Ubigi vs Airalo for Japan: which eSIM fits your trip?

Ubigi and Airalo both sell fixed-data and unlimited Japan packages, so they can be compared package by package. Ubigi’s listed price was lower at most of the data and trip lengths we matched. Airalo has more small packages and is the only one of the two with an exact 20GB, 30-day plan. Compare the network list on the exact package too; operator names alone do not establish coverage or speed.

The team behind Wanderly owns this guide. The table below covers Ubigi and Airalo only. Read our ownership disclosure when you weigh the comparison and the Wanderly promotion at the end.

Ubigi vs Airalo at a glance

The table lists each provider’s plan terms. It then applies the same need to both: the cheapest listed package with at least the stated data and validity, plus unlimited packages at matched lengths. Each cell names the package it found, so a 25GB plan is never passed off as a 20GB one.

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Prices checked Nov 5, 2026 – Nov 9, 2026. Confirm the current total on the provider’s site before buying.

Ubigi’s listed price was lower in most rows. The exception is a 20GB month. Ubigi sells no 20GB one-off package, so its nearest option is 25GB, which costs more than Airalo’s exact 20GB plan.

Fixed data: where each one is cheaper

For a week with 10GB, Ubigi lists $14.00 and Airalo $17.00. For 10GB over a month, it is $16.50 against $18.00. A stopover with 1GB for three days costs $3.50 from Ubigi and $4.00 from Airalo.

Airalo has the wider fixed range. It sells 3GB and 5GB packages valid for seven days, and 20GB packages valid for 15 or 30 days. Its 20GB month costs $25.00, while Ubigi’s next size up, 25GB for 30 days, costs $32.00. If 20GB covers your month, Airalo is the lower price. If you would use more than 20GB, Ubigi’s extra 5GB may be worth it.

Not sure how much you need? The Japan data calculator turns your habits into a figure, and our cost guide shows typical totals by trip length.

Unlimited data at matched lengths

The two providers sell unlimited packages for different trip lengths. Both sell 15 and 30 days. Ubigi lists $39.00 for 15 days, against $48.00 from Airalo. For 30 days it is $65.00 against $69.00.

For a week, Airalo sells a 7-day package at $26.50. Ubigi’s shortest unlimited package runs 8 days, at $25.00. Airalo also sells 3-, 5- and 10-day unlimited packages, which suit a short trip better than paying for days you won’t use.

Neither provider gives us a confirmed daily full-speed figure for its Japan unlimited packages, so we don’t make one up. Before buying, read the fair-use terms and the speed after any limit on the exact package. Our unlimited data guide explains what to look for.

Networks: check the exact package

Ubigi: KDDI (au) / NTT Docomo; some plans also list SoftBank. Airalo: SoftBank / KDDI (au) / Rakuten on current Moshi Moshi listings; check the selected package. Our Airalo review explains why its current network list includes Rakuten while the explanatory copy still names two networks.

In mountains, on small islands and along rural routes, coverage varies by place and no single network wins everywhere. Multiple named networks can help only if your package lets the phone use them. A named partner is no guarantee about every place or every package. Check the official coverage maps for your route, and read our Docomo vs SoftBank vs au guide and rural Japan eSIM guide for how to do it.

Hotspot, top-ups and activation

Hotspot. Ubigi’s plan pages allow data sharing, and the shared data comes out of your allowance. Airalo’s Japan page doesn’t state hotspot terms for fixed packages; its unlimited fair-use policy allows hotspot on unlimited packages within a default 3GB a day at full speed.

Top-ups. Both let you add data in their apps. Check the top-up price and validity on your own package rather than assuming it matches a new purchase.

Activation. Ubigi uses SmartStart: validity starts when the eSIM connects in Japan, and plans you never activate expire after six months. Airalo’s validity starts on first use on a supported network. With either, install on stable WiFi before you fly. Then switch on the travel line and data roaming when you land. Our iPhone setup guide and Android setup guide go through the settings screens.

Long stays and monthly plans

Ubigi also sells monthly plans that renew automatically. Ubigi says they can only be cancelled after a three-month minimum, so they suit a long stay or repeat visits, not a single holiday. For one month, compare a one-off package first. Our 30-day Japan eSIM guide walks through month-long estimates.

Who should pick which

Pick Ubigi if you want the lower listed price for 10GB or a month of unlimited data, Docomo on your plan, or stated hotspot support. It also suits travelers who keep one reusable eSIM profile for repeat trips.

Pick Airalo if 20GB covers your month, you want a small 3GB or 5GB week-long package, or you need unlimited data for a 3-, 5- or 7-day trip. It is also the easy choice if you already use the Airalo app.

Look elsewhere if you need a Japanese phone number or the lowest price across every provider. Our phone number guide covers voice options, and the main comparison lists every provider we track.

Ubigi vs Airalo FAQ