At a glance
- 1PelesimMost visitors who want a fixed data plan at a low price$9.4010 GB, 30 days
- 2UbigiTravellers who want an established carrier brand$1210 GB, 30 days
- 3NomadPeople who share data with a laptop and want plan choice$18.5010 GB, 30 days
- 4AiraloPeople who want round-the-clock chat support$1910 GB, 30 days
- 5HolaflyHeavy users who never want to count gigabytesUnlimited only
How we picked
We compared the plan most visitors to Italy buy, 10 GB for 30 days, plus each provider’s unlimited option, networks, hotspot rules, refunds and support. Prices were read from each provider’s own Italy page on November 4, 2026. Pelesim prices are shown before VAT; other prices are as each site displayed them, and local taxes may apply.
How much data you need in Italy
Maps, train apps and messaging use far less than people expect: 5 GB covers a typical week of navigation and social apps. Choose 10 GB or more if you will stream, share a hotspot with a laptop, or stay two weeks or longer. If you cannot predict it, a daily-unlimited pass removes the guesswork, as long as you can live with the slower speed once each day’s allowance is used.
Italy only, or more of Europe?
A country plan is the cheaper choice when Italy is your whole trip. If you are also heading to France, Switzerland or Greece, one regional plan saves buying a second eSIM at the border; our best eSIMs for Europe list compares them. For entry rules, money and getting around, read our Italy travel guide.
Before you buy
Check that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked. Install the eSIM at home while you are online, then switch it on and enable data roaming for that line when you land. Keep your home SIM active for calls and SMS, since most of these plans are data only.
No. 1, our pick
Pelesim
Best for most visitors who want a fixed data plan at a low price
The lowest 10 GB price of the five, on WINDTRE, Iliad and TIM, with daily-unlimited passes and a plan that only starts when you connect in Italy.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $9.40
- Unlimited day passes, 7 days for $12 (5 GB a day, then 1 Mbps)
- Starts on first connection in Italy, so you can install early
- Refund within 30 days if the eSIM is not activated
Keep in mind
- Data only, no phone number
- Unlimited passes slow to 1 Mbps once the day's 5 GB is used
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $9.40
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $12
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- WINDTRE, Iliad, TIM
No. 2
Ubigi
Best for travellers who want an established carrier brand
Close behind on price, with in-app top-ups on Iliad and WindTre, though its checkout showed euros against a dollar headline.
What we like
- 10 GB for 30 days for $12
- Top up in the app, even with no data left
Keep in mind
- Page heading shows US$, checkout shows euros
- Hotspot use is not stated on the plan page
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $12
- Hotspot
- Not stated
- Networks
- Iliad, WindTre
No. 3
Nomad
Best for people who share data with a laptop and want plan choice
Hotspot-friendly, with a full range of plan sizes on Iliad and Vodafone, but its 10 GB plan costs about twice Pelesim's.
What we like
- Hotspot and tethering supported
- Starts when your phone connects to an Italian network
- Unlimited from 3 days for $11
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days is $18.50
- Must be activated within 60 days of purchase
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $18.50
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $25
- Hotspot
- Allowed
- Phone number
- Some plans
- Networks
- Iliad, Vodafone
No. 4
Airalo
Best for people who want round-the-clock chat support
The biggest name in eSIMs, with 24/7 support on WhatsApp and a polished app, at a higher price for the same data.
What we like
- 24/7 multi-language support, including WhatsApp
- Unlimited from 3 days for $11
Keep in mind
- 10 GB for 30 days is $19
- Its Italy page does not state the unlimited plans' fair-use terms
- 10 GB / 30 days
- $19
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $23
- Hotspot
- Not stated
- Networks
- Wind Tre and one other
No. 5
Holafly
Best for heavy users who never want to count gigabytes
Unlimited-only passes on Vodafone and WINDTRE that suit heavy streamers, but they cost more and cap hotspot sharing at 1 GB a day.
What we like
- Every plan is unlimited, under a fair-use policy
- Refunds can be requested for up to 6 months
Keep in mind
- 7 days is $23.90, 30 days is $64.50
- Hotspot capped at 1 GB a day, and no top-ups
- 10 GB / 30 days
- No fixed plans
- Unlimited
- 7 days for $23.90
- Hotspot
- 1 GB a day
- Phone number
- No
- Networks
- Vodafone, WINDTRE
Compare all five
| Our pickPelesim | No. 2Ubigi | No. 3Nomad | No. 4Airalo | No. 5Holafly | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 GB / 30 days | $9.40 | $12 | $18.50 | $19 | No fixed plans |
| Unlimited | 7 days for $12 | Not listed | 7 days for $25 | 7 days for $23 | 7 days for $23.90 |
| Hotspot | Allowed | Not stated | Allowed | Not stated | 1 GB a day |
| Phone number | No | Not listed | Some plans | Not listed | No |
| Networks | WINDTRE, Iliad, TIM | Iliad, WindTre | Iliad, Vodafone | Wind Tre and one other | Vodafone, WINDTRE |
Common questions
How much does an eSIM for Italy cost?
In prices checked on 4 November 2026, 10 GB for 30 days in Italy cost $9.40 with Pelesim (before VAT), $12 with Ubigi, $18.50 with Nomad and $19 with Airalo. Holafly sells unlimited plans only, at $23.90 for 7 days and $64.50 for 30 days, with hotspot sharing capped at 1 GB a day.
How much data do I need in Italy?
Maps, trains, messaging and booking museum tickets use less data than people expect, and 5 GB covers a typical week of navigation and social apps. Choose 10 GB or more if you will stream, share a hotspot with a laptop, or stay two weeks or longer. If you cannot predict your use, a daily-unlimited pass removes the guesswork.
Is there an unlimited data eSIM for Italy?
Yes. Pelesim sells a 7-day pass for Italy for $12, with 5 GB a day at full speed and then 1 Mbps, checked 4 November 2026 and shown before VAT. Airalo lists 7 days of unlimited data for $23, Holafly $23.90 and Nomad $25. Each runs under its own daily limit or fair-use policy.
Which networks do Italy eSIMs use?
Italy's eSIMs ride on the local networks. In this ranking Pelesim uses WINDTRE, Iliad and TIM, Ubigi uses Iliad and WindTre, Nomad uses Iliad and Vodafone, Airalo lists Wind Tre and one other, and Holafly uses Vodafone and WINDTRE. Your phone picks the strongest signal it can reach on the networks its plan allows.
Can I install an Italy eSIM before I fly?
Yes. Install the eSIM at home while you are online, then switch it on and enable data roaming for that line when you land. Pelesim's Italy plan only starts on its first connection in Italy, so installing early costs you no days. Check first that your phone supports eSIM and is carrier unlocked.
