Datacenter proxies are IP addresses provided by secondary corporations rather than internet service providers (ISPs). These proxies are often housed in data centers, large-scale server facilities that offer high-speed connections and extensive resources. Unlike residential proxies, which are tied to a physical location, datacenter proxies are entirely virtual, making them faster and more cost-effective for many use cases.
In this article, we will explore the best datacenter proxies available today, highlighting their advantages, potential limitations, and the top providers you can rely on for secure and efficient web scraping, anonymity, and bypassing geo-restrictions.
5 best datacenter proxies: shortlist
- Webshare – the best price vs. performance datacenter proxies overall
- Smartproxy – the most reliable rotating datacenter proxies
- Bright Data – the most comprehensive network
- Oxylabs – the most premium datacenter proxies for enterprise users
- IPRoyal – cost effective dedicated datacenter proxies
How we tested the best datacenter proxies
We evaluated proxies based on several critical factors:
- Speed and performance. We tested the proxies' speed by measuring latency, download, and upload times across different locations.
- Reliability. We assessed the stability of each proxy service over time, ensuring consistent performance without frequent disconnections or failures. This included long-term testing to gauge how well proxies maintained their speed and availability.
- Anonymity and security. We analyzed the proxies' ability to keep users anonymous by checking for DNS leaks, IP address exposure, and encryption standards.
- Proxy pool size. A large and diverse proxy pool was crucial for avoiding detection and accessing content from various regions. We examined the size of the proxy pool, ensuring that the provider offered a wide range of IP addresses across multiple locations.
- Customer support. Quality customer support was essential for troubleshooting and resolving issues quickly. We interacted with support teams to assess their responsiveness, knowledge, and helpfulness.
- Reviews. We considered customer reviews on platforms like Trustpilot and G2 to gauge overall satisfaction. High ratings on these platforms indicated strong performance, reliability, and customer service.
- Pricing and value. Finally, we compared the pricing plans against the features offered, ensuring you got the best value for your money. We looked for flexible plans, free trials, and affordable rates without compromising quality.
Best datacenter proxies list
After evaluating numerous services, we’ve narrowed it down to the five best datacenter proxy providers based on the criteria mentioned above. Below, you’ll find in-depth reviews of each provider:
1. Webshare – best price vs performance datacenter proxies overall
| Core features: | 10 IPs + 1GB/month free plan, shared, private, and dedicated datacenter plans |
| Protocols: | HTTP, SOCKS5 |
| Proxy pool: | 200K+ IPs, 50+ countries |
| Performance: | 100+ Gbps speed, 99.97% uptime |
Webshare offers a versatile range of datacenter proxy solutions with a strong emphasis on flexibility and user control. The service provides both shared and dedicated datacenter proxies, covering over 50+ locations globally. Supporting HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols, Webshare’s proxies are static by default but can be configured to rotate with each connection request.
What sets Webshare apart is its highly customizable self-service platform. Users can tailor their proxy usage by selecting the number of proxies, setting bandwidth limits, and adjusting thread counts.
Additionally, users can choose IP locations and purchase refreshes at intervals ranging from every five minutes to a month. This level of customization makes Webshare particularly user-friendly, even for first-time users. But above all else, Webshare is the easiest choice when it comes to getting good value for your money: datacenter proxies are reliable, fast, and range from the most affordable options for smaller users to the largest plans for enterprise workloads.
Webshare also offers a free plan that includes 10 static datacenter IPs from four different locations, providing 1GB of free data per month and supporting up to 50 threads simultaneously. This allows potential users to test the service before committing to a paid plan. Pricing for dedicated proxies starts at $1.60 per proxy, while shared proxies begin at $0.90 per proxy.
Despite its strengths, Webshare does not offer live chat support. Customer service is available only via email though, and plans to fully develop a 24/7 live chat service are in the company’s timeline. Overall, Webshare’s flexible plans and user-friendly features make it a strong choice, especially for entry and mid-level customers.
Webshare holds a 4.2-star rating on Trustpilot, reflecting user satisfaction with the service.
2. Smartproxy – reliable rotating proxies for web scraping
| Core features: | Shared and dedicated datacenter plans, Pay-per-IP or Pay-per-GB |
| Protocols: | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 |
| Proxy pool: | 100K+ IPs, 11+ countries |
| Performance: | <0.3s average response time, 99.99% uptime |
Smartproxy stands out as an excellent choice for those seeking effective rotating datacenter proxies, particularly suited for web scraping. Their datacenter proxy offerings include a substantial pool of 100,000 shared IPs, with availability in the US and Europe, as well as dedicated IPs in eight countries across four continents. Smartproxy’s proxies support both HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols, catering to a wide range of online activities.
The service provides flexible options for proxy management. Shared plans are bandwidth-based, starting at $30 for 50GB, translating to $0.60 per GB, or alternatively, users can opt to pay per IP at $10 for 100 IPs. Dedicated IP plans begin at $7.50 for three IPs, which is $2.50 per IP. Dedicated proxies are available with sequential or non-sequential configurations and can be either SOCKS5 or HTTP. Users can choose to refresh their IP list upon subscription renewal or maintain the same IPs.
Smartproxy’s datacenter proxies are designed with convenience and performance in mind. The proxies offer rotation with every connection request, which is ideal for tasks such as web scraping, and users can also set up 30-minute sticky sessions for other uses. The service allows for unlimited bandwidth and supports extensive parallel connections without target limits.
For customer support, Smartproxy provides 24/7 assistance via chat and email. They also offer a 14-day money-back guarantee, which acts as a free trial to ensure satisfaction with the service.
Smartproxy enjoys a strong reputation with a 4.6-star rating on both Trustpilot and G2. These high ratings reflect consistent customer satisfaction, highlighting the provider's reliable service, user-friendly features, and responsive customer support.
3. Bright Data – comprehensive proxy network with high uptime
| Core features: | 7-day free trial, shared and dedicated datacenter plans |
| Protocols: | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 |
| Proxy pool: | 770,000+ IPs, 100+ countries |
| Performance: | ~0.24s response time, 99.99% uptime |
Bright Data (formerly Luminati) is a leading provider known for its extensive and diverse network of datacenter proxies. With a staggering 770,000 IPs across more than 100 locations for shared proxies and 98 locations for dedicated proxies, Bright Data offers unparalleled coverage and flexibility. Their datacenter proxies support both HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols, making them versatile for a range of applications.
Bright Data’s services are highly customizable. Users can choose from static IPs in a list or access a pool of 20,000 rotating IPs across 80 locations. Dedicated proxies are distributed across 3,000 subnets, providing a high degree of specificity and reliability.
The proxy manager allows for advanced control, including rotation and filtering options, ensuring that users can tailor their proxies to their exact needs. Bright Data also provides flexible rotation options, allowing proxies to rotate with every request or to maintain the same IPs for longer periods, with the ability to immediately replace any proxy that goes offline.
In terms of pricing, Bright Data’s dedicated proxies are priced at $0.11 per GB plus $0.80 per IP, while shared proxies are priced at $0.60 per GB. Bright Data offers a 7-day free trial for businesses, which includes up to 15 datacenter IPs and 2GB of data per month. Although the pricing structure allows for extensive flexibility, it also means that additional features like unlimited traffic and access to multiple domains come with extra costs.
Bright Data’s award-winning 24/7 support ensures that users receive assistance whenever needed, contributing to a high level of service reliability. However, the extensive range of features and customization options may lead to additional costs, which can be a consideration for users seeking a straightforward pricing model.
Bright Data has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot and G2, and a 4.8-star rating on Capterra, reflecting its strong reputation for reliability and customer satisfaction.
4. Oxylabs – premium datacenter proxies for large-scale operations
| Core features: | 7-day free trial, shared, semi-dedicated and dedicated datacenter plans, Pay-per-IP or Pay-per-GB |
| Protocols: | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 |
| Proxy pool: | 2M+ IPs, 196+ countries |
| Performance: | 99.99% uptime |
Oxylabs is renowned for its premium datacenter proxy services, particularly excelling with its extensive network of dedicated and shared proxies. It operates one of the largest networks in the industry, boasting 22,000 shared IPs and an impressive 2 million dedicated IPs. With coverage in 188 countries for dedicated proxies and 8 locations for shared proxies, Oxylabs offers extensive geographic reach and high availability.
Their proxies support both HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols, and come with features such as unlimited bandwidth, threads, and domains. Oxylabs provides flexible rotation options, allowing users to rotate IPs with every connection or establish sticky sessions as needed.
The provider’s premium service includes a functional dashboard for managing shared proxies, while dedicated proxies are supported by an experienced team that can fine-tune proxies according to specific requirements. Dedicated plans start at $2.75 per IP, while shared proxies are priced at $50 for 77GB of data, which equates to $0.65 per GB.
Oxylabs also offers a 7-day free trial for businesses, allowing potential users to test the service before making a commitment. The award-winning 24/7 support further enhances the value of the service, ensuring that users receive reliable assistance whenever needed. However, the focus on large businesses and the lack of pay-as-you-go options may make the pricing structure less accessible for smaller tasks.
Oxylabs has a 4.6-star rating on Trustpilot, reflecting positive customer feedback.
5. IPRoyal – affordable dedicated proxies with unlimited usage
| Core features: | Dedicated datacenter plans |
| Protocols: | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 |
| Proxy pool: | 30+ countries |
| Performance: | 99.99% uptime |
IPRoyal offers cost-effective dedicated datacenter proxies with features designed to provide high value for budget-conscious users. The service provides dedicated proxies across 30 locations and supports HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 protocols. IPRoyal distinguishes itself with its low pricing, starting at just $1.57 per IP for a 30-day plan, making it an attractive option for those seeking affordability.
IPRoyal's proxies come with unlimited traffic, threads, and domains, and include a monthly refresh at no extra charge. The service also features an API for enhanced management. While IPRoyal is known for its competitive pricing, it does not support proxy rotation and limits targeting to a single country per plan.
Additionally, the service does not provide access to its entire IP pool, which can lead to a faster depletion of available IPs. Despite these limitations, IPRoyal's low cost and lack of traffic limits make it a viable choice for users with specific needs, such as sneaker copping, where the private proxy pool may offer an advantage.
IPRoyal has a 4.6-star rating on both Trustpilot and G2.
Best datacenter proxies compared
Let’s see the notable features compared in the below table:
| Provider | IP Pool Size | Locations | Protocols | Pricing | Free Trial |
| Webshare | 200,000 IPs (shared and dedicated) | 50+ locations | HTTP, SOCKS5 | Dedicated: $1.60/proxy Shared: $0.90/proxy | Free plan with 10 IPs and 1GB data |
| SmartProxy | 100,000 IPs (shared) | 11 (dedicated) | HTTP, SOCKS5 | Dedicated: $7.50 for 3 IPs Shared: $30 for 50GB | 14-day money-back guarantee |
| Bright Data | 770,000 IPs | 100+ (shared), 98 (dedicated) | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 | Dedicated: $0.11/GB + $0.80/IPShared: $0.60/GB | 7-day trial for businesses |
| Oxylabs | 22,000 (shared), 2M (dedicated) | 8 (shared), 188 (dedicated) | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 | Dedicated: $2.75/IP Shared: $50 for 77GB | 7-day trial for businesses |
| IPRoyal | Unknown size | 30 locations | HTTP(S), SOCKS5 | $1.57/IP for 30-day plan | None |
Conclusion
Choosing the right datacenter proxy provider hinges on your needs and budget.
Webshare offers affordability and flexibility, making it great for entry and mid-level users. Smartproxy is ideal for those needing a large IP pool and flexible rotation. Bright Data provides a vast network and high uptime, though its pricing can be complex. Oxylabs delivers a premium service with a large IP network, suited for larger businesses. IPRoyal is very cost-effective but lacks features like proxy rotation.
You should always choose the right datacenter proxies based on your specific requirements to ensure the best fit for your needs.
FAQs
What are datacenter proxies used for?
Datacenter proxies are used to mask your IP address and route internet traffic through servers in data centers. They are commonly used for tasks like web scraping, accessing geo-restricted content, and managing multiple accounts while maintaining anonymity and avoiding IP bans.
How do I choose the best datacenter proxy provider?
When choosing a datacenter proxy provider, consider factors such as the size of their IP pool, geographical locations covered, support options, pricing, and additional features like proxy rotation and bandwidth limits. Assess your specific needs to select the provider that offers the best balance of performance and cost.
Are there free trials available for datacenter proxies?
Yes, several datacenter proxy providers offer free trials or free plans. For instance, Webshare provides a free plan with 10 IPs and 1GB of data, while Smartproxy offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. Check each provider’s offerings to explore trial options before committing to a paid plan.
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