1. Best overall proxy
2. Best proxy with antivirus
3. Best free proxy
4. Best of the rest
5. How to choose a proxy
6. FAQs
Nobody wants to be tracked or spied on as they browse the web—and a proxy can help shore up your digital privacy. These handy digital tools are similar to VPNs, seeing as both tools reroute your traffic through a secure server, fooling the sites you visit into thinking you're located somewhere else. However, it's important to remember that proxies don't encrypt your data like a VPN.
A proxy acts as the gateway between you and the internet. The details of the sites you check out are saved to the proxy server and not your computer, and while the proxy owner can see your real IP, sites and apps can't. As a result, you'll be able to cloak your activity and prevent sites from building profiles around you and your habits, and using the info to generate eeirily invasive ads.
Because proxies lack encryption (and because your online activity can still be traced back to your proxy-based IP), they're considered less secure than VPNs. So, your best bet is to use a proxy that's built into a VPN—or use a VPN rather than a proxy. I'll be focusing on proxies in this shortlist, however, and I've compared the features, security tools, and unblocking power of today's top contenders.
The best proxy services in 2024
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Let's take a closer look at my top 5 proxy picks for 2024. I've compared each provider's most recent test results, discussed what I liked about each service, and pointed out any reason I think you'd be better off looking elsewhere.
The best proxy overall
ExpressVPN is one of the biggest names when it comes to VPNs, and it's a fantastic choice if you want a long-term proxy solution too. It offers extensive security features, ensuring it doesn't keep any traffic logs, keeping your data safe and secure at all times. Based on the British Virgin Islands, you won't have to worry about data retention laws either, so you're safe in the knowledge that your privacy is maintained at all times. Nothing will be traced back to you.
Alongside that, it offers consistently great speeds no matter what location you choose, and boy, are there plenty of locations. Over 3,000 servers are available across 94 different countries, and it's easy to switch between them giving you plenty of flexibility, depending on what you're doing online.
▶ Try ExpressVPN with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Other features include a kill switch that prevents your traffic from leaking unencrypted in the unlikely event your connection drops, along with 256-bit encryption so you're super secure. ExpressVPN also offers a split tunneling feature that keeps you safer, dividing up your data online so that your activities are near impossible to trace. You can't beat ExpressVPN for keeping your browsing anonymous.
Best proxy with antivirus
Another big name in the VPN business, NordVPN might be overkill for occasional proxy users, but - honestly - you need a VPN to protect your data more often than you might think. Much like ExpressVPN, NordVPN provides fast speeds and plenty of servers, all keen to keep your data secure. In recent times, NordVPN has added its NordLynx protocol to all users' services, boosting speeds significantly and generally providing a better service.
Elsewhere, NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy as well as regular independent audits so that you know your data is safe and in no one's virtual hands but yours. NordVPN goes one further than most VPN companies and even has a bug bounty program to encourage users to find potential security issues.
Elsewhere, there are reasonably standard VPN features such as DNS leak protection, kill switch functionality and 256-bit AES encryption. In a nod to the main benefit to proxies, the kill switch can be set up to only kick in when an individual app needs protection, meaning you can keep on working away at your other activities if this annoyance occurs.
As mentioned, NordVPN is keen to tie you in for long periods, providing you with great deals for long subscriptions. That won't appeal to all users, so don't be afraid to look elsewhere for a short-term fix.
Best free proxy
In some ways, HideMyAss offers everything you could want. There's a free web proxy tool that means you can simply enter the URL you want to browse and leave HideMyAss to do the rest, as well as a paid VPN solution. The free tool, predictably, has the catch of only working in one tab and comes with all the caveats that a regular proxy has, so we'd recommend switching it up to the paid plan. Still, it's handy for those occasional moments where you need to hop onto a proxy server quickly.
It's the VPN side of things that makes more sense in the long term. It has everything you could need, including a strict no-logs policy with the company regularly audited. Alongside that, you can connect up to 5 devices at once through the service. Useful features like a kill switch ensure you can avoid data leaks, with the option to do so on an app-by-app basis or en masse. Split tunneling functionality is also available, allowing you to divide up your data and only use the VPN for specific processes.
HideMyAss also has an IP shuffle feature which randomizes your IP address anywhere from every 10 minutes to once a day, keeping trackers on their toes and able to keep on top of your activities. It's an all-around useful way of conducting your movements online.
Best of the rest
CyberGhost likes to specialize in torrenting thanks to its Torrent Anonymously profile, but it's also useful for general browsing. With plenty of servers, you'll find the access you need, even if they're not quite as fast as the likes of ExpressVPN.
In terms of ease of use, CyberGhost is super easy to use and get to grips with. Even its mobile apps are full of features and still simple to use. There are extensions for all major browsers, so you can easily use it like a proxy rather than anything more complicated.
Elsewhere, there are other essential features like a no-logs policy, 256-bit AES encryption, and a kill switch feature that can work on an app-by-app basis or for the whole system. You can also set up CyberGhost to connect to a particular server when you open a specific app, which can be a real timesaver depending on what you're doing.
Not everyone needs to connect from a different location all the time. We wouldn't recommend KProxy for torrenting, streaming foreign content, or any extended use, but it does the job well for a quick session.
Simply log onto the site and you can get started through one of the public servers, or opt to subscribe for ten days+ to get access to premium servers and enjoy a no-ads experience. Impressively, you're not paying for a period of time, you're paying for the effective days you use, so it works out as good value for occasional users.
Due to the nature of KProxy, it won't be the fastest and it doesn't have the benefits that a 'proper' VPN client offers, but if you're in a bind and you just need to do something fast, it's a great backup plan.
If you are looking for a simple, easy-to-use proxy server, KProxy is worth checking out. Get started with it today!
How to choose a proxy
Like with any purchase, it's essential to know what you need from a proxy service before committing to one. Do you just need to browse a website anonymously occasionally? In which case, a free web-based service will be just fine. Just keep an eye on the privacy policy. Free services tend to rely on advertising to survive, making them less than ideal for more than casual use. They're also often slow.
Alternatively, if you plan on browsing online anonymously regularly, it's a smart idea to invest in a paid solution. We recommend signing up for a VPN rather than a service that's exclusively proxy-based. VPNs secure your entire connection, not just your web browser, and they're generally better priced too.
FAQs
Can I use a free proxy?
If you're keen to sign up for a proxy, whether it's one built-in to a VPN or a simple web-based solution, it's essential to know what's best for you. There are many proxies out there that cover a wide range of different needs and purposes. Both paid and free services exist, and they each offer their strengths and weaknesses, with free services generally less secure but having the benefit of being, well, free. Some are web-based, while others have separate apps for protecting you. Typically, paid services have more features, but that can be overkill, depending on what you need a proxy for.
What's the difference between a VPN and a proxy service?
A VPN is effectively a superior version of a proxy. It masks your IP address, much like a proxy, but it also encrypts all of your traffic. Proxies only work with one application at a time, too, while VPNs cover your whole connection and tend to require less configuring to do so.
At times, a proxy can be faster than a VPN because it's only working with one application at a time, so this can be useful if you're simply trying to circumvent a geo-lock. This isn't always the case, though, when you bear in mind that many VPNs offer multiple server locations, which keeps things speedier. A VPN is simply far more secure and provides more benefits.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:
1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).
2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.
We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
