Rakuten Mobile vs povo: which is better? Comparison 2026
By our public methodology Rakuten Mobile scores 80 out of 100 and povo scores 55. Below: the factors and facts where they differ, each fact with its source.
Score breakdown
| Rakuten Mobile | povo | |
|---|---|---|
| Network | 75 | 42 |
| Cost | 100 | 63 |
| Service | 67 | 67 |
| Transparency | 67 | 67 |
Pros and cons
Rakuten Mobile
- Reference tariff among the cheapest in the country
- Listed by the telecom regulator
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Runs its own radio network
povo
- Commercial 5G for consumers
- Runs its own radio network
- Offers eSIM to new customers
- Full tariff terms are public
Facts side by side
| Fact | Rakuten Mobile | povo |
|---|---|---|
| Listed by the regulator | Yes soumu.go.jp | Not verified |
| Own radio network | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes povo.jp |
| Commercial 5G | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes povo.jp |
| Price index (100 = cheapest in the country) | 100 network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | 175 povo.jp |
| Commercial 4G | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Not verified |
| eSIM | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes povo.jp |
| International roaming | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes povo.jp |
| Self-care app | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes povo.jp |
| Tariff terms published | Yes network.mobile.rakuten.co.jp | Yes povo.jp |