4 Best Free Proxy Lists for Web Scraping in 2026

If you're diving into web scraping, you've probably realized that using your real IP address is like walking into a store and announcing you're about to shoplift. Not smart. That's where free proxy servers come in handy—they act as intermediaries, routing your requests through different IP addresses so you can scrape data without getting blocked.

But here's the catch: not all free proxies are created equal. Some are hosted by legitimate providers, while others might be run by hackers or government agencies looking to snoop on your data. Since proxies have access to all your unencrypted internet requests, choosing the right source is crucial.

Let's explore four reliable free proxy list services that can help you scrape the web more effectively while keeping your identity protected.

What Makes a Good Free Proxy Service?

Before we jump into the list, let's talk about what you should actually look for. A decent free proxy service offers more than just a random list of IP addresses. You want filtering options (by country, protocol, anonymity level), regular updates to keep the proxies fresh, and ideally some way to check if the proxies are actually working before you waste time testing them yourself.

The reality is that free proxies come with limitations—slower speeds, lower reliability, and higher chances of being blocked by major sites. But for basic scraping tasks or testing purposes, they can get the job done without costing you a dime.

1. ScrapingBee – More Than Just a Proxy

ScrapingBee isn't technically a proxy list service—it's a full-fledged web scraping platform. But it deserves a spot here because it offers 1,000 free credits when you sign up, making it perfect for beginners.

Key Features:

• Automatic proxy rotation to avoid blocks and mimic human behavior

• Technical support even on the free tier

• Secure IP addresses that reduce security leak risks

• Intuitive API with code examples in Python, NodeJS, PHP, and Go

• Advanced customization for geolocation, headers, and cookie management

• Automatically blocks ads and images to optimize scraping efficiency

The free plan is great for getting started, but if you need to scrape at scale, you'll eventually want to upgrade to a paid plan. The platform handles the technical complexity of web scraping, so you can focus on extracting the data you need rather than managing proxy rotations and headers.

2. ProxyScrape – Flexible and Easy to Use

ProxyScrape is a straightforward resource for accessing free proxy servers. It's designed for people who want a simple, no-fuss way to download proxy lists and get scraping.

Key Features:

• Download proxy lists as .txt files for easy integration

• Advanced filtering by country, anonymity level, and SSL support

• Access to HTTP, Socks4, and Socks5 proxies

• Limited API support with Python for four types of API requests

The service offers both free proxies (with varying security levels) and premium datacenter proxies with better monitoring and maintenance. If you're looking for a reliable source of proxy IPs without complicated setup processes, 👉 check out ProxyScrape's free proxy lists for web scraping projects.

The free proxies work well enough for basic tasks, but keep in mind that heavily-used free proxies tend to get blocked more frequently on major platforms like Google and Instagram.

3. Free-proxy.cz – The Old Reliable

Free-proxy.cz has been around for a while, and while its interface looks a bit dated, it remains a valuable resource for finding various types of proxies.

Key Features:

• Large collection of free web proxies

• Advanced filters for country, protocol, and anonymity level

• Sort proxies by speed, uptime, and response time

• "Proxies by category" tool for simplified searching

• "My IP Address" tool providing detailed information about your current IP

The filtering options are particularly useful if you're looking for proxies from specific countries or need a certain level of anonymity. The ability to sort by speed and uptime helps you identify the most reliable proxies in the list, saving you time on testing.

4. Freeproxylists.net – Simple and Straightforward

Freeproxylists.net takes a minimalist approach. The interface is basic, but the service is reliable and frequently updated.

Key Features:

• Filterable proxy table by country, port, and availability

• Dedicated sections organized by country for targeted proxy selection

• Frequent updates to proxy lists

• Completely free with no hidden costs

If you value simplicity over advanced features, this site gets the job done. The country-specific sections make it easy to find proxies from particular regions, which is helpful when you're scraping geo-restricted content.

The Reality Check: Free Proxy Performance

Let's be honest about what you're getting with free proxies. After testing various free proxy services, here's what consistently happens:

Most free proxies suffer from recurring issues like excessive timeouts, network errors, and HTTPS protocol problems. These technical challenges are the main headache when using free services.

Even when proxies work (meaning no errors or timeouts), many requests still get blocked, especially on sites like Google and Instagram. Why? Because these proxies are overused by SEO tools like Scrapebox and Screaming Frog for keyword research and data mining. When thousands of users hammer the same proxy IPs, platforms catch on and block them.

Among the services tested, Freeproxylists.net offered relatively better-performing proxies, but even their selection isn't flawless. If you need more reliable proxy infrastructure, 👉 explore ProxyScrape's premium options for consistent web scraping performance.

Quick Guide: Connecting to a Proxy Server

If you're new to proxies, here's a simple walkthrough:

Step 1: Find your browser's proxy settings (usually under "Settings" > "Network" or "Proxy Settings")

Step 2: Enable the proxy server option if it's turned off

Step 3: Enter the proxy details. For a proxy like "186.47.97.122:8080", you'd enter "186.47.97.122" in the address field and "8080" in the port field

Step 4: Save your changes and test your connection

Step 5: If something isn't working, double-check the IP address and port number

Always use free proxies for non-sensitive activities, and choose reliable sources to minimize security risks.

How to Choose the Right Proxy Service

The source of your proxy matters more than almost anything else. Since proxies can see all your unencrypted data, you're essentially trusting them with your browsing activity.

Stick with reputable free proxy providers and avoid unknown or sketchy sources. If you're scraping sensitive data or need consistent performance, paying for a managed proxy service with support is worth it—you won't have to worry about proxies failing at critical moments.

Free proxies give you the flexibility to switch IP addresses without much concern if one gets blacklisted. But if your scraping project requires using the same IP multiple times or demands high reliability, investing in a quality proxy service makes sense.

For web scraping projects that need scale and consistency, combining free proxies with more robust solutions often provides the best balance between cost and performance.