Should You Use Holafly or Saily to Stay Connected in Japan?

I haven’t been shy about my enthusiasm for Holafly, which I’ve used both in Japan and in other destinations worldwide. For a whole host of reasons—and don’t worry; I’ll enumerate them below—I think that it offers the best Japan eSIM.

And yet it would be silly to pretend that Holafly is the only option, or that it’s right for everyone even though I prefer it. There are almost as many eSIM options for Japan travelers as there are prefectures in the country. And ultimately, each person needs to choose what’s best for them.

Today, in particular, I’m going to be comparing Holafly vs Saily, the latter of which is a heavy hitter just like the former. If you’re on the fence about which Japan eSIM to choose, my analysis will help get you off it!

Japan eSIMs are a Hot Commodity These Days

Whether Holafly or Saily, you’ve likely been bombarded with ads for eSIMs as you plan your Japan trip. As a result, I’d like to first say sorry; my goal is not to inundate you further. At the same time, there’s a very simple reason for this saturation: Travel to Japan remains as popular as ever, and since you need to stay connected as you travel (especially if you don’t speak fluent Japanese or have a supernatural sense of direction), eSIMs are basically necessary for everyone.

My advice, broadly speaking, is not to take the word of any creator or influencer—myself included. Rather, trust people who give you the facts (as I’m about to do, below) and make your own decision based on how they square with what you need. While I do earn a commission if you book an Holafly SIM using my link (and you’ll get 5% off as well), I won’t judge you if you make a different choice. I promise!

Ways to Compare Holafly with Saily

Installation

The first time I used Saily, I was annoyed, especially since I installed it in a moment of desperation when my main connection with crapping out. I had no choice but to install an app (which was difficult, since I had to find stable WiFi) prior to activating my eSIM. By contrast, the welcome email I received after buying my Holafly eSIM includesd a QR code which, since I used an iPhone with iOS 17.4 or higher, enabled me to tap the QR code for one-touch installation.

Price

Although both Holafly and Saily offer unlimited data and competitive rates, there is a key difference between in this regard. Namely, Holafly offers “day-personalization”—in other words, you can choose exactly the number of days you need. Saily, by contrast, requires you to choose from pre-determined durations, which may be more or less than you need for your trip, causing you either to waste money or to go without data.

Coverage

In my personal experience with both products, Holafly offers a bit better coverage than Saily. For example, if au (a major Japanese cell provider) drops out somewhere, my Holafly eSIM is usually quick to switch to docomo or another network that works in that area. By contrast, I’ve found that Saily is a bit more sluggish, even if it eventually catches up. But in the 2020s, is “eventually” really good enough? I think not, especially not if you explore rural Japanese regions like San’in.

Features

The bad news? Neither Saily nor Holafly offer a local Japanese phone number, which is annoying. I’m a millennial, so I obviously understand and have used VOIP for a long time, but it’s not the same as being able to just pick up the phone. Likewise, while both of these eSIM providers offer mobile hotspots, I’ve found that Holafly’s activates and connects more quickly, and that its speeds more closely match those I enjoy on my eSIM-connected cellphone.

Speed

Speaking of speed, I’ll be honest that it tends to be lightning fast in Japan in general, whether you’re using an eSIM to roam, or actually have a SIM directly from a local Japanese company. Unless you are performing very high bandwidth activities, I’m not sure you would notice a difference. Still, given that Holafly is easier to install than Saily and has better coverage, I think it’s the clear winner.

Why I Can’t Completely Write Saily Off

As I’ve explained in other posts on my various websites, Saily (while definitely not my favorite eSIM) saved me once. I was traveling in Taiwan using Google Fi, the global plan I typically use to roam, and walking down Taipei’s busy Zhongxiao Road. Suddenly, and seemingly out of nowhere, my connection dropped out. Which would’ve been fine, were I not trying to navigate to a restaurant I’d never visited. Google Fi’s “support” was nowhere to be found.

Now obviously, this has no bearing on the Saily vs Holafly debate I’ve mentioned here. But at that time, Saily was the easiest eSIM to buy and install, and did help me when I needed it. I wouldn’t make the same choice today—Holafly offers Taiwan SIMs as well!—but I simply have to be intellectually honest. And the honest reality is that although I prefer Holafly, Saily is a great company that offers a good product as well.

Other FAQ About Saily and Holafly

Which is better, Saily or Holafly?

I personally prefer using Holafly, due to ease of installation, rates and speed. However, some travelers prefer Saily, and even like the Saily feature (i.e. the requirement to download an app to manage your eSIMs) that turns me off. Really, it depends as much on these companies as it does on your personal preferences.

Is Holalfly or Saily better for Japan?

Both Holafly and Saily partner with local Japan cell networks to offer fast, affordable and widespread coverage when traveling around the country. I personally prefer Holafly (if only for its one-step installation), but I encourage you to do your own research to make the best decision.

Are Holafly and Saily the same?

Holafly and Saily offer similar products, but they are not the same. One key difference? You can install your Holafly eSIM in seconds—ideally, just before your flight to Tokyo takes off—in one simple step. With Saily, by contrast, you need to install an app and take several actions with the app before using your eSIM.

The Bottom Line

Although I have a clear favorite in the Holafly vs Saily horse race, I don’t want you to think you’re “wrong” if you choose differently than me. The reality is that different sorts of travelers prefer different features. For example, while I prefer the lightning-fast, one-step installation that Holafly offers, other people like managing their eSIMs within an app, and don’t mind downloading and updating one in order to do that. I’m here not to twist your arm, but to show you both doors and allow you to walk through the one that best suits you. This is also how my custom Japan itinerary service works. Allow me to turn your Japan travel dreams into a concrete, actionable plan!