8 Best Free Proxy Sites You Should Know About

When you're browsing the web today, every click gets tracked and every move gets logged. If you care about keeping your online activity private, you'll need something to hide your digital footprint. Free proxy sites offer one way to browse anonymously without spending a dime, though they come with some important considerations.

People use free proxy servers for all kinds of reasons - scraping data from websites, bypassing paywalls, or just adding an extra layer of privacy to their browsing. But here's the thing: not all free proxies are created equal. You need to make sure you're using a trustworthy service, since all your traffic will pass through their servers.

Finding a working free proxy can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. The internet is full of proxy lists, but many of them are outdated or simply don't work. I've put together this guide to save you the hassle and show you the best free proxy sites that actually deliver.

1. Free Proxy

Free Proxy stands out as one of the most comprehensive free proxy sites available. If you're into data scraping or need reliable proxies for automation, this site deserves your attention. As of writing, it offers an impressive collection of 7,350 proxy servers.

The service supports multiple protocols including HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5. You'll find three anonymity levels to choose from - Level 1 (Elite), Level 2 (Anonymous), and Level 3 (Transparent). The site also lets you filter proxies by specific countries.

What makes Free Proxy particularly useful is its clean interface that shows you everything you need to know: anonymity level, speed, uptime, response time, and when each proxy was last checked. This transparency helps you pick the right proxy for your needs without guessing.

2. ProxyScrape

👉 Get reliable proxy lists that are constantly updated and verified

ProxyScrape takes a different approach by focusing on quality over quantity. What sets this service apart is its frequent verification system - all proxies listed here get checked regularly, which means you're far less likely to waste time on dead proxies.

The site organizes proxies based on different use cases. Whether you need to add extra protection to your internet traffic or scrape data from websites without getting blocked, you'll find proxies suited for your specific purpose. The regular checking system ensures you're working with functional proxies that can actually get the job done.

For those who need something more robust, ProxyScrape also offers premium proxy services with better speed and reliability. But their free options remain solid for casual users and testing purposes.

3. ProxyNova

ProxyNova runs an ambitious operation - it checks over one million proxy servers every single day. Most proxies get tested every 15 minutes, and the proxy list updates every 60 seconds. That's the kind of freshness you want when you're looking for working proxies.

The homepage gives you immediate access to key information: proxy speed, port numbers, uptime, country location, and anonymity level. You can filter proxies by country and anonymity level to find exactly what you need. The best proxies on the site are typically less than a minute old.

One important caveat: unlike other sites on this list, ProxyNova requires manual page refreshes rather than auto-updating. It's a small inconvenience for the quality of proxies you get access to.

4. SSL Proxy

SSL Proxy offers a smaller selection compared to other sites here - around 100 free proxies. But don't let the numbers fool you. These proxies come from various countries around the world, giving you decent geographic coverage.

To compete with larger proxy providers, SSL Proxy recently launched a Rotating Proxy product. This works like a regular HTTP/SOCKS5 proxy but has 3,252 stable IPs running behind the scenes. It supports IP/Pass authentication and country filtering.

You'll find two types of rotating proxies here: fast rotating and slow rotating. The HTTP proxies on the site get updated every 10 minutes according to their homepage, keeping the list reasonably fresh.

5. Hide.me

Hide.me is primarily known as a VPN provider, but it offers a handy free proxy tool that works right in your browser. You won't find proxy lists here - instead, you get a web-based proxy service that's simple to use.

To browse anonymously through Hide.me, just enter the website URL in their text box, pick a country (options are limited), and configure your preferences: allow cookies, encrypt URL, encrypt page, remove scripts, or remove objects.

The service also offers Chrome and Firefox extensions for quick anonymous browsing without leaving your browser. It's more of a casual solution for accessing blocked websites than a tool for serious proxy work, but it gets the job done for basic needs.

6. HMA (Hide My Ass)

HMA is a well-known name in the privacy space, and their free proxy service has helped countless users bypass internet censorship. The service gets updated regularly and lets you mask your real IP address by routing your traffic through their proxy servers.

Using HMA's free proxy is straightforward: enter the website in their text box, then choose whether you want to allow cookies, remove scripts, and encrypt URLs in the connection setup menu.

Keep in mind that HMA's proxy service is primarily designed for individual users who want to access blocked websites. If you need proxies for professional purposes like data scraping or automation, you'll probably want to check out the other sites on this list that offer actual proxy lists.

7. Open Proxy Space

Open Proxy Space caters to people who want constantly updated proxy lists. The site offers freshly updated proxy lists and even lets you upload your own proxy sites if you're feeling generous.

Proxies here are listed by their last update time. As you'd expect, the more recently a proxy was updated, the better chance it'll actually work. After picking a batch based on update time, you can narrow down by country. You can also export IPs as text if you want to use them in an API.

The site gives you good flexibility in how you select and export proxies, making it useful for both manual browsing and automated applications.

8. ProxyScan

ProxyScan rounds out our list with a solid offering of over 5,000 proxies that get checked every 10 minutes. What earns this site a spot on the list is its extensive filtering parameters.

You can fine-tune your proxy selection using parameters like ping time, country, city, proxy type, and anonymity level. This granular control helps you find proxies that match your exact requirements rather than settling for whatever's available.

The site also provides additional tools including a proxy checker, proxy filter, and proxy scraper. New proxies get added automatically, keeping the database fresh without manual intervention.

Common Questions About Free Proxy Lists

Which free proxy site works best?

Several sites offer quality free proxies. The best choice depends on your specific needs - whether you prioritize quantity, update frequency, or filtering options. Free Proxy, SSL Proxy, and the services mentioned above all provide reliable options.

Are free proxy lists safe to use?

Free proxies can be unpredictable. While they work fine for casual browsing and accessing blocked content, you shouldn't rely on them for sensitive activities like online payments or exchanging confidential data. 👉 Consider verified proxy services for more secure connections

How do I use a free proxy server?

In Google Chrome, go to Settings > Advanced > System > Open your computer's proxy settings. Under Manual proxy setup, enter the proxy address and port number you want to use.

Where can I find working proxies?

You'll find plenty of websites offering proxy lists online. The eight sites covered in this guide - including ProxyScrape, ProxyNova, ProxyScan, and Open Proxy Space - all maintain current lists of free proxies you can use right away.

Free proxies serve a useful purpose when you need basic anonymity or want to bypass simple restrictions. Just remember that free comes with limitations. For anything beyond casual use, you'll want to consider more robust proxy solutions that offer better reliability and security.