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
(283)
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
Unlimited hotspot
Top ups available
Data-only - no phone number
Their app is great!!! I wanted to give ZenSim a try and I am glad I did. This app has worked great, easy set up and simple to manage, cool colours and fun copy writing.App store review by Mariale0723- Great service, answered all my questions without a bother. Highly recommended, especially now since the Vodafone Optus deal.Product Review by Steve G
- Amazing service – Best provider got connected straight away no delay. Awesome customer service always get help if I need help.Product Review by Matthew R
- I wish I heard about this product sooner, everything is on point, the price, the service, ease of use and also very reliable.Product Review by Rambod-88
- Zensim are amazing! Zensim was the easiest company I've ever signed up to. The data speeds are super fast. The customer service is outstanding. I couldn't rate them highly enough.Product Review by Paris B
- Don’t hesitate! – Great service, exceptional customer service! When leaving Telstra find customer id not acc number from a bill.Product Review by Glenn B
- Impressive in every way! Surprisingly reliable with fast data speeds. Loved the branding and the price is reasonable. Highly recommend.Product Review by Abhay
- Setting a new gold standard for cell phone carriers. The UX and UI of the website and app are first class. Ported my number from Vodafone within minutes. Set up was so easy. Very, very impressed.Product Review by Andy
- Extremely fast sign up/switching process, I accidentally entered incorrect information and they resolved it for me in minutes. App is tight, super clear simple language.Product Review by Jack
- Their app is great!!! I wanted to give ZenSim a try and I am glad I did. This app has worked great, easy set up and simple to manage, cool colours and fun copy writing.App store review by Mariale0723
- Great service, answered all my questions without a bother. Highly recommended, especially now since the Vodafone Optus deal.Product Review by Steve G
Win a Custom ZenSim Snowboard!
We're celebrating the Japan ski season 🤙 Purchase any Travel eSIM (or top up) between now and Jan 31st and go in the draw to win a custom made ZenSim snowboard.
The nitty gritty
FAQs
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
