I’ll be trustworthy that once I heard about an organization known as Sim Native, I used to be skeptical—and never simply due to what number of Japan eSIMs are available on the market. And never solely due to how…easy its identify was, although I do really feel that could be an issue for them long-term.
Regardless, as I put in the product earlier than a latest journey, my doubts shortly slipped away. With out giving an excessive amount of away too quickly, this product supplied one of many quickest and most consists connections I’ve ever loved in Japan.
Under, I’ll be giving a direct comparability of Sim Native vs Saily, the latter of which is one other eSIM heavy-hitter you would possibly’ve heard of. Reasonably than telling you precisely what to do, nevertheless, I hope to tell and encourage you to make your individual determination.
Saily Saved Me As soon as, However…
Earlier than I dig into the nitty gritty of serving to you determine between Sim Native or Saily, I’ve to be trustworthy: Saily saved me one time! I used to be touring in Taiwan, and regardless of being in one of many busiest components of Taipei, misplaced my cell connection. I’m undecided why I selected to put in a Saily SIM at the moment, nevertheless it was the right answer for what I wanted, and saved me once I in any other case would possibly’ve been left to float astray.
Now, with this being stated, Saily continues to be actually not my jam, for causes I’ll clarify extra within the subsequent paragraphs. Actually, though I put in a pair extra Saily eSIMs after that journey, in varied locations, I don’t use the corporate’s merchandise in any respect anymore. Whether or not or not you find yourself feeling the identical manner, or find yourself selecting Sim Native as your various? Effectively, that’s as much as you, ultimately.
Methods to Examine Sim Native with Saily
Set up
The one factor I dislike greater than my web connection not working? Problem in setting it up within the first place! That is an space the place Sim Native undoubtedly beats Saily. Whereas Saily requires you to obtain an app with the intention to activate and handle SIMs, you possibly can merely click on the hyperlink within the e-mail Sim Native sends you to get your Sim Native Japan eSIM working.
Velocity
Each Sim Native and Saily are comparatively quick, which is sensible. In any case, fairly than being their very own full-service carriers, they merely will let you leverage native Japanese cell carriers. Given that every one Japanese cell corporations have quick 4G and 5G speeds, there isn’t a lot daylight between these corporations on this entrance, whether or not you’re in Tokyo or Toba.
Protection
Likewise, since Japanese cell suppliers supply protection nearly all over the place within the nation, you possibly can count on to be lined utilizing any eSIM. Anecdotally, I’ve discovered that Sim Native tends to offer extra easy and constant protection, attributable to its partnership with au, which is essentially the most dependable Japanese community.
Value
Whether or not you select Saily or Sim Native, you aren’t going to pay even a thousand yen per day to have cell protection. Sim Native is a bit cheaper, nevertheless, with costs for its 10-day and 15-day limitless plans simply $29 and $39, respectively, as of late 2025. This compares to $34.99 and $48.99 for a similar plans with Saily.
Versatility
Though my Sim Native eSIM was key for utilizing Google Translate and Google Maps, I additionally used it for different issues. On my telephone, for instance, I used it to atone for new episodes of my favourite TV reveals whereas I used to be on the Shinkansen, and even as soon as took a Zoom name utilizing my Sim Native SIM when my WiFi connection wasn’t quick sufficient!
Hotspot and tethering
When touring in Japan, I typically want to make use of my cell hotspot to attach my laptop computer to the web, which I discover works extra seamlessly with Sim Native than with Saily. If you’re touring with children or different relations, you need to use this function to share knowledge with them on their tablets or different units, topic to truthful use limitations of 3GB for the 4-day plan, 6 GB for the 7-day plan, 9 GB for the 10-day plan and 15 GB for the 15-day plan.
Why You Ought to Attempt A number of eSIMs for Your self
Now, I do know this submit reads like a SIM Native endorsement—and, on some degree, it’s. I earn a small fee each time you use my hyperlink to purchase a Sim Native Japan eSIM. And also you’ll get a 5% low cost, too, if you happen to use the code JAPANSTARTS while you guide utilizing this hyperlink. So I can’t declare to be a impartial arbiter within the context of this submit, despite the fact that the breadth of my total expertise qualifies me as such.
Certainly, whereas this submit is particularly about Saily vs Sim Native, I encourage you to strive many alternative eSIMs if you happen to can, whether or not from these two corporations or by way of Holafly or Airalo as nicely. It’s solely by utilizing a product for your self that you just’ll be capable of know the way nicely it aligns together with your wants. And all Japan eSIMs are priced such that testing them out is inexpensive for almost all of vacationers.
Different FAQ About Saily and Sim Native
Is Sim Native higher than Saily?
Sim Native, in my expertise, provides higher and sooner protection than Saily, at a fairer value and with simpler set up. With this being stated, I’d by no means recommend you merely take my phrase for something. Do your analysis (and never simply on this weblog!) and make your best option for you.
Why does Saily not work?
Saily works—I received’t fake that it’s a non-functional eSIM product. On the identical time, a significant concern with Saily is its reliance on a cell app. If this app is just not up-to-date—or, worse, has change into inactive inside your system’s working system—then eSIMs bought by way of Saily won’t work as they need to.
Are Sim Native and Saily the identical?
Sim Native and Saily are each eSIM merchandise, which can be found not solely in Japan however in quite a lot of different locations, although the similarities finish right here. A key distinction between them is the benefit of set up—Sim Native takes simply a few clicks or faucets, whereas Saily requires the cumbersome step of downloading an app.
The Backside Line
In terms of Sim Native vs Saily, there’s a transparent winner amongst these two eSIM heavy hitters. I can’t absolutely disavow Saily—their product really saved me on a visit to Taiwan a number of years in the past, once I was in a connection disaster that almost derailed my journey. On the identical time, Sim Native provides one of many quickest connections I’ve ever skilled, even when hot-spotting and performing high-bandwidth actions akin to Zoom conferences. Nonetheless, I do hope you’ll use my insights to attract your individual conclusions, based mostly in your distinctive wants as a traveler to Japan. Talking of distinctive wants, a good way to transpose them into an precise journey is to fee a customized Japan itinerary at the moment.