Free Proxy List: 15+ Trusted Sources for Free Proxy Servers

A free proxy is often the first choice for users who need a quick IP change without paying upfront. However, not all free proxy servers are reliable or safe to use. In this guide, you’ll find an updated list of 15+ trusted free proxy providers, along with clear explanations of how free proxy servers work, their limitations, and when they are actually worth using. This article helps you choose the right free proxy source while avoiding common risks associated with public proxy servers.

1. What is a free proxy?

A free proxy is a publicly available proxy server that allows users to route their internet traffic through an alternative IP address without paying any cost. Instead of connecting directly to a website, your request is sent through the proxy server first, helping mask your original IP address.

In practice, free proxy services are commonly used for:

Quick IP changes
Basic anonymous browsing
Testing websites or tools from different locations

Unlike paid proxy services, free proxy servers are shared among many users, which directly affects their speed, stability, and security. For this reason, free proxy solutions are best suited for temporary or low-risk use cases rather than long-term or sensitive activities.

2. How does a free proxy work?

A free proxy works as an intermediary between your device and the target website.

Instead of this direct flow: User → Website

The connection is routed as: User → Free Proxy Server → Website → Free Proxy Server → User

When using a free proxy:

The website sees the proxy IP, not your real IP
Your requests are forwarded and returned through the proxy server
No direct connection is established between you and the destination site

Because free proxy servers are public and widely accessible, they often experience:

High traffic load
Frequent downtime
Rapid IP rotation or blacklisting

This explains why free proxy performance can vary significantly compared to paid proxy or VPN solutions.

We have a more detailed explanation of proxies and how they work. You can read it to better understand proxies: Proxy Server: What is it and how does it work?

3. Is using a free proxy safe and worth it?

Using a free proxy can be useful but only when the expectations are realistic.

When is a free proxy worth using?

A free proxy is suitable if you:

Need a temporary IP address
Want to test geo-based content
Perform light scraping or SEO checks
Avoid logging into personal or sensitive accounts

When should you avoid free proxy servers?

You should not rely on free proxy services when:

Handling login credentials or financial data
Managing multiple important accounts
Requiring stable speed and long-term uptime

Because most free proxy providers do not guarantee encryption, logging policies, or IP cleanliness, users should treat free proxy usage as low-trust by default.

From a security perspective, free proxy servers should never replace paid proxy services or VPNs for privacy-critical tasks.

>>> Proxy vs VPN: Key Differences You Should Know

4. What types of free proxy servers are commonly available?

Before choosing from a free proxy list, it’s important to understand the main proxy types you’ll encounter.

HTTP Proxy

Designed for standard web traffic
Commonly found in free proxy lists
Limited security (no encryption)

HTTPS / SSL Proxy

Supports encrypted HTTPS connections
More secure than HTTP proxies
Preferred for basic anonymous browsing

SOCKS4 / SOCKS5 Proxy

Works with multiple protocols beyond web browsing
SOCKS5 supports authentication and better performance
Less common but valuable in free proxy collections

Anonymous & Elite Proxy

Anonymous proxy hides your IP but reveals proxy usage
Elite (High Anonymity) proxy hides both your IP and proxy presence
Elite proxies are rare in free proxy environments

Understanding these proxy types helps users filter and select the most appropriate free proxy server based on their needs.

5. What are the best free proxy providers available today?

Below is a curated list of reliable free proxy providers that publish public proxy servers for users who need quick, no-cost access. These platforms mainly offer free proxy lists rather than guaranteed services, so availability and performance may vary.

5.1. Free-Proxy-List

Free-Proxy-List is one of the most well-known platforms providing a constantly updated free proxy list.

URL: https://free-proxy-list.net/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS
Key features:
- Filters by country, anonymity level, and HTTPS support
- Displays last-checked time and response speed
Best for: Beginners and general users looking for a simple free proxy server

This site is often the first stop for users searching for a basic public proxy without additional setup.

5.2. ProxyScrape

ProxyScrape aggregates and distributes free proxy servers collected from multiple sources.

URL: https://proxyscrape.com/free-proxy-list
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4, SOCKS5
Key features:
- Frequently refreshed proxy pools
- Raw list and API access (free tier)
Best for: Automation tools, developers, and scraping tests

Among free proxy providers, ProxyScrape stands out for supporting multiple proxy protocols.

5.3. Spys.one

Spys.one is a data-heavy free proxy website that emphasizes performance metrics.

URL: https://spys.one/en/free-proxy-list/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS
Key features:
- Shows latency, uptime, and location
- Advanced filtering options
Best for: SEO checks and speed-sensitive tasks

Although the interface may feel outdated, Spys.one remains a trusted free proxy list for experienced users.

5.4. SSLProxies

SSLProxies focuses exclusively on HTTPS proxy servers.

URL: https://www.sslproxies.org/
Proxy types: HTTPS
Key features:
- Encrypted traffic support
- Clean and minimal interface
Best for: Secure browsing with a free proxy server

If HTTPS is a requirement, SSLProxies is a safer option compared to generic HTTP proxies.

5.5. ProxyLib

ProxyLib provides categorized free proxy servers by country.

URL: https://proxylib.com/free-proxy-list/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS
Key features:
- Country-based navigation
- Simple export format
Best for: Geo-specific testing with free proxy IPs

This platform is helpful when location matters more than speed.

5.6. GetFreeProxy

GetFreeProxy acts as an index that aggregates multiple free proxy sources.

URL: https://getfreeproxy.com/lists/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS
Key features:
- Multiple proxy lists in one place
- Easy comparison across sources
Best for: Users who want variety without visiting many sites

It’s a useful meta-resource for discovering new free proxy providers.

5.7. ProxyShare

ProxyShare provides rotating lists of public proxy servers.

URL: https://www.proxyshare.com/free-proxy/
Proxy types: HTTP, SOCKS
Key features:
- Regular list updates
- Simple copy-and-use format
Best for: Lightweight browsing and testing

ProxyShare is commonly referenced in free proxy communities for quick access.

5.8. FreeVPNNode

Although primarily known for VPN nodes, FreeVPNNode also offers free proxy servers.

URL: https://www.freevpnnode.com/free-proxy/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS
Key features:
- Proxy and VPN nodes in one place
- Country-based listing
Best for: Users comparing proxy vs VPN options

This hybrid approach helps users understand the limits of a free proxy compared to VPNs.

5.9. Proxy5’s free proxy

Proxy5 provides a limited free proxy list alongside paid services.

URL: https://proxy5.net/en/free-proxy
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS
Key features:
- Automatic proxy checking
- Clear status indicators
Best for: Users who want pre-validated free proxy servers

Compared to purely open lists, Proxy5 offers slightly better quality control.

5.10. NeoSSH

NeoSSH maintains a frequently updated free proxy list.

URL: https://neossh.com/free-proxy-list
Proxy types: HTTPS, SOCKS
Key features:
- Focus on secure proxy types
- Simple interface
Best for: Secure connections using free proxy infrastructure

5.11. GitHub free proxy lists

GitHub hosts many open-source repositories that publish free proxy lists.

URL: https://github.com/proxifly/free-proxy-list
Proxy types: Varies (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS)
Key features:
- Raw data for automation
- Community-maintained updates
Best for: Developers and technical users

These lists are powerful but require validation before real-world use.

5.12. ProxySList

ProxySList categorizes free proxy servers by country.

URL: https://proxyslist.com/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS
Key features:
- Country-level filtering
- Lightweight browsing
Best for: Regional testing with free proxy IPs

5.13. FreeProxy.cz

FreeProxy.cz focuses on transparency and statistics.

URL: http://freeproxy.cz/
Proxy types: HTTP, HTTPS
Key features:
- Detailed usage and speed data
- Historical performance
Best for: Users who prioritize data-driven proxy selection

5.14. Go2Proxy

Go2Proxy offers both web-based proxy access and proxy lists.

URL: https://www.go2proxy.com/free/
Proxy types: Web proxy, HTTP
Key features:
- No configuration needed for web proxy
- Simple access
Best for: Casual users needing instant access

5.15. Are free proxy providers reliable overall?

While all platforms above provide access to free proxy servers, users should remember:

Availability changes frequently
IPs are often shared and reused
Performance is not guaranteed

These providers are best viewed as temporary tools, not long-term infrastructure.

6. How can you compare and choose the right free proxy?

When evaluating a free proxy, comparing individual providers is often less useful than understanding the type of proxy source they belong to.

Most free proxy providers publish public proxy servers collected from shared networks. As a result, the differences between platforms usually lie in how proxies are aggregated, checked, and presented, rather than in the proxy infrastructure itself.

6.1. How free proxy sources are commonly grouped

Free proxy source type	Typical proxy types	Update frequency	Stability	Best suited for
Public proxy lists	HTTP, HTTPS	Medium	Low	Beginners, quick tests
Aggregator platforms	HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS	High	Medium	Automation, bulk usage
Metric-based proxy lists	HTTP, HTTPS	Medium	Medium	SEO & performance checks
Open-source (GitHub) lists	Mixed	Varies	Low	Developers & scripting
HTTPS-focused lists	HTTPS	Medium	Medium	Basic secure browsing

6.2. Why free proxy providers are not ranked individually

Unlike paid proxy services, free proxy platforms do not control exclusive IP pools. Many providers publish overlapping proxy data sourced from the same public networks.

For this reason:

IP quality may vary daily or even hourly
The same proxy IP can appear on multiple free proxy lists
Performance differences are usually marginal and short-lived

Ranking free proxy providers as “best” or “worst” would therefore be misleading and does not reflect real-world usage.

6.3. How to choose the right free proxy for your needs

Instead of focusing on brand names, users should select a free proxy server based on:

Required protocol (HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS)
Update frequency of the proxy list
Availability of filters (country, anonymity level)
Intended usage duration

Most free proxy providers listed earlier fall into these categories, with differences mainly in update frequency and interface rather than proxy quality.

7. How can you test a free proxy before using it?

Testing is a critical step before using any free proxy server, as public proxies change status frequently.

A proxy that worked minutes ago may already be offline or blocked. For this reason, free proxy testing should always be done immediately before use.

What should you check when testing a free proxy?

Availability: Is the proxy IP still alive?
Response time: How fast does the proxy respond?
Anonymity level: Does it hide your real IP?
Protocol compatibility: Does it support HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS?

How can free proxy servers be tested?

Users typically test free proxy IPs by:

Using online proxy checker tools
Verifying IP address changes in a browser
Running simple scripts to validate large free proxy lists

Because free proxy servers are public and shared, repeated testing is unavoidable if reliability matters.

8. What are the risks and limitations of using free proxy servers?

While a free proxy can be convenient, it comes with unavoidable trade-offs.

Common limitations of free proxy services

IPs are shared by many users
Proxy addresses are frequently blacklisted
Speed and uptime are inconsistent
Limited or no encryption (especially with HTTP proxies)

Security considerations

Most free proxy providers do not publish transparent policies regarding:

Traffic logging
Data retention
Ownership of proxy infrastructure

From an EEAT standpoint, it’s safest to assume that free proxy servers should not be trusted with sensitive data.

They are best used for:

Temporary access
Testing environments
Low-risk browsing tasks

9. When should you use a free proxy and when should you avoid it?

A free proxy is a practical option when:

You need fast, no-cost IP access
The task is short-term
Security and uptime are not critical

However, free proxy servers should be avoided when:

Managing important user accounts
Handling credentials or personal data
Running long-term or large-scale operations

Final takeaway

Free proxy providers offer accessible tools for experimentation and basic use cases. However, their limitations in reliability and security mean they are best treated as temporary solutions rather than long-term infrastructure.

Choosing the right proxy depends not on cost alone, but on risk tolerance, usage goals, and technical requirements.

>>> Read more:

10. FAQ

What is a free proxy?

A free proxy is a publicly available proxy server that allows users to route their internet traffic through an alternative IP address at no cost. Free proxy servers are typically shared, temporary, and do not offer guaranteed speed, security, or uptime.

Are free proxy servers safe to use?

Free proxy servers are generally safe only for low-risk activities such as basic browsing or testing. Because most free proxy providers do not disclose logging or security policies, users should avoid sending sensitive information when using a free proxy.

What is the difference between a free proxy and a paid proxy?

The main difference is reliability and control. A free proxy is shared and unstable, while a paid proxy usually offers dedicated or rotating IPs, better uptime, and optional encryption. Free proxies are best for temporary use, whereas paid proxies are designed for long-term tasks.

Can a free proxy hide my IP address?

Yes, a free proxy can hide your real IP address from websites by replacing it with the proxy’s IP. However, many free proxy servers still reveal proxy usage or lack full anonymity, especially HTTP proxies.

Why are free proxy servers often slow or unreliable?

Free proxy servers are slow because they are publicly shared by many users at the same time. High traffic, limited resources, and frequent blocking cause inconsistent speed and availability.

Do free proxy lists update regularly?

Most free proxy lists update automatically, but update frequency varies by provider. Even with frequent updates, individual proxy IPs can become unavailable quickly, so testing before use is always recommended.