eSIMratVirtual SIM
by RonyThe term virtual SIM most often means the eSIM: a dematerialised SIM card, built into the phone, onto which a plan installs online in a few minutes. But the same words sometimes describe the virtual numbers provided by apps, which are not SIM cards at all. Two very different products under one name: the source of a lot of confusion.
Why it matters when travelling
If you are after data abroad, an eSIM is what you need: it connects to the real local mobile networks, with a dedicated data plan. That is what esimrat compares.
If you are after calls or texts on a local number (for a classified ad, a booking), that is an app-based virtual number. It works over the internet, so… it needs a connection, typically the one your eSIM provides. The two complement each other; they do not replace each other.
The misconception
“A virtual SIM replaces my SIM card and my number.”
The eSIM can carry your main line (your carrier offers the conversion), but a travel eSIM is ADDED to your line: you keep your number and your SIM, and the eSIM only brings local data. And an app-based virtual number never replaces a mobile line: banks almost always refuse them for confirmation texts.
eSIM or virtual number: which do you need?
| Criterion | eSIM (virtual SIM) | App-based virtual number |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A real SIM card, dematerialised | A software number, with no SIM card |
| Network | Local mobile networks (4G/5G) | Internet only |
| Travel use | Data on the spot, at local rates | Receiving calls/texts on a local number |
| Bank texts | On your usual line, kept active | Often refused by banks |
What it changes when you compare
When an offer says “virtual SIM”, check what it actually sells: an eSIM data plan (comparable on price per GB) or a virtual number (comparable on price per month). Mixing them up means comparing a data plan with a phone switchboard subscription.
Compare eSIM plans by destination
The rat's tip: Be wary of apps selling “a virtual SIM with a home number” to receive your bank texts abroad: most banks block those numbers. Your real line in dual SIM does it for free, and reliably.
See also
Frequently asked questions
Are virtual SIM and eSIM the same thing?
In everyday use, yes: “virtual SIM” is the consumer name of the eSIM. Technically the eSIM is a physical chip (eUICC) soldered into the phone onto which profiles download; “virtual” describes the absence of a plastic card, not the absence of hardware.
How do I get a virtual SIM?
For a travel plan: pick an eSIM provider, buy the plan for your destination, scan the QR code you receive, and it is installed in five minutes. For your main line: your carrier can convert your physical SIM into an eSIM from its app.
Is my phone virtual SIM compatible?
If it shows an EID (dial *#06#), it supports eSIM. Broadly: iPhone from the XS, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, Google Pixel 3 and later, and most recent mid-range and high-end models.