Free proxy services mask users’ IP addresses, improving online privacy and facilitating access to regionally restricted content. Follow the links to learn more from the providers:
| Vendor | For | |
|---|---|---|
1. | 5 static datacenter IPs (US only) | |
2. | 10 shared datacenter proxies | |
3. | Limited proxy access within Apify platform only | |
4. | Public proxy list (updated every 10 mins) | |
5. | 7-day trial with 5,000 credits, then 1,000 credits/month | |
6. | Public proxy list with 5 minutes update frequency | |
7. | ||
8. | ||
Comparing the best free proxy servers
| Provider | Offer Type | Usage Limitation |
|---|---|---|
| Oxylabs | Free plan limited features | 5 IPs |
| Webshare | Free plan limited features | 10 Proxies |
| Apify | Free plan limited features | API Rate Limit |
| IPRoyal | Free plan limited features | 1 Proxy per account |
| Geonode | Lists of free proxies | Public Access |
| ScraperAPI | Free plan limited features | API Rate Limit |
| ProxyScrape | Lists of free proxies | Public Access |
| Hidemy.name | Lists of free proxies | 5 Proxies Max |
Table notes:
AIMultiple has compiled a list of reliable free proxy servers. The table above highlights our top picks. If we have missed any proxy providers, feel free to point them out in the comments.
Public access: anyone with the proxy server’s address and port number can use the proxy service.
The main types of free proxies
There are 2 types of free proxy services:
- Free plans offering limited features include services from companies that provide a no-cost version of their proxy solutions, with restrictions such as limited bandwidth, fewer server locations, or a reduced number of IP addresses
- Lists of free proxy servers include services that aggregate and share lists of free proxy servers available to the public.
Proxy providers offering free plans with limited features
Oxylabs
Oxylabs provides free datacenter proxies, including five non-replaceable IP addresses in the US. Five IP addresses are reset monthly, and 5 GB is split each month.
Free shared datacenter proxies support HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols. Each user is limited to 20 concurrent threads.
Webshare
Webshare provides 10 shared datacenter proxies at no cost. These proxies have a monthly bandwidth limit of 1 GB and can be used indefinitely.
The free proxy server list supports both HTTP and SOCKS protocols. With the free service, you’re allocated 1 GB of data each month and can run up to 50 concurrent threads.
Apify
Apify Proxy has a free plan designed for use strictly within the Apify platform. This plan provides basic access to the platform’s features but has usage limitations and does not allow for integration with external services.
IPRoyal
IPRoyal provides a free proxy list with HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS protocols. The list is updated at 10-minute intervals.
The service extends the functionality to include city-level targeting, albeit with a selection from a predefined set of cities.
Geonode
Geonode provides a free proxy service that includes a selection of HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS4/5 proxies. While it does extend these services at no cost, the finer details, such as the total number of proxies or the specific locations they cover, weren’t clearly outlined.
ScraperAPI
ScraperAPI provides a 7-day trial of 5,000 API credits, followed by 1,000 free API credits every month for continued use.
After signing up for a free account, users gain access to ScraperAPI’s proxy management features, including built-in IP rotation. This feature utilizes a mix of datacenter, residential, and mobile proxies to improve data scraping tasks.
Providers offering lists of free proxy servers
ProxyScrape
ProxyScrape features a list of free proxies that mix HTTP, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5 proxies. The list of free proxies receives updates every five minutes. Users can filter proxies by various parameters, including the country of origin and level of anonymity. Additionally, a feature allows users to specify a maximum response time for the proxies they select.
hidemy.name
HideMy.Name offers VPN services and free proxy solutions that support HTTPS, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5 types. Each proxy’s details, such as the IP address, port, country, city, and response time, are readily available for users.
Sources of free proxy IPs
Both free proxy IPs and free web proxies aim to enhance privacy and access online, yet their mechanisms differ significantly. Specialized tools scan the web, identifying servers ready to function as proxies intentionally or unintentionally.
Some servers become part of proxy directories due to network configuration errors, making them accidental proxies. On the other hand, entities or individuals might intentionally list their proxy servers on forums, social media platforms, or specific websites for various reasons.
In contrast, free web proxies, such as those offered by VPN providers, are typically established by individuals or companies and are accessible directly through a browser interface, eliminating the need for any configuration on the user’s device.
While free proxy IPs often cater to more specialized tasks like web scraping and require manual proxy setup in network settings, free web proxies are more suited for straightforward, anonymous browsing.
Criteria to consider when selecting from a free proxy list
- Anonymity levels: The level of anonymity shows how much privacy and confidentiality a proxy offers. Depending on their ability to conceal user information, proxies can be divided into different categories of anonymity.
- Elite proxies: Elite proxies, or high-anonymity proxies, offer the highest level of privacy. Unlike transparent and anonymous proxies, these elite proxies conceal your actual IP address and eliminate any proxy-related headers that could indicate the use of a proxy to the target site. They ensure that HTTP headers, which could disclose the use of a proxy server, like proxy-authorization, the X-Forwarded-For header (XFF), and others such as ‘from’ and ‘via’, are not included in the data sent to the destination server.
- Anonymous proxies: Anonymous proxies provide a high anonymity level by hiding the user’s IP address, similar to what elite proxies do, but they might reveal some information to the destination server. While any proxy server can serve as an anonymous proxy, the degree of anonymity can differ depending on the type of proxy server used.
- Transparent proxies: Transparent proxies automatically intercept network traffic without configuring individual devices like computers, smartphones, or tablets. They can monitor and block network traffic according to specific criteria without the users’ explicit knowledge or consent. This capability raises potential privacy issues, as the proxy operates invisibly to the end-user.
- Protocol types (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS): The protocol type determines the method of data transfer between your computer and the proxy server, and various types are available for different needs.
- HTTP proxies: Often used for web browsing, specialize in managing HTTP traffic but lack encryption, making them unsuitable for sensitive data.
- HTTPS proxies: Secure the data pathway between your computer and the proxy server with encryption, making them a safer choice for confidential tasks.
- SOCKS proxies: Monitors and manages network traffic through a proxy between the client and the target server.
- Country and city targeting options: Many premium proxy services offer the option to pick IP addresses from specific countries or cities, enabling users to access geo-restricted content and conduct localization testing.
Limitations and challenges of free proxies
The use of free proxy servers comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a list of some common issues users might face:
- Limited features: Free proxy services often provide a restricted selection of server locations, which can be an issue for users requiring IPs from particular countries to overcome geo-blocks. Additionally, options like personalized privacy controls, ad-blocking, IP rotation, and the availability of dedicated IPs are typically lacking in free proxy server offerings.
- Privacy concerns: Free proxies might record user activities, such as the sites they visit and the data they exchange. This data could be disclosed or leaked. Although free proxies can conceal your real IP address, they may not shield other identifiable details like browser fingerprints. Advanced tracking methods can sometimes penetrate the veil of anonymity that free proxy list sites offer.
- Inconsistent speeds and frequent downtime: Free proxies are open to all internet users and can become slow and inconsistent due to many people using them simultaneously. Free service providers might not invest in high-capacity bandwidth, contributing to reduced connection speeds.
- Protocol restrictions: Most free proxies primarily support the HTTP protocol. HTTP proxies are designed to process and relay HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) traffic. However, their lack of data encryption may not be ideal for more specialized requirements. This implies that information transmitted via an HTTP proxy is vulnerable to interception and could potentially be accessed by unauthorized entities.
What to use instead of free proxy servers
Considering a paid option could be the answer if you’re facing problems with the performance or dependability of free proxies. For tasks such as web scraping or automation, VPN services may fall short since they prioritize privacy over providing a wide range of IP addresses. A dedicated paid proxy service, designed specifically for these activities, would be a more suitable choice in such cases.
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