The 11 Best Proxy Websites That Actually Work in 2025

Alright, here's where the rubber meets the road. After weeks of testing, these are the proxy websites I actually recommend:

1. Floxy

I'm gonna be straight with you – Floxy blew me away. And I wasn't expecting it to.

I'd never heard of them before starting this research, but after putting them through the wringer for two weeks straight, they've earned the top spot. Here's why:

First off, their interface is clean. Like, really clean. No annoying pop-ups, no sketchy ads trying to sell you dubious software. Just a simple box where you type your URL and go.

But here's what really got my attention – the speed. I ran the same test on 15 different websites, and Floxy consistently loaded pages 2-3 seconds faster than competitors. That might not sound like much, but trust me, when you're browsing, those seconds add up.

They've got both free and paid options. The free version handles most casual stuff perfectly fine. But if you upgrade (which is pretty affordable), you get access to more server locations and even faster speeds.

Oh, and streaming works. Netflix, YouTube, and even some of the pickier platforms usually block proxies. That's rare.

2. HideMyAss 

HideMyAss has been around forever, and honestly, they've gotten pretty good at the free proxy game. You can pick from several server locations, and it actually works with YouTube and Facebook (which isn't always a given with free proxies).

The interface is refreshingly simple. Copy, paste, click. Done. No rocket science required.

3. Proxysite

This one's solid for basic stuff. I used it to check some region-locked content, and it worked without any drama. They've got SSL encryption, plus servers in the US and Europe. Not the fastest thing in the world, but reliable enough for casual browsing.

4. CroxyProxy

Here's what I like about CroxyProxy – it actually handles modern websites properly. You know how some proxies make websites look like they're from 2005? Yeah, CroxyProxy doesn't do that. Videos play, web apps work, and it's honestly one of the snappier free options I tested.

5. Bright Data

Okay, let's talk about the big kahuna. Bright Data has over 150 million IPs, which is just insane when you think about it. They're expensive – we're talking $8.40 per GB – but if you need something that absolutely, positively has to work, this is it.

I tested their service for a week, and honestly? It's like driving a luxury car after being stuck with a beat-up sedan. Everything just works smoothly.

They offer a 7-day free trial if you're a business, which is nice because you can test drive before committing your wallet.

6. Oxylabs

Another heavyweight in the premium space. 175+ million IPs and customer support that actually knows what they're talking about. Starting at $8 per GB, so yeah, not cheap, but you get what you pay for.

What I appreciated about Oxylabs is their uptime. In two weeks of testing, I think I had maybe one brief outage. That's impressive.

7. Smartproxy

This is my pick for the "best bang for your buck" in the premium category. 55+ million IPs starting at $7 per GB. Perfect sweet spot if you need something better than free options, but don't want to sell a kidney for proxy access.

I used Smartproxy for some business research, and it handled everything I threw at it without breaking a sweat.

8. Tor Browser

Tor isn't technically a proxy website, but it provides the best anonymity available. Your traffic bounces through multiple servers, making it nearly impossible to trace.

The downside? It's much slower than regular proxies.

9. SOAX

SOAX is interesting because it focuses heavily on privacy and security. They've got a solid pool of residential proxies (around 155 million IPs) and offer flexible rotation options.

What caught my attention was their geo-targeting capabilities. You can get pretty specific with locations, which is handy if you need to appear from a particular city or region.

10. ProxySite

ProxySite.com offers both free and paid plans. They have decent server coverage and support most websites. The paid plans remove ads and provide faster speeds.

It's not the fastest or the prettiest, but it's reliable enough for basic tasks.

11. FilterBypass

FilterBypass is perfect for accessing blocked websites at work or school. It's simple, fast, and works with most content filters.

The interface is super basic – which is actually a good thing. No clutter, no confusion, just enter your URL and go.

How to Choose the Right Proxy Website

Look, picking a proxy website shouldn't be rocket science, but somehow everyone makes it complicated. After testing dozens of these things, here's what actually matters:

Speed Requirements

This one's pretty obvious, but I'll say it anyway – free proxies are usually slower. Sometimes painfully slower. If you're just checking a blocked website once in a while, fine. But if you're doing any serious browsing, invest in something paid. Your sanity will thank you.

Security Needs

Are you just trying to watch a YouTube video, or are you handling sensitive stuff? For basic browsing, most proxies with SSL are fine. But if you're dealing with anything important, go with the anonymous options like Tor. Yeah, they're slower, but your data stays locked down tight.

Budget Constraints

Free works for casual stuff. I get it – why pay if you don't have to? But here's the thing: if you find yourself using proxies regularly, the paid options are usually worth it. Less frustration, more reliability.

Location Requirements

Some streaming services are picky about which countries they allow. Netflix US content? You need a US proxy. BBC iPlayer? Better have a UK server. Most good proxy websites let you choose your location, but double-check before signing up.

Device Compatibility

Most proxy websites work in any browser, which is convenient. Some offer mobile apps too, but honestly, the browser versions usually work fine on phones anyway.

Security Considerations When Using Proxy Websites

Proxy websites can improve your privacy, but they're not foolproof. Here's what you need to know:

HTTPS is Essential

Always look for proxy websites that use HTTPS encryption. This protects your data from hackers and snoopers.

Avoid Logging Your Activity

Some proxy websites keep logs of your browsing activity. Read their privacy policy before using their service.

Free vs Paid Security

Free proxy websites often have weaker security than paid options. They may also inject ads or track your behavior.

Don't Enter Sensitive Information

Never enter passwords, credit card numbers, or personal information while using a proxy website. The proxy provider can see this data.

Getting Started with Proxy Websites (The No-Nonsense Guide)

Ready to jump in? Cool. Here's how to actually use these things without pulling your hair out:

Step 1: Pick Your Fighter

Start with something free like Floxy or HideMyAss. No point spending money until you know what you're doing.

Step 2: Navigate to the Proxy Site

Open your browser and head to your chosen proxy website. Pretty straightforward so far, right?

Step 3: Enter Your Target URL

Here's where some people get confused. You don't go directly to Netflix or YouTube. Instead, you type those URLs into the proxy website's search box. Think of the proxy as a middleman that visits the site for you.

Step 4: Choose Your Location (If Available)

Some proxies let you pick which country you want to "appear" from. If you're trying to access US content, pick a US server. UK content? Pick UK. You get the idea.

Step 5: Cross Your Fingers and Click Go

Hit that browse button and see what happens. Sometimes it works perfectly on the first try. Sometimes it doesn't. That's just how proxies work.

Pro Tip from the Trenches

Bookmark 2-3 different proxy websites. When one stops working (and they all do eventually), you can quickly switch to another. Saved me tons of headaches during my testing.

Common Proxy Website Issues and Solutions

Even the best proxy websites can have problems. Here are the most common issues and how to fix them:

Website won't load

Try a different server location or switch to another proxy website. Some sites actively block certain proxy services.

Slow Loading Speeds

Free proxies are often slow due to high usage. Try browsing during off-peak hours or upgrade to a paid service.

Videos won't play

Some proxy websites don't support video streaming. Look for services that specifically mention video support.

Captcha Challenges

Websites may show extra security checks when they detect proxy traffic. This is normal and should only take a few seconds to complete.

Your Next Steps

Alright, we've covered a lot of ground here. If you're feeling a bit overwhelmed, don't worry – I get it.

Here's what I'd do if I were in your shoes:

Start with Floxy. Seriously. I know I'm biased because it performed so well in my tests, but there's a reason it's at the top of this list. Try their free version first – it'll handle most casual browsing needs without any fuss.

If Floxy doesn't work for your specific situation (maybe you need a particular server location they don't have), then try HideMyAss or CroxyProxy as backup options. Both are solid free choices.