Best eSIM for Italy (2026): Saily vs. Airalo vs. Holafly Compared
Aktualisiert: vor 2 Tagen
Disclosure: TechNovice is supported by affiliate partnerships. Saily is a partner of this site, but this recommendation is based on my own documented field testing in Italy and separate provider research. I may earn a commission if you buy through TechNovice at no additional cost to you.
I tested Saily myself in Naples, Como and Monza across eight documented measurements between September 4 and 6, 2026. Based on those field tests, Saily is my overall eSIM pick for Italy. I recorded a median download speed of 76.23 Mbps, with results ranging from 3.56 Mbps to 625.09 Mbps.
My main takeaway is that Saily was easily fast enough for the travel tasks I actually care about, including maps, messaging, streaming and hotspot use. Performance varied substantially by location, so I would not treat the 625.09 Mbps peak as typical.
Airalo remains worth comparing if you want a large fixed-data package, while Holafly is the stronger alternative if unlimited data is your main priority. I did not run equivalent side-by-side Italy field tests of all three providers, so I do not claim Saily is universally faster.
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Key facts
My overall pick: Saily
Tested by: Nico Dudli, TechNovice founder
Italy field tests: 8
Locations: Naples, Como and Monza
Test period: September 4–6, 2026
Median download: 76.23 Mbps
Median upload: 11.87 Mbps
Median latency: 94 ms
Download range: 3.56–625.09 Mbps
Confirmed Saily roaming partners: TIM, WINDTRE and Iliad
Best for large fixed-data packages: Airalo
Best for unlimited data: Holafly
Italian +39 number: Not included with Saily's standard data plan
Optional phone number: Separate US +1 call/text add-on
Why I recommend Saily for Italy
I recommend Saily because I have personally tested it in three Italian locations instead of relying only on provider specifications.
The most useful number from my Italy dataset is not the 625.09 Mbps peak. For me, the 76.23 Mbps median download across all eight measurements is much more meaningful because it better reflects the middle of what I actually experienced.
At around 76 Mbps, I had more than enough bandwidth for the things I normally need while travelling:
Google Maps
WhatsApp and FaceTime
social media
HD streaming
cloud apps
laptop hotspot use
My personal conclusion is that Saily delivered more performance than I would normally need on an Italy trip.
The fastest result reached 625.09 Mbps. At that level, I would comfortably use the connection for large cloud transfers, 4K video uploads, video conferencing and heavy hotspot use.
The slowest result was 3.56 Mbps. That is much more limited, but I would still expect basic messaging, map checks and light browsing to work.
For me, that spread is the important lesson: Saily can be extremely fast in Italy, but local conditions matter far more than a single headline speed.
How fast was Saily in my Italy tests?
Across my eight documented measurements in Naples, Como and Monza, I recorded a median download speed of 76.23 Mbps and a median upload speed of 11.87 Mbps.
My Italy field testing | Result |
|---|---|
Documented measurements | 8 |
Median download | 76.23 Mbps |
Median upload | 11.87 Mbps |
Median latency | 94 ms |
Fastest download | 625.09 Mbps |
Slowest download | 3.56 Mbps |
Test period | September 4–6, 2026 |
For me, the median is much more useful than the arithmetic average. My average download across the eight tests was about 212 Mbps, but several very fast results pull that number upward and make the experience look more consistently fast than it actually was.
My fastest Italy result: 625.09 Mbps
The 625.09 Mbps peak shows the upper end of what I experienced.
At this level, mobile data is not the bottleneck for normal travel use. I would comfortably use that connection for:
large file uploads
cloud transfers
4K video uploads
video conferencing
laptop tethering
I would not, however, use this single result to describe typical Saily performance in Italy.
My slowest Italy result: 3.56 Mbps
The 3.56 Mbps low point shows the other side of real mobile travel.
I would still use a connection like this for:
WhatsApp messages
quick map checks
light browsing
I would not rely on it for demanding remote work or large transfers.
For me, the 76.23 Mbps median is therefore the most representative headline figure.
Which mobile networks did Saily use in Italy?
I asked Saily support directly which roaming partners it uses in Italy. On July 5, 2026, support confirmed TIM, WINDTRE and Iliad.
I keep this provider information separate from my Speedtest data.
I do not infer the mobile network from Speedtest server names. A Speedtest server can reflect routing or test infrastructure rather than the radio network serving the phone.
My view is that access to several Italian roaming partners is useful because performance can vary by exact location, but it does not guarantee that the phone will always connect to the fastest available network.
Signal strength, congestion, roaming arrangements and automatic network selection can all affect the result.
Saily vs. Airalo vs. Holafly for Italy
I would personally choose Saily for most Italy trips because it is the provider I have actually field-tested there. Airalo and Holafly remain stronger for specific priorities.
Provider | Best for | My take |
|---|---|---|
Saily | Overall choice with direct Italy field testing | My first choice for most travelers |
Airalo | Large fixed-data packages | Worth comparing if its current package fits your trip better |
Holafly | Travelers prioritizing unlimited data | Stronger if you do not want to monitor data usage |
Local Italian SIM/eSIM | Travelers needing an Italian +39 number | Better if you need local Italian mobile services |
For Italy, I previously verified Airalo information showing WINDTRE plus Vodafone and Iliad, while Holafly listed TIM, Vodafone Italia and WINDTRE. These provider details can change as roaming agreements evolve.
I have not conducted simultaneous Italy speed tests of Saily, Airalo and Holafly on the same device, in the same location and at the same time.
I therefore do not claim that Saily is objectively faster than either competitor.
What I can say is that Saily is the provider I can evaluate most confidently in Italy because I personally used and measured it there.
Saily also includes web protection, ad blocking and virtual-location features from the Nord Security ecosystem.
I consider those useful extras, but they are not evidence of better mobile-network performance.
For dedicated comparisons, see my Saily vs. Airalo and Holafly vs. Saily guides.
Which eSIM would I choose for an Italy trip?
For my own Italy trip, I would choose Saily again unless I specifically needed unlimited data or a local Italian number.
My decision would be:
Saily if I wanted the option I have personally tested
Airalo if its current fixed-data package fitted my trip better
Holafly if unlimited data was my main priority
A local Italian SIM/eSIM if I needed a +39 number
For normal travel use, I personally would not automatically buy unlimited data.
Google Maps, messaging, restaurant searches, browsing and moderate social media use usually do not require huge allowances. Heavy hotspot use, video uploads and remote work can justify more data.
For current package details, I keep plan information in my Saily eSIM plans guide.
Does Saily give you an Italian phone number?
No. Saily's standard Italy data plan does not include a local Italian +39 phone number.
Saily separately offers an optional virtual US +1 phone number with calls and texts.
I think this distinction matters because simply calling Saily “data-only” is no longer the full picture.
The eSIM itself does not provide an Italian number, but the separate +1 service can be useful if you want an additional travel number.
For most tourists, I would not consider the missing +39 number a major problem because WhatsApp, FaceTime and similar apps work over the Saily data connection.
If I specifically needed an Italian number for local calls, registrations or SMS verification, I would choose a local Italian SIM or eSIM.
Italy plan or Europe regional eSIM?
I would choose an Italy plan for an Italy-only trip and compare it with a Europe regional plan if I were visiting several countries.
If my itinerary also included Switzerland, France, Austria or Slovenia, I would compare a regional plan with separate country plans before buying.
Exact allowances, validity periods and prices can change, so I would make that decision based on the current offer rather than a static price table.
EU travelers should also check their existing mobile plan first. If sufficient roaming in Italy is already included, I would not buy an additional eSIM unnecessarily.
How I would set up Saily for Italy
I prefer installing a travel eSIM before departure while I still have reliable Wi-Fi.
My recommended setup is:
Install Saily before travelling.
Select Saily as the mobile-data line.
Enable data roaming for the Saily profile.
Keep network selection automatic initially.
Only troubleshoot manually if the connection does not establish itself.
For detailed instructions, see my Saily setup guide for iPhone and Saily Android setup guide.
If the connection does not work after arrival, I would first toggle Airplane Mode and then try another supported roaming partner if manual network selection is available.
For more detailed fixes, see my Saily troubleshooting guide.
Who should not choose Saily for Italy?
I would not recommend Saily to everyone.
I would choose something else if I:
specifically needed an Italian +39 phone number
preferred an unlimited-data-focused plan
already had generous EU roaming included
wanted a long-term local Italian mobile plan
needed guaranteed performance in every location
For a normal tourist trip where I mainly needed navigation, messaging, bookings, streaming and occasional hotspot use, I would choose Saily.
FAQ
What is the best eSIM for Italy in 2026?
My overall pick is Saily because I personally tested it across eight documented measurements in Naples, Como and Monza.
I recorded a 76.23 Mbps median download speed, with results ranging from 3.56 Mbps to 625.09 Mbps. Airalo remains worth comparing for large fixed-data packages, while Holafly is better suited to travelers prioritizing unlimited data.
Is Saily fast in Italy?
In my testing, yes overall, but performance varied substantially.
Across my eight measurements, the median download speed was 76.23 Mbps, the median upload speed was 11.87 Mbps, and downloads ranged from 3.56 Mbps to 625.09 Mbps.
For me, the median is the most useful number because it better reflects the middle of my real-world results.
What networks does Saily use in Italy?
When I asked Saily support directly on July 5, 2026, I was told that TIM, WINDTRE and Iliad were the Italian roaming partners.
I keep that provider confirmation separate from my Speedtest server data.
Does Saily give you an Italian phone number?
No.
Saily's standard Italy data plan does not provide a +39 number. Saily separately offers an optional US +1 number with calls and texts.
If I specifically needed an Italian number, I would choose a local Italian SIM or eSIM.
Do I need an eSIM for Italy if my plan already includes EU roaming?
Probably not.
If my existing plan already included sufficient high-speed data in Italy at no meaningful extra cost, I would use that instead of buying another eSIM.
About my Italy test and methodology
I personally conducted the eight Italy measurements used in this review.
My tests were recorded in Naples, Como and Monza between September 4 and September 6, 2026.
Across those tests, I measured:
Median download: 76.23 Mbps
Median upload: 11.87 Mbps
Median latency: 94 ms
Download range: 3.56–625.09 Mbps
I use the median as my primary summary statistic because several very fast measurements pull the arithmetic average upward.
My average download across the eight tests was approximately 212.12 Mbps, but I do not think that number represents the typical middle of my experience as well as the 76.23 Mbps median.
I separate my own measurements from provider information.
I personally measured the speeds described in this article. The information that Saily uses TIM, WINDTRE and Iliad in Italy came from my direct support inquiry.
I also treat Speedtest server names only as test infrastructure and never as proof of the underlying mobile carrier.
Finally, these results reflect my own tests, devices, locations and dates. Mobile performance can change with congestion, terrain, roaming agreements, routing and exact position.
My recommendation is therefore based on what I personally measured and experienced in Italy, not on a claim that every traveler will receive identical performance.