In previous articles, we’ve covered proxy market players that are relatively new to the industry. Today will be different: we’re featuring a well-known player that has been in the market for quite a while.
Rayobyte, formerly known as Blazing SEO, is a major player in the proxy industry, offering a range of proxy types from data center to residential proxies. This platform has been on the market for 10 years, which means they have a lot to offer.
Whether you’re looking for web scraping, SEO research, or simply a reliable way to maintain privacy, we’ll explore whether Rayobyte is the right proxy provider for your needs.
What is web scraping?
As Rayobyte was previously known as Blazing SEO, it’s easy to see what the company’s original focus was. This history is one reason why many users still choose Rayobyte as their go-to proxy provider—especially for web scraping. Of course, proxies can be used for a variety of purposes beyond web scraping, including data privacy, managing multiple accounts, ad verification, bypassing geo-restrictions, and ensuring secure browsing
Web scraping is one of the many tools that is essential if you’re starting your business. So, let’s break down what it is.
Web scraping is a method of automatically collecting data from websites. Instead of manually copying information, web scraping uses software or tools to quickly gather data from multiple pages and organize it into a usable format, like a spreadsheet.
Businesses and researchers use web scraping for many reasons. For example, an online store might track competitor prices to stay competitive, or a company might gather reviews or social media mentions to understand customer opinions.
Web scraping can be extremely useful, but it’s important to use it responsibly. Some websites have rules against collecting their data, and following these rules helps avoid potential issues. To make scraping smoother and avoid detection, many people use proxies, which can hide their identity and let them access data more easily without getting blocked.
What is Rayobyte?
Rayobyte, launched in 2014 and formerly known as Blazing SEO, is well-regarded in the proxy industry for its extensive proxy offerings and ethical approach to data usage. The company has evolved from being a purely data center proxy provider to now including residential and ISP proxies, expanding its appeal across multiple industries. Known for its transparency and dedication to ethical data sourcing, Rayobyte has gained a reputable standing, particularly for its industry-leading proxy services.
The main page looks good: photos of real people add to the trustworthiness of the site. Transparency is one of the core principles of Rayobyte.
Key Features of Rayobyte Proxies:
- Diverse Proxy Options: From data center to residential proxies, Rayobyte covers a broad spectrum of proxy needs.
- IP Rotation: Regular IP rotation reduces the risk of detection and blocking during web scraping or data collection.
- Ethical Data Collection: Emphasizing a sustainable approach, Rayobyte ensures its residential proxies are ethically sourced.
- 24/7 Support: Users get round-the-clock support, which can be invaluable for time-sensitive projects.
Who owns Rayobyte? Rayobyte rebranding explained
There’s a bit of confusion around the Rayobyte name, but don’t worry—we’ll cover it. It’s actually pretty simple and straightforward.
Rayobyte, formerly known as Blazing SEO, is a well-established player in the proxy industry. Founded nearly nine years ago by CEO Neil Emeigh, the company has remained entirely bootstrapped, allowing Emeigh to prioritize long-term values over quick financial gains. “It was always important to me that I didn’t have an investor – someone with only $$ in their eyes – driving the direction of our company,” he explains. This independence has helped Rayobyte maintain a focus on ethical and sustainable data practices.
In 2024, Blazing SEO underwent a rebranding process to become Rayobyte, reflecting its expanded mission and commitment to transparency and user-centered services.
Sometimes companies change their names for unclear reasons, which can lower customer trust. However, that’s not the case here—Rayobyte has clearly explained the reason for its rebranding in their announcement.
Rayobyte’s proxy options explained
Rayobyte provides three primary proxy categories: data center, residential, and ISP proxies. Here’s a closer look at each:
1. Data center proxies
Rayobyte’s data center proxies are among the most affordable in the market, offering high-speed connections and unlimited bandwidth. These proxies are well-suited for web scraping and automated tasks where IP reliability is a priority.
Pros:
- High speed
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Cost-effective
Cons:
- Higher chance of IP blocking on restricted sites
2. Residential proxies
For a more authentic browsing experience, Rayobyte’s residential proxies offer access to IPs assigned to real devices. These proxies are excellent for bypassing geo-restrictions and reducing the risk of detection when scraping data.
Pros:
- High anonymity
- Geo-targeting options
- Reliable for scraping social media and e-commerce sites
Cons:
- Higher cost than data center proxies
3. ISP proxies
Rayobyte’s ISP proxies provide a balance between speed and anonymity, combining the advantages of residential IPs with the speed of data center proxies. They’re ideal for users who need reliable and quick IP rotation without sacrificing performance.
Pros:
- Faster than traditional residential proxies
- Effective for continuous scraping
Cons:
- Limited availability in some locations
Performance and usability
Based on my experience using Rayobyte proxies, they truly deliver in terms of speed and reliability. The investment Rayobyte has made in server quality and network infrastructure really shows—I’ve experienced minimal downtime and consistent connections, even during high-demand scraping sessions.
Rayobyte’s dashboard is intuitive, making it easy to set up proxies, manage IP rotations, and customize settings. I appreciate straightforward, user-friendly tools, so I found the configuration process very accessible. If you’re just starting out with proxies, you’ll have no trouble navigating it.
Many other users echo this satisfaction, noting how Rayobyte makes it easy to get up and running quickly and efficiently.
Who is Rayobyte best suited for?
Rayobyte is a highly flexible solution. Take a look at this list—you’ll definitely find your use case here:
- Businesses and individuals: Rayobyte provides reliable proxy services that can be tailored to both commercial and personal use.
- Data scraping: Ideal for companies that need to perform high-volume data extraction, such as for market research, competitor analysis, and SEO purposes.
- Market research and brand protection: Companies can use residential proxies to monitor market trends, protect their brand reputation, and verify online advertisements.
- Flexible Use Cases: Rayobyte’s diverse services cater to various scenarios, from targeted data collection to accessing region-specific information, making it a versatile solution for multiple needs.
Rayobyte vs competitors
There are many different platforms on the market, but people often find themselves choosing between Rayobyte and other well-known proxy providers. The right choice ultimately depends on your specific needs (you may refer to the previous section to find your case, then return to the table for easier navigation). Rayobyte operates in a highly competitive market alongside top players.
Rayobyte vs. IP Royal
IPRoyal is a popular proxy service provider offering a range of solutions, including residential, ISP, data center, and mobile proxies.
Feature | Rayobyte | IP Royal |
Proxy Types | – Residential Proxies – Data Center Proxies – ISP Proxies – Mobile Proxies | – Residential Proxies – Data Center Proxies – ISP Proxies – Mobile Proxies |
IP Coverage | – Extensive geo-targeting capabilities, covering over 100 locations worldwide | – Controls over 100,000 residential IP addresses across more than 100 locations worldwide |
Pricing | – Residential Proxies: Starting at $7 per GB, with bulk discounts reducing the price to $2.45 per GB | – Residential Proxies: Starting at $1.75 per GB |
Geo-Targeting | – Offers free city, state, and country targeting without additional costs | – Provides precise geo-targeting options |
Bandwidth | – Residential proxies come with non-expiring traffic | – Residential proxies offer unlimited bandwidth |
Ethical Sourcing | – Emphasizes ethically sourced residential proxies, ensuring all participants are aware and compensated | – Focuses on ethical considerations in data collection |
Support | – Provides 24/7 customer support | – Offers 24/7 live chat support and dedicated managers for enterprise clients |
Rayobyte vs. Zyte
Zyte offers a comprehensive web scraping platform that includes a Smart Proxy Manager, providing automated proxy rotation and management to ensure efficient and reliable data extraction.
Feature | Rayobyte | Zyte |
Core Services | – Specializes in providing high-quality proxy solutions, including residential, data center, ISP, and mobile proxies | – Focuses on data extraction services, offering advanced web scraping tools and managed data services |
Web Scraping Tools | – Offers a general-purpose web scraping API with data parsing capabilities for platforms like Google and Amazon | – Provides AI-driven scraping solutions, including Zyte API with ban handling and AI extraction features |
Proxy Solutions | – Provides a range of proxy types with features like IP rotation and geo-targeting | – Offers Smart Proxy Manager with features like automatic proxy rotation and geolocation |
Target Audience | – Ideal for users seeking flexible and reliable proxy services for various applications, including web scraping, SEO research, and secure browsing | – Suited for businesses requiring comprehensive data extraction services with advanced scraping features and managed data feeds |
Pricing Model | – Offers flexible pricing with options for different proxy types, including pay-as-you-go and subscription models | – Provides pay-as-you-go pricing with options for enterprise-level services |
Additional Features | – Emphasizes ethical sourcing of proxies and offers features like free city/state/country targeting without additional costs
| – Offers built-in legal compliance, AI-powered data extraction, and scalable cloud hosting for web scraping projects |
Remember: the winner in this comparison isn’t necessarily any of these products. The real winner will be you if you have a clear understanding of your needs and choose the platform that best fits them
Rayobyte pricing
While residential proxies are typically priced higher, the pricing structure is flexible based on usage volume. Note that Rayobyte’s website provides detailed tiers, especially for high-volume users, which can reduce per-GB pricing significantly. Clarify that bulk users benefit from reduced rates, which may appeal to heavy data users.
Final verdict
Rayobyte has made significant strides in diversifying its proxy offerings to cater to a range of professional needs. From data center to residential proxies, they provide reliable options for anyone needing secure and anonymous browsing. While Rayobyte’s residential proxies come at a premium, the robust customer support, ethical sourcing, and solid performance make it a worthwhile investment for businesses and individuals serious about data privacy and reliability.
