Best 7 Proxy Servers for Performance, Privacy, and Flexibility

Finding the right proxy server can feel like navigating a digital jungle. There are dozens of providers out there claiming to offer the best speed, anonymity, and control, but the truth is – they’re not all created equal. Whether you’re a marketer, developer, sneakerhead, gamer, or just a data enthusiast, the proxy server you choose can make or break your workflow.

Below, we take you through the 7 best proxy servers available today, complete with details on when they launched, their standout features, proxy types offered, pricing models, and who they’re best suited for. Each provider was handpicked for their consistent performance, reliability, and user reputation. And yes, we’ve saved the best for first.

Proxys.io – The Gold Standard of Proxy Providers

Founded in 2022, Proxys.io has quickly surged to the top of the proxy market with a razor-sharp focus on speed, security, and customer support. Its platform offers residential, mobile, datacenter, and IPv6 proxies, making it one of the most versatile choices for businesses and individuals alike.
One of the key attractions of Proxys.io is its transparent pricing model. With plans starting at around $5 per GB for residential proxies and scalable packages for high-volume users, it appeals to both solo users and enterprise clients. Features like global IP rotation, easy dashboard control, and 24/7 multilingual support position it far ahead of competitors. Whether you’re scraping data, managing multiple accounts, or automating social media, Proxys.io delivers on all fronts.

Oxylabs – High-Volume Enterprise Scraping Solutions

Since its inception in 2015, Oxylabs has become a go-to for enterprises that require massive amounts of data with unmatched reliability. Their proxy network includes 100M+ residential IPs, dedicated datacenter proxies, and next-gen mobile proxies tailored for high-intensity scraping jobs.
Oxylabs’ pricing is geared toward larger clients, with residential plans starting at $300 per month. Their proprietary tools like the Real-Time Crawler and SERP Scraper API allow businesses to scale without technical bottlenecks. Best for data scientists, researchers, and SEO analysts who value infrastructure-level support and unparalleled uptime.

Smartproxy – Affordable and Developer-Friendly

Smartproxy has been making noise in the proxy scene since 2018, building a reputation for performance at competitive rates. It offers residential, shared, and dedicated datacenter proxies, with a user-friendly dashboard that simplifies multi-threaded operations.

Starting at $12.50 per GB, their flexible pricing makes them ideal for smaller teams, freelancers, and startups. Smartproxy is known for being developer-focused, supporting integrations with tools like Puppeteer, Selenium, and Scrapy. Their proxies are optimized for sneaker bots, social media automation, and small-to-mid scraping projects.

Bright Data (formerly Luminati) – Power Meets Complexity

Founded in 2014, Bright Data is a veteran in the proxy space, boasting the largest proxy pool in the industry. With over 72M residential IPs, datacenter proxies, and exclusive mobile IPs, it caters to big corporations with complex data extraction needs.

Their plans start at $15/GB, and while it’s not the cheapest option out there, you get an impressive suite of advanced features like session control, browser automation tools, and real-time usage analytics. Best suited for experienced users or enterprises with dedicated IT resources that can handle the platform’s steeper learning curve.

IPRoyal – Rising Star With Unique Features

Launched in 2020, IPRoyal is a newer player in the game but already turning heads thanks to its affordable pricing, unique sneaker proxy options, and easy setup. It offers residential, datacenter, mobile, and static proxies with highly customizable rotation rules.

Prices start at just $1.75/GB for residential proxies, making IPRoyal perfect for those on a budget. One of its best features is the ability to pay-as-you-go with no subscriptions, which is rare in the proxy world. If you’re a sneaker reseller, gamer, or solo web scraper, this platform is a hidden gem.

NetNut – ISP-Powered Residential Proxies

NetNut was launched in 2017 and sets itself apart by using ISP-level residential proxies instead of peer-to-peer. This results in lower latency and higher success rates – crucial for fast-moving use cases like ticket scalping or crypto data aggregation.

Its proxy types include residential, datacenter, and mobile, with pricing starting at around $300/month for serious usage. NetNut is best for users who prioritize speed, uptime, and clean IP pools with direct ISP connections. Their dashboard is business-focused and offers real-time analytics for data-heavy operations.

Soax – Clean UI Meets Clean IPs

Founded in 2019, Soax has carved out a loyal following with its intuitive interface and flexible proxy pools. Their proxies include residential, mobile, and rotating proxies, all monitored for quality, with geo-targeting features that allow pinpoint targeting in over 100 countries.

Pricing starts at $99/month for 8GB of residential data, with options for daily plans and flexible billing. Soax is particularly attractive for small agencies and digital marketers who need access to reliable IPs without committing to long-term contracts. It’s not the cheapest on the list, but it’s one of the easiest to use.

Comparison Table of the Top 7 Proxy Providers

Key Takeaways When Choosing Your Proxy Provider

When deciding on the best proxy service, think in terms of purpose, budget, and ease of use. If you’re managing a fleet of accounts or scraping vast volumes of data daily, you’ll likely need a provider like Proxys.io or Oxylabs. For developers or small agencies, Smartproxy or Soax may hit the sweet spot of value and usability. Those with specialized needs – such as ISP-level speed or sneaker copping – should look toward NetNut or IPRoyal.
And remember, performance and reliability are never optional when your business or personal automation relies on seamless proxy connections. Choosing a provider that fits your exact use case will not only save you money but also save you from countless hours of frustration.

If you want a solution that blends affordability, flexibility, and power, there’s no better place to start than Proxys.io – a name that’s quickly becoming synonymous with proxy excellence.