15 Shared Proxy and Web Data-Collection Tools by Workflow

Scraping at scale without proxies is like driving without headlights — you’ll hit a wall fast. IP bans, CAPTCHAs, rate limits. The right proxy setup makes or breaks the whole operation.

The shared proxy market has exploded with options. Some are excellent. Some will get you blocked faster than no proxy at all.

I’ve evaluated 13 shared proxy providers for web scraping — here’s what I’d actually recommend, plus why Thunderbit’s built-in approach is worth considering.

How We Evaluated the Best Shared Proxies for Web Scraping

Let’s get real: picking a web scraping proxy isn’t just about who has the most IPs or the lowest price. Here’s how I sized up the best shared proxies for web scraping this year:

• IP Pool Size & Diversity: More IPs, more locations, less chance of bans. I looked for providers with millions of IPs and global reach (kocerroxy.com).
• Speed & Reliability: Fast proxies with high uptime are non-negotiable. I checked user reviews on G2, Trustpilot, and Capterra for real-world performance.
• Rotating Proxies & Session Control: Automatic IP rotation is a must for scraping at scale. Sticky sessions are key for workflows that need to look like a single user.
• Geo-Targeting: The best proxies let you pick your country, city, or even ASN—crucial for scraping localized content.
• Bandwidth & Concurrency: Unlimited threads and generous bandwidth let you scale up without artificial limits.
• Pricing & Flexibility: I compared pay-as-you-go, monthly, and non-expiring traffic options for every budget.
• Support & Ease of Use: User-friendly dashboards, responsive support, and clear documentation matter—especially for non-technical teams.
• Special Features: Proxy APIs, CAPTCHA bypass, browser extensions, and anti-ban tech can make or break a project.

I also cross-referenced Chrome Store reviews for browser extensions and checked for recent industry awards and independent benchmarks (proxyway.com). The result? A list that works for everyone from solo hackers to enterprise data teams.

Quick Comparison Table: Best Shared Proxies at a Glance

Here’s a side-by-side look at the top 13 shared proxy providers for web scraping in 2026. This table is designed for business users who want to compare options fast—no PhD in proxies required.

Provider	IP Pool & Locations	Notable Features	Starting Price	Best For
Bright Data	400M+ IPs, 100+ countries	Fine-grained geo-targeting, Proxy Manager, rotating/static options	Free tier, then $1.50/1k records, $499/mo Scale	Large-scale, enterprise scraping
ScraperAPI	40M+ IPs, 50+ countries	Simple proxy API, auto-rotation, CAPTCHA solving	$49/mo for 100k API credits	Hassle-free, fast integration
Oxylabs	175M+ residential IPs, global	Enterprise-grade, sticky sessions, compliance focus	$49/mo for 98k results (API)	High-volume, mission-critical projects
NodeMaven	30M+ IPs, global	Clean IPs (95%+), 24h sticky sessions	$50/mo for 8GB	Stable sessions, account management
Zyte	15M+ IPs, global	Smart rotation, anti-ban, pay-per-success	$29/mo starter	Dev-friendly, tough targets
DataImpulse	90M+ IPs, 195 countries	$1/GB, non-expiring traffic, city/ASN targeting	$1/GB (min $5)	Budget-conscious, flexible use
ZenRows API	50M+ IPs, 185+ countries	All-in-one API, CAPTCHA bypass, headless browser	$69/mo for 250k credits	Automation, no-code/low-code
Decodo	100k+ rotating, 55M+ total, 195+ countries	Fast rotation, pay-per-GB/IP, browser extension	$30 for 50GB or $10 for 100 IPs	SMBs, easy setup
Smartproxy	See Decodo (rebranded)	See Decodo	See Decodo	See Decodo
Webshare	80M+ IPs (mostly residential), 195+ countries	Customizable plans, free trial, self-service	$2.99/mo, free tier	Individuals, small teams, testing
IPRoyal	64M+ IPs, 195+ countries	Pay-as-you-go, non-expiring, Chrome extension	$7/GB	Scaling on demand, flexible usage
Rayobyte	40M+ IPs, US focus	Ethically sourced, customizable, long sessions	$0.30/GB (datacenter), $3.50/GB (residential)	US-centric, compliance-focused
SOAX	155M+ IPs, 100+ countries	Privacy, advanced geo-targeting, AI scraper	Free tier, $200+/mo (Builder)	Privacy, fine-grained targeting
MarsProxies	1M+, US/EU focus	One-day plans, non-expiring bandwidth	$3.49/GB, $2.83/day mobile	Small teams, one-off projects

NetNut was previously included here. Its domains were seized by the FBI in July 2026 and the service is no longer available.

What Makes a Proxy the Best for Web Scraping?

There’s a lot of noise in the proxy market, but the best shared proxies for web scraping all nail a few things:

• High Success Rates: The whole point is to get the data without getting blocked. Top providers have large, diverse pools and high-quality IPs, which means fewer bans and retries (kocerroxy.com).
• Fast, Reliable Performance: Slow proxies are a dealbreaker. The best ones have low latency and high uptime, so your scrapers don’t stall out (scraperapi.com).
• Big, Flexible IP Pools: More IPs = less chance of detection. Geo-targeting lets you scrape localized content or avoid geo-blocks.
• Rotation & Sticky Sessions: Rotating IPs keep you anonymous, but sticky sessions are crucial for workflows that require a consistent identity (like logging in or scraping multi-step forms).
• Proxy Types: Residential IPs are the gold standard for avoiding bans, but datacenter proxies are faster and cheaper for less protected sites.
• No Artificial Limits: Unlimited concurrency and generous bandwidth mean you can scale up without hitting walls.
• Solid Support & Docs: When things go sideways (and they will), responsive support and clear documentation are lifesavers.
• Anti-Ban Features: Built-in CAPTCHA solvers, browser fingerprinting, and scraping APIs are becoming the norm for top providers.

Rotating proxies and proxy APIs are especially important. Rotating proxies keep your requests looking like they’re coming from different users, while proxy APIs (like ScraperAPI, Zyte, or ZenRows) handle all the heavy lifting for you—rotating IPs, solving CAPTCHAs, and even rendering JavaScript when needed.

Bright Data: Premium Performance for Large-Scale Scraping

Bright Data is the heavyweight champ of the proxy world. With over 400 million IPs spanning residential, mobile, ISP, and datacenter networks, Bright Data is the go-to for enterprises that need maximum control and coverage (zenrows.com).

• Features: Massive, global IP pool with fine-grained geo-targeting (country, city, ASN), advanced Proxy Manager, rotating/static IPs, Web Unlocker, scraping APIs, 24/7 support.
• Pricing: Premium. Free tier now offers 5,000 credits/month, no card required; pay-as-you-go runs $1.50 per 1,000 records or requests. Scale plans start at $499/month (brightdata.com).
• Pros: Unmatched IP diversity, high reliability, powerful tools for advanced users.
• Cons: Complex dashboard, steep learning curve for beginners (G2 review), expensive, strict compliance.
• Best For: Enterprises and teams scraping at scale, or anyone who needs exotic proxy locations and is willing to pay for quality.

ScraperAPI: Simple Proxy API for Hassle-Free Web Scraping

ScraperAPI is all about making scraping easy. Instead of managing proxies yourself, you just send your target URL to their API and get the HTML back—no headaches, no bans, no fiddling with IP lists (scraperapi.com).

• Features: 40M+ rotating IPs, automatic rotation and CAPTCHA solving, simple REST API, geo-targeting, concurrency that scales by plan (20 to 500+ threads).
• Pricing: Starts at $49/month for 100,000 API credits. 5,000 free requests to try (scraperapi.com).
• Pros: Extremely easy to use, handles rotation/bans/CAPTCHAs/JS, transparent pricing.
• Cons: Less control for advanced users, request-based pricing may not suit ultra-high-volume, tiny-page scrapers.
• Best For: Developers and business users who want to get scraping fast, without managing proxy infrastructure.

Oxylabs: Enterprise-Grade Shared Proxies with Global Reach

Oxylabs is the proxy provider of choice for many Fortune 500s, and for good reason. With 175M+ residential IPs and a focus on reliability, compliance, and scale, Oxylabs is built for mission-critical scraping (proxyway.com).

• Features: Huge residential and datacenter pools, rotating and sticky sessions, Web Scraper APIs, ethical sourcing, compliance audits, dedicated account managers.
• Pricing: Web Scraper API runs Micro $49/month (98,000 results), Starter $99/month (220,000 results), Advanced $249/month (622,500 results) (oxylabs.io). Free trial: 2,000 results, no card.
• Pros: High reliability and performance, enterprise-level support, advanced API and tooling.
• Cons: Pricey for small users, more sales-driven onboarding.
• Best For: Enterprises, agencies, or anyone who needs bulletproof, scalable proxy infrastructure.

NodeMaven: Clean IPs and Long Sessions for Stable Scraping

NodeMaven is a rising star, focusing on IP cleanliness and long session stability—perfect for scraping workflows that need to look like real users (multilogin.com).

• Features: 30M+ residential/mobile IPs, 95%+ clean, 24-hour sticky sessions, unlimited rotations, user-friendly dashboard.
• Pricing: $50/month for 8GB, pay-as-you-go available. a $3.50 paid trial for 750MB of bandwidth.
• Pros: Super-stable sessions, high IP trust, responsive support.
• Cons: Smaller pool than giants, newer, less battle-tested.
• Best For: Scraping that needs long-lived sessions or high IP reputation—think social media, e-commerce, or account automation.

Zyte: Developer-Friendly Proxy API for Web Scraping

Zyte (formerly Scrapinghub/Crawlera) is a favorite among developers for its smart proxy management and anti-ban tech (g2.com).

• Features: 15M+ rotating IPs, smart rotation, ban detection, pay-per-successful-request, automatic CAPTCHA handling, headless browser rendering, Scrapy integration.
• Pricing: $29/month starter, usage-based beyond that. Free trial available.
• Pros: High success rates on tough sites, developer-centric, only pay for successful requests.
• Cons: Less control for power users, not the cheapest for DIY scraping at scale.
• Best For: Developers building robust scraping pipelines, especially with Python or Scrapy.

DataImpulse: Affordable Shared Proxies for Budget-Conscious Teams

DataImpulse is shaking up the market with $1/GB residential proxies and non-expiring bandwidth (proxyway.com).

• Features: 90M+ residential IPs, 195 countries, $1/GB, traffic never expires, city/ASN targeting, mobile/datacenter options, self-service dashboard.
• Pricing: $1/GB (min $5), $0.50/GB datacenter, $2/GB mobile.
• Pros: Unbeatable price, no monthly fees, good performance for the cost.
• Cons: Not enterprise-grade support, smaller pool, potential for more bans on hard sites.
• Best For: Startups, researchers, or anyone who needs a lot of proxies on a tight budget.

ZenRows API: All-in-One Proxy API for Web Scraping Automation

ZenRows offers a unified scraping API that handles proxies, headless browsers, CAPTCHA bypass, and even structured data extraction (zenrows.com).

• Features: 50M+ IPs, 185+ countries, auto-rotation, headless browser rendering, CAPTCHA/anti-bot bypass, returns HTML or parsed JSON, unified pricing.
• Pricing: $69/month for 250,000 credits, $5.5/GB for extra bandwidth. Free trial, no credit card required.
• Pros: Handles everything—proxies, headless, CAPTCHAs, extraction, great for non-devs and devs alike, transparent pricing.
• Cons: Less low-level control, newer, still building reputation.
• Best For: Teams who want maximum scraping automation with minimal setup—perfect for low-code/no-code workflows.

Decodo: Flexible Plans and Fast Rotating Proxies

Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is known for its user-friendly platform and flexible plans, making it a hit with small and medium businesses (proxyway.com).

• Features: 100k+ rotating IPs, 55M+ total via partners, pay-per-GB or pay-per-IP plans, unlimited threads, browser extension, anti-detect integration, 24/7 live chat.
• Pricing: $30 for 50GB (~$0.60/GB) or $10 for 100 IPs. 3-day money-back guarantee.
• Pros: Flexible, affordable plans, beginner-friendly, great support, fast rotation, sticky sessions up to 30 minutes.
• Cons: Not as many advanced features as enterprise providers, pool smaller than top-tier giants.
• Best For: SMBs and beginners who want reliable proxies without the complexity or cost of enterprise solutions.

Smartproxy: User-Friendly Shared Proxies for All Business Sizes

Smartproxy has rebranded as Decodo in 2026. All features and plans are now under the Decodo name. See above for details.

Webshare: Customizable and Affordable Shared Proxy Plans

Webshare stands out for its customizable, self-service plans and a generous free tier (proxyway.com).

• Features: 80M+ rotating residential IPs (195+ countries) plus 400K+ datacenter IPs, customizable plans, free plan (10 proxies), pay-as-you-go, intuitive dashboard.
• Pricing: Starts at $2.99/month for 100 datacenter proxies; rotating residential runs $3.50/GB (50% off list). Free tier available.
• Pros: Highly customizable, easy for non-tech users, affordable, no monthly minimums, free trial.
• Cons: Datacenter pool is comparatively small (400K+ IPs) next to the residential pool, fewer advanced anti-ban features.
• Best For: Individuals and small teams who want cheap, flexible proxies for basic scraping or unblocking.

IPRoyal: Scalable Shared Proxies with Flexible Pricing

IPRoyal offers scalable, pay-as-you-go proxies with non-expiring bandwidth and a growing global pool (zenrows.com).

• Features: 64M+ residential IPs, 195+ countries, pay-as-you-go, non-expiring traffic, Chrome/Firefox extensions, 24/7 support.
• Pricing: $7/GB residential, datacenter as low as $1.39/proxy.
• Pros: Flexible usage, no subscriptions required, good for scaling up or down, mix of proxy types.
• Cons: Not as large a pool as some competitors, fewer advanced scraping features.
• Best For: Users who want to start small and scale on demand, or need occasional proxies for campaigns.

Rayobyte: Transparent and Ethically Sourced Shared Proxies

Rayobyte (formerly BlazingSEO) focuses on transparency, ethical sourcing, and customizable plans—especially strong in the US (proxyway.com).

• Features: 40M+ residential IPs, large US datacenter pool, semi-dedicated datacenter proxies, long sticky sessions, customizable plans, extensive documentation.
• Pricing: Datacenter is now $0.30/GB (tiered by volume), residential starts at $3.50/GB. Free trial on signup.
• Pros: Ethically sourced, transparent practices, customizable, strong US coverage.
• Cons: Datacenter proxies slower than some rivals, smaller global pool.
• Best For: Compliance-focused teams, US-centric scraping, or anyone who values transparency in proxy sourcing.

SOAX: Privacy-Focused Proxies with Advanced Geo-Targeting

SOAX boasts one of the largest proxy pools and is known for privacy, compliance, and fine-grained geo-targeting (proxyway.com).

• Features: 155M+ IPs, 100+ countries, city/ASN targeting, rotating proxies, customizable rotation intervals, AI-powered no-code scraper (beta), user-friendly dashboard.
• Pricing: Free Sandbox plan (pay-per-GB only), then Builder from $200/month + VAT (200 credits) up to Enterprise at $3,000/month + VAT.
• Pros: Massive pool, precise targeting, privacy and compliance focus, aggressive discounts for new users.
• Cons: Higher price for small users, verification required.
• Best For: Users who need strict geo-targeting, privacy, or compliance—think ad verification, local SEO, or regulated industries.

MarsProxies: Flexible, Low-Cost Shared Proxies for Small Teams

MarsProxies is the scrappy newcomer offering flexible, low-cost plans—perfect for small businesses or one-off projects (medium.com).

• Features: 1M+ residential IPs, US/EU focus, one-day proxy plans, non-expiring bandwidth, rotating proxies, sticky sessions up to 7 days, simple dashboard.
• Pricing: $3.49/GB (residential), $2.83/day (mobile, unlimited data), datacenter from $0.89/proxy.
• Pros: Extremely flexible, no monthly minimums, great for short-term or bursty projects, easy for beginners.
• Cons: Smaller pool, fewer advanced features, newer, less proven at scale.
• Best For: Small teams, freelancers, or anyone who needs cheap, flexible proxies for a short time.

Thunderbit: The Next Generation AI Web Scraper with Built-In Rotating Proxies

Try Thunderbit AI Web Scraper Scrape any website with built-in rotating proxies and AI-powered data extraction. Get Started Free

Alright, here’s where I get to talk about something close to my heart—Thunderbit. We built Thunderbit because we saw how frustrating scraping can be for non-technical users. Managing proxies, dodging bans, and wrangling data fields? Not everyone wants to moonlight as a proxy engineer.

What Makes Thunderbit Different?

• AI Web Scraper Chrome Extension: Thunderbit uses AI to read any webpage and suggest the right fields to scrape. Just click “AI Suggest Fields,” adjust the columns, and you’re off to the races.
• Built-In Rotating Proxies: No need to buy or configure proxies—Thunderbit rotates IPs automatically in the background, both in your browser and in the cloud. Cloud scraping can fetch 50 pages at a time, fast.
• Human-Like Browsing: Thunderbit simulates real user behavior—scrolling, clicking, and even filling out forms—to avoid anti-bot detection.
• Subpage & Pagination Support: Scrape listings, then let Thunderbit visit each subpage to enrich your data. Handles infinite scroll and click-based pagination.
• Export Anywhere: Send your data to Excel, Google Sheets, Airtable, or Notion. Exports are always free.
• Free Tools: Extract emails, phone numbers, and images from any site in one click. AI autofill is totally free too.

Pricing: Free for up to 6 pages/month (or 10 on free trial), then paid plans start at $15/month. It’s a credit-based system—up to 30 credits per page, depending on how much data you extract. The Chrome extension is free to install and has 200,000+ users (Chrome Web Store).

Who’s It For?

• Sales teams scraping leads or contact info
• E-commerce ops tracking prices or SKUs
• Real estate agents gathering listings
• Anyone who wants data without the proxy headaches

Why Use Thunderbit Instead of Traditional Proxies?

Thunderbit is perfect if you want an all-in-one solution that just works. No need to buy proxies, set up rotation, or worry about bans—AI handles it all. For non-technical users, it’s the easiest way to get structured data from any website, period. And for technical users, it’s a fast way to prototype or handle long-tail scraping tasks.

Try Thunderbit Free on Chrome

Want to give it a try? Download Thunderbit on Chrome or check out Thunderbit’s official site.

How to Choose the Right Shared Proxy for Your Web Scraping Needs

What Is Data Scraping and How to Do It in 2026 A complete guide to data scraping and best practices for 2026. Get Started Free

Feeling overwhelmed by all these options? Here’s how I recommend narrowing it down:

1. Define Your Goals: Are you scraping at enterprise scale, or just need a few thousand rows for a project?
2. Assess Target Sites: Are they heavily protected (e.g., Amazon, Google), or more relaxed? Tougher sites need smarter proxies or scraping APIs.
3. Set Your Budget: Are you looking for the lowest cost per GB, or is reliability worth paying more for?
4. Decide on Control vs. Convenience: Do you want to manage proxies yourself, or would you rather use a proxy API or all-in-one tool like Thunderbit?
5. Check Geo Requirements: Need to scrape as if you’re in a specific country or city? Make sure your provider supports that.
6. Evaluate Support & UX: Try free trials, read user reviews, and see if the dashboard makes sense for your team.
7. Think About Integration: Will you be using Python scripts, browser extensions, or low-code tools? Pick a provider that fits your workflow.

Pro Tip: For most business users, starting with a free trial or a small pay-as-you-go plan is the best way to test real-world performance. Don’t be afraid to switch if something isn’t working—proxy providers are used to it.

Conclusion: Finding Your Perfect Web Scraping Proxy in 2026

Web scraping in 2026 is bigger, faster, and more competitive than ever. The right shared proxy can be the difference between smooth data flows and endless blocks. Whether you need the raw power of Bright Data, the simplicity of ScraperAPI, the budget-friendliness of DataImpulse, or the all-in-one ease of Thunderbit, there’s a solution for every use case and budget.

The key is to match your needs—scale, target sites, technical skills, and budget—to the right provider. And if you’re tired of managing proxies and want to focus on getting data (not fighting bans), give Thunderbit a spin. It’s the next generation of AI-powered web scraping, built for business users who want results, not headaches.

For more tips and deep dives into scraping, check out the Thunderbit Blog, or explore guides like What Is Data Scraping and How to Do It in 2026 and How to Scrape Any Website Using AI.

Try Thunderbit AI Web Scraper Today Get Started Free

Happy scraping—and may your proxies always be fresh.

FAQs

1. What are shared proxies, and why are they important for web scraping in 2026?

Shared proxies allow multiple users to access websites using the same pool of IP addresses. They are essential for web scraping because they help bypass rate limits, avoid bans, and enable geo-targeting, making large-scale, anonymous data collection more reliable and scalable.

2. How do I choose the best shared proxy provider for my needs?

Consider your scraping scale, target site complexity, technical skills, and budget. Look for providers offering large IP pools, rotating and sticky sessions, geo-targeting, high uptime, and flexible pricing. Free trials or pay-as-you-go plans are great for testing before committing.

3. What’s the difference between a traditional proxy provider and an all-in-one tool like Thunderbit?

Traditional proxy providers offer raw proxy access requiring technical setup. Tools like Thunderbit integrate proxies, AI scraping, CAPTCHA bypass, and data export into a simple UI, making them ideal for non-technical users or teams wanting a plug-and-play solution.

4. Which proxy providers are best for enterprise-level web scraping?

Bright Data and Oxylabs are top choices for enterprises due to their massive IP pools, compliance focus, and robust performance. They provide advanced features like ASN targeting, 24/7 support, and powerful scraping APIs.

5. Can I scrape websites without handling proxies manually?

Yes. Proxy APIs like ScraperAPI, ZenRows, and Zyte handle proxy rotation, CAPTCHA solving, and even JavaScript rendering automatically. Alternatively, Thunderbit offers a browser extension and cloud scraper with built-in proxies for a fully automated, no-code scraping experience.

Further Reading:

• What Is List Crawling and How to Do It Using AI
• How to Scrape Website Data into Excel using AI
• The Best Web Scraping Tools & Software in 2026