eSIM vs Roaming Plans — Real Cost Comparison
International roaming can cost {price.5}–{price.15} per megabyte with some carriers. A single hour of video streaming could cost {price.500} or more in roaming fees. Here is an honest, numbers-first comparison of eSIM plans vs every roaming alternative.
The true cost of carrier roaming
Home carrier international data charges vary widely:
| Carrier type | Pay-as-you-go rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US carrier (T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon) roaming | R$ 0,05–R$ 74,55 per MB | Varies by destination country |
| UK carrier (EE, Vodafone, O2) zone 1 | £0.002–£10 per MB | 'Zone 1' countries cheapest |
| Carrier international add-on package | R$ 49,70–R$ 99,40/day or R$ 248,50–R$ 497,00/week | Often throttled to 256 kbps |
| EU roaming (within EU/EEA) | Free at home rates | Genuine exception — no extra charge |
At R$ 49,70/MB, a 1 GB video stream costs R$ 49.700,00 Even 'day pass' add-ons at R$ 49,70/day throttle to 256 kbps — barely enough for maps.
Real cost comparison by trip type
7 days in Europe (5 GB data)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming (pay-as-you-go) | R$ 745,50–R$ 2.485,00 | Extreme bill shock risk |
| Carrier travel package (day pass) | R$ 347,90–R$ 695,80 | R$ 49,70/day × 7, often throttled |
| Local physical SIM in France | R$ 74,55–R$ 124,25 | Covers France only, requires store visit |
| LTE.app Europe eSIM (30+ countries) | R$ 59,64–R$ 99,40 | Full LTE speeds, instant activation |
14 days in Asia (10 GB data)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming | R$ 1.491,00–R$ 4.970,00+ | Extreme risk |
| Carrier international package | R$ 397,60–R$ 745,50 | Often insufficient data |
| Local SIM in Japan | R$ 74,55–R$ 124,25 | Japan only, language barrier |
| LTE.app Asia regional eSIM | R$ 74,55–R$ 173,95 | Covers Japan, Korea, Taiwan |
3 days in the US (2 GB data)
| Option | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carrier roaming day pass | R$ 149,10–R$ 298,20 | R$ 49,70–R$ 99,40/day |
| US prepaid local SIM (Mint, T-Mobile) | R$ 74,55–R$ 99,40 | Physical store required |
| LTE.app US eSIM | R$ 39,76–R$ 74,55 | Instant QR, full LTE |
Hidden roaming charges that multiply the cost
When roaming actually makes sense
LTE.app membership makes eSIM even cheaper
LTE.app Pro membership (R$ 49,65/mo) saves 7% on every eSIM plan. Premium (R$ 99,35/mo) saves 12%. For frequent travelers purchasing 3–4 plans per month, the membership pays for itself:
| Travel pattern | Monthly plan spend | Pro saves | Premium saves |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 trip/month (1 plan) | R$ 74,55 | R$ 5,22 | R$ 8,95 |
| 2 trips/month (3 plans) | R$ 223,65 | R$ 15,66 | R$ 26,84 |
| 4 trips/month (6 plans) | R$ 447,30 | R$ 31,31 | R$ 53,68 |
| Heavy traveler (10 plans) | R$ 745,50 | R$ 52,18 | R$ 89,46 |
At 6+ plans per month, Pro pays for itself. At 10+ plans per month, Premium pays for itself.