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Best Proxy Services: Free or Paid, Which Wins?
Discover the best proxy websites for privacy, security, and bypassing restrictions. Compare free and paid options, including picks for school, Chromebooks, and Reddit recommendations.
In this digital age, geo-restrictions and web surveillance are on the rise. Web browsing is riskier if you feel like some institution or a stranger is watching you. So what about blocking measures that prevent you from web scraping? Finding the best proxy websites to access certain websites is important for protecting your privacy, blocking what you access and search for, and maintaining a safe online environment. So, whether you're a student trying to get around your school's firewall, a remote worker who needs to browse safely, or a streamer avoiding regional blocks, proxies are your best friend to keep you safe online.
However, finding the right proxy site for you can sometimes be difficult. For example, free proxies often lack security and loading speed, and paid services can be unreliable. So, how do you choose? This article will help you clear up those doubts, comparingproxy sites based on speed, anonymity, fees, and security. We'll also explore some niche needs, such as the best proxy sites for school Chromebooks, and Reddit-vetted tools, backed by data and real-world testing. Let's take a look!
Difference Between a Proxy Website and a VPN
The goals of using a proxy website and a virtual private network (VPN) are the same, as they both end up masking IP addresses. However, a proxy website is like a standalone app that you use. It is dedicated and independent. Using the best proxy websites is very convenient when you need to access some specific resources. For example, you can configure a proxy to access the website you want to crawl.
However, VPNs adopt a network data encryption strategy. Therefore, VPNs redistribute all your traffic data through encrypted routes. Therefore, no matter what app you are using, it will affect the entire network traffic on your phone.
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Top Free Proxy Websites (Tested & Ranked)
1. KProxy——Fast access to blocked sites
Kproxy is definitely a good choice when you are looking for a free proxy website. In addition to being installed directly as an extension on browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, Kproxy also allows you to instantly access private web pages in a browser tab. On Android devices, you can also install Kproxy directly to achieve the goal of anonymous web browsing.
If you just want to use it simply, it provides a free version, which you can also use directly. But if you want to use advanced IP masking features and access restricted websites, you may need to pay extra for the premium version.
Pros
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No software to install, instant access.
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The premium version offers IP masking and blocks traffic sharing.
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It does not slow down your connection.
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Free browser extensions are available.
Cons
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The free version limits the restricted content you can access.
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The extension logs your activity, so it may not be fully protected if you are concerned about privacy.
2. HMA——Free anonymous browsing website
HMA offers a free proxy service. Based on your browser, you can connect to any website using an IP address that HMA automatically generates. Ultimately, it encrypts your IP address, giving you free anonymous access to the source of your request.
However, since JavaScript is disabled, the website you want to visit may malfunction or appear inoperable. Although HMA's free proxy offers the option to disable cookies, it may still log your web traffic and browsing data. This can threaten your privacy because third-party apps and websites can access your address this way.
Pros
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It's actually free.
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Handles general IP encryption without any problems.
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Loads quickly and is simple to use.
Cons
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May not access some restricted websites.
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It can only be used in a single tab in the browser.
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It may not be particularly secure because it's free.
3. Hidester——Perfect for simple browser-based proxy needs
Hidester is another free and simple proxy service. It can also be accessed directly in the browser. So, you don't need to install any software on your device to use it directly.
However, like other browser proxy websites, you can't use Hidester outside of a single tab. Of course, if you open a new browser tab for each request, you can use it as usual. Although it provides an option to enable or disable JavaScript, this does not seem to work because it still blocks JavaScript. Even so, it is still a fast and easy-to-use proxy website, and you will have no problem using it for some basic blocking operations.
Pros
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It provides options to disable and enable JavaScript, cookies, and encrypted URLs.
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You can use it in your browser at will.
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You can use it to access some IP addresses you want to visit before.
Cons
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The proxy servers and locations are limited.
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Free application, it may record your browsing data in cookies, so there may be privacy issues.
4. Tor——a private browsing proxy with multiple transit nodes
Are you looking for a private browser? Tor is also one of the best proxy websites free of charge on the market. So, its security must be no problem. Tor not only hides your IP address, but also sends your request to multiple transit nodes before accessing the website you want to visit.
The reason why Tor's proxy service is free is because of the donations of community users. So, because it is user-contributed, it can still provide good services even if it is free. And Tor will automatically delete your data after you close the browser, which can greatly protect your identity information.
Pros
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Its security ranks among the best among many proxy websites.
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It is easy to use and set up.
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It will not record your access history, and it will ensure the security of your network data to the greatest extent possible.
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It is independent of mainstream browsers.
Cons
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There are many transit nodes, so the loading speed may be slow.
5. FilterBypass——a free browser-based proxy with SSL support
Filterbypass is a free proxy service that only runs in the browser. It has a secure socket layer (SSL). It also has various proxy servers throughout the UK and the US, and can simultaneously hide your IP address. It allows you to anonymously access sites such as Reddit, YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook.
However, one disadvantage of FilterBypass is that although its servers are spread across many places, it still cannot access certain content and websites that are restricted by certain regions. Because it only runs in the browser, it may record your information in the browser cookies. Therefore, your privacy and security may be problematic. This is something to be vigilant about.
Pros
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Easy to use.
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Provides shared proxy.
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Completely free.
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Supports SSL.
Cons
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Only for use in the browser.
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You can only access one website at a time, which can be a bit troublesome.
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We will record your access to conversations and records, which may have privacy and security issues.
Top Paid Proxy Websites (Tested & Ranked)
1. Oxylabs——Known for its extensive IP address pool
Oxylabs is one of the bestproxy websites with subscription plans. It offers more than 100 million switchable IP addresses. Isn't that amazing? These solutions can help you circumvent Internet blockades and obstructions more efficiently. In addition to providing Internet Service Provider (ISP) IP addresses, it also provides crawler APIs for SERP, e-commerce, etc. Therefore, Oxylabs' support for SOCKS5 proxies makes it more secure than many proxy sites on the market. The service offers paid services such as mobile, residential, and data center proxies. There are still many uses.
Pros
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It is a proxy based on machine learning, which can avoid unsafe factors as much as possible.
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The network connection is generally very stable.
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It does not record browsing data in cookies, which can maximize your privacy and security.
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Fast, reliable, and very easy to set up.
Cons
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Because it is secure and feature-rich, the price is still relatively expensive.
2. GeoSurf——Suitable for bypassing geo-blocks with global proxy coverage
GeoSurf provides premium proxy services in more than 130 countries around the world. It is also one of the most widely distributed proxy service websites. It has more than 2 million IP addresses and can bypass geo-blocking and IP censorship. In addition, it provides a language-agnostic API that you can easily drop into your web scraping tool.
When you use GeoSurf, you can anonymously access previously inaccessible content on a variety of devices, including Android and iPhone. Although GeoSurf is full-featured and can support flexible use, its pricing may be a bit expensive for most users.
Pros
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Bypass blocks and encrypt your IP using IP safelists.
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You can easily integrate its API into your web scraping tool.
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Flexible, supports a wide range of devices, websites, and apps.
Cons
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It can be difficult to use for non-tech-savvy users.
3. ScraperAPI——proxy API for web scraping with customizable options
ScraperAPI is a proxy API for scraping web pages. You can find your IP address from a pool of thousands of IP addresses. Although you can write some programs in the programming language of your choice before, you can still scrape any data you want in the control panel without writing any code.
ScraperAPI has a free version, but it also has some limitations, such as a limited number of requests. In addition, it also has a paid version, which costs $29 per month and also offers a free trial period. ScraperAPI also supports IP location, so you can choose any country.
Pros
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It is customizable.
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You can also specify different device types.
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It loads quickly and is safe and reliable.
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In addition to the completely free plan, it also offers a free trial period.
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It does not record your browsing data and is safe and reliable.
Cons
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It may be difficult to use for people without programming knowledge and requires advanced skills.
4. Smartproxy——Reliable for a variety of applications with flexible API
Smartproxy, one of the best proxy websites, has a wide range of servers. It offers browser extensions and plugins, so you can browse privately on browsers like Chrome and Firefox.
Pros
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Search engine compliant, hides your search history.
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A wide range of IPs to choose from.
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Fast loading speed and strong security.
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Suitable for a variety of applications and websites.
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Flexible API for creating personal or shared proxies.
Cons
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The setup and startup process can be cumbersome.
5. Hola——Free and premium IP switch
Hola is a proxy service provider. It adjusts the IP address of your region by randomly assigning available IP addresses.
Hola has two versions. Its free version only provides a basic proxy level and does not provide traffic encryption. However, the paid premium package protection is very powerful. Hola loads very quickly and is compatible with many Internet-connected devices, including Xbox, Playstation, PC, mobile devices, and smart TVs.
Pros
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Easy to use, simple mode.
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It supports multiple devices, whether it is non-web applications or web browsers.
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You can manually switch servers to change the IP address.
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The IP operation time is not limited.
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The performance is quite good.
Cons
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The traffic encryption function is only available for premium plans.
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It may track and record your information, which may pose certain security risks.
Niche use cases: Schools, Chromebooks, and Reddit recommendations
Best proxy websites for Chromebooks in school
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Schools often block gaming or streaming sites. The following proxies can bypass restrictions:
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KProxy: Lightweight browser tool (no installation required).
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Tor:Encrypts sessions and clears history after use.
Warm tip: It’s best to understand your school’s IT policy in advance to avoid being penalized for setting up problems.
Reddit crowdsourced recommendations
r/Netsec and r/Privacy users recommend:
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FilterBypass (planning options).
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Oxylabs (for developers).
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ScraperAPI (can circumvent censorship).
Conclusion
The above are some of the best proxy websites with paid or free plans we recommend. The most important thing is that you need to choose the website that suits you according to your application scenario and budget. For example, in terms of trust and security, paid proxy websites are definitely better. For some free proxies, you need to be vigilant because the security of most free proxies is not guaranteed. But if your budget is limited or you don’t plan to spend a penny on a proxy, then you need to decide whether to use a free proxy. For example, Tor is a trustworthy proxy browser. You can bookmark this article, refer to it more, and choose a proxy service website that suits you. Let’s get started!
FAQs
Which proxy company is best?
Smartproxy
Recognized as the Best Value Provider in 2022, Smartproxy provides enterprise-grade performance at a fraction of the cost, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes looking for scalable, efficient proxy solutions. Key features: 65M+ ethically sourced residential, mobile, and datacenter proxies.
Is GeoNode free?
GeoNode is an Open Source and available for free.
Is it proxy or proxies?
The plural form of proxy is proxies.
Why are proxies so expensive?
The high cost of residential proxies is a result of a complex interplay of factors, including IP address scarcity, operational complexities, ethical considerations, and regulatory compliance.5 Sept 2024
Written by
Kimmy
Published on
Apr 21, 2025
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