7 Best Proxies for Web Scraping in 2025 (Actually Tested)

Getting the right proxy for web scraping can feel like walking through a minefield of blocked IPs and CAPTCHAs. Trust me, I've been there.

My countless failed scraping attempts and frustrating blocks led me to test the most popular proxy services. The results surprised me completely. Major providers have impressive networks - Oxylabs runs about 100 million IPs worldwide, NetNut manages over 85 million residential IPs in more than 200 countries, and Bright Data provides more than 72 million rotating IPs globally. ZenRows keeps up well with over 55 million premium IPs in more than 185 countries.

You have three main choices when picking proxies for web scraping: residential proxies with high anonymity and varied IP pools, datacenter proxies that are fast and budget-friendly, or mobile proxies that websites struggle to detect but work only with mobile environments. Each type meets different scraping needs, and your specific requirements determine the best choice.

This piece shares my real-life testing results of the 7 best proxies for web scraping in 2025. I've tested everything from premium feature-rich tools like Oxylabs to value-focused services like Decodo (formerly Smartproxy), and specialized solutions for specific websites. Let me show you what works best.

1. Proxy-Cheap

Quality doesn't always take a back seat to affordability in proxy services. Proxy-Cheap emerged as a budget-friendly provider in 2018 and quickly made a name through competitive pricing and its large IP pool.

Proxy-Cheap key features

The service runs an impressive network with over 7 million residential IPs across 127 countries. This vast network lets users access content from almost anywhere, making it a great way to get geographical diversity for web scraping projects.

Proxy-Cheap has a complete range of proxy types that fit different needs:

• Static Residential Proxies: Real IP addresses that work long-term with better privacy
• Rotating Residential Proxies: Auto IP rotation for better anonymity
• Datacenter Proxies (IPv4 and IPv6): Quick and economical options
• Mobile Proxies: IPs from 3G/4G/5G mobile networks
• ISP Proxies: You get datacenter speeds with residential IP legitimacy

The strong infrastructure supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols with username/password authentication. The service also lets you control sessions with rotation options from 5-30 minutes and unlimited bandwidth on most plans.

The user-friendly dashboard stands out as a key feature. Users who tested the service say they can switch between proxies with just one click. The interface has helpful tools like real-time usage stats, a Chrome extension for smooth browser integration, API endpoint generation, and proxy list export options.

Proxy-Cheap pros and cons

Pros:

• Great value: The service ranks among the most economical proxy providers with prices starting at just $0.15 per proxy
• Big global network: Access to 127+ countries lets you reach region-specific content easily
• Many proxy types: A complete selection that matches your specific needs
• Simple to use: The dashboard works well for both beginners and pros
• Good reputation: A 4.4/5 Trustpilot rating from 662 reviews shows reliability

Cons:

• Speed varies at peak times: Residential proxies might slow down during busy periods
• Limited advanced features: The service doesn't deal very well with complex tasks like account creation or advanced bot detection
• Support quality varies: Customer support might not match premium services

Proxy-Cheap best use case

The service shines in several scenarios where you need to watch your budget. It works best for:

1. Smart web scraping: You get data extraction with anonymity and efficiency at a reasonable cost. The diverse IP pool helps avoid blocks while keeping expenses low.
2. New proxy users: The simple interface and low starting price make it perfect for beginners.
3. Light to medium automation: The service handles basic tasks like social media management, forum posting, or small-scale data collection.
4. Market research: Businesses can check competitor prices across regions without spending too much on proxy costs.
5. Getting past geo-blocks: You can access region-locked content on streaming services, news sites, or platforms with location restrictions.

The service might not be your best pick for enterprise needs, city-level targeting, or high-volume operations - you might want to look at other options on our list. But Proxy-Cheap delivers great value when you need affordable proxies that work well for standard web scraping.

2. Oxylabs

Oxylabs, a 10-year-old Lithuanian company, stands as a revolutionary force in the enterprise-level proxy market. The company's network spans over 100 million IPs across 195 countries. They provide sophisticated solutions that businesses need for reliable web scraping infrastructure.

Oxylabs key features

Oxylabs' impressive proxy network serves as their cornerstone offering:

• Massive residential proxy pool: Over 100 million residential IPs span 195 locations worldwide. The largest networks exist in the US (10+ million IPs), China (5+ million), Germany (3+ million), and the UK (3.5+ million)
• Diverse proxy types: The network has residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile proxies that meet various scraping needs
• Ethical sourcing: The company gets residential IPs through legitimate partnerships like Honeygain. Users get financial compensation for sharing bandwidth
• Advanced scraping tools: Their Web Scraper API comes with AI-powered features, headless browser capabilities, and CAPTCHA bypass technologies

OxyCopilot stands out as an AI assistant that creates web scraping code from plain English prompts. This tool cuts development time by automatically creating scraping requests and parsing instructions without coding.

The company's offerings include specialized features like Proxy Rotator to prevent blocking, Headless Browser for JavaScript rendering, Custom Parser for data extraction, and Scheduler for automating repetitive scraping jobs. Their ISO/IEC 27001:2017 certification shows their steadfast dedication to security standards.

Oxylabs pros and cons

Pros:

• Extensive proxy network: The network ranks among the largest with exceptional global coverage
• High success rates: Their sophisticated anti-detection systems provide reliable access to challenging websites
• Ethical IP sourcing: Users consent to share residential proxies and most receive monetary compensation
• Advanced tooling: A detailed suite of features from proxy management to data parsing
• Excellent documentation: Clear technical guides and support materials
• 24/7 support: Help desk runs through live chat and email

Cons:

• Premium pricing: Costs run higher than budget alternatives, which may not suit small projects or startups
• Steep learning curve: Technical knowledge becomes necessary for full usage
• Complex implementation: New users might struggle with initial setup
• Specialized business support limitations: The focus stays mainly on e-commerce, search engines, and real estate verticals

Oxylabs best use case

The enterprise focus and premium pricing make Oxylabs excel where reliability and scale matter most:

1. Large-scale e-commerce monitoring: The service works best for tracking prices, inventory, and reviews across major platforms like Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and Target
2. Search engine data extraction: Users can collect SERP data efficiently, including featured snippets and local packs from Google, Bing, and other search engines
3. Enterprise market research: Businesses that need large volumes of structured data with minimal failures find this solution ideal
4. Cybersecurity applications: The service fits well with threat intelligence gathering and brand protection activities
5. AI training data collection: Their Model Context Protocol (MCP) standardizes data for large language models, making it valuable for AI development

Oxylabs stands at the premium tier of proxy services for web scraping. Organizations handling sensitive operations or needing consistent results at scale will find value in their reliability and detailed feature set. Smaller projects or businesses with limited technical resources might want to look at other options.

3. Smartproxy

Smartproxy stands out as a top proxy provider in 2025 by striking the perfect balance between performance and availability. The company, now known as Decodo, offers a strong network of residential, static residential, mobile, and datacenter proxies. They also provide powerful web scraping APIs that suit data extraction needs of all types.

Smartproxy key features

The network boasts over 65 million ethically-sourced IP addresses that span 195+ locations worldwide. Users can access geo-specific content from almost anywhere, which makes it perfect for global scraping operations.

The provider gives you several proxy types that match different needs:

• Residential Proxies: 115M+ real IPs from 195+ locations, including city-level targeting and all 50 US states
• Static Residential (ISP) Proxies: Combines residential IP legitimacy with datacenter-level speeds for stable connections
• Mobile Proxies: 10M+ mobile IPs across 160+ locations with 700+ ASNs for maximum anonymity
• Datacenter Proxies: 500K+ high-speed IPs with unlimited threads and connections

Their Site Unblocker (formerly Web Unblocker) shines as a standout feature that uses advanced techniques like dynamic browser fingerprinting and AI-powered proxy management to bypass sophisticated anti-bot systems. The platform also offers specialized scraping APIs for eCommerce, general web scraping, SERP data, and social media platforms.

Users who prefer code-free solutions will find useful tools like a Chrome extension, Firefox add-on, address generator, and a no-code scraper extension. These features deliver a 99.47% success rate, ensuring consistent data extraction.

Smartproxy pros and cons

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Clean, easy-to-use dashboard that suits beginners
• Extensive proxy network: 65M+ IPs across 195+ locations provide exceptional global coverage
• Fast response times: Residential proxies average <0.6s and datacenter proxies <0.3s
• Reliable performance: 99.47% reported success rate for web scraping tasks
• 24/7 customer support: Live chat and email support ready to help
• Detailed API tools: Ready-to-use scraping solutions for various target websites

Cons:

• Limited trial options: No completely free plans available
• Pricing complexity: Multiple plan structures can confuse new users
• Occasional blocks: Some users report getting blocked on certain websites
• Email support delays: Live chat tends to be faster than email responses

Smartproxy best use case

Smartproxy really shines in several key areas where its mix of performance and price creates the best value:

1. Mid-scale web scraping operations: Rotating IPs and high success rates make it great for data extraction projects that need reliability without enterprise-level budgets.
2. Multi-account management: The service works great for managing multiple accounts across platforms without triggering suspicious activity flags.
3. Price aggregation and monitoring: eCommerce businesses find it valuable for tracking competitor pricing across regions.
4. AdTech verification: The service helps test and verify ads across multiple locations.
5. SEO research: Digital marketers can easily collect SERP data and analyze competitors.

My tests show that Smartproxy works best for businesses and individuals looking for middle ground between budget options and premium services. The platform's simple setup and controls make it available to users with limited technical knowledge, while advanced users will love its deep configuration options.

4. Bright Data

Bright Data started as Luminati Networks and grew into a detailed web data platform that serves more than 20,000 customers worldwide. This Israeli company goes beyond traditional proxy services to provide a complete ecosystem for web scraping and data collection.

Bright Data key features

Bright Data's massive proxy network stands at its core with:

• Residential proxies: Over 150 million IPs sourced from 195 countries
• Datacenter proxies: Approximately 770,000 IPs across 98 countries
• ISP proxies: More than 700,000 static IPs combining residential legitimacy with datacenter speeds
• Mobile proxies: Around 7 million mobile IPs from 3G/4G/5G networks

Bright Data stands out from other proxy services because of its precision targeting capabilities. Users can pick IPs based on country, city, state, ZIP code, and even ASN. This level of targeting helps collect accurate data from specific locations.

Bright Data's specialized tools make web scraping easier:

• Web Scraper API: Pre-built endpoints for extracting structured data from 100+ domains
• Scraping Browser: Compatible with Puppeteer, Selenium, and Playwright for complex scraping tasks
• Web Unlocker: Automatically handles CAPTCHAs, fingerprinting, and anti-bot measures
• Scraping Functions: Serverless environment for creating custom scrapers with built-in browsing capabilities

These tools come packed with features like bulk request handling, data discovery, automated validation, and JavaScript rendering. They can handle even the toughest websites effectively.

Bright Data pros and cons

Pros:

• Enterprise-ready infrastructure: 99.99% uptime and detailed data security protocols
• Ethical compliance: Transparent IP sourcing with user consent and monetary compensation
• Detailed documentation: Clear guides and support materials for implementation
• Versatile output formats: Data delivered in NDJSON, CSV, and other structured formats
• Advanced geo-targeting: Precise location targeting down to ZIP code level
• Automatic unlocking: Built-in tools to bypass CAPTCHAs and anti-bot systems

Cons:

• Higher pricing: Costs more than competitors, especially for high-traffic projects
• Steep learning curve: New users might find the interface overwhelming
• Stringent KYC process: Strict customer verification could limit some use cases
• Complex setup: You need technical expertise for the initial configuration

Bright Data best use case

Bright Data shines in several specific areas:

1. E-commerce competitive intelligence: Perfect for tracking product listings, pricing, and availability across major retail platforms
2. Brand protection: Spots unauthorized sellers, stops piracy, and maintains brand compliance
3. Financial services and investment research: Collects market data and financial insights reliably
4. Travel industry data collection: Monitors flight prices, hotel availability, and competitor offerings
5. SERP tracking: Pulls detailed search engine results for SEO analysis

Bright Data works best for enterprise-level operations that need reliable access to challenging websites. Companies needing steady performance for large-scale data extraction will find its detailed toolset and resilient infrastructure worth the premium pricing. It's an excellent choice for web scraping projects where reliability matters more than cost.

5. NetNut

NetNut stands out in the proxy market through its direct connections to Internet Service Providers (ISPs). The company's infrastructure combines traditional residential proxies with high-speed datacenter options.

NetNut key features

NetNut's network includes over 85 million residential IPs across 195 countries worldwide. This gives users extensive geographic access for web scraping operations. The company's one-hop connectivity architecture makes it unique:

• Direct ISP partnerships: NetNut gets many IPs directly from ISPs instead of peer-to-peer networks, which creates faster connections
• One-hop connectivity: Traffic flows through NetNut's network without using end users' devices, which removes potential bottlenecks
• Multiple proxy types: Users can choose from rotating residential proxies, static residential proxies, mobile IPs, and datacenter proxies

The company's Web Unblocker solution helps bypass CAPTCHAs and anti-bot measures. The system rotates IPs automatically, which ensures continuous scraping without manual intervention.

Developers can use NetNut's complete API to control proxy settings, rotation rules, and session persistence. This makes it easy to combine with existing scraping frameworks.

NetNut pros and cons

Pros:

• Superior speed: Direct ISP connections and one-hop architecture perform faster than traditional residential proxies
• High success rates: Mobile proxies achieve 99.9% success rates
• Unlimited concurrent connections: Users can make unlimited simultaneous requests
• Strong targeting: Users can select IPs at city/state level for precise geo-targeting
• 24/7 IP availability: Static residential proxies stay consistently available

Cons:

• Premium pricing: Entry point costs more than budget alternatives
• Limited management tools: Fewer proxy management utilities compared to competitors
• Complex dashboard: New users might need time to learn the interface
• Limited free trial: Only 7 days to review the service

NetNut best use case

My testing shows NetNut works best for:

1. High-volume web scraping: The unlimited concurrent connections and high-speed architecture make large-scale data extraction projects easier
2. AI-driven scraping operations: These proxies combine smoothly with AI scraping tools for training datasets and machine learning applications
3. Access to challenging websites: ISP-sourced IPs face fewer blocks on sites that filter datacenter traffic aggressively
4. Mobile-first data collection: Their mobile proxy network excels at gathering content from mobile websites and apps

NetNut proves to be a strong choice for organizations that need reliable, high-speed proxy infrastructure for serious web scraping operations.

6. Rayobyte

Rayobyte (formerly Blazing SEO) has evolved into a major player in the proxy market since 2015. The US-based provider, part of the Sprious group, specializes in datacenter proxies and has expanded to residential, ISP, and mobile options. Their business model emphasizes ethical practices and technical excellence.

Rayobyte key features

The company's impressive infrastructure includes datacenter proxies with about 300,000 IPs distributed across 20,000 C-class subnets and 9 ASNs. This diverse setup substantially reduces mass ban risks during web scraping operations.

Rayobyte's proxy offerings include:

• Datacenter proxies: Shared, dedicated, or rotating options in 30 countries with unlimited threads and typically unmetered bandwidth
• ISP proxies: These combine residential legitimacy with datacenter speeds
• Residential proxies: The company sources these ethically through their Cash Raven app with user consent
• Mobile proxies: A hybrid system combines dedicated devices with peer-to-peer IPs

The company's Web Scraping API manages proxies, browsers, rate limits, and bypasses CAPTCHAs automatically. Their system uses AI to enhance scraping results and advanced fingerprinting techniques.

Rayobyte pros and cons

Pros:

• Datacenter proxies come with unlimited bandwidth
• The core team controls hardware end-to-end for quick troubleshooting
• Ethical sourcing of residential proxies
• Success rates surpass competitors like Bright Data
• 1 Gbps connection lines deliver excellent speed

Cons:

• ISP proxies cost more than competitors
• Different proxy types need separate dashboards
• Mobile proxy features are limited
• Some users report occasional IP instability

Rayobyte best use case

Rayobyte shines when you need reliable datacenter infrastructure for web scraping. The service works best for:

1. E-commerce data extraction from major platforms
2. SEO monitoring and SERP data collection
3. Price monitoring and aggregation projects
4. Market research that needs diverse IP locations
5. Social media scraping where login persistence matters

The company combines ethical residential proxy practices with a strong datacenter network. This makes it ideal for businesses that need both performance and compliance in their web scraping operations.

7. GeoNode

GeoNode, a Singapore-based company, provides proxy solutions with straightforward pricing and ethical sourcing practices. This newcomer to the proxy market has earned recognition for its transparent practices and easy access to web scraping applications.

GeoNode key features

GeoNode gives you access to over 2 million IP addresses from more than 140 countries. You can target locations right down to specific cities. Their proxy network supports:

• Multiple proxy types: Residential, datacenter, and mobile proxies with rotating and static options
• Technical protocols: HTTP/HTTPS and SOCKS5 protocol support
• Session control: Sticky ports that keep IPs stable for 5-60 minutes
• Authentication options: Username/password and IP whitelisting (up to 20 addresses)
• Advanced targeting: Country, city, and ISP targeting capabilities

A notable advantage is GeoNode's pay-per-concurrent-request model. You only pay for what you actually use instead of preset bandwidth packages.

GeoNode pros and cons

Pros:

• Competitive pricing: One of the most economical residential proxy options at USD 0.50 per GB
• Clean IP pool: Users confirm high-quality IPs with minimal detection issues
• Easy-to-use interface: Simple dashboard that needs basic technical knowledge
• Responsive support: Round-the-clock customer service with quick replies

Cons:

• Speed fluctuations: Users notice latency issues during peak traffic
• Limited free trial: A USD 5.00 payment gets you a 3-day trial with 10GB
• IP reliability concerns: Users sometimes get IPs from unexpected locations

GeoNode best use case

GeoNode excels at:

1. Budget-friendly web scraping: Perfect if you need affordable residential proxies for your startup
2. E-commerce monitoring: Great for price comparison and market research
3. SEO analysis: Reliable for SERP monitoring across regions
4. Travel fare collection: Excellent for gathering travel website pricing data

My tests of various proxy services for web scraping projects through 2025 show that finding the right provider depends on your needs and budget. Different services shine in different scraping scenarios.

Oxylabs and Bright Data lead the pack for companies that need reliability and rich features. Their huge IP pools and advanced anti-detection systems make them perfect for enterprise users who value performance over cost.

Budget-smart users will like Proxy-Cheap's great value that doesn't cut corners on key features. The affordable prices work well for smaller projects or newcomers starting their first scraping project.

Smartproxy (now Decodo) and NetNut sit right in the middle. They mix fair prices with reliable performance. Their direct ISP connections and big networks suit medium-sized operations that need dependable data extraction.

The type of proxy you need should match your scraping targets:

• Residential proxies are still best at avoiding detection, though they cost more
• Datacenter proxies give you speed and value on less strict websites
• Mobile proxies help you stay anonymous when getting mobile content
• ISP proxies combine datacenter speed with residential trustworthiness

Several key factors should shape your final choice:

1. Geographic coverage that matches your target websites
2. Rotation options that fit your scraping patterns
3. Authentication methods that work with your tools
4. Support quality that matches your tech skills

The proxy world keeps changing as anti-bot systems get smarter. You should test several providers with your specific cases before picking a long-term partner. Real-world testing helps you find the sweet spot between performance, reliability, and cost for your unique scraping needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are the best proxy providers for web scraping in 2025?

Based on extensive testing, some of the top proxy providers for web scraping in 2025 include Proxy-Cheap, Oxylabs, Smartproxy (now Decodo), Bright Data, NetNut, Rayobyte, and GeoNode. Each offers unique features and pricing models to suit different scraping needs and budgets.

How do residential proxies differ from datacenter proxies for web scraping?

Residential proxies use IP addresses associated with real residential internet service providers, making them appear more legitimate and less likely to be blocked. Datacenter proxies, while often faster and cheaper, come from cloud servers and are more easily detected by anti-scraping measures.

What factors should I consider when choosing a proxy for web scraping?

Key factors to consider include the size and diversity of the IP pool, geographic coverage, pricing structure, rotation capabilities, success rates, speed, and additional features like CAPTCHA solving or browser fingerprinting. Also consider the level of customer support and documentation provided.

Are there affordable options for residential proxies?

Yes, providers like Proxy-Cheap and GeoNode offer more budget-friendly residential proxy options. While they may have smaller IP pools or fewer advanced features compared to premium providers, they can be suitable for smaller projects or those just starting with web scraping.

How can I ensure my web scraping activities remain ethical and compliant?

To maintain ethical scraping practices, respect website terms of service, implement rate limiting to avoid overloading servers, identify your scraper in the user agent string, and only collect publicly available data. Choose proxy providers that source their IPs ethically and comply with data protection regulations.5.