When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.
How to Watch RaiPlay in the USA in 2024
Last updated March 25, 2024
RaiPlay (formerly Rai TV) is the premiere service for all your Italian entertainment needs. Watch beloved series like Un Professore, movies like Amanda, catch Serie A matches, and more - all in one place. However, RaiPlay is only available in Italy. This means that even if you already have an account, you won't be able to watch anything on it if you travel outside Italy.
To watch RaiPlay in the USA, you’ll need to use a VPN to change your IP address to Italy. This will make it look like you're located in the country, so RaiPlay will allow you access.
We’ll show you how to watch RaiPlay outside Italy in the guide below. To save you time, we’ll also list the best VPNs for the job and explain why you need one. Then, we’ll add a short watch guide for when it’s time to get cozy on movie night. Lastly, we’ll answer several FAQs we’ve seen people ask online.
How to Watch RaiPlay in the USA
To stream RaiPlay in the USA, all you have to do is connect to an Italian VPN server. This will trick the service into believing you’re physically located in Italy. Full guide below:
- Get a VPN that can unblock RaiPlay outside Italy (we recommend NordVPN).
- Install the VPN on your PC or mobile device.
- Launch the app and connect to a server in Italy (e.g., Milan).
- Visit the RaiPlay website and click on the "Accedi" button in the top-right of the home page.
- Click the “Registrati” tab and then press “Crea un Account Rai” to register for a RaiPlay account.
- Registering with a social media account? Make sure your location isn’t listed on it.
- We suggest signing up via email address, so enter all your information and create a password.
- Add your birthday and gender, and check the first box to allow cookies.
- Press the "Registrati" button to finish up.
- That's it! Now you can pick a show or movie and watch RaiPlay in the USA.
To watch through the RaiPlay app, create a separate Google account or Apple ID with an Italian billing address. That will allow you to access the Italian versions of the Play Store and App Store so you can download the Rai TV app. Of course, you'll have to be connected to an Italian VPN server, too.
Should You Use a VPN for Streaming RaiPlay Outside Italy?
Yes, you should use a VPN for streaming RaiPlay outside Italy because that's the only country the platform is available in. You can't access it from the USA as Rai TV has to comply with licensing agreements and broadcast restrictions, especially for sports. Considering Rai’s main audience is mainly Italian, this is unlikely to change any time in the future.
Attempting to play most videos on RaiPlay in the USA will yield the following geo-block message: “Siamo spiacenti. RAI detiene i diritti per lo streaming del contenuto esclusivamente per connessioni dell'Italia. The streaming of this content is available in Italy only. We apologize for the inconvenience.”
Weirdly enough, you can access RaiPlay outside Italy without a VPN and even stream some free content like talk shows. (Most streaming sites completely block viewers in unsupported regions.) Regardless, you can enjoy unrestricted RaiPlay international streaming with a VPN. All you have to do is connect to an Italian server, which will assign you an Italian IP address and fool RaiPlay into giving you full access.
Naturally, not every VPN will do the job. That’s because Rai and similar services block VPN IP addresses to maintain their region exclusivity. Luckily, premium providers have the resources to refresh their IP tables often. On top of that, some of them implement obfuscation methods to hide the fact that you’re using a VPN, letting you stream without interruptions.
NordVPN is our top choice because it has 60+ servers in 2 Italian cities that can easily unblock RaiPlay from the US. Moreover, it delivers blazing-fast speeds for streaming without any annoying buffering.
The Best VPNs to Unblock RaiPlay in the USA
A suitable VPN should be able to unblock RaiPlay in the USA (and everywhere else) while securing your data. It should also work well with other streamers. This means the provider should implement some form of obfuscation and maintain a substantial server network in Italy. It should also provide sufficient global servers in case you want to watch something else.
The VPN should provide remarkable speeds and performance, whether you’re streaming from the US or abroad. A kill switch is vital to prevent streaming platforms from detecting your actual location. Strict privacy measures like a zero-logs policy and advanced AES-256 encryption are important. Make sure it has the best available protocols, too, such as WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Naturally, the VPN should work on all popular systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, etc.) and offer enough simultaneous connections for all your gadgets. Make sure it has affordably priced plans. Plus, a robust money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat are nice safety nets if the service isn’t what you expected.
Based on the criteria above, these are the best VPNs for streaming Rai TV in the USA:
- NordVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch RaiPlay in the USA
- Surfshark - Unlimited Connections VPN to Watch Rai TV in the USA
- ExpressVPN - Watch RaiPlay Outside Italy with Stealth Servers
1. NordVPN - Our #1-Rated VPN to Watch RaiPlay in the USA
NordVPN is the best VPN for unblocking RaiPlay in the USA, as it comes with a massive network of 6,200+ servers in 111 countries worldwide. This includes 60+ Italian servers in Milan and Rome. Plus, each server is equipped with the SmartPlay feature, which uses smart DNS elements to evade geo-blocks. This makes it a great option for unblocking other streaming services besides RaiPlay.
NordVPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, surpassing other providers in speed and performance. You won't experience annoying buffering on Rai TV in the USA. Most RaiPlay content is only available in 720p, so no issues on this end anyway.
The provider’s obfuscated servers (also available in Italy) are ideal for navigating strict networks (e.g., school, work). Furthermore, NordVPN’s specialty servers (double VPN, Onion-over-VPN, P2P) cater to diverse needs outside streaming. There’s also a kill switch to keep your IP concealed during potential disconnects.
Privacy and security-wise, NordVPN offers a strict no-logs policy, all the latest protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, NordLynx), and impenetrable encryption (AES-256, ChaCha20). Suffice to say, you won’t have to worry about any brute-force cyber attacks in your day-to-day browsing.
NordVPN is supported on a wide variety of devices, whether you’re running Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, or others. A single subscription gets you 10 simultaneous connections, which is more than enough for the average household.
You can get a 2-year plan for just $3.39 per month, which is quite the bargain considering what NordVPN offers. Finally, it has a refund period of 30 days, during which you can test their service at your leisure. 24/7 live chat support is available if you have any questions or issues.
PROS
- Ultra-fast performance.
- Unblocks RaiPlay from anywhere.
- 6,200+ servers worldwide.
- Stealth servers + SmartPlay feature.
- 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Some servers aren’t obfuscated.
2. Surfshark - Unlimited Connections VPN to Watch Rai TV in the USA
Surfshark is another great VPN to get Rai TV outside Italy. On top of its smart DNS feature, Surfshark also implements the advanced Nexus technology for easy IP rotation. The VPN unblocks RaiPlay in the USA without a hitch, as well as other streaming platforms. You also have 3,200+ servers in 100 countries (including Italian server coverage in Milan and Rome) to explore any content you want.
Performance and speeds are excellent, although initial connection times could use some improvement on more remote servers. Regardless, once the connection is made, it's very fast. We had no issues streaming movies or live content on RaiPlay in the USA and overseas.
Surfshark is equipped with a trusty kill switch, which prevents unwanted IP leaks during disconnects. Meanwhile, you can use Camouflage Mode to stay under the radar on restrictive public networks.
Surfshark does not log or store any of your data, with an independent audit confirming these claims. As expected, the VPN has all the tried-and-tested encryption protocols, such as AES-256-enabled OpenVPN and IKEv2, plus the high-speed WireGuard option with ChaCha20 encryption.
You can use Surfshark on Mac, Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and many other systems. And great news: you can use the VPN on unlimited devices simultaneously. If you’ve got friends or extended family in need of a budget VPN, chip in for a Surfshark subscription, and you’re set.
Surfshark packs a lot of value into an inexpensive subscription. Their 2-year plan is the most cost effective at $2.29 per month. As always, it provides 24/7 live chat support for troubleshooting purposes. And, of course, you get 30 days to test out the service risk-free.
PROS
- Budget-friendly VPN.
- Camouflage Mode (stealth feature).
- Nexus (better speeds + IP rotation).
- Unlimited simultaneous connections.
- 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
CONS
- Initial connection times could improve.
3. ExpressVPN - Watch RaiPlay Outside Italy with Stealth Servers
ExpressVPN made our list because it can easily unblock Rai TV in the USA, along with plenty of other services from around the world. It boasts a 3,000+ server network in 105 countries (with server clusters in Cosenza and Naples in Italy). They all come with built-in obfuscation to hide your VPN activity, making avoiding geo-restrictions effortless.
As usual, ExpressVPN excels in terms of speed and performance, with its obfuscation feature having little to no effect on streaming quality. You’ll enjoy RaiPlay TV outside Italy without interruptions, whether you prefer live sports on Rai Sport or wish to explore its selection of on-demand movies and shows.
Keep your IP a secret at any time with ExpressVPN’s powerful kill switch, and never worry about getting blocked by streaming sites again. The provider also maintains a strict zero-logs policy, independently audited to guarantee maximum privacy.
ExpressVPN comes with several industry-standard protocols, including AES-256-enabled OpenVPN and IKEv2 and the in-house Lightway option (with WolfSSL encryption). The latter is better suited for streaming without sacrificing anything in terms of security.
ExpressVPN delivers streamlined apps for PCs, smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and everything in between. There’s even a router app you can use to secure all your household devices. You also get up to 8 simultaneous connections with every plan, which is pretty generous.
This provider does fall on the higher end of the price range. Its most cost-effective option is the annual plan for $6.67 monthly. All plans are backed by a robust 30-day money-back guarantee. Finally, ExpressVPN offers expert 24/7 live chat services to remedy any issues you encounter.
PROS
- Streamlined apps.
- Great streaming support.
- Full stealth network worldwide.
- 8 simultaneous connections.
- 24/7 live chat.
- 30-day money-back plan.
CONS
- Can be pricey for some.
What to Watch on RaiPlay in the USA?
RaiPlay is home to a wide variety of Italian and foreign entertainment, including shows like Un Professore and Confusi, newer horror entries like Shadows and Saw VI, and beloved American musicals like La La Land.
Sports enthusiasts can enjoy live events and clips from Serie A, Giro d’Italia, the Davis Cup, and more. There’s something for everybody, whether you’re into soccer, tennis, cycling, fencing, skiing, and so on.
Once you’re done setting things up, here are a few more titles you should watch on RaiPlay in the USA:
Can I Stream RaiPlay Outside Italy with a Free VPN?
Yes, you can stream RaiPlay outside Italy with a free VPN, but we don't recommend trying that. Free providers have a number of drawbacks that make them unsuitable for streaming. First, they don't have Italian servers, so they can't unblock RaiPlay. They also lack necessary security and privacy measures.
Free VPNs usually have limited bandwidth, a small selection of servers, and slow speeds - none of which is conducive to streaming. Moreover, they often collect your data and sometimes even sell it to make up for the fact that they're offering free services. This is why we suggest using a premium VPN free trial instead.
Your best option is the NordVPN free trial, which is available for 7 days on Android. For other devices, you can take advantage of its 30-day refund period to try it out free of risk. When the trial is over, if you decide to keep using a VPN, you can choose from one of the best VPN providers that we've reviewed extensively.
Final Thoughts
RaiPlay is a great way to experience a wide variety of Italian entertainment (and live sports) for free. Unfortunately, most of its on-demand content is only available within Italy. If you live or travel outside Italy, you won't be able to watch Rai TV. That said, there is a handy workaround. You can always grab a reliable VPN to watch RaiPlay outside Italy by skipping all the nonsense geo-blocks.
We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN to watch RaiPlay in the USA. You’ll get to unlock a wide array of entertainment with NordVPN’s robust worldwide and Italian server network, as well as its advanced SmartPlay feature. Enjoy seamless streaming thanks to its lightning-fast speeds.
That’s all you need to know about how to watch RaiPlay in the USA. Feel free to comment below if you have any other questions on the topic. Thanks for reading!
Related
