10 Best Budget Proxies for 2026: Affordable Options That Actually Work

Looking for proxy services that won't drain your wallet? You're not alone. Whether you're scraping data, managing multiple accounts, or running SEO campaigns, finding affordable proxies that actually deliver decent performance can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack.

The good news? There are solid budget options out there that balance cost with reliability. Let's walk through ten providers that offer real value without the premium price tag.

Why Budget Proxies Matter More Than Ever

The proxy market has gotten crowded, which is great news for users. Competition drives prices down while forcing providers to maintain quality. But here's the catch: not all cheap proxies are created equal. Some sacrifice speed, others skimp on locations, and a few are just fronts for recycled IPs that'll get you blocked faster than you can say "connection timeout."

The providers on this list have been vetted for actual usability. They're not perfect, but they offer legitimate services at prices that make sense for small businesses, freelancers, and anyone who doesn't have enterprise-level budgets.

Oculus Proxies: Speed Without the Premium Price

Oculus Proxies gives you access to over 300,000 IPs across 195 countries, which is impressive for their price point. Their network supports SOCKS5, HTTP, and HTTPS protocols, making them versatile for different use cases.

What sets them apart is their no-KYC approach, meaning you can get started immediately without jumping through verification hoops. Their 100Gbps dedicated servers ensure connections are snappy, and they offer specialized routing for high-demand scenarios like sneaker releases and event ticketing.

The non-expiring plans are particularly useful if you have irregular usage patterns. You're not racing against a countdown timer, which takes the pressure off.

Starting at $0.10/GB for datacenter proxies and $1.00/GB for residential IPs. Dedicated ISP proxies begin at $2.20 per IP.

Bright Data: The Enterprise Option That's Actually Accessible

Bright Data operates one of the largest proxy networks with over 150 million residential IPs spanning 195+ countries. If you need precise targeting down to city, ASN, or postal code level, they've got you covered.

Their proxy management tools are robust, offering features like IPv6-only IPs and advanced rotation controls. The infrastructure is built for businesses that need reliability at scale. 👉 For users seeking comprehensive proxy management with advanced targeting capabilities, explore Bright Data's enterprise-grade solutions or similar professional-tier services.

The downside? Pricing starts at $4/GB for residential proxies, which puts them on the higher end of this list. They do offer a 7-day free trial for businesses, which gives you time to test whether their advanced features justify the cost.

Decodo: Formerly Smartproxy, Still Smart Pricing

Decodo brings 115 million IPs to the table with a 99.86% success rate and fast response times. Their network covers 195 countries and supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols.

What makes Decodo appealing is their user-friendly platform combined with solid customer support. They're particularly good for web scraping, ad verification, and SEO monitoring tasks where you need reliable connections without constant babysitting.

Pricing starts at $3/GB with pay-as-you-go options available. First-time users can test the service with a free trial.

SOAX: Stability for Serious Projects

SOAX operates a network of 155 million residential IPs with particularly strong coverage in the United States. Their infrastructure prioritizes stability and connection speed, which matters when you're running time-sensitive operations.

The customizable session durations and granular filtering options (city-level, ASN-level targeting) give you precise control over how you use their proxies. This makes SOAX especially suitable for businesses doing detailed data collection or price monitoring at scale.

24/7 customer support means you're not stuck when issues arise during off-hours. Pricing begins at $3.60/GB, with a 3-day trial available for new users.

NetNut: Direct ISP Connections for Better Performance

NetNut differentiates itself through direct ISP connections, which reduce latency and improve overall performance. Their network includes 85 million IPs primarily from premium locations like the US and UK.

This provider is designed for high-volume data collection and analysis where reliability matters more than having the absolute cheapest rate. The direct ISP approach means fewer middlemen between you and your target, resulting in better speeds and more stable connections.

Starting at $3.45/GB for a 28GB plan, with a 7-day free trial for companies. The pricing structure makes more sense for medium to large operations rather than hobbyist projects.

Massive: Simplicity and Reliability Combined

Massive offers straightforward residential proxy services focused on the US and European markets. Their service supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols with flexible rotation settings ranging from per-request to 60-minute intervals.

The platform is beginner-friendly without being dumbed down. You get the controls you need without wading through unnecessary complexity. For users who want reliable proxies without overthinking every configuration option, Massive hits a sweet spot.

Pricing starts at $3.75/GB with trial options available.

DataImpulse: Budget-Friendly for Lighter Needs

DataImpulse operates a smaller pool of 15 million residential IPs across 150+ countries. Don't let the smaller size fool you—for projects with moderate proxy needs, their infrastructure performs well.

What makes DataImpulse stand out is their competitive pricing combined with non-expiring traffic. If you're running small-scale operations or need basic residential proxies without premium features, this provider delivers solid value. 👉 When budget constraints meet reliability requirements, DataImpulse offers an entry point worth considering, though alternatives may provide better scalability for growing needs.

Starting at $1/GB with a $5 trial for 5GB. Hard to beat on price alone.

Infatica: Scalable and Thread-Unlimited

Infatica provides over 15 million residential IPs across 190+ countries with a focus on high scalability and unlimited threads. Supporting both HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols, they're built for users who need flexibility in how they deploy proxies.

The customizable rotation settings (both flexible and manual) let you fine-tune proxy behavior based on your specific requirements. While the IP pool is smaller than some competitors, the infrastructure is designed with business use in mind, offering good customer support and detailed analytics.

Pricing starts at $4/GB with a 3-day trial available for $1.99. The unlimited threads feature provides value if you're running operations that require multiple concurrent connections.

Evomi: Bare-Bones Pricing with Custom Add-Ons

Evomi takes an interesting approach: ultra-low base pricing with customizable add-ons. Their network includes 5 million IPs across 195 countries. The basic service is extremely affordable, but you can enhance it with options like device filtering, IP quality adjustments, and connection speed improvements.

This model works well for users who know exactly what they need and don't want to pay for features they won't use. The interface is straightforward, making proxy management accessible even for beginners.

Base pricing starts at $0.49/GB, though add-ons can increase costs significantly depending on your requirements.

IPRoyal: Non-Expiring Traffic for Long-Term Projects

IPRoyal offers 32 million residential IPs from 195 countries with support for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols. Their standout feature is non-expiring traffic plans, which eliminate the pressure of use-it-or-lose-it deadlines.

The service supports country, state, and city-level targeting, giving you reasonable precision for most use cases. For projects without strict timelines or irregular proxy usage patterns, IPRoyal's approach removes an annoying constraint found in many competing services.

Pricing starts at $3.50/GB with non-expiring traffic options available.

Making Your Choice

The right proxy provider depends on what you're actually doing with them. Running a large e-commerce operation that monitors competitors across multiple regions? You'll want something like Bright Data or NetNut with robust infrastructure and precise targeting.

Working on smaller projects or testing the waters with proxy usage? DataImpulse or Evomi offer entry points that won't require major financial commitment.

Most importantly, take advantage of trials when available. What works perfectly for one use case might be completely wrong for another, and there's no substitute for hands-on testing with your specific workflows. Budget proxies have come a long way—you just need to find the right fit.