Free proxy lists are easy to find, but most of the proxies on them stop working within hours. Some are slow, and some are unsafe. If you need a working IP and port for web scraping, testing, or basic browsing, picking the right source matters more than grabbing the first list that appears.
This article looks at seven free proxy list sources, comparing how often each updates, which protocols it supports (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5), how it shows anonymity levels, and whether it offers filters or an API.
You will also see where free proxies fall short, so you can decide whether a list is enough for your task or whether a paid option makes more sense.
What Are Free Proxy Lists and How Do They Work?
Free proxy lists are web pages or APIs that publish proxy servers anyone can use at no cost. Each entry usually shows an IP address, a port number, the protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5), the server’s country, and an anonymity level.
A proxy server sits between your device and the website you want to visit. Your request goes to the proxy first, and the proxy forwards it to the site. The site sees the proxy’s IP address instead of yours.
To use one, you copy an IP and port from the list and enter them in your browser, app, or script. Most free proxies are public servers, so thousands of other people may be using the same one at the same time. That is why they are often slow and why many stop working within hours.
People use free proxy lists for a few common reasons:
- Testing how a website looks from another country.
- Light web scraping and development work.
- Basic browsing where privacy matters less.
Are Free Proxy Lists Safe to Use?
Free proxy lists are not safe for anything sensitive. A proxy can see the traffic that passes through it, and with free public proxies you usually don’t know who runs the server or what they do with that data. Low-risk tasks like testing a page’s regional version are generally fine. Logging into accounts or entering payment details is not.
Risks of Using Free Proxy Lists
- Traffic monitoring: The operator may be able to see the sites you visit. On a plain HTTP proxy, they may also see unencrypted data.
- Data theft: Passwords or cookies sent over an unencrypted connection can be captured.
- Ads and injected content: Some free proxies alter the pages you load by adding ads or scripts.
- Malware exposure: An untrusted server could redirect you to harmful pages.
- Unreliable performance: Slow speeds, dead proxies, and frequent disconnects are common.
- Blocked IPs: Many websites flag known public proxy IPs, so you may hit CAPTCHAs or bans.
How to Stay Safer When Using Free Proxy Lists
- Never log in to email, banking, or social media accounts through a free proxy.
- Choose HTTPS or SOCKS5 proxies over plain HTTP when possible.
- Make sure the site you visit uses HTTPS, shown by the padlock in your browser.
- Use a separate browser profile with no saved passwords.
- Test every proxy before relying on it.
- Avoid downloading files while connected.
- For anything private or business-critical, use a reputable paid proxy or VPN instead.
How We Chose the Best Free Proxy Lists
We judged each list on what matters to someone who needs a proxy that works today. Here are the criteria.
- Update frequency: Free proxies expire fast, so lists that refresh often rank higher.
- Protocol support: We looked for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 options.
- Anonymity information: Lists that clearly label transparent, anonymous, and elite proxies score better.
- Filters and country options: Filtering by country, speed, and protocol saves time, which matters for US and UK users who need local IPs.
- API or download access: Developers and scrapers need an easy way to pull lists into scripts.
- Ease of use: The list should be clear, fast to load, and not buried in ads.
- Transparency: We favored sites that explain how they collect and check their proxies.
Update Frequency, Protocols, and Anonymity Levels in Free Proxy Lists
These three factors affect how well a free proxy list works in practice.
Update frequency. A list updated every few minutes will have more live proxies than one refreshed once a day. Older entries are far more likely to be dead.
Protocols.
- HTTP works for basic web traffic but is not encrypted.
- HTTPS supports encrypted connections to secure sites.
- SOCKS5 handles more types of traffic, such as apps and scripts, and is more flexible.
Anonymity levels.
- Transparent: Passes along your real IP. It hides nothing.
- Anonymous: Hides your IP but may reveal that a proxy is in use.
- Elite (high anonymity): Hides your IP and does not signal proxy use.
For privacy or scraping, elite proxies are usually the better choice.
7 Best Free Proxy Lists at a Glance (Comparison Table)
| Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oxylabs | Enterprise-scale scraping | $2.5/GB | ★★★★☆ 4.5/5 |
| Webshare | Beginners, small teams | 10 free proxies | ★★★★☆ 4.6/5 |
| Bright Data | Large-scale data collection | $2.5/GB (promo) | ★★★★☆ 4.7/5 |
| IPRoyal | Budget pay-as-you-go | $1.75/GB | ★★★★☆ 4.5/5 |
| NodeMaven | Clean-IP account work | $2.20/GB | ★★★★☆ 4.6/5 |
| Apify | Ready-made scrapers | Free plan | ★★★★☆ 4.6/5 |
| Zyte | Success-based scraping | $0.06/1K responses | ★★★★☆ 4.6/5 |
1. Oxylabs: Best Paid Upgrade When Free Proxy Lists Fall Short
Need proxies that keep working when free lists fall short? Oxylabs is a paid provider built for exactly that moment, and it offers free credits so you can test the service before committing.
With 177M+ IPs behind every request, it suits US and UK teams that scrape websites, track prices, or check local search results. Proxies, browser automation, and datasets sit under one subscription and one dashboard.
Free proxy lists work well for quick tests. When reliability, accurate locations, and security matter, Oxylabs is a natural next step, trusted by 15,000+ clients globally.
Key Features
- Massive IP Network: Access 177M+ IPs that power every request, built for demanding scraping targets.
- Web API: Search the web and scrape any URL, returning structured, agent-ready data through one API.
- Geo-Targeting: Residential Proxies support precise location targeting, including geohash parameters for accurate regional results.
- Agent Browser: Self-service browser automation with live inspection, session replays, and persistent profiles for multi-step tasks.
Pricing Plans
Starts at $2.5/GB for proxies, $1 per 1K searches for Web API, and $4/GB for Browser, plus free test credits.
Best For
Businesses, developers, and data teams needing large-scale web scraping, price monitoring, and AI data collection.
Limitations
- Not a free proxy list; usage is paid after the free credits.
- Different pricing units across products (GB, IP, requests) may confuse new buyers.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
Why We Pick Oxylabs
Choose Oxylabs when free proxies keep failing: an IP pool, geo-targeting, and one dashboard simplify reliable US/UK data collection.
2. Webshare: Best Free Proxy Plan With a Clear Upgrade Path
Webshare gives you something most free lists can’t: proxies that are yours. Sign up and you get 10 free proxies with no credit card, which is a practical way to test a real dashboard instead of copying dead IPs from a list.
When a project grows, you stay in the same account. Paid plans cover datacenter, static residential, and rotating residential proxies, and you choose the proxy count, bandwidth, and location.
For US and UK users, the network lists millions of IPs in both countries. That makes regional testing, price checks, and ecommerce research much simpler.
Key Features
- Permanent Free Plan: Start with 10 free proxies, no credit card, and no sales call required.
- Flexible Proxy Types: Pick datacenter, static residential, or rotating residential proxies to match your project.
- Location Filtering: Target by country, and by state, city, or ZIP code on supported residential plans.
- Developer Tools: API docs, a Chrome extension, and HTTP/SOCKS5 support make setup quick in most tools.
Pricing Plans
Free plan gives 10 proxies. Paid datacenter plans start at $2.99 monthly for 100 proxies, with discounts on larger packages.
Best For
Beginners, developers, and small teams wanting reliable free proxies before moving to paid scraping or testing.
Limitations
- The free plan is limited to 10 proxies.
- Paid prices vary by proxy type, so comparing plans takes time.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Why We Pick Webshare
Webshare is the easiest way to move from unreliable public lists to a free, private proxy set you can actually manage.
3. Bright Data: Best Premium Network When Free Proxy Lists Keep Failing
Dead IPs, sudden blocks, and slow connections are what push most people away from free proxy lists. Bright Data offers a different route: a large, professionally managed network with a free trial and no credit card required to start.
Its residential proxies come from real user devices and can be targeted by country, city, carrier, and ASN. Developers can also add ready-made scraper APIs and an Unlocker API that handles blocks and CAPTCHAs.
If you are ready to move from testing to dependable data collection, this is a serious option with round-the-clock support.
Key Features
- Huge Residential Network: Over 400M IPs from real devices, reaching 195 countries for broad coverage.
- Unlocker API: Handles anti-bot measures and CAPTCHAs automatically, helping scrapers avoid frequent blocks.
- Precise Targeting: Choose country, city, carrier, or ASN to match the exact audience you need.
- Proxy Manager and APIs: Manage traffic, routing, and settings through built-in tools and management APIs.
Pricing Plans
Residential proxies start at $2.5/GB on the current promo, datacenter from $0.9/IP, ISP from $1.3/IP, with free trials available.
Best For
Developers, data teams, and businesses running large-scale scraping, SERP tracking, and AI data collection.
Limitations
- Not a free proxy list; paid plans follow the free trial.
- Many products and pricing units can overwhelm first-time buyers.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.7/5
Why We Pick Bright Data
Bright Data earns its place for reach, targeting depth, and strong support, a dependable step up once free lists stop being enough.
4. IPRoyal: Best Budget-Friendly Option When Free Proxy Lists Stop Working
Free proxy lists cost nothing, but they often cost you time. Slow speeds and dead IPs add up fast. IPRoyal takes a simpler approach: transparent pricing, no contracts, and residential traffic that never expires.
Choose from residential, ISP, datacenter, and mobile proxies, with prices starting from $1.75/GB. You only pay for what you need, so there is no wasted spend on unused data.
For SEO tracking, price monitoring, and travel fare checks, IPRoyal offers affordable access to location-specific data without the usual blocks.
Key Features
- Non-Expiring Traffic: Residential data never expires, so unused bandwidth stays available for your next project.
- Five Proxy Types: Residential, ISP, datacenter, mobile, and Web Unblocker options cover most scraping and testing needs.
- City and State Targeting: Pinpoint locations across Residential, ISP, and Datacenter proxies for accurate local results.
- Free Built-In Tools: Proxy Tester, Proxy Checker, IP Lookup, and a WebRTC Leak Test help you verify setups.
Pricing Plans
Residential starts at $1.75/GB, ISP at $1.80/proxy, datacenter at $1.39/proxy, and mobile at $117/month. No contracts required.
Best For
Budget-conscious freelancers, SEO professionals, and small teams needing flexible, pay-as-you-go proxies for scraping and monitoring.
Limitations
- Not a free proxy list; every proxy type is a paid product.
- Mobile proxies cost more, and pricing units vary across products.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.5/5
Why We Pick IPRoyal
IPRoyal combines low entry prices, flexible billing, and handy free tools, making it a sensible upgrade from unreliable public proxy lists.
5. NodeMaven: Best Clean-IP Provider When Free Proxy Lists Get You Blocked
Most free proxies are already flagged by the sites you want to reach. NodeMaven approaches the problem from the other side: it screens IPs in real time before assigning them, so you start with cleaner addresses instead of recycled ones.
Choose from residential, mobile, and ISP proxies, with sticky sessions that last up to 24 hours. Target by country, city, ISP, or ZIP code, and test the service first with a $3.50 trial that includes 750MB.
If account management, automation, or scraping keeps hitting blocks, this is a practical next step.
Key Features
- IP Quality Filter: Screens addresses in real time before assignment, aiming for cleaner IPs with fewer blocks.
- Long Sticky Sessions: Keep one IP for up to 24 hours, ideal for logins and account workflows.
- Flexible Targeting: Pick country, city, ISP, or ZIP code to match the exact location you need.
- Free Developer Tools: Scraping Browser, IP Lookup, Antibot Checker, and Meta Tag Scraper support testing and setup.
Pricing Plans
Residential and mobile start at $2.20/GB, ISP at $2.33/IP monthly. A $3.50 trial includes 750MB of bandwidth.
Best For
Marketers, automation users, and scrapers needing clean, stable IPs for multi-account work and block-sensitive sites.
Limitations
- Not a free proxy list; the trial is paid at $3.50.
- Smaller IP pool than some competitors, with fewer US IPs listed.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Why We Pick NodeMaven
NodeMaven stands out for IP cleanliness and session stability, solving the blocks and bans that make free proxy lists frustrating.
6. Apify: Best Free Plan When You’d Rather Skip the Proxy Hunt
Hunting for working proxies is a chore, and it often has nothing to do with the real goal: getting the data. Apify flips the process. Instead of juggling IPs, you pick a ready-made tool from its marketplace and let the platform handle the rest.
Thousands of pre-built Actors collect data from Google Maps, TikTok, Instagram, and online stores. Rotating proxies and anti-blocking tools run behind the scenes, so you spend less time debugging dead connections.
Its free plan needs no credit card, so you can try a real scraping workflow before spending anything.
Key Features
- Actor Marketplace: Browse over 113,000 ready-to-run tools for scraping, lead generation, and market research.
- Built-In Anti-Blocking: Proxy rotation and an unblocker reduce blocks without manual IP management.
- Developer Toolkit: Crawlee library, code templates, API access, and Python or JavaScript support speed up custom builds.
- Agent Connections: Link tools to AI agents and apps through MCP, n8n, Zapier, and Google Sheets.
Pricing Plans
A free plan with no credit card is available. Paid tiers add more usage, support, and Store discounts, plus pay-as-you-go.
Best For
Developers, marketers, and researchers wanting ready-made scrapers instead of managing proxy lists by hand.
Limitations
- Not a free proxy list; proxies are paid add-ons beyond free usage.
- Costs vary by Actor and usage, so budgeting takes planning.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Why We Pick Apify
Apify turns proxy trouble into a finished workflow, which suits anyone who wants results rather than another list of IPs.
7. Zyte: Best Pay-for-Success Option When Free Proxy Lists Waste Your Time
Free proxy lists make you do the hard part yourself: find a live IP, test it, rotate it, and hope the site doesn’t block it. Zyte removes that routine. You send a URL to one API, and it chooses the lightest way to reach the page, escalating only when the website demands it.
Proxy rotation, ban handling, CAPTCHA solving, and browser rendering all sit behind that single call. Billing is based on successful responses, so failed requests don’t eat your budget.
New users can start with a $5 free credit and no commitment.
Key Features
- Single Web Scraping API: One request handles proxies, browsers, and bans across easy and difficult websites.
- Automatic IP Rotation: Residential, datacenter, and mobile IPs rotate on their own, with geo-targeting available.
- Built-In CAPTCHA Solving: Common challenge types are solved automatically, keeping scrapers running without manual fixes.
- Structured Extraction: Get product data as clean JSON, with JavaScript rendering and screenshots when needed.
Pricing Plans
Pay as you go or choose a monthly commitment, with discounts at higher tiers. Cost depends on each website’s difficulty tier.
Best For
Developers and data teams wanting dependable scraping for e-commerce, price monitoring, and AI data pipelines.
Limitations
- Not a free proxy list; usage is paid after the trial credit.
- Per-website tier pricing makes exact costs harder to predict upfront.
Rating
★★★★☆ 4.6/5
Why We Pick Zyte
Zyte suits people who want data, not proxy maintenance, and its success-based billing keeps spending tied to results.
How to Use Free Proxy Lists (Step by Step)
Using a free proxy list takes a few minutes, but skipping the testing step is where most people go wrong. Follow these steps in order.
How to Find Working IP and Port from Free Proxy Lists
- Pick a recently updated list. Choose a source that shows when each proxy was last checked. Fresh entries are far more likely to be alive.
- Filter by what you need. Select the protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5), the country, and the anonymity level. For US or UK content, filter by those countries.
- Copy the IP address and port. They usually appear as two values, such as
203.0.113.10:8080. That example is a placeholder, not a real proxy. - Enter them in your browser, app, or script. In a browser, open the proxy settings and paste the IP and port. In Python, add the proxy to your request settings.
- Check your visible IP. Visit an IP lookup page. If it shows the proxy’s IP and location instead of yours, the proxy is active.
How to Test Proxies from Free Proxy Lists
Never trust a proxy just because it is listed. Test it first.
- Run a proxy checker. Paste several proxies into a checker tool to see which respond and how fast.
- Check anonymity. Confirm that your real IP is not leaked in the headers or by a WebRTC test.
- Test the target site. A proxy may work on one site and be blocked on another.
- Measure speed and stability. Reload a page a few times. Slow or dropped connections mean the proxy is not worth using.
- Re-test often. Free proxies die quickly, so check again before each session.
Quick safety reminder: Use free proxies only for low-risk tasks. Do not enter passwords or payment details.
HTTP vs HTTPS vs SOCKS5 in Free Proxy Lists
Free proxy lists usually label each entry as HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5. The protocol decides what kind of traffic the proxy can handle and how much protection you get.
HTTP proxies are designed for regular web traffic. They are common and easy to find, but they do not encrypt the connection between you and the proxy. Treat them as suitable for public pages only.
HTTPS proxies support encrypted connections to secure websites. They are a better pick for browsing sites that use HTTPS, though the proxy operator can still be untrusted.
SOCKS5 proxies work at a lower level and can carry many kinds of traffic, including apps, scripts, and some non-web connections. They are flexible, but they do not automatically encrypt your data either.
| Feature | HTTP | HTTPS | SOCKS5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Basic web pages | Secure websites | Apps, scripts, mixed traffic |
| Encrypted to the proxy | No | Depends on setup | No |
| Traffic types | Web only | Web only | Many types |
| Availability on free lists | Very common | Common | Less common |
| Ideal use | Quick tests | General browsing | Scraping and app testing |
Which one should you choose?
- For simple testing, HTTP is fine.
- For secure sites, choose HTTPS.
- For scripts and apps, SOCKS5 gives the most flexibility.
Remember that the protocol is not the same as privacy. A free proxy of any type can still log your activity.
Free Proxy Lists vs Paid Proxies: Which Should You Choose?
Free proxy lists cost nothing, but you pay with time, reliability, and risk. Paid proxies cost money, but they are built for consistent use. The right choice depends on what you are doing.
| Factor | Free Proxy Lists | Paid Proxies |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Monthly or usage-based fees |
| Reliability | Many dead or slow proxies | Managed networks with support |
| Speed | Often slow and shared | Generally faster and more stable |
| Privacy and security | Unknown operators | Accountable providers |
| Blocks and CAPTCHAs | Frequent, since IPs are widely used | Fewer with cleaner IPs |
| Location targeting | Limited | Country, city, or ISP options |
| Support | None | Usually available |
| Best for | Testing and learning | Scraping, business, and daily use |
When Free Proxy Lists Are Enough
- Learning how proxies work
- Checking how a page looks from another country
- Small, one-time scraping tests
- Low-risk browsing where privacy is not a concern
When to Move to Paid Proxies
- Your scraper keeps getting blocked or fails halfway
- You need stable sessions for logins or accounts
- You collect data regularly or at larger volume
- You handle sensitive or business data
- You need accurate US or UK locations
- You want support when something breaks
Our recommendation: Start with a free list to learn and test. Once reliability or security starts to matter, move to a reputable paid provider or a service with a free plan, like those covered in this article.
Free Proxy Lists FAQs
What is the best free proxy list?
Webshare is a strong pick because it offers 10 free proxies with no credit card. Public lists change constantly, so test every proxy before relying on it.
Are free proxy lists safe to use?
Not for sensitive tasks. Free proxy operators are usually unknown and may monitor traffic, so avoid logins and payments. Use them only for low-risk testing and public pages.
Are free proxy lists anonymous?
Some are, but many are not. Elite proxies hide your IP best, while transparent ones reveal it. Always run an IP and header test to confirm.
How often are free proxy lists updated?
It varies by source. Better lists refresh frequently, often within minutes or hours, because free proxies die quickly. Check the last-checked time before copying any IP.
Can I use free proxy lists for Python scraping?
Yes, for small tests. Add the IP and port to your request settings, but expect failures and blocks. For regular scraping, paid proxies or a scraping API work better.
Is it legal to use free proxy lists in the US and UK?
Using proxies is generally legal in both countries, but illegal activity stays illegal. Always follow website terms and local laws, and avoid accessing accounts or data without permission.
Is a free proxy better than a VPN?
Not usually. A VPN encrypts all your device traffic through a provider, while a free proxy typically covers one app and rarely encrypts. Choose a VPN for privacy.
Final Verdict
Free proxy lists are a good place to learn, but they rarely hold up for real work. Dead IPs, slow speeds, and constant blocks cost more time than they save.
If you want something free that you can actually manage, start with Webshare’s 10 free proxies. If you need a ready-made scraping workflow, try Apify. When reliability and clean IPs matter, move to a paid option like NodeMaven, IPRoyal, Bright Data, Zyte, or Oxylabs.
Pick one, test it today, and see what works. Share your results in the comments, and bookmark this guide for later.