I’ll be honest that when I heard about a company called Sim Local, I was skeptical—and not just because of how many Japan eSIMs are on the market. And not only because of how…simple its name was, though I do feel that may be a problem for them long-term.
Regardless, as I installed the product before a recent trip, my doubts quickly slipped away. Without giving too much away too soon, this product offered one of the fastest and most consists connections I’ve ever enjoyed in Japan.
Below, I’ll be giving a direct comparison of Sim Local vs Saily, the latter of which is another eSIM heavy-hitter you might’ve heard of. Rather than telling you exactly what to do, however, I hope to inform and inspire you to make your own decision.
Saily Saved Me Once, But…
Before I dig into the nitty gritty of helping you decide between Sim Local or Saily, I have to be honest: Saily saved me one time! I was traveling in Taiwan, and in spite of being in one of the busiest parts of Taipei, lost my cell connection. I’m not sure why I chose to install a Saily SIM at that time, but it was the perfect solution for what I needed, and saved me when I otherwise might’ve been left to drift astray.
Now, with this being said, Saily is still really not my jam, for reasons I’ll explain more in the subsequent paragraphs. In fact, although I installed a couple more Saily eSIMs after that trip, in various destinations, I don’t use the company’s products at all anymore. Whether or not you end up feeling the same way, or end up choosing Sim Local as your alternative? Well, that’s up to you, in the end.
Ways to Compare Sim Local with Saily
Installation
The only thing I dislike more than my internet connection not working? Difficulty in setting it up in the first place! This is an area where Sim Local definitely beats Saily. While Saily requires you to download an app in order to activate and manage SIMs, you can simply click the link in the email Sim Local sends you to get your Sim Local Japan eSIM working.
Speed
Both Sim Local and Saily are relatively fast, which makes sense. After all, rather than being their own full-service carriers, they simply allow you to leverage local Japanese mobile carriers. Given that all Japanese cell companies have fast 4G and 5G speeds, there isn’t much daylight between those companies on this front, whether you’re in Tokyo or Toba.
Coverage
Likewise, since Japanese mobile providers offer coverage virtually everywhere in the country, you can expect to be covered using any eSIM. Anecdotally, I’ve found that Sim Local tends to provide more effortless and consistent coverage, due to its partnership with au, which is the most reliable Japanese network.
Price
Whether you choose Saily or Sim Local, you aren’t going to pay even a thousand yen per day to have cell coverage. Sim Local is a bit cheaper, however, with prices for its 10-day and 15-day unlimited plans just $29 and $39, respectively, as of late 2025. This compares to $34.99 and $48.99 for the same plans with Saily.
Versatility
Although my Sim Local eSIM was key for using Google Translate and Google Maps, I also used it for other things. On my phone, for example, I used it to catch up on new episodes of my favorite TV shows while I was on the Shinkansen, and even once took a Zoom call using my Sim Local SIM when my WiFi connection wasn’t fast enough!
Hotspot and tethering
When traveling in Japan, I often need to use my mobile hotspot to connect my laptop to the internet, which I find works more seamlessly with Sim Local than with Saily. If you are traveling with kids or other family members, you can use this feature to share data with them on their tablets or other devices, subject to fair 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 Should Try Multiple eSIMs for Yourself
Now, I know this post reads like a SIM Local endorsement—and, on some level, it is. I earn a small commission every time you use my link to buy a Sim Local Japan eSIM. And you’ll get a 5% discount, too, if you use the code JAPANSTARTS when you book using this link. So I can’t claim to be a neutral arbiter in the context of this post, even though the breadth of my overall experience qualifies me as such.
Indeed, while this post is specifically about Saily vs Sim Local, I encourage you to try many different eSIMs if you can, whether from these two companies or via Holafly or Airalo as well. It’s only by using a product for yourself that you’ll be able to know how well it aligns with your needs. And all Japan eSIMs are priced such that testing them out is affordable for the majority of travelers.
Other FAQ About Saily and Sim Local
Is Sim Local better than Saily?
Sim Local, in my experience, offers better and faster coverage than Saily, at a fairer price and with easier installation. With this being said, I would never suggest you simply take my word for anything. Do your research (and not just on this blog!) and make the best choice for you.
Why does Saily not work?
Saily works—I won’t pretend that it is a non-functional eSIM product. At the same time, a major issue with Saily is its reliance on a mobile app. If this app is not up-to-date—or, worse, has become inactive within your device’s operating system—then eSIMs purchased via Saily might not work as they should.
Are Sim Local and Saily the same?
Sim Local and Saily are both eSIM products, which are available not only in Japan but in a variety of other destinations, though the similarities end here. A key distinction between them is the ease of installation—Sim Local takes just a couple of clicks or taps, while Saily requires the cumbersome step of downloading an app.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to Sim Local vs Saily, there’s a clear winner among these two eSIM heavy hitters. I can’t fully disavow Saily—their product truly saved me on a trip to Taiwan a few years ago, when I was in a connection crisis that nearly derailed my travel. At the same time, Sim Local offers one of the fastest connections I’ve ever experienced, even when hot-spotting and performing high-bandwidth activities such as Zoom meetings. Nonetheless, I do hope you’ll use my insights to draw your own conclusions, based on your unique needs as a traveler to Japan. Speaking of unique needs, a great way to transpose them into an actual trip is to commission a custom Japan itinerary today.
