Not only is it free, but you don’t even need an account to watch RaiPlay online. All 14 Rai TV channels are available to live stream without logging in.

However, by creating a Rai account you’ll gain access to the broadcaster’s on-demand library, as well as the ability to download shows and switch seamlessly between devices. All it requires is your name, email address and date of birth.

Traveling outside Italy? You can use a VPN to watch RaiPlay free of charge as if you were right at home. NordVPN is our top pick of the options.

RaiPlay is an Italian service that doesn’t operate anywhere else. In other words, the moment you leave the country your access will be cut off.

That’s where a VPN comes in handy – not only does it let you tap into your home streaming services from anywhere, it also protects you from potential online threats.

Amazon Fire Stick
Android (7.1 and up)
Android TV (5.0 and up)
Apple TV (tvOS 13.4 and up)
Chromecast
iOS (13.3 and up)
iPadOS
Web browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)

Although you can’t run NordVPN directly on other devices, such as PlayStation and Xbox consoles, TVs running Apple TV and various other smart TV systems, and VR headsets, an easy workaround is running NordVPN on your smartphone or computer and setting up a hotspot.

RaiPlay’s live sports offering is arguably the best thing about it.

It holds the rights to Italy national football team games, the Coppa Italia, Italy national rugby team games (including the 2025 Autumn Internationals and Six Nations), tennis (including the ATP Finals), loads of cycling throughout the year (including the Giro d’Italia), regular athletics and swimming meets, and Serie A basketball.

It’s also home to major events like the World Cup, Olympics, Paralympics, Winter Olympics and European Championships, as well as niche disciplines, such as alpine skiing, canoeing, volleyball and fencing.

Incorporating 14 channels, the RaiPlay library is enormous.

Inspector Montalbano, Il paradiso delle signore, Hype, Il Collegio, Un posto al sole, Il commissario Ricciardi, Noi del Rione Sanità, Màkari, Blanca, La ricetta della felicità, Balene, Una pallottola nel cuore and Nathan K. are some of its flagship properties.

It also hosts a good selection of international titles, such as S.W.A.T., Normal People, NCIS, Professor T and Wild Cards, plus Saturday night and daytime staples like Ballando con le Stelle, Belve and Tale e Quale Show.