I tried out various affordable SIM 1GB plans, but it’s hard to decide which one is truly usable in the end, isn’t it? Recently, I compared and tested the popular budget SIM24 services in real life, so I’ve put together my personal impressions.

For affordable SIM 1GB, the cheapest is Japan Communications SIM at 290 yen. It’s a MVNO that uses the Docomo network, so speeds may drop during congestion, but it’s perfect for a sub line. Note that it has an initial fee of 3,300 yen. Next up is HIS Mobile at 550 yen. The deal that if you use within 0.1GB per month it’s 280 yen is quite a hit.

If you prioritize connection speed, povo is recommended. With the topping-style plan, the basic monthly fee is 0 yen and you can get 3GB for 990 yen. Since it uses the au network, it’s fast even during the daytime, and videos play smoothly even during peak congestion hours. It supports MNP one-stop, so switching is easy. For an affordable SIM 1GB plan, this speed is pretty rare.

If you’re into games, LinksMate at 737 yen is also a candidate. The no-data-cost option is 550 yen, and it reduces data consumption for targeted apps to 1/10, which is a strong point. However, when you include the option, it comes to 1,287 yen, so the cost feels a bit high.

If you use LINE a lot, go with LINEMO. It uses the SoftBank network, so speeds stay stable, and LINE calls don’t consume data. It’s a 3GB for 990 yen plan, so it has more capacity than an affordable SIM 1GB plan, but depending on how you use it, it could offer good value for money.

To sum it up, if you prioritize price above all, it’s Japan Communications SIM; if you want speed too, choose povo; and if you want more network options, it’s mineo. It’s important to choose based on your own usage.