Spilling the eSIM Secrets
Airalo Japan eSIM: Pros, Cons & Better Alternative
Airalo offers popular Japan eSIMs, but they’re not your only option. With more affordable options like ZenSim who are based in Australia, and have a track record of excellent customer service - let's compare.
4.9
(264)
Japan eSIM Airalo Overview
Airalo is a well-known global eSIM brand with a huge user base, and a popular choice for Japan travel. ZenSim, meanwhile, is an Australian company offering cheaper unlimited plans (A$105 vs A$116.50), stronger customer support, and a higher 4.9/5 rating on ProductReview. While both brands work well for basic usage, Airalo often relies on lower-tier network routes in Japan, which can lead to slower real-world performance.
Airalo vs ZenSim features
| Feature | ZenSim | Airalo |
|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Australia | Singapore |
| Review score | ⭐ 4.9/5 | ⭐ 3.9/5 |
| Hotspotting | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| 30 Day Unlimited Plan | A$105 | A$116.50 |
| 10 Day Unlimited Plan | A$50 | A$55.50 |
| Unlimited Daily Cap | 3GB/day | 3GB/day |
Check out the goods
Japan eSIM Plans
Direct on KDDI Network
Uncapped 4G/5G speeds
Full unlimited (no daily limits)
Su app es genial. Quería probar ZenSim y me alegra haberlo hecho. La app funciona excelente, fácil de configurar y gestionar, con colores atractivos y textos divertidos.App store review by Mariale0723- Servicio excelente, respondieron todas mis preguntas sin problema. Muy recomendado, especialmente ahora con el acuerdo Vodafone y Optus.Product Review by Steve G
- Servicio increíble - El mejor proveedor, me conecté de inmediato sin demoras. Atención al cliente excelente, siempre me ayudan cuando lo necesito.Product Review by Matthew R
- Ojalá hubiera sabido de este servicio antes. Todo perfecto: el precio, el servicio, fácil de usar y muy confiable.Product Review by Rambod-88
- Zensim es genial. Fue la compañía más fácil a la que me suscribí. La velocidad de datos es rapidísima. Atención al cliente espectacular. Los recomiendo al 100%.Product Review by Paris B
- No lo dudes. Gran servicio y atención al cliente de primera. Si cambias desde Telstra, usa tu ID de cliente y no el número de cuenta en la factura.Product Review by Glenn B
- Impresionante en todos los sentidos. Muy confiable con datos rápidos. Me encantó la marca y el precio es justo. Lo recomiendo mucho.Product Review by Abhay
- Un nuevo estándar para los operadores móviles. La experiencia en la web y la app es de primera. Hice la portabilidad desde Vodafone en minutos. Todo fue facilísimo. Muy impresionado.Product Review by Andy
- Proceso de alta y portabilidad muy rápido. Me equivoqué en los datos y lo solucionaron en minutos. La app es excelente, muy clara y fácil de usar.Product Review by Jack
- Su app es genial. Quería probar ZenSim y me alegra haberlo hecho. La app funciona excelente, fácil de configurar y gestionar, con colores atractivos y textos divertidos.App store review by Mariale0723
- Servicio excelente, respondieron todas mis preguntas sin problema. Muy recomendado, especialmente ahora con el acuerdo Vodafone y Optus.Product Review by Steve G
Lo técnico
FAQs
No - Airalo doesn’t work on every device. Both ZenSim and Airalo use eSIMs and only support phones that are eSIM-compatible and fully unlocked. Most newer iPhones, Google Pixels and Samsung Galaxy models work fine, but older devices or phones purchased through certain carriers may not support eSIM. Best to check our eSIM Compatability Checker in the main navigation at the top of the screen. Also, if your phone is not compatible ZenSim will offer you a full refund!
Yes. Airalo’s “unlimited” Japan plans include 3GB of high-speed data per day. After that, speeds are reduced. ZenSim follows a similar 3GB/day structure which is common among unlimited plans. Most providers have the caps, but some choose not to disclose it which is not great as you don't know what you're buying.
ZenSim is generally more affordable for Japan data. Airalo’s 10GB plan is A$28.50, while ZenSim’s equivalent is A$28 and Airalo’s unlimited 30-day plan costs A$116.50, whereas ZenSim offers the same length unlimited plan for A$105.
Both brands make installation simple with QR codes and in-app guidance which is great. The main difference is that if you have an issue the ZenSim’s customer service is very highly rated, they also provide refunds for failed installations or if you're unable to use the eSIM.
Airalo often routes its Japan traffic through lower-tier network paths, which can lead to congestion during busy times. This can cause slower speeds or less stable performance in crowded areas. We have tested better real-world speeds in Japan with ZenSim because it connects through higher-quality network routes.
Airalo is a well-known global eSIM brand, but its rating sits at 3.9/5 on Trustpilot. ZenSim has significantly stronger customer satisfaction, with a 4.9/5 rating on ProductReview.com.au, reflecting consistently good feedback on speed, reliability and support - in other words we're very Zen.
Yep! Both Airalo and ZenSim allow unlimited hotspotting on their Japan eSIMs. Keep in mind on unlimited plans there are daily limits in place of 3GB/day, and obviously on a capped plan ie. 10GB if you use up the 10GB your data and hotspotting will no longer work.
Airalo does not offer Australia-based customer support rather they are global. All support is handled through its global ticketing system inside the app. ZenSim, on the other hand, is an Australian company with local support and more responsive help channels including WhatsApp and Messenger which makes resolving issues before or during your trip a bloody breeze.
