Rakuten Mobile vs LINEMO: Two Pay-for-What-You-Use Plans, Tested Side by Side
Both bill by usage tiers — but the break-even points, free-calling mechanics and network character differ completely. We ran both lines and compared the bills.
안내: 아래 본문은 현재 영어로만 제공됩니다. 한국어 번역은 준비 중입니다.
MobileRakuten Mobile and LINEMO are Japan's two popular usage-tiered budget plans. They look similar, but the sweet-spot data ranges, calling mechanics and network personalities are entirely different.
We contracted both under our own names, ran them side by side and logged the bills. The conclusion is mechanical: your monthly gigabytes decide. For the service itself see our Rakuten Mobile review; for the ahamo matchup see Rakuten Mobile vs ahamo.
Pick your plan
¥1,078–3,278/month
Unlimited tier, free Rakuten Link calls, SPU +4x — the 10GB+ pick
* 가격은 모두 세금 포함이며, 기사 데이터 취득 시점의 각 몰 표시 가격입니다. 최신 가격과 배송비는 반드시 각 링크에서 확인해 주세요.
* 상품 링크는 제휴 링크입니다. 구매 시 사이트에 수익이 발생할 수 있습니다.
The quick-answer table
| You are… | Best fit | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A 20GB+ user / tetherer | Rakuten Mobile | Unlimited at ¥3,278 has no rival here |
| Sub-3GB and LINE-first | LINEMO | ¥990 plus LINE Giga Free |
| A frequent caller | Rakuten Mobile | Rakuten Link makes domestic calls free |
| Stability-first | LINEMO | SoftBank main-network quality |
The plans, precisely
Both are tiered. Prices as of this update (tax incl.; both revise terms — confirm officially before signing).
- Under 3GB: LINEMO wins by ¥88 — close enough to decide on other factors
- 10–20GB: Rakuten's ¥2,178 beats LINEMO V's ¥2,970
- Above 30GB: Rakuten is the only option (LINEMO caps at 30GB)
- LINEMO V includes 5-minute call flat-rate — short-callers close the effective gap
| Data/month | Rakuten Mobile | LINEMO |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3GB | ¥1,078 | ¥990 (Best Plan) |
| Up to 10GB | ¥2,178 (tier to 20GB) | ¥2,090 (Best Plan cap) |
| Up to 20GB | ¥2,178 | ¥2,970 (Best Plan V / 30GB) |
| Up to 30GB | ¥3,278 (unlimited) | ¥2,970 (Best Plan V cap) |
| 30GB+ / unlimited | ¥3,278 | Not offered |
Completely different calling mechanics
- Rakuten: domestic calls free via the Rakuten Link app (no time limit); app quality tracks network conditions
- LINEMO: regular phone line; Best Plan V includes 5-minute flat-rate, longer calls need options
- LINE-to-LINE callers get effectively free, high-quality calls via LINEMO's Giga Free
- Long work calls favor Rakuten Link's total free — but test the quality first
What LINE Giga Free is actually worth
LINEMO's signature feature: LINE app traffic consumes zero data. Our field notes:
- Chats, voice calls and video calls are all Giga Free — hours of LINE calls cost nothing
- The smaller your plan, the bigger the value (your 3GB stays free for everything else)
- Some features (News, VOOM) are excluded — it's not 'all of LINE'
- LINE stays full-speed even when you're throttled — quietly reassuring
Network quality and ecosystem perks
- Coverage steadiness favors LINEMO on SoftBank's network — gaps show deep indoors and underground
- A Rakuten contract alone adds SPU +4x (capped) — Ichiba shoppers cut their real cost further
- Both cancel for ¥0 — when unsure, run both in your own zones and compare
| Item | Rakuten Mobile | LINEMO |
|---|---|---|
| Network | Rakuten + partner (au) | SoftBank main network |
| Indoors/underground | Improving via platinum band | Major-carrier steady |
| Ecosystem | SPU +4x, pay with points | PayPay point campaigns |
| Stores | Rakuten Mobile shops | Online-only |
장점 (좋았던 점)
- Clear break-evens — pick mechanically by gigabytes
- Rakuten's unlimited ¥3,278 and free Link calls are unique
- LINEMO's ¥990 start and LINE Giga Free are unique
- Both cancel for ¥0 — low switching risk
단점 (아쉬운 점)
- LINEMO caps at 30GB — no heavy-user option
- Rakuten's coverage trails LINEMO deep indoors and underground
- Rakuten Link call quality tracks network conditions
- Both revise prices and perks often — comparisons age fast
검증 기록 (직접 측정했습니다)
모든 사진은 자택 검증 공간에서 촬영한 기록입니다.
| Item | Rakuten Mobile | LINEMO |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 3GB | ¥1,078 | ¥990 |
| 10–20GB | ¥2,178 | ¥2,970 (V) |
| Unlimited | ¥3,278 | Not offered (30GB cap) |
| Calls | Free via Rakuten Link | V includes 5-min flat-rate |
| Unique perk | SPU +4x, unlimited tethering | LINE Giga Free |
자주 묻는 질문
Which is cheaper, Rakuten Mobile or LINEMO?
Your gigabytes decide. Under 3GB, LINEMO (¥990) beats Rakuten (¥1,078) by ¥88; at 10–20GB Rakuten (¥2,178) undercuts LINEMO Best Plan V (¥2,970); above 30GB only Rakuten offers a plan. Prices revise — confirm officially before signing.
What is LINE Giga Free?
A LINEMO feature where LINE chats, voice calls and video calls consume no data. Hours of LINE calling costs zero gigabytes, and LINE stays full-speed even under throttling. Some features like News are excluded.
Which is better for calling?
Frequent, long domestic calls favor Rakuten Mobile — Rakuten Link makes them free with no time limit. Short calls are covered by LINEMO Best Plan V's included 5-minute flat-rate. If your calls are LINE-to-LINE, LINEMO's Giga Free makes them effectively free.
Whose network is steadier?
LINEMO's — it rides SoftBank's main network as-is. Rakuten's indoor pickup keeps improving via the platinum band, but some deep-building and underground spots remain weak. Both cancel for ¥0, so live-testing your own zones is the reliable way to know.
How much does Rakuten's SPU matter?
A Rakuten Mobile contract lifts SPU by up to +4x (capped; terms vary), which meaningfully raises monthly point earnings for Ichiba shoppers. Even modest monthly shopping can flip the total math in Rakuten's favor beyond the plan-price table.
Related notes
Mobile
6 Months on Rakuten Mobile as Our Main Line: What ¥3,278 Unlimited Really Gets You
4.2Mobile
Rakuten Mobile vs ahamo: We Ran Both Lines Side by Side | Unlimited Data or Docomo Reliability?
4.3Mobile
Rakuten Mobile Speed, Measured for 6 Months: Where It Connects, Where It Doesn't, and What Helps
4.2Mobile
Activating a Rakuten Mobile eSIM: Every Step and How Long It Really Takes
4.4
💴 Based on both services contracted and run side by side in our own names, self-funded, in 2026.