Updated September 28, 2026 · NomadCue Editorial Team
Sakura Mobile vs WorldSIM
Sakura Mobile
Higher score in this comparison
WorldSIM
What sets them apart
| Compare | Sakura MobileReviewVisitVisit | WorldSIMReviewVisitVisit |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | ¥1,375 | £25 |
| Countries covered | 1 | 195Higher |
| Unlimited data | YesHas it | No |
| Fair use policy | 3GB/day plans: speed limited to 200 Kbps after 3 GB per day; unlimited eSIM/SIM plans cap hotspot use per plan (2 GB on 1-day, 9 GB on 10-day, 30 GB on 31-day plan) | Fair and reasonable use only; WorldSIM may review charges or suspend or terminate the service if usage exceeds the terms of the agreement |
| Networks | Docomo, Au, Softbank | AT&T, Rogers, Bell, Telus, Iusacell, Etisalat |
| Price per GB from | Not confirmed | £1.18 |
| Hotspot sharing | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Reference plan prices | Not confirmed | Global eSIM Pro 10GB 30 days GBP 25; 20GB 90 days GBP 35; 41GB 180 days GBP 50; 85GB 365 days GBP 100; 10GB 30-day plan covers Europe, US, Japan, Thailand, Turkey and Mexico within 195+ countries |
| 10 GB in Europe | Not confirmed | £25 |
| 10 GB in the US | Not confirmed | £25 |
| 10 GB in Japan | Not confirmed | £25 |
Same on both: 5G (Yes), Top-ups (Yes), Seller type (Mvno).
We earn a commission when you sign up through links on this site. Partner status can affect where a brand appears in our rankings. Partners with a live offer in your country come first, then every other brand by score.
Key differences
- Countries covered is higher at WorldSIM: 195 vs 1.
- Unlimited data: only Sakura Mobile.
- Networks: only Sakura Mobile offers Docomo, Au, Softbank.
- Networks: only WorldSIM offers AT&T, Rogers, Bell.
- Support channels: only Sakura Mobile offers Phone.
- Support channels: only WorldSIM offers Chat.
- Founded is lower at WorldSIM: 2006 vs 2014.
- Region: only Sakura Mobile offers Local.
- Region: only WorldSIM offers Global.
- Features: only Sakura Mobile offers Unlimited data, Hotspot.
Our verdict on each
Sakura Mobile
Sakura Mobile suits travelers whose whole trip sits in Japan, offering eSIM plans from ¥1,375 with unlimited data and a pocket WiFi option. It is a mvno on docomo, au and Softbank, but coverage is a single market and a fair use policy shapes what unlimited data means in practice.
WorldSIM
WorldSIM is a UK MVNO eSIM built for travellers crossing several countries, where a global plan reaches 195 countries on established mobile networks. Plans start at £25, and 5G with instant activation make it a practical pick for multi-country trips rather than a bargain option.
Score breakdown
| Area | Sakura Mobile | WorldSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | 8.8Higher | 8.4Entry pricing of £25 and £1.18 a GB sits above the medians €5 and €1.50. |
| Offer | 9.0Prices from ¥1,375 for eSIM and ¥299 a day for pocket WiFi with Unlimited data, instant activation, and coverage limited to 1 country. | 9.1HigherCoverage of 195 countries, 5G, instant activation and top-ups. |
| Trust | 8.3 | 8.8Higher |
How they place
| Ranking | Sakura Mobile | WorldSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Travel SIMs and eSIMs | 84 of 926 | 32 of 926 |
| Travel eSIMs | 85 of 918 | 32 of 918 |
| Pocket WiFi rental | 13 of 193 | 5 of 193 |
Every fact side by side
| Fact | Sakura Mobile | WorldSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Region | Local | Global |
| Features | Unlimited data, 5G, Hotspot, Instant activationCovers more | 5G, Instant activation |
| Audience | Short trip, Long trip | Short trip, Long trip |
| Legal entity | Og inc. | WorldSIM Limited |
| Headquarters | Japan | United Kingdom |
| Founded | 2014 | 2006Lower |
| Support channels | Email, Phone, Help centre | Chat, Email, Help centre |
Pocket Wi-Fi
| Fact | Sakura Mobile | WorldSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Daily price | ¥299 | Not confirmed |
| Deposit | Not confirmed | £0 |
| Data allowance | Unlimited | 3.6GB |
| Devices connected | 15Higher | 10 |
| Pickup and delivery | Airport pickup (Narita, Haneda, Kansai, Fukuoka, New Chitose), hotel or residence delivery, post office pickup nationwide; free return envelope to any Japan Post mailbox | Worldwide delivery, free over GBP 100 |
Where each stands against the rest
| Fact | Sakura Mobile | WorldSIM | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per GB from | Not confirmed | £1.18above the median | £1 |
| Countries covered | 1lowest quarter | 195highest quarter | 120 |
| 10 GB in Europe | Not confirmed | £25highest quarter | £15.99 |
Median across 492 listed travel providers.
Pros and cons
Sakura Mobile
Pros
- Service runs on docomo, au and Softbank, the main domestic operators, so day-to-day connection comes from established networks
- The pocket WiFi is easy to get hold of: airport pickup, hotel or residence delivery and post office pickup nationwide, with a free return envelope
- eSIM plans from ¥1,375 pair unlimited data with hotspot sharing, and the pocket WiFi shares a connection across 15 devices
Cons
- Coverage is a single market: 1 country, so a multi-country itinerary needs another plan
- The fair use policy slows speed after a daily data threshold on capped plans and caps hotspot sharing by plan length, so unlimited data carries conditions
WorldSIM
Pros
- Coverage of 195 countries on a single global eSIM
- 5G and instant activation, so a plan works soon after landing
- Top-ups let you add data mid-trip without buying a new eSIM
Cons
- Unlimited data is not offered, so every plan runs on a fixed allowance such as 3.6GB
- Support runs on chat, email and help centre only, with no phone line listed
- The fair use policy lets WorldSIM review charges or suspend or terminate the service if usage goes beyond the terms of the agreement
Who each suits
Sakura Mobile
Who it suits
- Travelers on a Japan-only itinerary who want unlimited data without tracking a daily allowance
- Groups and families who need one pocket WiFi shared by many devices, delivered to a hotel or residence
- Short city breaks and longer stays alike, since short trip and long trip plans cover both and top-ups can extend a stay
Who should look elsewhere
- Multi-country trips: Zwitchy covers 200 countries, far beyond a single market
- Buyers shopping the cheapest entry point: eSIMGo.is starts at $0.99
- Anyone heading to a different destination: SimToIsrael is priced from $25
WorldSIM
Who it suits
- Travellers crossing several countries on a single itinerary
- Long-stay travellers buying larger data blocks with longer validities
- People who want a UK-based MVNO with top-up flexibility
Who should look elsewhere
- Buyers after the lowest entry price, who may prefer eSIMGo.is from $0.99
- Travellers who want the widest country list, who may prefer Zwitchy at 200 countries
- Travellers who need data in a single country, where SimToIsrael from $25 is a closer match
Current offers
Sakura Mobile
Current offer
Discount code
1,000 JPY off monthly plan activation with coupon code: 1,000 JPY
Coupon code must be entered during purchase of Monthly SIMs/eSIMs or Home Internet; shown as a seasonal banner
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Buy 2 or more eSIMs and get 10% off: 10%
Group purchase of 2 or more travel eSIMs; discount applies automatically
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Discount code
Buy 2 or more to get 500 JPY off each: 500 JPY per eSIM
Multi-purchase discount on travel eSIM; banner on the fixed data plan landing page
Source, checked September 26, 2026
WorldSIM
Current offer
Bonus
Get your eSIM FREE and up to 25% bonus credit with selected airtime purchases: 25% bonus credit
Selected airtime purchases; eSIM cost free on the GBP 60 and GBP 125 airtime tiers
Source, checked September 26, 2026
Questions about each
Sakura Mobile
What does Sakura Mobile cost for a Japan trip?+
eSIM plans start at ¥1,375, and the pocket WiFi runs at ¥299 a day with Unlimited data for the whole rental. The eSIM plans list unlimited data, 5g and hotspot, so a traveler can pick an instant activation eSIM instead of collecting a device.
Is the unlimited data really unlimited?+
Hotspot sharing is listed in the unlimited data, 5g and hotspot list, yet the fair use policy slows speed once a daily data threshold is passed on capped plans, and unlimited eSIM and SIM plans cap hotspot sharing by plan length. Heavy tethering is the part most likely to slow down or stop.
WorldSIM
How much does a WorldSIM eSIM cost?+
Plans start at £25, and the cheapest data works out at £1.18 a GB. The Global eSIM Pro range steps up in both data and validity, so a larger block lowers the cost per GB over a longer trip.
How many countries does a WorldSIM eSIM cover?+
A plan reaches 195 countries, and the networks behind it include AT&T, Rogers and Bell. Regional and global plans draw on established carriers, so a single eSIM can carry you across a whole itinerary.