The Best Web Proxy 🏆: Ultimate Guide to Providers and Features

As the need for fast, budget-friendly, and reliable web proxies grows, many turn to datacenter proxies to get the job done. They’re known for their solid speeds, high uptime, and cost-effective pricing, perfect for anything from web scraping to automation. In this guide, we’ll highlight the top datacenter proxy providers and help you pick the one right for you.

What is a web proxy server?

A web proxy server is a middleman between you and the websites you visit. Instead of connecting directly, your requests pass through the proxy, which fetches the data and returns it to you. This masks your real IP, offering additional privacy features, and even cache frequently accessed sites, potentially improving load times – all without interacting with websites directly.

Users rely on proxies for many reasons. Casual users may use them to access geo-restricted content or browse more privately on public networks. Businesses, on the other hand, use proxies for operational tasks like verifying how ads display in different regions or collecting high volumes of market data without triggering anti-bot systems.

What are datacenter proxies?

Datacenter proxies are IPs allocated by data centers rather than traditional internet service providers (ISPs). They’re known for their lightning-fast speeds, scalable performance, and lower price tag compared to residential proxies.

Because datacenter proxies aren’t tied to a specific household or physical address, they’re more flexible and easier to get in large quantities. This makes them popular for tasks like light web scraping, running automation tools, and monitoring SEO campaigns.

How datacenter proxies differ from other proxies

Datacenter proxies differ from other proxy types in several ways. Compared to residential proxies, they’re generally faster and more affordable, but also more prone to being blocked by platforms with stricter security measures.

Unlike SOCKS proxies, which operate at a lower level and support various types of traffic, datacenter proxies typically use HTTP(S) protocols and are designed for tasks like scraping and automation.

They are often used alongside mobile proxies, which route traffic through real mobile devices on 3G/4G/5G networks. If a datacenter proxy isn’t enough to bypass a block, mobile proxies will do the trick.

The difference between web proxies and proxy browser apps

Proxy browser apps and traditional web proxies both route your traffic through intermediary servers, but they work in different ways.

Proxy browser apps are standalone applications that come with proxy functionality built in. You download the app, open it, and start browsing through the proxy without any configuration. These apps appeal to users who want quick access to geo-restricted content without technical setup, but they only work within that specific browser.

Traditional web proxies work on a system or application level. You configure them in your settings, and they route traffic from any tool you choose, whether that's a browser, a script, or an API client. This approach gives you flexibility to integrate proxies into technical workflows, but is more technical and hence not for the average user.

Proxy security risks and how to avoid them

Not all proxies offer the same level of security. Some, especially free or poorly managed services, can expose your data instead of protecting it.

Common proxy security risks:

• Data logging and resale. Free proxy services often track your browsing activity and may sell it to advertisers or other third parties.
• Unencrypted connections. Proxies that only support HTTP don’t encrypt traffic, making your data visible to anyone monitoring the connection.
• Man-in-the-middle attacks. Malicious or poorly configured proxies can tamper with encrypted traffic if the certificate is insecure.
• Content manipulation and malware. Some proxies inject ads, scripts, or altered content, which can lead to malware infections or credential theft.

How to reduce proxy security risks:

• Avoid free proxies for sensitive or business-critical tasks.
• Use encrypted protocols such as HTTPS and SOCKS5 to protect data in transit.
• Choose reputable providers with clear terms of service and published security practices.
• Verify provider infrastructure is hosted in regions with strong data protection laws.
• Monitor unusual behavior like unexpected redirects, certificate warnings, or injected ads.

Reputable providers like Decodo invest in secure infrastructure and transparent policies to minimize these risks. Selecting the right proxy and configuration is essential to protecting your data while using proxy services.

How to choose the best web proxies?

Here are several of the key factors to consider when choosing a datacenter proxy provider:

• Speed and performance. Faster proxies streamline tasks like data scraping and automation.
• IP pool size. Larger, diverse IP pools minimize the risk of detection and bans.
• Geo-targeting options. A global range of IPs and granular targeting allows access to precise, localized content.
• Reliability and uptime. Consistent, stable connections ensure smooth, uninterrupted operations.
• Cost-effectiveness. Strike a balance between price and features to maximize value.
• Ease of use. A clear, intuitive interface and hassle-free setup mean that even newcomers can get up and running without a hitch.
• Customer support. Quick, well-informed help is key to resolving issues quickly and making the most of the tool’s capabilities.
• Privacy & anonymity. Strong encryption and reputable infrastructure keep your browsing activity protected and secure.

By weighing these factors and comparing top providers side by side, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the best web proxy that suits your unique needs.

Top 5 best web proxy providers in 2026

Below are our picks for the top five datacenter proxy providers of 2026. Some technical details come directly from Proxyway’s Proxy Market Research 2025.

1. Decodo: Known for its proxy scalability and ease of use 🏆

Decodo is one of the industry-leading providers with an expansive network of 500K+ datacenter proxy IPs, including 100K+ shared IPs and 400K+ dedicated IPs. With its customizable pricing options (choose between Pay per IP or Pay per GB), it’s easy to find a plan that fits your needs.

All plans come with unlimited threads and support for HTTP(S) and SOCKS5, backed by a 99.99% uptime. Plus, Decodo boasts up to 2K unique subnets, the best download speed retention in the market, and 24/7 award-winning tech support, making it a flexible, high-performing solution for virtually any use case.

2. Webshare: Customizable self-service options with flexible proxy plans

Webshare provides one of the largest and most geographically diverse datacenter proxy networks, offering a pool of 400K+ IPs across 50+ countries. These proxies support both HTTPS and SOCKS5, and come with a 99.97% uptime guarantee.

All products are available through self-service, and pricing varies based on the proxy type you choose: dedicated proxies (exclusively yours), private proxies (shared with up to two users), and proxy servers (shared among multiple users). This flexible model lets you pick the setup that best matches your project’s needs.

3. Bright Data: Offers a large proxy IP pool with robust features

Bright Data boasts the largest datacenter proxy pool on the market, with 1.3M+ IPs. These proxies are exceptionally fast (0.24s) and offer flexible geo-targeting across 90+ countries, including city-level options. They support HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 (though the latter may require additional setup).

On the other hand, Bright Data’s pricing is pricier, starting at $0.9/IP. On the upside, you’ll find a range of plans – shared or dedicated IPs, as well as Pay per GB – ensuring there’s a suitable option for your needs.

4. Oxylabs: High-performance proxies for enterprises

Oxylabs delivers enterprise-grade datacenter proxies, with a strong pool of 2M+ IPs at your disposal. It is at the top of the pack, featuring exceptional speeds and a 99.99% success rate, and their proxies support HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols.

Oxylabs’ pricing is flexible: Pay per IP or Pay per GB, with entry-level costs starting at $0.75/IP or $0.44/GB. And if you need something more tailored, their sales team is ready to help craft a custom solution.

5. ProxyEmpire: Affordable and reliable proxies for smaller-scale needs

ProxyEmpire targets smaller-scale projects looking for affordable and reliable datacenter proxy solutions. Its rotating proxy pool features 210K+ IPs spread across 50 countries, all supporting HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols. With a guaranteed 99.95% uptime, users can count on stable performance.

ProxyEmpire keeps things simple by charging per traffic only. This approach makes their service budget-friendly without skimping on quality or performance. As a result, ProxyEmpire offers a practical, cost-effective solution for users who need dependable proxies without breaking the bank.

Here’s a summary of the best web proxies in 2026:

1. Decodo

2. Webshare

3. Bright Data

4. Oxylabs

5. ProxyEmpire

To sum up

The top 5 datacenter proxy providers in our list all offer excellent solutions. If scalability and ease of use are your priorities, Decodo’s massive pool and flexible pricing plans are worth checking out. For enterprise-level requirements, Oxylabs delivers high-performance proxies with global coverage and great customizability. And if you think a different proxy type could be a better fit for you, check out our list of the top 10 best proxy service providers.