5 Best Residential Proxy Providers (2023)
Learn the ins and outs of residential proxies and find out which providers are leading the pack.
Residential proxies have emerged as a game-changer in the realm of online interactions. But what’s all the buzz about? At its core, a residential proxy acts as a digital middleman. It cloaks your online presence, making it seem as if you’re browsing from a regular home internet connection. This simple yet powerful tool offers enhanced online anonymity and a passport to bypass those pesky geo-restrictions.
The significance of these proxies is vast. Businesses can gather data without the fear of being blocked. Individuals can access content from different regions without a hitch. Digital marketers can test ads across various geographies with ease. In essence, residential proxies open doors to a more accessible and secure internet experience.
As their popularity soars, the market is flooded with providers. So, how do you pick the best? Dive in as we unveil the top 5 residential proxy providers of 2023, arming you with the insights to navigate the internet confidently.
What Is a Residential Proxy?
Think of a residential proxy as a middleman between your computer and the websites you visit. It’s like wearing a disguise online. So, even if you’re chilling in New York, this proxy can make it seem like you’re browsing from London or Tokyo.
People mostly use these proxies for watching videos, shopping online, or safe banking. They’re a bit like VPN tools, but sometimes even better. Especially since some streaming sites are getting really good at blocking VPNs, causing a lot of headaches for users. So, in a way, these proxies can be a smoother ride online.
Datacenter Proxy vs. Residential Proxy
Datacenter proxies, on the other hand, are like online disguises that come from big computer hubs. Imagine them as costumes you wear at a party. While residential proxies are like everyday clothes, datacenter proxies are more like flashy outfits that can be easily spotted. Websites often recognize and block these flashy outfits because they can be used for unwanted activities.
If you want to go unnoticed, it’s better to use a residential proxy, which looks like a regular internet user from a home. But if you’re looking for a quick and often cheaper option, a datacenter proxy might work, just be cautious as some websites might spot and block them.
To give you a better perspective of the differences between the two, take a look at the table below:
| Feature/Aspect | Residential Proxies | Datacenter Proxies |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Provided by Internet Service Providers to homeowners | Originates from large data centers |
| Appearance | Looks like a regular home internet connection | Appears as if it’s from a big computer hub |
| Detection | Harder for websites to detect | Easier for websites to spot and potentially block |
| Cost | Generally more expensive | Usually cheaper |
| Speed | Can be slower due to routing through home connections | Typically faster as they come from powerful servers |
| Trustworthiness | Seen as more legitimate by websites | Might be viewed with suspicion due to spammy use |
| Use Cases | Web scraping, online shopping, geo-restricted content | Bulk tasks, quick operations, certain web scraping |
| Likelihood of Blocking | Lower likelihood of being blocked | Higher chance of being blocked by some websites |
What Are Other Kinds of Proxies
While we’re on the topic of proxies, there are, in fact, other types of proxies that I think are good to know. Here are the other kinds of proxies available.
1. ISP Proxies
Directly provided by Internet Service Providers, these proxies offer high speed and stability. They’re like residential proxies but come directly from the source, ensuring a higher level of trustworthiness.
2. Static Residential Proxies
These are a blend of residential and datacenter proxies. They offer the legitimacy of a real residential IP address but remain constant (static) for a longer duration, unlike typical residential proxies that change frequently.
3. Private Proxies
Dedicated for a single user’s use, private proxies offer enhanced security and performance. They’re not shared with others, ensuring consistent speed and lower risk of being blacklisted.
4. Mobile Proxies
These proxies use IP addresses from mobile carriers, making them appear as if they’re coming from a mobile device. They’re great for tasks that require appearing as a typical mobile user, and they’re less likely to be detected and blocked by websites.
5. Sneaker Proxies
While not as common, sneaker proxies are specifically designed for purchasing limited-edition sneakers. These proxies are fast and rotate frequently to avoid detection, ensuring users can secure those sought-after shoes before they’re gone.
5 Best Residential Proxy Providers
In this post, we will explore some of the top residential proxy providers, delving into their features, pricing, and other essential information.
1. IPRoyal
IPRoyal is a top choice for reliable residential proxies, offering a smooth browsing experience with minimal interruptions. They have a vast pool of over 2 million unique, ethically-sourced IPs, covering 195 countries. This allows users to target specific locations, from broad regions to individual cities.
Their service boasts a 99.7% success rate, ensuring dependable browsing. A standout feature is their non-expiring traffic policy, which means unused bandwidth remains available to you. Technically, they support the SOCKS5 protocol, offer varied rotation settings, and provide sticky sessions. Developers also get API access.
Pricing is competitive, starting at $7 per GB. For larger packages, this can drop to as low as $2.45 per GB.
2. Marsproxies
Marsproxies offers a top-tier service called ‘Ultra Residential Proxies Optimized’. Each proxy is thoroughly tested for optimal performance. These proxies excel on sneaker websites and are versatile enough for various other tasks, eliminating restrictions, geographical limits, and CAPTCHAs.
They also support SOCKS5, ensuring fast connectivity, which is great for seamless 4k streaming on platforms like YouTube. All these features come at a competitive rate of €3.00 per GB.
3. Bright Data
Bright Data is a leader in residential proxy services, known for its fast speeds that allow users to easily navigate online barriers. They offer extensive location targeting options, from countries and cities to carriers and ASN, ensuring precision. With a remarkable uptime of 99.99%, they’ve been a trusted name since 2016.
Their network boasts over 350 million unique IPs, including a leading residential proxy network of 72 million IPs across 195 countries. Their success rate stands at an impressive 99.9%.
Pricing is competitive, starting at $10.13 per GB. New users can take advantage of a 7-day free trial, and long-term plans offer savings of up to 32%.
4. Smartproxy
Smartproxy boasts a collection of over 40 million residential proxies, compatible with both HTTP(s) and SOCKS5 protocols, and delivering response times under 0.6 seconds. A standout feature is their ethically sourced proxies, all from genuine mobile and desktop devices, ensuring authentic connections. Their global network spans 195+ locations, letting users target specific countries, cities, or mobile carriers for a truly local browsing feel.
Pricing is set at a competitive $4 per GB. They back their services with a 14-day money-back guarantee and also offer a convenient Pay As You Go option for smaller needs.
5. Rayobyte
Rayobyte stands out in the residential proxy market with its unique features. They offer global targeting, covering any country, state, and city without additional costs. Their residential proxies are all crafted in-house, ensuring top-notch quality and readiness for diverse tasks.
With Rayobyte, users enjoy the benefit of unrestricted connections, with each request getting a distinct IP address. This ensures seamless browsing and the ability to sidestep challenges like CAPTCHAs.
Their services are competitively priced at $1 per GB. For those keen to try, Rayobyte provides a 50MB free trial as an added incentive.
Comparison:
| Feature/Provider | IPRoyal | Marsproxies | Bright Data | Smartproxy | Rayobyte |
| Country Targeting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| City/State Targeting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Concurrent Connections | Yes | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Unique IP per Request | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes |
| Anti-CAPTCHA | Yes | Yes | – | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | From: $2.45/GB | €3.00/GB | From: $10.13/GB | From $4/GB | From $1/GB |
| Free Trial | – | – | For registered companies only | – | 50MB |
FAQ About Residential Proxies
Why would I need a residential proxy?
They’re useful for tasks like online shopping, accessing region-restricted content, or web scraping without getting blocked or detected.
Are residential proxies legal?
Yes, they’re legal. However, how you use them matters. Misusing them for unethical activities can lead to legal consequences.
Will I get banned using a residential proxy?
It’s less likely. Because they appear as regular home internet connections, websites usually trust them more than datacenter proxies.
Do they affect my internet speed?
Sometimes. Since they route your traffic through another connection, there might be a slight delay. However, good providers offer fast residential proxies.
How do I set up a residential proxy?
It varies by provider, but usually, you’ll get instructions when you purchase. Most of the time, it involves changing some settings in your browser or software.
Is residential proxy the same as a VPN?
Not exactly. Both hide your identity, but a VPN encrypts all your internet traffic, while a proxy only reroutes the traffic from specific applications or websites.
Can I use residential proxy on my mobile device?
Yes, many providers offer residential proxies that can be set up on both computers and mobile devices.