10 Best HTTP Proxy of 2024: How Does It Work?

In today's digital age, online privacy and security are more important than ever. With the growing concerns about data breaches and surveillance, many internet users are turning to HTTP proxy servers to protect their information while browsing the web.

Proxy servers act as intermediaries between your device and the internet, allowing you to mask your IP address and encrypt your data. They can help you bypass geo-restrictions, access blocked websites, and enhance your online anonymity.

If you want to ensure secure and private browsing, selecting the right HTTP proxy server is crucial. With a plethora of options to choose from, it is essential to pick one that meets your specific needs. In this article, we will explore the top 10 HTTP proxy servers that can help you enhance your online security and protect your privacy.


What Is An HTTP Proxy?

An HTTP proxy is a server that acts as an intermediary between a client and a web server, transmitting HTTP requests from the client to the web server. When the client sends an HTTP request, it goes to the proxy server first. The proxy server then relays the request to the web server, which responds to the proxy server. The proxy server subsequently sends the response back to the client.

Proxies serve various purposes, such as filtering or caching content, blocking specific types of content, or circumventing firewalls and other restrictions. They can also change the client's IP address, making it appear as though the request originates from a different location.


How Does HTTP Proxy Work?

An HTTP proxy server intercepts and forwards HTTP requests from a client to a server. When a client, like a web browser, sends an HTTP request, it first goes to the proxy server. The proxy server then examines and decides whether to forward the request to the intended server, potentially modifying it by adding authentication information or filtering content. Once the server responds, the proxy can also modify the response before sending it back to the client.

There are various types of HTTP proxies, such as transparent and anonymous proxies. A transparent proxy reveals the client's IP address to the server, while an anonymous proxy hides the client's IP address and other identifying information from the server.


Why Should You Consider Using an HTTP Proxy?

The primary benefit of using an HTTP proxy service is its ability to mask the client's IP address and other identifying information from the server, thereby providing a level of anonymity. Additionally, HTTP proxies can cache frequently requested content, which reduces the load on the origin server and enhances performance.


  • Caching:
  • Proxies store frequently requested content, significantly lowering the load on the origin server and speeding up response times for clients.
  • Load Balancing:
  • Proxies distribute incoming traffic across multiple servers, enhancing the scalability and reliability of server infrastructure.
  • Filtering:
  • HTTP proxies can block or filter certain types of traffic, such as unwanted ads or malicious content.
  • Anonymity:
  • They obscure the client's IP address, ensuring anonymity and making it harder for others to track the client's online activity.
  • Access Control:
  • HTTP proxies can manage access to certain resources by requiring authentication or blocking specific IP addresses.
  • Compression:
  • They can compress data transferred between the client and the server, reducing data transfer amounts and improving response times.

    Bright Data  Bright Data

    Bright Data is a market leader in proxy services, offering an extensive range of residential, datacenter, mobile, and static residential proxies. With a proxy pool of over 72 million IPs from nearly every country in the world, Bright Data provides unparalleled global coverage. The service is renowned for its sophisticated infrastructure and advanced features, including automatic IP rotation, session management, and comprehensive APIs for seamless integration.

    Bright Data is particularly favored for large-scale data collection and web scraping projects due to its reliability and speed. The platform also places a strong emphasis on compliance and ethical usage, providing tools to ensure that proxies are used responsibly. Although on the pricier side, Bright Data’s robust features and exceptional performance justify the investment for businesses seeking high-quality proxy solutions. The combination of global reach, advanced technology, and a commitment to ethical practices makes Bright Data a top choice for demanding proxy needs.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
    Residential $5.04/GB
    ISP Proxies $9/GB
    Datacenter $0.066/GB
    Mobile Proxy $5.04/GB

    Smartproxy  Smartproxy

    Smartproxy is a comprehensive HTTP proxy provider that caters to both businesses and individuals, offering ethically sourced proxies and advanced data collection solutions. Known for its high-quality, highly anonymous, and secure proxy network, Smartproxy ensures a robust layer of security for its users.

    Smartproxy supports four types of proxies: residential, mobile, shared, static residential, and dedicated (private) datacenter proxies. These proxies enable unlimited concurrent sessions and support HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols, making them versatile and efficient for various use cases. Smartproxy is also cost-effective, offering competitive prices suitable for businesses of all sizes.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
    Static Residential Proxies $2/proxy/month
    Residential proxy $2.2/GB
    Mobile Proxies $6/GB
    Datacenter Proxies $0.09/IP
    Site Unblocker $6/GB

    Soax  Soax

    Soax is a premium proxy provider known for its extensive network of residential and mobile proxies. Offering over 8.5 million IPs from more than 120 countries, Soax ensures broad coverage and high reliability for various online activities. The service is designed to be user-friendly, with an intuitive dashboard that allows for easy management of proxies and real-time statistics monitoring. Soax stands out for its commitment to providing clean IPs, regularly rotating and filtering out those that might be blacklisted or compromised.

    This focus on quality makes Soax an excellent choice for tasks like web scraping, SEO analysis, and accessing geo-restricted content. Additionally, Soax provides flexible pricing plans, catering to both small businesses and large enterprises, making it accessible and scalable for different needs. The combination of a robust proxy network, ease of use and stringent quality controls ensures that Soax remains a top choice for users seeking reliable and efficient proxy services.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
    Residential Proxy IP (Rotating) $6.6/ GB
    Mobile Proxy IP $6.6/GB
    US ISP Proxies $6.6/GB
    Datacenters Proxies $0.65/GB
    Web Unblocker $10/GB

    Proxy-Seller  Proxy-Seller

    Proxy-Seller is a well-regarded proxy provider offering a variety of proxy types, including IPv4, IPv6, and mobile proxies. With servers located in over 30 countries, Proxy-Seller ensures a wide range of IP addresses to choose from, supporting both HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols. One of the standout features of Proxy-Seller is its affordability and customizable pricing plans, which allow users to select proxies based on their specific requirements and budget.

    The service includes instant activation and a user-friendly control panel for easy proxy management. Proxy-Seller also prioritizes security and performance, making it a reliable choice for activities such as social media automation, data scraping, and online anonymity. Their customer support is available 24/7, ensuring that any issues are properly addressed. This combination of flexibility, security, and support makes Proxy-Seller a dependable option for various proxy needs.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
    Static Residential Proxy IP (ISP Proxy) $2.91/ Proxy/month
    IPv4 proxy IP $2.076/proxy/month
    IPv6 proxy IP $0.12/proxy/month
    Mobile Proxy IP $80/proxy/month

    Proxy-IPv4  Proxy-IPv4

    Proxy-IPv4 is a specialized provider focusing on IPv4 proxies, offering a robust selection of IP addresses suitable for a wide range of online activities. With servers located in strategic locations worldwide, Proxy-IPv4 ensures high-speed connections and reliable performance. The service supports both HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols, providing flexibility for different use cases.

    Noted for its affordability and straightforward pricing plans, Proxy-IPv4 is accessible to individual users and small businesses alike. The platform offers instant setup and a simple management interface, allowing users to quickly deploy and manage their proxies. Emphasizing security, Proxy-IPv4 implements measures to prevent abuse and ensure the integrity of their IP addresses. This makes it a solid choice for tasks such as web scraping, SEO monitoring, and accessing geo-blocked content.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5
    Proxy IPV4 $0.45 for 3 days
    Proxy IPV6 $0.81 for 3 days
    Proxy ISP $0.53 for 3 days
    Mobile Proxy $27 for 3 days

    IPRoyal  IPRoyal

    IPRoyal is a comprehensive proxy service provider offering a diverse range of proxy types, including residential, datacenter, and mobile proxies. With a global network of IPs, IPRoyal provides extensive coverage and reliable performance for various online needs. The service is designed to cater to both individual users and businesses, offering scalable solutions that can be customized according to specific requirements. IPRoyal stands out for its transparency and ethical sourcing of IP addresses, ensuring that all proxies are obtained and used responsibly.

    The platform supports HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols, providing versatility for different applications. IPRoyal's user-friendly dashboard allows for easy management and monitoring of proxies, while its competitive pricing and flexible plans make it an attractive option for users seeking value and reliability. The 24/7 customer support further ensures that any issues are promptly resolved, enhancing the overall user experience. With a strong emphasis on ethical practices and user convenience, IPRoyal is a top choice for those needing dependable proxy services.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
    Residential Proxy $1.75/GB
    Datacenter Proxy $1.39/Proxy
    ISP Proxy $2.40/Proxy
    Mobile Proxy $117/Month

    Webshare  Webshare

    Webshare is an affordable and reliable HTTP proxy service provider known for its stable proxy list and support for both HTTP and SOCKS connections. The basic plan includes up to 10 free HTTP proxies with a 1GB bandwidth limit, while the premium version offers unlimited bandwidth and access to more proxy servers.

    Unlike traditional proxy providers, WebShare’s servers are optimized to avoid detection tactics such as DNS leaks, open port scans, and fingerprint scans, ensuring a secure browsing experience. The platform guarantees 99% uptime, making it a dependable choice for users. Webshare stands out with its permanent free plan offering 10 proxies and is recognized as one of the fastest proxy servers, allowing access via Socks5 and HTTP proxy.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP and SOCKS
    Static Residential Proxy $0.22/Proxy
    Residential Proxy $4.5/GB
    Datacenter Proxy $0.05/GB

    Proxy-Cheap  Proxy-Cheap

    Proxy-Cheap offers affordable packages for residential, datacenter, and mobile proxies, supporting both HTTP and Socks5 connections. With a large pool of over 7 million residential IPs and compatibility with the IPv6 protocol, it ensures broad compatibility with most websites.

    The platform features a personal dashboard for managing all your proxies and generating new IPs, with a user-friendly proxy generator. Proxy-Cheap's services are ideal for market research, brand protection, ad verification, data scraping, and more. The combination of an easy installation process, global server locations, and an intuitive proxy generator makes Proxy-Cheap a top choice for cost-effective and reliable proxy solutions.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
    Static Residential Proxy $1.99/Proxy
    Datacenters IPv4 Proxies $1.13/proxy
    Datacenters IPv6 Proxies $0.30/proxy
    Rotating Residential Proxies $2.99
    Mobile Proxies $30/Proxy

    Nimbleway  Nimbleway

    Nimbleway is an innovative proxy provider specializing in delivering high-performance residential and mobile proxies. Known for its advanced technology, Nimbleway offers a proxy network designed to bypass sophisticated detection mechanisms, making it ideal for web scraping, competitive intelligence, and ad verification. With millions of IPs ethically sourced from across the globe, Nimbleway ensures users can maintain a high level of anonymity and security.

    The service includes features such as automatic IP rotation, detailed analytics, and easy integration with various tools and platforms. Nimbleway's flexible pricing plans cater to startups and large enterprises, providing cost-effective solutions without compromising quality. The platform's user-friendly interface and responsive customer support further enhance the overall user experience, making Nimbleway a top choice for businesses seeking reliable and efficient proxy services.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP/S, SOCKS5, Whitelist
    Essential $600/month
    Advanced $1600/month
    Professional $3600/month

    Oxylabs  Oxylabs

    Oxylabs specializes in providing a dependable and anonymous data scraping service through a robust network of stable proxies. Catering to both small businesses and large enterprises, their web scraping tools are designed for efficient online data gathering.

    With access to a vast list of over 102 million proxy servers spanning 195+ countries, Oxylabs offers versatility, particularly beneficial for e-commerce platforms and website data scraping tasks. Users can choose between desktop and 4G mobile proxies, ensuring flexibility and enhanced capabilities in gathering online market intelligence.

    Oxylabs provides scalable data scraping solutions suitable for companies of all sizes, offering tailored tools that are especially effective for e-commerce sites seeking critical market insights. Additionally, the service supports price scraping websites in anonymously accessing price information across numerous platforms. For SEO professionals, Oxylabs facilitates the extraction of data from search engines, enabling valuable insights to be gathered efficiently.

    Type Value
    Support HTTP(S), SOCKS, Whitelist
    Residential Proxies $4/GB
    Mobile Proxies $5/GB
    Rotating ISP Proxies $11/GB
    Shared Datacenter Proxies $0.44/GB

    Final Thoughts

    Selecting the right HTTP proxy server is crucial for enhancing your online security, privacy, and accessibility. The top 10 HTTP proxy servers listed offer a range of features tailored to various needs, from robust encryption and fast connection speeds to user-friendly interfaces and extensive geographical coverage.

    By carefully evaluating factors such as reliability, security protocols, customer support, and cost, you can find the proxy server that best fits your browsing requirements. Utilizing a high-quality HTTP proxy server can significantly improve your online experience by providing secure, anonymous, and unrestricted internet access.

    To choose the best HTTP proxy server, consider your specific needs such as the level of privacy required the geographical locations you need to access, speed requirements, budget, and additional features like malware protection. Researching user reviews and expert recommendations can also help in making an informed decision.

    In some cases, using an HTTP proxy server can improve internet speed by caching frequently accessed content and optimizing traffic. However, this largely depends on the quality of the proxy server and its infrastructure. Some proxies might introduce latency due to additional processing.

    An HTTP proxy does not provide a secure connection. It is advisable to avoid sharing sensitive information, such as credit card or bank account details when using an HTTP proxy.