How to Test Proxies: Free and Paid Proxy Checkers in 2025

The choice of an effective proxy testing method depends on your use case, budget, and technical knowledge.

• Online proxy checkers (free and paid): Free proxy checkers for real-time information. Advanced proxy checkers for large-scale operations requiring detailed analytics and proxy management.
• IP databases: For quick checks of geolocation and ISP.
• Manual testing methods: For bulk testing, better for those with scripting knowledge.

See the most common proxy testing methods for easy proxy testing:

How to check if a proxy is working

1. Online proxy checkers

An online IP checker (online proxy checker) is the most common method to test proxies, helping users to confirm whether their proxy setup is working properly. Many IP checkers require no technical expertise, you can simply visit a webpage, and the tool automatically displays the IP address being used with additional details.

Proxy testing tools, both free and paid, automatically identify the proxy IP address and offer details to confirm whether the proxy is effectively hiding the real IP address. Both free and paid proxy testing tools automatically detect proxy IP addresses and provide information about to determine whether the proxy is correctly disguising the real IP address. Here’s how they break down:

• Free IP checkers (web-based IP checkers) provide basic features for viewing your IP address and location, including the proxy’s location and connection type. Free services typically focus on whether the proxy is currently active and functional, rather than tracking historical data.
• Paid IP checkers (local installation) provide more thorough testing options, such as proxy speed, proxy server’s anonymity level, IP stability and proxy server’s status.

2. IP databases

IP databases or geolocation APIs provide specific information about an IP address, such as its geolocation (country, city, region), ISP (Internet Service Provider), and proxy type whether the IP is associated with a data center or a residential proxy server. You can use an IP database service to obtain detailed geolocation data and determine whether an IP address belongs to a proxy or a data center. Here are some IP databases and geolocation services that you may use to check proxies:

• MaxMind GeoIP2 has both free and paid versions. GeoLite2 is free and GeoIP2 is for premium users.
• IP-api: The free API supports up to 45 requests per minute.
• Proxy-Check.io: Offers both free and premium services with varying levels of API access.

3. Manual testing methods

Using ping to test proxy connection speed: You can use ping to check if the proxy server is accessible and test proxy speed. Ping doesn’t provide information about the the functionality of a proxy server, check if the proxy is online and accepting incoming traffic.

1. Open a terminal on your machine and type the command followed by the proxy server’s hostname or IP address. If the proxy service you are using is not online you may get a response like “Request Timed Out.”

Expected output:

Proxy testing with Curl:

2. Curl is a command-line tool that enables users to interact with web servers. You can use curl command to route your traffic through the proxy get information about if the proxy server is working correctly.

Why do you need to check your proxies?

Proxies may fail to connect or misroute traffic for various reasons, including misconfiguration, outdated software, or network issues. Poorly configured proxies can expose your actual IP address or allow malicious activity to occur.

By testing proxies regularly, you can keep your internet activity secure and confidential while avoiding unexpected disruptions. You can use curl to perform in-depth proxy testing, which provides precise information about response headers, body content, proxy protocols, or status codes.

How often should I check your proxies?

The frequency of checking your proxies depends on several factors. For example, when you make any changes to your proxy settings, you should check your proxy server to ensure the proxy is working properly.

How can I test proxy authentication?

You can verify proxy authentication with command-line tools such as curl or Postman. These techniques enable you to test how your proxy server handles authentication. Postman is a GUI-based utility for sending HTTP requests. However, if you are dealing with a large number of proxies or need to automate proxy authentication tests, you can test proxy authentication using scripts.

Can I test multiple proxies simultaneously?

A proxy tester or proxy management software allows you to test multiple proxies at the same time, providing information on proxy usage, proxy status, and anonymity level.