Living in Italy means enjoying tons of great foods, sprawling vistas, and the rich history of this country. However, as a modern country within the 14 Eyes Alliance, Italy is known for ISP surveillance and data collection, where your data can end up in other 14 Eyes countries’ hands.
In addition, like anywhere else, in Italy, you’ll experience geo-restrictions that will prevent you from accessing favorite streaming platforms or foreign TV channels. And if you’re a tourist, you’ll surely want to protect yourself on public WiFi networks that are rest haven for hackers and snoopers.
Don’t worry – the best VPN for Italy in 2024 is here to fix these issues altogether. It’ll encrypt your connection and hide your IP, which will prevent the ISPs in the country to monitor and collect your data. Additionally, it’ll give you the much-needed public WiFi protection for safe browsing.
Finally, a VPN will change your online location to another country, allowing you to unblock geo-restricted platforms for endless streaming. The good thing is that there are many great VPNs for Italy and today, we decided to talk about 5 of them – keep reading.
Best VPN for Italy: The Top 5 Providers
I know I talked about the best VPN providers for people in Italy. However, the goal of this article is to present VPNs for people who live here and those outside of the Italian borders. This means that these providers will be also great for getting an Italian IP and accessing local content abroad.
Thus, the VPN services that you see below have lots of servers in and out of Italy, which makes them usable for both types of users. With everything said, let’s get to the subject in due time, so here’s the list.
1. ExpressVPN
My personal favorite VPN for Italy is ExpressVPN. This provider has servers in 105 countries worldwide, including servers in two cities in Italy – Milan and Cosenza. With 3,000+ worldwide servers, ExpressVPN covers pretty much half of the globe, making it great for Italians and people abroad.
I found this VPN pretty useful for enjoying this beautiful Mediterranean country. It offers 256-bit AES encryption, a reliable kill switch, and IP leak protection, which is great for unsafe public WiFi networks that you’ll use as a tourist.
In addition, ExpressVPN has a well-known Lightway protocol which grants superior speeds and impenetrable security. ExpressVPN is THE fastest VPN provider you can get, which is all the more impressive considering its verified no-logging policy that not many providers have.
I mean, you get performance AND security – very few VPNs will give you that! Needless to say, ExpressVPN will be a reliable streaming companion. It works with Netflix Italy, but if you live in this country, you can unblock Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO Max, and others.
P2P-friendliness is this provider’s forte as well. This means it’s great for torrenting anonymously and avoiding potential legal issues thanks to its rock-solid security. Device support is top-notch here, as ExpressVPN offers native clients for many platforms.
Besides, you can use it on Firestick TV (it’s the best VPN app for Amazon Fire TV Stick), Android TV, Windows, iOS, and even gaming consoles if you’re a passionate gamer. I’ll also mention its 8 simultaneous connections and 24/7 support through live chat, both of which are not only useful but also necessary for a premium VPN like this one.
ExpressVPN gives you an awesome 49% discount + 3 FREE months for its 12-month plan. This awesome deal is accompanied by a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans, making ExpressVPN an even more attractive option for potential users.
Pros
- Fast-speed servers in Italy
- Strict no-logging policy
- Works on all platforms
- Great for watching Netflix US
- IP and DNS leak protection
Con
- It’s not the most affordable VPN
2. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is ExpressVPN’s brother company, so it’s not strange it’s one of the best VPNs for Italy. Compared to its brother, it’s a lot cheaper, though, and offers 210+ servers in the country. The server locations include Rome and Milano, where you get physically-located servers.
This VPN provider has 9,500+ servers globally and once again – this makes it great for those abroad and people residing on Italian soil. Where CyberGhost shines is the server variety, with privacy-focused NoSpy servers and P2P/streaming servers for media consumers.
P2P servers allow for safe torrenting while streaming servers unblock a myriad of streaming platforms. In my testing, CyberGhost worked with many popular streaming platforms, and by many, I think about 10+ at least, including Netflix, Hotstar, BBC, and others.
Next, I want to point out its security. Aside from a no-logs policy with transparency reports, its app is jam-packed with features. You get AES-256 encryption, automatic kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, split tunneling, and WireGuard support.
All of this makes CyberGhost VPN fast, secure, and dependable. Moreover, while its desktop app isn’t the most user-friendly, at least you get native clients for pretty much all platforms. And unlike ExpressVPN, it gives you 7 simultaneous connections and multi-language 24/7 support.
CyberGhost can also be used on Smart TVs for streaming or even on certain router models for protecting all your household devices. However, it can’t be used in China as it doesn’t work there, just in case you’re an Italian interested in seeing The Great Wall of China or the busy streets of Bejing. If this is a problem for you, check out our comparison of VPNs that work in China.
To end on a good note, it’s extremely cheap, boasting a 2-year plan with a huge discount that makes its pricing way below $2.5 a month. To make things sweeter, it includes a 45-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to use this VPN in or outside of Italy risk-free for 45 days.
Pros
- 210+ servers in Milano and Rome
- Suitable for streaming and torrenting
- Stores no logs of your browsing activity
- The 2-year plan is very affordable
- Works with routers and Smart TVs
Cons
- Cluttered desktop app
- Won’t work in China
3. NordVPN
NordVPN won’t offer many Italian servers compared to ExpressVPN or CyberGhost. However, I think its 60+ servers in Milan are more than enough for users abroad. As for those who live here, they’ll see that this VPN for Italy has more than 5,500 servers in 60 or so countries, which isn’t that bad.
The focus of this VPN is security, though. Its app is littered with some of the features I mentioned, including bank-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP leak protection. NordVPN includes a Threat Protection bundle that gives you antivirus, anti-malware, and CyberSec – ad blocker.
Furthermore, the VPN provider offers Dark Web Monitor for notifying you of potential data leaks, as well as Meshnet which you can use to host and join highly-secure LAN parties. Italian users will like its no-logging policy with three security audits from PwC and Deloitte, granting complete privacy.
Double VPN servers are here as well and they can double your encryption if you want to prevent ISP monitoring and surveillance. NordVPN is pretty fast thanks to its NordLynx protocol, which applies to its P2P servers for safe, secure, and fast torrenting.
Despite being somewhat affordable, NordVPN will still work with Netflix and Hulu all while offering modern-looking apps for all devices. I especially like its router support and great performance for gaming which will be useful for fun multiplayer sessions.
NordVPN gives you 6 simultaneous connections, which should be enough for the majority of users. The only bigger downside is that its pricing is displayed without VAT which can and will influence the price in some European and American countries.
If you live in Italy, unfortunately, VAT is 22%, which translates to a 22% more expensive price. Because of that, I’m sure many Italians will think twice before using it, as the price increase makes it almost as expensive as ExpressVPN, yet, not better overall.
Pros
- Double VPN servers for doubling your encryption
- Three security audits from PwC and Deloitte
- NordLynx VPN protocol
- Threat Protection (antivirus + anti-malware)
Cons
- 22% VAT in Italy
- Very rare stability issues on Windows
4. Surfshark
One provider that prides itself on being cheap and affordable is Surfshark. No VAT here and definitely no expensive prices that will ruin the deal. As a great VPN for Italy in 2024, it has secure servers in Rome and Milan for those outside of the country wanting an Italian IP.
This Netherlands-based provider is known for a variety of security features but also its unlimited simultaneous connections. As such, Surfshark lets you protect unlimited devices with one subscription at no additional cost – pretty cool, huh?
That’s not all. It has a verified zero-logging policy, so it won’t store information about your browsing history, IP address, or DNS requests. While not the fastest compared to previous providers, Surfshark is no slouch for streaming and torrenting.
It works well with 25+ Netflix libraries, along with the likes of BBC iPlayer, Rai TV, Peacock TV, and many other services. Security-wise, it has all the features you want from a secure VPN, so you can expect 256-bit encryption along with a kill switch and WireGuard support.
If you want, you can also get Surfshark One, a bonus bundle with antivirus, true incognito mode, and Alert, which functions like the Dark Web Monitor from NordVPN. However, it costs a bit more than a dollar a month on top of your subscription.
With features like MultiHop, NoBorders mode, and many others I mentioned, Surfshark is one of the best cheap VPNs for Italy. And speaking of that, I strongly recommend checking out its 2-year plan that offers the biggest discount and is Surfshark’s cheapest deal.
Here, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscription plans, allowing for a risk-free 30-day testing period. We recommend taking advantage of this special offer because it won’t last forever. As said, you risk nothing by doing so!
Pros
- No limits on simultaneous connections
- MultiHop servers add to the overall security
- Affordable 2-year plan
Cons
- Seldom kill switch issues
- Average speeds
5. ProtonVPN
Last but not least, I want to talk about ProtonVPN, a provider known for top-grade security and privacy. When it comes to its server fleet, ProtonVPN won’t blow you away with 3,000+ servers in 65+ countries. It even has just 36 servers in Milan, so it’s nothing to write home about. At this level, there are better VPNs in Italy.
However, ProtonVPN’s Swiss jurisdiction does wonders for this provider. First of all, it stores absolutely ZERO logs of your activities and IP address, which is mandatory for a 14 Eyes country. Second, it has a boatload of security features that some providers on this list don’t offer.
For instance, ProtonVPN has port forwarding along with Secure Core servers that will triple your encryption by routing your connection through three different servers. ProtonVPN is relatively fast too and I like the addition of the VPN Accelerator feature for boosting your speeds.
With WireGuard and OpenVPN support, you can enjoy stable performance and security across all devices. Now that I mentioned it, ProtonVPN has great apps for iOS and Android that you can use for streaming on Netflix or Amazon Prime Video.
Its P2P-friendly servers are great for PC users who love torrenting frequently. ProtonVPN offers a kill switch and something called NetShield, which is its name for an ad-blocker that, by the way, works flawlessly on both mobile and desktop platforms.
Compared to other providers on the list, it does have a bit of a downside. For instance, it’s a bit more expensive, it has no 24/7 live chat support, and its server list is a lot smaller than, let’s say, ExpressVPN or CyberGhost’s server parks.
However, you can still enjoy its 2-year plan which I recommend for the biggest savings, although these savings aren’t as prevalent as those in CyberGhost or ExpressVPN. Don’t worry – ProtonVPN gives you a 30-day refund period as well if you’re not satisfied!
Pros
- WireGuard support
- Known for rock-solid security and privacy
- Secure Core servers
Cons
- Small server park
- No 24/7 support through live chat for free users
- Expensive plans
Are There Any Good Free VPNs for Italy?
If you want the best possible experience, premium VPN services are the way to go in Italy or elsewhere. But what about free providers? Are any of them any good? Well, I’d lie if I said that all free providers are inherently bad but if I’m honest, most of them are not worth your time.
In 99% of the cases, free providers will limit your monthly bandwidth and give you slow speeds with outdated protocols. This will result in poor performance that won’t be enough for browsing, streaming, or even downloading torrents.
Those living outside of Italy will see that free providers also have no servers in this country. In that case, they won’t be able to get an Italian IP for accessing Italian local content abroad. Another glaring issue of free providers lies in security and privacy.
Let’s be honest – free VPNs aren’t as secure as paid ones, except for a few rare instances. Free providers offer very few security features and to be able to earn money, they must store your data, which they later sell to third parties, as they don’t earn anything from subscriptions.
Right now, I can recommend trying three free providers that are safe and secure but they have other limits that make them poor choices for this country:
Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN is a solid free VPN for Italy. Granted, it offers no servers on Italian soil but you do get three locations in the Netherlands and the US. As a free provider, Atlas VPN offers more than great performance and its speeds aren’t very slow, as is the case with ProtonVPN Free.
Another perk lies in streaming and torrenting. The provider supports both and even works with Netflix US, which is pretty handy. The VPN is simple to use, offering apps for all platforms. Not to mention the presence of AES-256 encryption, WireGuard, and a kill switch in the free version!
While many free options keep logs, this one doesn’t – and it has a security audit to prove it. Sadly, its biggest downside is the bandwidth cap. Each free user gets 5 GB of monthly bandwidth, which won’t be enough for basic browsing, let alone extensive torrenting and streaming.
Italian VPN users won’t be happy that Atlas VPN has no simultaneous connections and 24/7 live chat support in the free plan either. In the end, you get what you pay for. And when you pay for nothing, you get… well, almost nothing worth your time!
Hide.me
Hide.me has 5 server locations – 2 in the US and one in the Netherlands, Canada, and Germany. Of course, it gives you no servers in Italy, so getting an Italian IP will be impossible. Not to mention its 10 GB of monthly bandwidth which won’t be enough for two days of web browsing or streaming.
On the good side, Hide.me offers lots of security features in the free version and it has a no-logs policy for the highest level of privacy. However, its usability is questionable and you won’t be able to enjoy it that much due to the aforementioned limitations.
The provider offers several paid plans that make it so much better. Albeit, these plans aren’t more capable than ExpressVPN or CyberGhost’s plans. That said, if you decide to go the premium route, the 5 providers we presented are much better options.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN’s free version has 3 server locations in the US, Japan, and the Netherlands. Its speeds are very slow and the performance you get is sluggish most of the time. It has no streaming or P2P support and it won’t work with Netflix.
Unlike Hide.me, it gives you unlimited bandwidth, great security, and a no-logs policy. But with very few possibilities, ProtonVPN is somewhat decent only for casual browsing if you don’t need an Italian IP address and you don’t mind its poor performance.
If you do need an IP from Italy, you can perhaps use TunnelBear – another free option. This one has 2 GB of traffic a month, which is critically low. As you can see, we’re just juggling between different compromises and shortcomings with free VPNs. That’s not the case with our top 5 paid choices.
Is AirVPN a Good VPN for Italy?
One VPN I think about when I discuss the best providers for Italy is AirVPN. AirVPN is a well-known Italian provider (based in Italy) that has a strict no-logging policy and tons of useful security features. Mind you, it’s also not free, although its pricing structure is straightforward and relatively cheap.
AirVPN is made for advanced users who know what they’re doing, with a fully customizable connection and interface. This means it’s not great for beginners and those looking for a simple plug-and-play experience.
In addition, AirVPN is based in Italy, which is a prime member of the 14 Eyes alliance. This territory isn’t great for a VPN service due to data retention laws and surveillance. With average speeds and poor streaming capabilities, AirVPN isn’t a provider that the average user will enjoy.
Coupled with a complex interface, unresponsive support, and just 200 worldwide servers (yes, you’ve read it well), AirVPN isn’t a good choice even considering its price that’s more expensive than CyberGhost or Surfshark.
You might be an Italian patriot who likes using domestic products but hey, AirVPN still needs a lot of upgrades to make it on our list of the best VPNs in Italy. Until then, you can use some of the providers from the list above – all of them are a lot better than AirVPN.
Conclusion
As a very developed European country, Italy is home to some of the greatest sights on the planet. Unfortunately, very advanced technological development means that the country is known for ISP surveillance and data collection which is typical for 5/9/14 Eyes countries.
With a highly secure VPN for Italy, you can avoid this issue and preserve your privacy with a single click of a mouse. The VPNs we presented are great even for people outside of the country who just want an Italian IP to watch Rai Uno, Netflix Italy, or enjoy Italian online bookies abroad.
As said, we recommend ExpressVPN first and foremost, and although it’s not the cheapest, it offers uncompromising performance and security. CyberGhost, NordVPN, and Surfshark are great budget choices, with ProtonVPN being a bit more expensive.
In the end, all providers are safe and secure and all of them have non-conditional refund periods. This makes it easy to test them risk-free and enjoy what they have to offer even if it is for a limited period.
VPN in and outside Italy – FAQ
Let’s address a few questions I haven’t answered so far.
Can I download torrents in Italy?
Without a VPN, it’s quite risky to download torrents in European countries. Italy also blocked many torrent sites such as The Pirate Bay, so the site and its proxies are inaccessible in the country. Using a VPN in Italy can help you fix this issue.
By changing your IP to another country, you can unblock any torrent site and download torrents anonymously, even if we’re talking about copyrighted torrents. But, as always, I’ll point out that we do NOT condone or encourage downloading copyrighted material. Respect the copyright holder and buy the product you want.
How to watch Italian TV abroad?
If you find yourself abroad in a foreign country, you can still access Rai Uno, Italia, La5, and other channels easily. Simply use a VPN to change your IP to Italy and access any local content no matter your location.
That is if the VPN that you’re using has servers in Italy. To make sure this is the case, use any of the providers from our list. All of them have servers in this country that will allow you to access the channels you want anywhere.
Will a VPN let me watch Netflix US in Italy?
Yes, it will, as long as you’re using a provider that works with Netflix US. Luckily, all providers on the list work with this library, so all you need to do is get a US IP address with any of them.
Beware that free providers won’t let you unblock Netflix US, so keep that in mind when trying to access the platform.
