Does your area of activity require online privacy and unrestricted internet access? If so, you are probably looking for a suitable proxy provider. While standard proxy services might be sufficient for basic needs, residential proxies can be a powerful solution for maintaining anonymity, bypassing geographical restrictions, and conducting web-based tasks securely.
You’re probably looking not only for powerful but also affordable solutions for your business. Some providers offer free residential proxies as a trial period, while others have complicated pricing structures, making it time-consuming to choose the right option.
Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. This comprehensive guide reviews the top 12 residential proxy providers, offering detailed comparisons and insights to help you make an informed decision.
What are residential proxies?
First, let’s start with the basics. How do residential proxies work?
Residential proxies are IP addresses assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to real users and devices, like home computers and smartphones. When you use a residential proxy, your online activity is routed through one of these real devices, making it appear as though the traffic is coming from an actual residential user. This provides a high level of anonymity and trust.
Because residential proxies mimic real user behavior, they are more difficult for websites to detect and block.
This makes them highly effective for activities where privacy is crucial, such as web scraping, accessing region-specific content, verifying ads, and managing multiple accounts on platforms with strict security measures.
Are residential proxies illegal?
Residential proxies aren’t illegal by nature; their legality depends on how they’re sourced and used. Proxies obtained with consent and used for legitimate purposes, like research or bypassing geo-blocks, are lawful. However, using proxies without consent or for harmful activities, like hacking, is illegal.
To stay compliant, choose providers that follow ethical sourcing practices and data regulations. Use proxies responsibly and research providers to ensure they’re reputable and adhere to ethical standards.
Smartproxy
Background: Launched in 2018, Smartproxy quickly gained popularity as a reliable proxy provider with a focus on user-friendly services. It offers an extensive pool of over 55 million residential IPs, known for delivering high success rates and flexible plans.
Pros | Cons |
Extensive proxy pool | Higher cost for smaller data plans |
High success rates | Limited customization options |
3-day money-back guarantee | No free trial |
IPRoyal
Background: IPRoyal is a relatively new player in the proxy market, recognized for its affordable pricing and commitment to ethical IP sourcing. Budget-conscious users choose IPRoyal for its straightforward and reliable services with flexible payment plans.
Pros | Cons |
Affordable pricing | Smaller proxy pool compared to others |
Flexible payment plans | Limited advanced features |
24-hour refund policy | No live chat support |
Webshare
Background: Webshare has made a name for itself by providing customizable and scalable proxy plans at competitive prices. It appeals to startups and smaller businesses due to its free trial offerings and high-speed residential proxy solutions.
Pros | Cons |
Customizable and scalable plans | Basic customer support |
Free trial plan | Smaller IP pool than competitors |
Competitive pricing | Complex setup for beginners |
SOAX
Background: Established with a focus on maintaining security and quality, SOAX is known for its clean and frequently updated IP pool. Flexible and user-friendly dashboard makes SOAX suitable for users needing secure and reliable residential proxies.
Pros | Cons |
Regularly updated IP pool | Premium pricing tiers |
Flexible and user-friendly dashboard | $1.99 trial option |
High success rates | Complex pricing structure |
Bright Data (Formerly Luminati)
Background: As one of the oldest and most comprehensive proxy providers, Bright Data (formerly Luminati) has built a strong reputation for global coverage and advanced features. Primarily aimed at enterprises and high-demand users, it offers a massive IP pool and robust filtering options.
Pros | Cons |
Massive IP pool and global coverage | Expensive plans |
Advanced filtering options | Complex user interface |
Excellent support and documentation | Steep learning curve |
Oxylabs
Background: Oxylabs has positioned itself as a premium proxy provider, favored by large enterprises for its high-speed connections and advanced features. The company prides itself on innovation and superior API integration for demanding business needs.
Pros | Cons |
High-speed proxies | Higher cost |
Large IP pool | Not ideal for individual users |
Advanced API and features | No free trial (7-day free trial exclusively for business clients) |
MarsProxies
Background: A newer addition to the market, MarsProxies focuses on privacy and ethical IP sourcing. It offers competitively priced residential proxies, gaining traction among individual users and small businesses who prioritize data security.
Pros | Cons |
Ethically sourced proxies | Smaller customer base |
Strong privacy and security | Limited advanced features |
Affordable pricing | No live chat support |
ProxyEmpire
Background: Known for its ease of use, ProxyEmpire offers flexible pricing plans and a straightforward interface. This provider is particularly appealing to freelancers and small agencies that need simple and budget-friendly residential proxy solutions.
Pros | Cons |
Flexible payment options | Limited IP pool size |
Easy-to-use interface | Slower customer support |
Good pricing for long-term plans | Less suitable for high-volume users |
NetNut
Background: NetNut stands out due to its unique peer-to-peer network architecture that ensures stable and fast connections. With no reliance on end-users, it offers a highly reliable service for businesses looking for dependable residential proxies.
Pros | Cons |
Reliable and stable connections | Higher entry pricing |
No dependency on end-users | Limited features for smaller plans |
Fast response times | Complex setup process |
Shifter
Background: Shifter has established itself as a versatile proxy provider, offering a variety of proxy types, including rotating residential proxies. It’s well-suited for web scraping and other automated tasks requiring frequent IP changes.
Pros | Cons |
Automatic IP rotation | Pricey for small-scale users |
Unlimited bandwidth plans | Slower IP rotation speed |
Large pool of IPs | Basic user interface |
Zyte (Formerly Scrapinghub)
Background: Zyte, formerly known as Scrapinghub, is a leading provider for developers and data scientists focused on web scraping and data extraction. It is recognized for its advanced tools and reliable support, tailored for complex data projects.
Pros | Cons |
Advanced web scraping tools | Higher cost |
Good for data extraction projects | Limited general-purpose use |
Reliable support for large projects | Smaller IP pool |
NodeMaven
Background: NodeMaven is a notable residential proxy provider with high-quality residential IPs and advanced filtering system. It serves users who demand stable, long-lasting connections with minimal risk of detection.
Pros | Cons |
Clean, high-quality IPs | Higher pricing for extended sessions |
Long-lasting sticky sessions (up to 24 hours) | Less known compared to larger providers |
Large pool of 30+ million IPs in 150+ countries | Limited advanced features for smaller plans |
How much do Residential proxies cost?
The cost of residential proxies varies widely based on the provider, data volume, and added features. Generally, residential proxies are pricier than data center proxies due to their higher anonymity and reliability. Providers usually charge based on data usage (per GB) or offer monthly subscription plans, often with discounts for higher data volumes.
Here’s a comparison table of pricing for some of the top residential proxy providers:
Provider | Starting Price (per GB) | Monthly Plan Options | Notable Features |
Smartproxy | $15 | Starts at $75 for 5GB | High success rates, 3-day money-back guarantee |
IPRoyal | $7 | Flexible plans, starting at $7 per GB | Affordable, responsive support |
Webshare | $4.5 | Customizable pay-as-you-go options | Competitive pricing, free trial plan |
SOAX | $6.6 | $100 for 15GB | Clean, updated IP pool, flexible plans |
Bright Data | $15 | Enterprise pricing with volume discounts | Massive IP pool, advanced features |
Oxylabs | $15 | Custom enterprise plans | High-speed proxies, large IP pool |
MarsProxies | $4.5 | Affordable custom packages | Ethically sourced IPs, privacy-focused |
ProxyEmpire | $10 | Various plans starting from $50/month | Flexible payment options, easy interface |
NetNut | $17.5 | Pricing varies by plan size | Stable, fast connections |
Geosurf | $12 | $450 for 38GB | Reliable performance, geo-targeting |
Shifter | $5 | Unlimited bandwidth starting at $299/month | Rotating proxies, unlimited data |
Zyte | $12 | Custom plans based on usage | Advanced scraping tools |
Final verdict
Choosing the right residential proxy provider requires balancing performance, features, and affordability. Price-conscious users will find solid value in both Webshare and IPRoyal, offering reliable service with budget-friendly plans. MarsProxies follows suit, presenting affordable options ideal for small businesses and privacy-focused individuals.
ProxyEmpire shines with its user-friendly approach and competitive long-term rates, while Shifter makes its mark with unlimited bandwidth rotating proxies at attractive pricing.
In my review experience, each provider excels in different areas – I’d recommend taking advantage of their free trials and refund policies to find your best match.
