Have you ever bought proxies from a bad provider and faced ruined projects, wasted time, and lost money? If not, count yourself lucky. Follow our expert guidance to choose the right proxy provider and avoid these issues.
Many proxy providers rely on hype rather than quality, leaving users dissatisfied. We’ve researched the market to identify The Best Proxy Services for residential, mobile, and datacenter proxies, ensuring you find top options in this guide.
Comparison of The Best Proxy Services
After extensive research, we have identified The Top 10 Proxy Services from a pool of about 70 providers.
We considered various factors, including compatibility with popular web services, speed, security, uptime, and customer support. Here are our top picks.
List of Details of Best Proxies Providers
Brightdata – Luminati Proxy – Best proxy overall
1. Bright Data (Luminati) – Overall Best Provider
Experts’ #1 for Scraping
Bright Data (formerly Luminati Proxy Networks) is offering a $250 discount for new sign-ups!
Luminati Residential Proxies for Minecraft
Bright Data excels in datacenter, residential, and mobile proxies. Although datacenter proxies are less favored due to cost, their residential and mobile proxies are secure, fast, and widely compatible. For web scraping, Bright Data’s residential proxies are the top choice.
Pros & Cons of Bright Data (Luminati):
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Over 72 million IPs | Expensive pricing |
| Excellent location support | Slow email support |
| 7-day free trial | Not the easiest to use |
| Full session control | Limited bandwidth usage with all plans |
| Compatible with all web services | |
| Impressive uptime and performance | |
| Proxy API, Luminati Manager, and Chrome extension |
Luminati Web Data Extraction
Bright Data’s web data extraction services offer powerful and efficient tools for your data scraping needs.
Excellent Location Support
Bright Data offers unmatched location support, with proxies available in every country, state, and major city. Users can easily select proxies for specific geographic regions, ensuring excellent geo-targeting.
Largest Proxy Network
Bright Data boasts the largest proxy network, with over 72 million residential IP addresses, over 7 million mobile IP addresses, and more than 700,000 datacenter IPs. No other provider offers such an extensive proxy pool.
Perfect Session Control
Bright Data’s residential proxies offer top-tier IP rotation, with options for changing IP addresses after each request or at specified intervals, ensuring a new session with every IP change.
Soax – Cleanest Proxy Pool
2. Soax – Best Mobile Proxies
Cleanest Pool for Instagram Automation
Soax specializes in mobile proxies with a clean, well-maintained IP pool. While Bright Data is the top overall provider, Soax is highly recommended for mobile proxies due to its quality, global coverage, and flexible payment plans.
Pros & Cons of Soax:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Flexible pricing | Free trial limited to one hour |
| Easy to use | High pricing despite flexible payment options |
| Supports around 120 countries | High latency |
| Large IP pool | |
| Acceptable connection speed |
Large Mobile Proxy Pool
Soax offers one of the largest mobile proxy pools, with over 3.5 million IPs, surpassed only by Bright Data. This extensive pool makes Soax a leading choice in mobile proxies.
Flexible Pricing
Soax offers flexible payment options, including daily, weekly, and monthly plans. However, their pricing is considered high when compared to other providers’ monthly plans.
Compatible with Instagram Automation
Soax’s mobile proxies are highly effective for Instagram automation, bypassing stringent anti-spam measures. They are also compatible with popular SEO tools and ideal for web scraping and other proxy applications.
Smartproxy – Best Price-Performance Proxies
3. Smartproxy – Fast Residential Proxies | One Of The Best Proxy Services
Best Value for the Money
Bright Data is the top overall proxy provider, while Smartproxy excels in residential proxies, often matching or exceeding Bright Data’s performance. Smartproxy offers dedicated US datacenter proxies, flexible pricing, easy setup, and responsive support.
Pros & Cons of Smartproxy:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Premium residential proxies | All plans include limited bandwidth usage |
| Over 40 million IPs from ~195 countries | No free trial available |
| Flexible pricing for all business sizes | |
| Compatible with various use cases | |
| Easy integration | |
| Excellent customer support | |
| 3-day money-back guarantee |
Smartproxy Residential Plans
Flexible Pricing
Smartproxy offers great value with plans starting at $80, significantly lower than Bright Data’s $500 minimum. Despite bandwidth limits based on the plan, Smartproxy delivers effective service comparable to Bright Data.
Excellent Location Support with a Large IP Pool
Smartproxy supports proxies in approximately 195 countries, covering most major cities. They offer a vast pool of over 40 million residential IPs, minimizing the risk of IP blocks.
Free Tools & Apps
Smartproxy offers free tools for easy integration, including X Browser, Smart Scraper, and browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome. Code integrations in six programming languages are also available on their GitHub.
Proxy Address Generator
Smartproxy includes support for proxy address generation. While their service is a rotating proxy with millions of IP addresses, the Proxy Generator tool allows you to dynamically create proxy lists with your active Smartproxy subscription.
4. IPRoyal – Best Authentic Proxies
Ethically-Sourced Residential Proxies
IPRoyal offers ethically-sourced residential proxies, providing high anonymity and security at an affordable price. They also offer datacenter and mobile proxies.
Datacenter Proxies
Renowned for fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth, ideal for streaming, gaming, and automation.
Mobile Proxies
Sourced from a 5G/4G residential cellular network pool, offering unlimited bandwidth and auto-rotation for enhanced performance.
Pros & Cons of IPRoyal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Ethically-sourced residential proxies | Average-size proxy pool |
| Over 2 million IPs globally | |
| Affordable pay-as-you-go pricing | |
| HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 support with dual authentication | |
| Sticky and rotating sessions | |
| Non-expiring traffic | |
| Easy integration with API support | |
| Fast speeds and high uptime |
Ethically-Sourced Proxies: Genuine user IPs ensure high anonymity and security.
Advanced Session Control:
Randomized and sticky IP options for flexible session management.
Affordable Proxies:
Pay-as-you-go with non-expiring traffic for cost-effective usage.
5. SimplyNode — Ideal for No-Commitment and Non-Expiring Proxy Bandwidth
Traffic Does Not Expire
SimplyNode, a newer service, provides an impressive pool of 50 million undetectable, ethically sourced residential IPs. It features excellent location support, rotating and sticky ports, superior session management, and cost-effective pricing.
Pros & Cons of SimplyNode:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large pool of IP addresses | No free trial available |
| Extensive location support with granular targeting | Speed is slightly below average |
| No minimum monetary commitment | |
| Supports HTTP(S), SOCKS5, and UDP protocols | |
| Bandwidth does not expire |
Non-Expiry Bandwidth Offer
SimplyNode stands out with a non-expiry bandwidth offer, allowing unused bandwidth to remain available indefinitely, unlike most providers with 30 to 60-day limits. This provides unparalleled flexibility.
List of Blocked Sites
To maintain ethical standards, SimplyNode blocks access to certain types of websites by default, including government domains, financial services, and some news sites. These restrictions are implemented for legal and ethical reasons.
Precise Geo-Location Targeting
SimplyNode excels in geo-location targeting, offering precise IPs down to the city and ISP level. However, be cautious with highly specific targeting, as it may limit the number of available IPs if the target location is less common
6. Proxy-IPv4 — Best Private Proxy for Rental Terms
Proxy-IPv4
Proxy-IPv4 offers a variety of proxy types, including data center IPv4/IPv6, rotating mobile, and dedicated private proxies. Its flexible rental terms allow users to test different solutions for at least three days with minimal upfront cost.
Pros & Cons of Proxy-IPv4:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols | Limited availability of specific locations |
| Flexible rental periods starting from just 3 days | |
| Fast speeds with a 99% uptime record | |
| Supports HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols |
Flexible rental periods may not suit all users
Proxy-IPv4 stands out with its support for both IPv4 and IPv6 protocols, offering a truly universal service. However, note that not all websites support IPv6, so it is advisable to verify compatibility before purchasing these proxies.
Random Subnet Issuance
Proxy-IPv4’s automated system randomly selects from 200 subnets per location when fulfilling orders, minimizing the risk of bans related to subnet issues. This feature enhances the reliability and ease of the ordering process.
7. Nimbleway — Best for Scraping, Botting, and Social Monitoring
Top Performer for Enterprise Users
Nimbleway excels in data collection with a range of proxies, including rotating residential and private datacenter options. It features high anonymity, speed, and scalability, with an AI-driven IP allocation system that improves request success rates. With millions of IPs and global coverage, Nimbleway is an ethical provider requiring KYC, with pricing starting at $600 monthly for mid-to-large-scale businesses.
Pros & Cons of Nimbleway:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Large proxy pool with undetectable residential proxies | Requires KYC |
| Extensive location support and granular geo-targeting | New in the market |
| High-rotating proxies with sticky port support | Minimum starting cost of $600 |
| AI-driven IP selection for optimal scraping success | |
| Detailed usage analytics and data | |
| User-friendly dashboard and API | |
| 22GB free after KYC for new customers |
Cost-Effective Solution for Enterprises
Nimbleway’s $600 pricing might seem high for regular users but is cost-effective for enterprises, providing 75GB at $8 per GB. Given its features, reliability, and effectiveness, this pricing is competitive for large-scale needs.
Large Proxy Pool with Extensive Location Support
Nimbleway boasts a large proxy pool, with millions of IPs, and offers comprehensive location support. Their network covers all countries, major states, and popular cities worldwide.
Performance Beast in Scraping
Nimbleway excels in web scraping with a focus on proxy performance. It addresses common issues by using modern technology and an AI system to optimize IP address rotation, ensuring high success rates and a steady supply of fresh IPs.
8. Proxy-Seller — Best Private Proxy for Location Coverage
High-Performing Infrastructure
Proxy-Seller is a top provider offering private, mobile, and ISP proxies. Its dedicated private proxies are high-quality with low spam scores, ideal for e-commerce and social media without immediate ban risks. Known for excellent location coverage and a flexible payment system, Proxy-Seller maintains a strong customer base.
Pros & Cons of Proxy-Seller:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Extensive location coverage | No Free Trial |
| Supports IPv4 and IPv6 | Unfriendly Refund Policy |
| Flexible payment options and rental support | No Live Chat Support |
| High-speed performance with excellent uptime | |
| Supports HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols |
Extensive Location Coverage:
Supports over 30 countries, surpassing many datacenter proxy providers.
Flexible Pricing:
Affordable, with rental periods from weekly to 12 months; longer durations and larger quantities reduce the cost per proxy.
Multiple Subnets:
Supports over 100 networks and 800+ subnets, providing a reliable and redundant network with natural IP distribution.
9. Proxy-Cheap – Affordable Residential Proxies
Cost-Effective Data Collection
Proxy-Cheap stands out with no minimum commitment, allowing purchases as small as a 1GB data plan. Prices start at $5 per GB, potentially dropping to $3 with larger packages, making it one of the most affordable options available.
High-Quality Service
Despite its low cost, Proxy-Cheap provides high-quality proxies suitable for various use cases. They offer 7 million residential IPs across 127 countries with country-level targeting, supporting both rotating and session-based IPs.
Pros & Cons of Proxy-Cheap:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Over 7 million IP addresses | No free trial option |
| Extensive location support | Limited payment methods |
| Competitive pricing | Pricing plan structure could be unclear |
| No minimum monetary requirement | |
| User-friendly |
Sizable IP Pool
Proxy-Cheap provides over 7 million residential IP addresses across 127 countries, using a peer-to-peer system typical of residential proxy services.
Proxy Generator Support
Proxy-Cheap offers a proxy generator tool for dynamically creating IP lists, enhancing IP rotation and providing a unique resource at no extra cost.
Versatile Use Cases
Proxy-Cheap’s residential proxies are optimized for stealth, making them ideal for market research, brand protection, SEO, ad verification, price monitoring, sneaker copping, and web scraping.
10. Oculus Proxies – Best for Session and Account Management
Private ISP Proxies
Oculus Proxies now offers ISP and datacenter proxies. Their ISP premium proxies provide static residential IPs with download speeds of 43.86 Mbps and upload speeds of 47.93 Mbps. However, they are limited to US IP addresses.
Pros & Cons of Oculus Proxies:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Undetectable IP addresses | Unfriendly refund policy |
| High performance and speed | No support for username and password authentication |
| Supports HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols | Bandwidth is limited |
| Long-duration session support | Pricing details for ISP proxies not specified |
| Free trial available |
Excellent Session Duration
Oculus Proxies provides static IP addresses for stable, unchanged IPs throughout your session, making them ideal for managing accounts on social media and e-commerce platforms.
High Performance
Oculus Proxies’ ISP premium proxies offer excellent performance with a 73 ms ping rate, ensuring smooth streaming and suitability for services like Netflix US and online gaming.
Ease of Use
The website has a minimalistic design and supports IP authentication only, with auto-IP detection for easy setup. Customer support is available for assistance.
What is a Proxy? Looking for The Best Proxy Services of 2024
A proxy server intermediates between a client and web servers, forwarding requests while replacing the client’s IP address with its own. This conceals the user’s real IP, offering anonymity and protecting their online presence.
Are Proxies Legal?
Proxies are generally legal but vary by country. In the U.S., there are no specific laws against them, but some countries may restrict their use, especially for accessing region-restricted content. Consult legal counsel to ensure compliance with local laws.
Are Private Proxies Legal in the US?
Private proxies are legal in the US, as there are no specific laws against their use.
Proxy Services: Applications and Uses
Proxies conceal your real IP address to bypass IP-based restrictions. They are used globally by corporations, research institutions, and government agencies for ad verification, web scraping, brand protection, account management, price comparison, testing, cybersecurity, and fraud protection.
Are Proxy Services Trustworthy?
Proxy services enhance privacy by hiding your activities from ISPs and web services, and some encrypt traffic. However, proxies can still access your real IP and requests, making trust crucial. Verify no-log claims by choosing reputable providers with expert reviews and positive user feedback.
Proxy Buying Guide
When selecting a proxy provider, consider the following factors to ensure the proxies meet your needs:
IP Address Source
Mobile IP Proxies: The latest, most expensive proxies are sourced from Mobile Network Operators. They are ideal for services needing mobile simulation or strong anti-spam measures, like Instagram.
Residential IP Proxies: Sourced from ISPs and assigned to devices, these proxies are undetectable and versatile for most use cases. They are more affordable than mobile proxies.
Datacenter IP Proxies: Originating from data centers, these are the least effective and easiest to detect. They are the cheapest and are best suited for sites with lenient anti-spam measures.
Location:
Consider location support when selecting a proxy. For accessing geo-targeted data, choose a provider with extensive location options. Providers like Luminati and Smartproxy offer global coverage, accommodating diverse location needs.
Number of Users:
Residential proxies are often shared among multiple users, but IP rotation minimizes impact. For datacenter proxies, private options offer better performance and reliability, though shared proxies can be used to reduce costs.
Proxy Protocol
The two main proxy protocols are HTTPS and SOCKS. While the technical differences are complex, ensure your software supports the desired protocol by consulting with the software developers before purchase.
IP Rotation
Proxies can be rotating or static. Rotating proxies frequently change IP addresses, making them ideal for tasks like web scraping and ad verification. Static proxies maintain a consistent IP address, suitable for account management and online gaming.
Special Proxy Use Cases
While many proxies are versatile, some are designed for specific applications, such as sneaker, ticketing, SEO, and gaming proxies. For specialized needs, opt for dedicated proxies tailored to these uses.
FAQs About The Best Proxy Services
Are Free Proxies Safe for Use?
Free proxies are generally not secure and can compromise your data. They are often low quality, slow, and easily detected by web services. Therefore, it’s advisable to avoid them.
What are the Best Proxy Services for Web Scraping?
High rotating proxies are ideal for web scraping as they change IP addresses after each request. This prevents reaching request limits and avoids detection.
What are the Best Proxy Services for Sneaker Copping?
Residential proxies are best for copping limited-edition sneakers, as they are less detectable by anti-bot systems. However, datacenter proxies may be suitable for certain sites like Shopify and Foot sites.
What are the Best Proxy Services for Social Media?
Mobile proxies are most effective for social media, especially Instagram, due to their lower detectability. Residential proxies can work but require caution. Avoid high rotating proxies while logged in; time-based IP rotation is preferable if rotation is needed.