Roaming charges in Italy can rack up fast, which is why you want the best eSIM for Italy. Why roam when you can spend a few dollars and enjoy unlimited data? Exploring Rome, Milano, Venezia, and other sprawling cities doesn’t have to be stressful. With an eSIM in Italy, your struggles with internet data are over.
The best options offer 4G/5G coverage, reliable speeds, and fuss-free activations without the need to swap physical SIM cards. Most importantly, they work even in the Italian countryside, making you feel at home. We’ve cut through the noise and, after testing 20+ in Italy, settled on these five most reliable picks.
Best eSIM for Italy Ranked
Best eSIM for Italy: 5 eSIMs That Actually Work in 2026
Ubigi tops our list and is our wholehearted recommendation. However, we simultaneously encourage you to explore all five options before deciding. These five make a difference and really work in Italy. Here’s what makes them worthy:
1. Ubigi (Our Recommended Plan: Unlimited for $19 for 7 Days)
Pros
- The best value for money
- Superb 5G coverage in Italy
- Fast connection speeds
- No limits on data sharing
- 24/7 customer support
Con
- No SMS or calling
Ubigi is the best eSIM for Italy for both one-time and frequent travelers. The best-seller is its 25 GB plan for $19 for 30 days. As a one-off plan, it doesn’t renew, but you can top it up if you need more data. Ubigi offers unlimited data plans, starting at $19 for seven days and up to $39 for 30 days—extremely affordable.
During our stay in Italy, we enjoyed reliable 5G coverage, with 4G LTE firing up where 5G was unavailable. In both cases, streaming, VoIP calling, and gaming were smooth. We noticed that Ubigi is a reliable eSIM for Europe, as it offers the regional European plan, where Italy and over 35 other countries are included (like France, Spain or the UK).
As the top eSIM for Italy, Ubigi allows unlimited data sharing, has easy-to-use apps, and a seamless QR code activation. Ubigi’s nationwide coverage, 24/7 customer support, and very flexible plans make it a standout pick for Italy. The only shortcoming is the lack of texting and phone calls—it has no phone numbers.
However, that’s not a big issue considering its reliable speeds and unlimited data. Did you know that you can save 10% on your first purchase on Ubigi using the GIZMODO promo code? Save big on the best eSIM for Italy today.
2. Saily (Our Recommended Plan: 10 GB for $20.99 for 30 Days)
Pros
- Advanced security features
- 4G and 5G support in Italy
- 24/7 customer service
- 30-day activation period
- Easy-to-use iOS/Android app
Cons
- No phone calls or SMS
- Slightly expensive
Saily lets you enjoy your stay in Italy and not worry about roaming fees. It starts at only $3.99 for 1 GB of data for a week. The best-seller is the 10 GB plan for 30 days at $20.99. Do you need unlimited data? In that case, you’ll spend $48.99 for 15 days or $18.99 for five days. We can see that Saily is on the pricier side.
However, this isn’t in vain. Saily includes security extras, such as a virtual location, akin to a VPN, and an ad blocker to shield you from nasties. During our testing, we noticed that Saily supports both 4G and 5G, offering stable and reliable speeds for all activities. In busy cities and in rural areas, coverage was top-notch.
Saily is Nord Security’s product, so it has a good reputation. Besides, it’s easy to activate via its mobile app and offers 24/7 support to aid you. Unlike Holafly, our next pick, it also offers unlimited data sharing, ideal when traveling in a group. You can purchase it before you arrive in Italy, as it has a 30-day activation period.
3. Holafly (Our Recommended Plan: Unlimited at $19.50 for 5 Days)
Pros
- Cheap plans for a short stay
- Impressive speeds
- Instant eSIM data delivery
- 24/7 customer support
Cons
- Data sharing limit (500 MB/day)
- Not the cheapest
Holafly is the best eSIM for Italy in 2026 for unlimited internet data. No other way around it. You buy Holafly at $3.90 per day and get no data caps. Prices go down for longer stays, so, for example, ten days are $36.90, while an entire month is $74.90. Admittedly, it’s expensive compared to Ubigi, our favorite eSIM overall.
On the other hand, our Holafly tests revealed impressive LTE and 5G speeds in Italy, primarily in Rome and Milano. We enjoyed top-notch coverage and zero issues thanks to Holafly’s connection to Tim, Vodafone Italie, ILIAD Italy, and Wind Italie, the most prominent telecom operators in this country.
Holafly is useful for dodging roaming fees and staying connected in Italy all the time. Sadly, its data sharing is limited to 500 MB per day, and long-term plans aren’t the cheapest. You’ll also notice the lack of SMS and phone calls, as no Italian phone numbers are offered. Holafly compensates with state-of-the-art 24/7 support.
4. Airalo (Our Recommended Plan: Unlimited at $17.50 for 5 Days)
Pros
- Many low-cost plans
- Automatic activation
- Data consumption tracking
Cons
- No Italian phone numbers
- Higher cost for longer stays
Airalo is an eSIM for Italy with flexible plans and auto-activation when you arrive. It supports limited and unlimited plans, with the lowest price of $4 for 1 GB of data for three days. You can increase both your data and duration, and go up to 50 GB for 30 days for $32. Unlimited data starts at $10.50 for three days.
Airalo has impressed us with its 5G coverage. TIM, Wind Tre, and Iliad, major telcos, offer 5G teamed up with Airalo. 4G LTE from Vodafone turns on periodically, but during our tests, we haven’t noticed major differences. One thing we observed is availability, and Airalo excels at it, both in cities and in the countryside.
Airalo supports unlimited data sharing and even offers data consumption tracking in its app. Another plus is its 24/7 live chat support, which aids activation and setup. Airalo offers a vast selection of regional and global plans. That’s why it’s among the best eSIMs for the USA, Europe, Asia, and other major locations.
5. aloSIM (Our Recommended Plan: 20 GB at $29 for 30 Days)
Pros
- Phone calls and SMS
- Cheap for shorter stays
- Unlimited data sharing
Cons
- Inconsistent speeds
- Not the most flexible
If you need an eSIM for Italy for calling and texting, pick aloSIM. The cheapest eSIM plan is $4.50 for 1 GB of data for seven days. Unlimited data for 15 days is only $35. aloSIM relies on 4G and 5G for speed and reliability, although, in our experience, it was slightly less reliable than Ubigi, Saily, and Holafly.
Either way, aloSIM works well in Rome, Milano, and Venezia, our testing locations. Now, for calling and texting, aloSIM doesn’t offer much. You get an international phone number from Hushed, with $3 in free credits. You still have to top up your prepaid eSIM for Italy, but at least you can make calls and text.
aloSIM’s 24/7 support is available if you need help. Moreover, data tethering is allowed, with a handy consumption tracking tool for easier control. aloSIM isn’t the most flexible eSIM to use in Italy, as it has only seven plans. However, they’re affordable and feature-rich, so you won’t end up overspending.
Conclusion
Roaming in Italy is the last thing you want; it’s expensive and unreliable. For this reason, you need an eSIM for Italy that saves you money and provides extensive coverage across one of the most beautiful European countries. Ubigi checks all the boxes and is surprisingly cheap, considering its reliability and coverage (read more: our Ubigi 2026review here).
Saily follows closely, with high-end security features and diverse plans. Holafly is next in line, with unlimited data and lower prices for lengthier stays. Airalo’s 5G coverage providers some of the best experiences in Italy, while aloSIM is the only option with calling and texting that makes every stay in Italy feel at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I call and text in Italy with an eSIM?
Yes, you can call and text in Italy with aloSIM. Each plan includes a set amount of data (or even unlimited) plus an international phone number for sending SMS and calling. However, you still have to top it up with minutes and SMS.
Roaming vs. eSIM for Italy, which is cheaper?
Even the absolute best eSIM for Italy is always cheaper than roaming. Roaming is so pricey that it often leads to what we call bill shocks. It's also unreliable since you use your domestic data abroad. Slow speeds and high costs don't go well. With a trusted eSIM for Italy, you pay less and have reliable internet data.
What is the cheapest eSIM plan for Italy?
The cheapest eSIM plan for Italy is Holafly at $3.90 for unlimited data for a day. If you need the cheapest unlimited data plan, then it's Ubigi, at only $39 for 30 days.
Physical SIM vs eSIM card for Italy, what is better?
An eSIM card for Italy is better than a physical SIM. It's safer, more reliable, and you don't have to pull out your original SIM to use it. In other words, you can use an eSIM and your old SIM together. A physical SIM must be bought in a store, and if you don't speak Italian, the language barrier may be too much.
Besides, an eSIM can be bought and activated right before you arrive in Italy. This lets you take advantage of it right away. The only caveat is that your phone may not support it, but either way, you can check for compatibility on an eSIM provider's site. If you have a Samsung or an iPhone, it's 99% compatible.