The Best Proxy Sites To Protect Your Online Privacy

Protecting your privacy when you’re online is a big deal. That’s why there are so many privacy-focused solutions, such as VPNs. An alternative way to take control of your privacy and get around content blocks is to use a proxy.

Whether you’re looking to stay anonymous, keep your data secure, or access content from another part of the world, proxies are a handy tool to know about. Setting one up is easy, it’s choosing the right one (for you) that can be difficult.

In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about proxies, what to look for when choosing one, and list some of the top proxy sites out there — and don’t worry about budgeting for this; while paid proxies are more secure and reliable, we’ve also found some free proxy sites that you can consider.

A Guide to Our Best Proxy Sites

Keeping the above factors in mind, you’ll have a much easier time finding a proxy site that fits your needs. This is true, whether you’re looking for speed, or security, or just something in between, with great customer service. 

In fact, it’s precisely how we compiled this list of the best proxy server sites (free and paid) that you can dive into right now:

Smartproxy

Smartproxy provides residential, mobile, ISP, and datacenter proxies with over 55 million IPs across more than 195 locations. This includes cities worldwide and all 50 US states. It’s ideal for anyone who needs reliable connections with 99.99% uptime. Users have rated residential proxies highly for speed in tests. The service supports HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols. It also includes tools like an anti-detect browser, with extensions for Firefox and Chrome. It’s a good choice for quality without breaking the bank. You can start with a free trial and enjoy a 14-day money-back guarantee. Their support is available 24/7, so you can get help anytime.

Residential proxies start at $2.20/GB.

Pros:

• 24/7 support
• Worldwide city-specific IPs
• Free trial available

Cons:

• Not the cheapest option

See our Smartproxy server review for all the details.

Bright Data

Bright Data provides access to 72M+ rotating IPs from real-peer devices in 195 countries, with over 1M in key locations like China, Germany, the UK, and the US. They also offer 700,000+ static residential ISP proxies with a super stable 99.99% uptime and 0.7-second response time. This proxy site supports HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols. Bright Data also includes flexible options like a pay-as-you-go plan. It’s a top-tier choice for powerful and scalable proxy solutions, with residential proxies starting at $8.40/GB.

Pros:

• IPs in 195 countries
• ZIP-level targeting
• Pay-as-you-go option
• Start free without a card

Cons:

• Little documentation
• Expensive

ALSO READ: Smartproxy vs Bright Data

IPRoyal

IPRoyal offers 32M+ “ethically sourced” IPs across 195 countries, including over 1M in the US. Their dedicated residential proxies are exclusively yours, with options to target country, state, and city-level locations. You can choose rotating or sticky sessions (this keeps the same IP for up to 7 days), with a ~99.7% success rate and unlimited concurrent sessions. With no monthly commitment, this is a flexible and reliable proxy solution. Support is available over email and chat.

This website includes a handy pricing tool based on your usage. Residential proxies start at $1.75/GB.

Pros:

• Reasonably affordable
• Rotating or sticky sessions
• Low CAPTCHA rates for scraping

Cons:

• Relatively few IPs
• No phone support

Hide.me

Hide.me offers a free web proxy that lets you access any site by simply typing the URL into a box. You can pick servers in the Netherlands, Germany, or Finland, with advanced options like cookie control, URL encryption, script removal, and object removal. It’s simple, straightforward, and perfect for quick, anonymous browsing. This is a great proxy site for hiding your IP address when downloading files.

Pros:

• Straightforward; user-friendly
• Advanced options
• Free to use

Cons:

• Only a few proxy locations
• Limited to website traffic

VPNBook

VPNBook offers a free web proxy, meaning it’s a browser-based solution that requires no extra software. This proxy unblocks sites like Netflix and YouTube while securing your connection with 256-bit SSL encryption to bypass censorship and hide your IP address. Proxy servers are located in the US, UK, and Canada. As its name suggests, VPNBook also includes free VPNs — see our VPN vs Proxy article to see their differences.

Pros:

• Completely free to use
• Unblocks streaming sites

Cons:

• Very few locations
• Only works in a browser

How to Pick the Right Proxy Site

Selecting a proxy site can make or break your experience, especially if you rely on it for important things, like privacy or speed. Since not all proxy websites are created equal, it’s vital to have some guidelines to follow to ensure the highest quality.

Listed below are some key factors to consider, before deciding on a provider. We kept these in mind when choosing our list of the top proxy sites further down the page:

Speed

One of the most important aspects of any proxy service is its speed. Slow proxies can make browsing frustrating, especially if you are streaming or working on a task with a tight deadline.

Look for proxy sites that are optimized for quick connections or that offer features like caching to store frequently accessed data and reduce loading times. Paid proxies usually perform better because they are less likely to be overloaded with users.

Reliability

Consistency is key when it comes to proxies. The best proxy sites are available whenever you need them, without frequent downtime or connection drops. This matters a lot for anyone using proxies for tasks like web scraping or automation. Check user reviews and uptime guarantees to understand how reliable a proxy site really is.

Security

Not all proxies provide security. A reliable proxy should at least hide your IP address to keep it safe. Even better are proxies that offer extra protection, like HTTPS support, to ensure that your data is encrypted. Be cautious of free proxies that don’t clearly explain their security measures, as they might be logging or selling your data.

Cost

Free proxies can be tempting, but they often come with drawbacks like slower speeds, annoying ads, or poor security. In contrast, paid proxies generally provide better performance, more features, and stronger privacy protections. While it may be appealing to stick with free options, think about whether the trade-offs are worth it. A free proxy site can still be useful, but be smart about how you use it. If you frequently access banking details or other sensitive information, a paid proxy is a safer choice.

Server Location

The more server locations a proxy service offers, the better your chances of bypassing geo-restrictions. If you want to access content available only in Japan, for example, you’ll need a proxy with servers located in Japan. This should be stated clearly on the proxy’s website.

Ease of Use

The best proxy server sites are simple to use, even if you’re not tech-savvy. Many of the top proxy sites offer browser extensions or step-by-step guides to help you get started quickly. If the process feels too complicated or confusing, it might not be the best fit, especially if you’re new to all of this.

Browse Anonymously: The Best Proxy Sites for Privacy and Security

Keeping the above factors in mind, you’ll have a much easier time finding a proxy site that fits your needs. This is true, whether you’re looking for speed, security, or just something in between, with great customer service. 

In fact, it’s precisely how we compiled this list of the best proxy server sites (free and paid) that you can dive into right now.

Free vs. Paid Proxy Sites: What’s the Difference?

Free is easy, and appealing, and sometimes even relevant. But it’s not always smart. The choice between paid and free proxies often boils down to your priorities. Before you jump into one of those free options above, let’s compare the two so you can decide what works best for you.

Free Proxies

A free proxy site can be useful for casual tasks like bypassing content blocks, but they’re generally not a great option for activities requiring speed or privacy.

Pros:

• They’re free. This is the most obvious benefit, especially if you’re on a tight budget.
• Straightforward to use. Many are easy to access without any signup or installation requirements.

Cons:

• Slower speeds. Free proxies are frequently crowded with users (because they’re free!). This can lead to much slower connections than you’re used to.
• Privacy risks. Many free proxy services log your activity or sell your data to third parties. They have to make money somehow.
• Limited features. Usually, free proxies don’t offer advanced options like multiple server locations or customer support.
• Ads and malware. Some free proxies flood your screen with annoying ads or expose you to malicious scripts.

Paid Proxies

You’d be wise to assume that paid proxies fix the pitfalls of the free ones. Meaning: paid proxies are a smart idea if you value speed, security, and reliability.

Pros:

• Faster speeds. The top proxy sites typically allocate more resources to their servers, which ensures smoother and quicker browsing.
• Better privacy. Many paid proxies don’t log your activity and include security features like encryption.
• Advanced features. Options like multiple server locations, rotating IPs, and dedicated support are often standard.
• Greater reliability. You’re less likely to experience downtime or interruptions with paid proxies.

Cons:

• They cost. While prices vary, some high-quality proxies can be expensive, depending on their features.
• Setup effort. Some paid proxies require more technical know-how to get started.

If you’re just exploring proxies for occasional use or non-critical browsing, free proxies like those listed above might do the trick. But if your needs involve regular use, accessing restricted content, or keeping your data safe (think financial transactions or sensitive file sharing), investing in a paid proxy is worth it. Consider how much you value performance and security when making your choice.

ALSO READ: How to Use Google Translate as a Free Proxy Service

What Is a Proxy?

If you’re new to using a proxy and wondering what is a proxy server, the gist is that it acts like a middleman between your device and the websites you visit. Instead of your requests going straight to a website, they’re first routed through the proxy server. This setup hides your IP address, which is basically your identity on the internet. This means you’re provided some extra privacy (assuming you use a trusted proxy site).

For example, when you visit a search engine like Google, your real IP address is visible on Google’s side. They can tie your browsing habits to your IP address. A proxy introduces a new computer to the mix. It’s as if you’re telling another person in some other part of the world to access Google for you. In the end, you get the search results you were after and Google sees the proxy’s IP address instead of yours.

Why would you do this? Using top-rated proxy sites is useful for several reasons. In addition to hiding your IP address, they let you maneuver around restrictions. If a website is blocked in your country, a proxy hosted in a supported country can help you access it because the traffic will appear to come from a permitted IP address. Or maybe your real IP address has been blocked for violating a website’s rules — a proxy essentially gives you a new address, lifting your IP ban. The best proxy sites cache popular websites for you, meaning you might even get a speed boost by using one.

How Different Proxy Types Can Make or Break Your Online Privacy

Before selecting a proxy, it’s important to understand that several types are available, including datacenter, residential, rotating, and SOCKS5 proxies. Each type has unique characteristics, along with advantages and limitations. Choosing the right proxy depends on what you need it for, what tasks you’re running, and your budget. Let’s explore the different types.

Datacenter Proxy

Datacenter proxies are hosted on cloud services or data centers and provide artificially generated IP addresses. They are not affiliated with Internet service providers or physical devices.

Since they run on cloud servers, they offer high speeds and low latency, which makes them ideal for tasks that require quick responses, like bulk data collection. They usually cost less than other types and are easy to scale.

However, datacenter proxies are not linked to real devices, which makes them easier for websites to detect and block. This can also lead to more frequent CAPTCHA challenges.

Residential Proxy

Residential proxies route web traffic through real devices that have IPs assigned by ISPs. This makes the traffic appear more legitimate, which helps users avoid detection.

These proxies offer high anonymity and work well for accessing geo-blocked content. However, they tend to cost more and are often slower than datacenter proxies.

Rotating Proxy

Rotating proxies switch IP addresses either at regular intervals or every time a connection request is made. They can operate as residential or datacenter proxies.

This type is less likely to get banned and works well for long scraping sessions and large-scale operations. On the downside, poor management can make them unpredictable and disrupt session-based activities.

SOCKS5 Proxy

SOCKS5 proxies route internet traffic between clients and servers. Unlike HTTP proxies that only handle web traffic, SOCKS5 supports all types of internet traffic, including email, FTP, and torrenting.

They support TCP and UDP protocols and offer optional authentication. They also help users get around firewalls and geo-blocks. However, SOCKS5 proxies are harder to set up and don’t include built-in encryption. Pairing them with a VPN can provide added privacy.

What Proxies Can Be Used for

Proxies are powerful tools for various online tasks. Not all proxies are equal, and some are better suited for specific jobs than others. Here’s how different types are commonly used.

Ad Verification

Companies use proxies to verify if their ads appear correctly in different regions, enabling them to check different locations without having to actually be there. A residential proxy can simulate a user from a specific city or country. Rotating proxies also allow users to scan multiple websites and ad placements without being flagged or blocked.

SEO Tracking

Businesses use proxies to track keyword rankings across regions, view local search results, avoid IP bans during bulk tracking, and monitor ads or listings in specific areas.

Web Scraping

Web scraping is the automatic removal of large quantities of data from a website, which can then be stored or exported in a more user-friendly format for later use. Because many sites try to prevent this (or have restrictions), proxies can help make web scraping more seamless and less prone to blocks.

Anti-bot measures, CAPTCHAs, geo-restrictions, and other issues can bog down web scraping attempts. Fortunately, proxies are well suited for combatting these, and they make your scraping attempts look more trustworthy and legitimate.  

While you can use several proxy types for web scraping, mobile proxies are particularly useful for combatting blocks. Websites tend to be less strict with blocking mobile IPs out of fear of accidentally affecting legitimate users. Mobile networks also tend to have more frequent IP rotation, keeping you anonymous. Lastly, mobile IPs are typically seen as more trustworthy than other IP types, such as datacenter IPs. This further improves your outlook for successful web scraping.

Getting Around Geo-Restrictions

Some websites show different content based on your location. For example, Netflix restricts access to certain shows in specific regions due to licensing agreements.

Proxies help users get around this by routing traffic through servers in different countries. This masks your real IP and makes it look like you’re browsing from another location.

Privacy and Security

People who care about privacy often use proxies to hide their IP addresses. This helps them avoid tracking and protects them from being identified by websites.

Some websites limit how often users can submit requests. Using a rotating proxy lets you send more queries without getting blocked. Proxies also protect your actual network by acting as a shield against direct attacks from malicious websites.

Social Media Management

Marketing agencies regularly manage several social media accounts across different platforms. Since some platforms limit how many accounts one IP can use, agencies turn to proxies to appear as if they’re logging in from different places. This helps them avoid bans and keep automation tools running smoothly.

E-Commerce

In e-commerce, proxies help monitor prices in different regions, track inventory, and check product availability without triggering rate limits. Product resellers also use them to run bots for grabbing high-demand items during flash sales. Without a proxy, these automated tools would get blocked quickly.

Proxies are useful for a wide range of tasks, and knowing how each type works helps you choose the one that fits your needs best.

The Importance of Privacy Regulations and Proxy Compliance

Proxies are useful, but it’s important to be careful when selecting a provider. Ignoring legal or ethical concerns can create serious problems, so keep that in mind when choosing your proxy service.

One example is privacy regulations. Different regions may enforce strict privacy laws. For example, the European Union has the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and California enforces the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA). If your proxy provider logs user data or mishandles it, you could be held responsible even if you didn’t know.

Additionally, some proxy servers store user activity and traffic logs. If they get hacked, your browsing history and data could be exposed. Worse, some malicious providers install malware, collect data, or sell user activity to third parties.

It’s therefore critical that you do your research and choose a proxy provider with a strong reputation and clear policies. Make sure they are transparent, and don’t log your data.   

Frequently Asked Questions