ResourcesBuy Proxies: Choosing the Best Proxy Services for Any Use Case

Buy Proxies: Choosing the Best Proxy Services for Any Use Case

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If you're searching for how to buy proxies in 2025, you’re in the right place. Let me show you how to buy proxies in this post.

In a world where digital data is the new oil, proxies are the silent infrastructure powering some of the most important operations online — from large-scale web scraping to social media automation, sneaker botting, cybersecurity testing, ad verification, and bypassing regional restrictions.

This in-depth guide walks you through:

  • What proxies are
  • Why you need them
  • The best types of proxies to buy
  • Where to buy proxies safely and reliably
  • Editor’s top 3 proxy providers
  • Other trusted proxy brands worth considering

Whether you're an enterprise scraping billions of web pages, a small business monitoring SEO trends, or a student accessing geo-blocked research, this guide will equip you with everything you need to know before you buy proxies.

Table of Contents

🚀 Editor’s Choice: Top 3 Proxy Services for 2025

Let’s start with the best. These three proxy providers are our Editor’s Picks for the year — each excelling in performance, scalability, and reliability for various use cases.

🥇 1. Oxylabs – Best for High-Volume Web Scraping & Enterprise-Grade Use

Oxylabs – Best for Enterprise-Grade Web Scraping and Reliability

Best For: Enterprise scraping, search engine monitoring, eCommerce price aggregation
Pricing: Starts from $99/month
Proxy Types: Residential, Mobile, Datacenter, ISP, Rotating
Trial: 7-day free trial (for businesses)

Overview:

Oxylabs is an industry leader for a reason. With over 175 million IPs across 190+ countries, Oxylabs delivers exceptional uptime, low block rates, and robust targeting options. Their AI-powered scraping infrastructure is tailor-made for heavy-duty operations that require speed, scale, and resilience against anti-bot systems.

Why We Love It:

  • Top-tier security protocols
  • Offers SOCKS5 and HTTPS proxies
  • Built-in tools like Web Unblocker and Scraper APIs
  • Enterprise-grade dashboard and detailed analytics
  • Country, city, ASN, and ZIP targeting
Oxylabs Proxies
Oxylabs Mobile Proxies
Oxylabs Mobile Proxies provide highly reliable, ethically sourced mobile IPs with global coverage, ensuring seamless web...Show More
Oxylabs Mobile Proxies provide highly reliable, ethically sourced mobile IPs with global coverage, ensuring seamless web scraping, ad verification, and automation without detection. Show Less

🥈 2. Webshare – Best for Affordability and High-Speed Datacenter Proxies

Webshare – Best Value for Affordable Private Proxies

Best For: Affordable proxies, freelancers, developers, sneaker botters
Pricing: Free plan available; Paid plans from $3.75/month
Proxy Types: Static Residential, Rotating Residential, Datacenter
Trial: Free tier with limited bandwidth

Overview:

Webshare strikes a perfect balance between performance and affordability, making it the top pick for individuals and small teams.

Their datacenter proxies offer lightning-fast speed and minimal latency, while their rotating residential proxies give the anonymity needed to evade bans and CAPTCHA walls.

Why We Love It:

  • Budget-friendly with flexible pricing
  • Fully self-serve and fast activation
  • Compatible with all major proxy tools and bots
  • Detailed dashboard with live metrics and settings
  • Up to 99.97% uptime in real-time operations
Webshare
Webshare
Webshare is a company that provides proxy servers that are used for data aggregation, analysis, and collection.
Webshare is a company that provides proxy servers that are used for data aggregation, analysis, and collection. Show Less

🥉 3. Decodo (Formerly Smartproxy) – Best for Versatile Use Cases

Decodo (Formerly Smartproxy) – Best for Versatility and Performance

Best For: All-in-one use: scraping, ad verification, automation
Pricing: Starts from $8.50/month
Proxy Types: Residential, Datacenter, Mobile, ISP
Trial: 3-day refund policy (no free trial)

Overview:

Rebranded from Smartproxy, Decodo brings the same trusted infrastructure with a fresh look and improved performance.

It offers a massive 125M+ IP pool, multi-location targeting, and plug-and-play compatibility with popular scraping and automation tools.

Why We Love It:

  • Simple and intuitive UI
  • Residential proxies for global coverage
  • Browser extension + API + Proxy generator
  • Highly trusted for social media automation and sneakers
  • Live customer support and solid documentation
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Decodo Mobile Proxies
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) Mobile Proxies offer fast, secure, and rotating 4G & 5G connections across 130+...Show More
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) Mobile Proxies offer fast, secure, and rotating 4G & 5G connections across 130+ locations, ensuring undetectable browsing, seamless data collection, and unrestricted access to geo-restricted content. Show Less

🧠 What Are Proxies?

A proxy is an intermediary server that routes your internet traffic, masking your real IP address and making it appear as though you’re browsing from another device, network, or location.

Use Cases Include:

  • Web scraping & data mining
  • SEO monitoring
  • Social media management
  • Market intelligence
  • Ad verification
  • Brand protection
  • Gaming bots & sneaker bots
  • Accessing geo-restricted content

Proxies protect your identity, allow you to bypass geo-blocks, and reduce the risk of getting IP-banned when automating tasks or harvesting large volumes of data.

🧩 Types of Proxies You Can Buy

When buying proxies, it’s crucial to choose the type that suits your specific need:

Proxy TypeDescriptionIdeal For
Residential ProxiesUse real IPs assigned by ISPsWeb scraping, social media, ad verification
Datacenter ProxiesHosted in data centers, very fastSEO, streaming, gaming, general use
Mobile ProxiesUse 3G/4G/5G network IPsAd testing, mobile app automation
ISP ProxiesReal IPs hosted on datacenter infrastructureFaster than residential with real IP quality
Rotating ProxiesChanges IP automatically per request or sessionWeb scraping, survey filling
Static ProxiesMaintain a consistent IP addressAccount management, logins

🛍️ Where to Buy Proxies: Trusted Providers Beyond the Top 3

In addition to our top picks, here are reliable proxy providers that cater to specific needs or offer niche advantages.

4. IPRoyal – Best for Pay-As-You-Go Residential Proxies

Pricing: $0.80/GB and up
Proxy Types: Residential, Static, Mobile
Best For: Freelancers, students, developers

Overview:
IPRoyal is cost-efficient and flexible, allowing users to purchase residential proxies by the gigabyte. Their transparency and focus on ethical sourcing of IPs make them an ideal starting point for small projects.

Why Use IPRoyal:

  • Browser extensions for quick setup
  • Good documentation and API
  • Great for intermittent proxy needs

5. Nodemaven – Best for Developers & Custom API Use

Pricing: From $12/month (customizable plans)
Proxy Types: Residential, Datacenter
Best For: Programmers, cybersecurity researchers, backend automation

Overview:

Nodemaven focuses on developer-centric proxy solutions. They offer clean APIs, scalable plans, and integration support for advanced scraping and data testing workflows.

Why We Like It:

  • Real-time traffic analytics
  • Great dev support
  • Premium IP health monitoring

6. MarsProxies – Best for Social Media, Gaming & Botting

Pricing: From $15/month
Proxy Types: Residential, ISP, Datacenter
Best For: Social automation, sneaker bots, gaming tools

Overview:

MarsProxies has grown steadily thanks to its reputation for low latency, clean IPs, and great customer support. If you're running bots on Instagram, TikTok, or gaming automation platforms, these proxies are optimized for consistent performance.

Standout Features:

  • Residential IPs with low detection rates
  • High compatibility with bots and automation tools
  • Easy-to-use dashboard

7. ProxyEmpire – Best for Geo-Targeted Market Research

Pricing: $10/GB and up
Proxy Types: Residential, Mobile
Best For: Global brand monitoring, local SEO, surveys

Overview:

With access to 150+ countries, ProxyEmpire is perfect for businesses running market research across regions. You get granular geo-targeting down to city-level IPs.

8. Soax – Best for Clean, KYC-Compliant Residential IPs

Pricing: $99/month (residential)
Proxy Types: Mobile, Residential
Best For: Sensitive scraping and ad compliance

Overview:

Soax focuses on clean and legitimate IP sourcing, with a strong emphasis on compliance and security. They’re best suited for industries where data integrity and compliance are paramount.

9. Proxy-Cheap – Best Budget Proxy Provider

Pricing: $0.75/GB
Proxy Types: Residential, ISP
Best For: Light users, learners, researchers

Overview:

For budget-conscious users, Proxy-Cheap offers basic but effective proxy solutions. Though limited in features, it’s a decent pick for basic tasks and experimental projects.

Best Proxy Services

Nodemaven
Nodemaven
NodeMaven is a premium proxy provider that delivers high-quality IPs, super sticky sessions, and unmatched customer...Show More
NodeMaven is a premium proxy provider that delivers high-quality IPs, super sticky sessions, and unmatched customer support. Show Less
IPRoyal
IPRoyal
IPRoyal is a leading proxy provider offering reliable, high-speed proxies for various needs, including data scraping...Show More
IPRoyal is a leading proxy provider offering reliable, high-speed proxies for various needs, including data scraping, social media automation, and sneaker botting. Show Less
Mars Proxies
Mars Proxies
Mars Proxies is the go-to provider for sneaker coppers, offering unbanned IPs, blazing-fast speeds, and a massive pool...Show More
Mars Proxies is the go-to provider for sneaker coppers, offering unbanned IPs, blazing-fast speeds, and a massive pool of residential proxies. Show Less
NetNut
NetNut
NetNut is the world's fastest residential proxy network, providing high-speed, reliable connections and a vast pool of...Show More
NetNut is the world's fastest residential proxy network, providing high-speed, reliable connections and a vast pool of IPs for seamless data scraping and automation. Show Less
Infatica
Infatica
Infatica provides a robust proxy network with ethical sourcing, reliable performance, and a comprehensive suite of data...Show More
Infatica provides a robust proxy network with ethical sourcing, reliable performance, and a comprehensive suite of data collection tools. Show Less
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) provides premium residential proxies for bypassing geo-restrictions, CAPTCHAs, and IP...Show More
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) provides premium residential proxies for bypassing geo-restrictions, CAPTCHAs, and IP blocks with industry-leading success rates and flexible pricing options. Show Less
Oxylabs Proxies
Oxylabs
Oxylabs proxies offer diverse, ethical, and reliable solutions for data scraping, web testing, and privacy needs.
Oxylabs proxies offer diverse, ethical, and reliable solutions for data scraping, web testing, and privacy needs. Show Less
Webshare
Webshare
Webshare is a company that provides proxy servers that are used for data aggregation, analysis, and collection.
Webshare is a company that provides proxy servers that are used for data aggregation, analysis, and collection. Show Less
Live Proxies
Live Proxies
Live Proxies is a proxy service that provides high-speed, reliable, and secure residential and datacenter proxy services...Show More
Live Proxies is a proxy service that provides high-speed, reliable, and secure residential and datacenter proxy services for web scraping, automation, and anonymity. Show Less
DigiProxy
DigiProxy
DigiProxy offers proxy services, including residential, datacenter, and sneaker proxies, aimed at providing secure and...Show More
DigiProxy offers proxy services, including residential, datacenter, and sneaker proxies, aimed at providing secure and reliable internet access. Show Less

🧪 How to Buy Proxies: Step-by-Step

How to Buy Proxies Step-by-Step

Here’s a simple roadmap to help you buy proxies with confidence:

✅ Step 1: Identify Your Use Case

Are you scraping? Botting? Managing social media? Choose your provider and proxy type accordingly.

✅ Step 2: Choose a Proxy Type

  • Residential for disguise & real-user simulation
  • Datacenter for speed
  • Mobile/IP for dynamic, high-trust IPs
  • ISP for best of both worlds

✅ Step 3: Pick the Right Provider

Compare based on:

  • IP pool size
  • Targeting capabilities
  • Pricing flexibility
  • Dashboard usability
  • Speed and reliability

✅ Step 4: Register & Configure

Sign up, select a plan, and generate your proxy list. Some providers offer instant delivery, while others may verify your identity (KYC).

✅ Step 5: Test Your Proxies

Use tools like:

  • ipinfo.io
  • Proxy tester software
  • Scraping scripts to confirm performance and location

⚠️ What to Avoid When Buying Proxies

  1. Free proxies – Often slow, overused, and dangerous. Avoid.
  2. Shady providers – If they don’t provide support, KYC, or trial, it’s risky.
  3. Generic plans – Don't pay for features you don’t use.
  4. Banned IP pools – Always ask how often they refresh their IPs.

🌐 Real-Life Use Cases of Buying Proxies in 2025

IndustryApplication
E-CommercePrice comparison, competitor tracking
Digital MarketingSEO tools, ad verification, local SERP scraping
CybersecurityPenetration testing, firewall analysis
Social MediaMulti-account automation, influencer monitoring
Academic ResearchAccess restricted databases, collect global survey data
Sneaker/Drop BotsBypass region locks and monitor stock
  • FoxyProxy: Browser-based proxy switcher
  • Scrapy / Puppeteer: Automation tools for scraping
  • Multilogin: For managing multiple browser fingerprints
  • Proxy SwitchyOmega: Chrome extension for managing profiles
  • Proxy testing tools: For speed, anonymity, and IP checks

Buy Proxies: Frequently Asked Questions

Buy Proxies Frequently Asked Questions

What is a proxy, and why should I buy one?

A proxy acts as a gateway between your device and the internet, masking your original IP address. Buying proxies gives you more control, privacy, and functionality—especially for tasks like web scraping, managing multiple accounts, accessing geo-restricted content, SEO tracking, or ad verification. Premium proxies also reduce the risk of bans or IP blocks compared to free or shared alternatives.

What type of proxy should I buy for web scraping?

For web scraping, residential proxies or rotating datacenter proxies are typically the best. Residential proxies mimic real users and are harder to detect, while rotating datacenter proxies offer speed and cost-efficiency. Choose based on the site's protection level—use residential for complex sites and datacenter for fast, high-volume scraping.

Are free proxies safe to use?

Free proxies are generally not safe or reliable. They often come with risks such as data leaks, malware, performance throttling, or shared usage that can lead to IP bans. Buying proxies from reputable providers ensures privacy, speed, support, and scalability—making them a better investment for serious tasks.

How do rotating proxies differ from static proxies?

Rotating proxies change the IP address automatically at regular intervals or per request, making them ideal for anonymous web scraping, ad validation, or search engine tasks. Static proxies (also called sticky or dedicated proxies) maintain the same IP for longer sessions, which is useful for logging into accounts, automation, or managing social media.

Can I buy proxies for sneaker bots or ticketing sites?

Yes. Many proxy providers offer specialized proxies for sneaker bots, ticketing, and retail websites like Nike, Adidas, or Ticketmaster. These proxies are often datacenter or ISP-level with low latency and region targeting to bypass queue systems, bans, and rate limits during drops.

What should I look for in a proxy provider?

Look for providers that offer:

  • Transparent pricing and clear IP types (residential, mobile, datacenter)
  • High uptime and low ban rates
  • Geo-targeting options
  • Dashboard access, rotation controls, and session management
  • Customer support and usage logs

Also, make sure they align with your use case—some are better for scraping, others for streaming or security.

Can I use proxies for streaming or accessing geo-blocked content?

Yes, proxies—especially residential or ISP proxies—can help bypass geo-restrictions on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. However, for the most reliable access, some users prefer VPNs or smart DNS services, as they may offer better streaming stability and fewer detection issues.

Are proxies legal to use?

Yes, proxies are legal in most countries if used for ethical and compliant activities. However, using proxies to violate platform terms of service or commit fraud is illegal or punishable. Always follow local laws and platform guidelines, especially when scraping data or automating interactions.

🏁 Final Thoughts: Buy Proxies the Smart Way

Buying proxies is no longer a luxury reserved for tech elites. From protecting your identity to powering your business, proxies play a critical role in the modern internet landscape.

Choose wisely. The right provider depends on your goals, budget, and level of technical skill.

  • Oxylabs for enterprise data ops
  • Webshare for budget-friendly yet powerful solutions
  • Decodo for a flexible, all-in-one platform

But don’t sleep on niche providers like MarsProxies, IPRoyal, Nodemaven, and ProxyEmpire — they’re also leading innovation in their categories.


INTERESTING POSTS

About the Author:

Angela Daniel Author pic
Managing Editor at SecureBlitz | Website |  + posts

Meet Angela Daniel, an esteemed cybersecurity expert and the Associate Editor at SecureBlitz. With a profound understanding of the digital security landscape, Angela is dedicated to sharing her wealth of knowledge with readers. Her insightful articles delve into the intricacies of cybersecurity, offering a beacon of understanding in the ever-evolving realm of online safety.

Angela's expertise is grounded in a passion for staying at the forefront of emerging threats and protective measures. Her commitment to empowering individuals and organizations with the tools and insights to safeguard their digital presence is unwavering.

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