs SimLocal FAQ
Which is cheaper, Orange or SimLocal
SimLocal, by a wide margin. Orange sits in our "Expensive" price bracket; SimLocal is "Cheap." Orange's higher price buys a carrier-backed calls/SMS/hotspot bundle across Europe, not just data.
Does either have a working discount code right now
SimLocal does: our own code gives 10% off, confirmed by buying a plan with it. Orange has no promo code field in its checkout at all; its only savings are automatic markdowns on bigger plans.
Which one gives me a real phone number
SimLocal, but only on its UK plans, where most plans bundle an actual UK number for calls and texts. Orange includes unlimited calls and SMS as a standard feature across its European plans instead of a dedicated number.
What if I need to cancel or get a refund
Both offer one. Orange advertises a full refund on an unused eSIM. SimLocal runs a "No Quibble Refunds" policy with no reason required.
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.