Using a proxy server is perhaps the simplest way of protecting privacy online or getting access to blocked resources.
A proxy server is an intermediate server between you and the internet. In other words, it separates your identity from the website you browse. Proxy servers do this by providing varying scales of functionality, privacy, and security based on users’ demands.
More specifically, when you use a proxy server, your online requests get rerouted: Internet traffic flows through an intermediate server on its way to the requested address, such as a webpage or file. The data then comes back (from the requested address) through the same server and is forwarded to your device.
A good proxy server does much more than just forwarding web requests. It acts as a firewall and provides cache data to speed up common requests while keeping the internal network and users protected from malicious content on the internet.
We have gathered some of the best free proxy servers that provide a high level of privacy. A few of them do charge fees for their premium features, but they provide better performance and an ad-free experience.
Caution: Since proxy servers only hide your IP address and unblock sites, they are not as effective as VPNs. If you want to do any kind of transaction, we strongly recommend you to use a VPN.
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8. Hidester Proxy
Plus Point: It doesn’t track or store users’ logs.
Hidester Proxy is completely free and lets you visit any website from anywhere. You can take control and configure your online privacy by filtering the levels of anonymity, location, speed, port, and Google proxy. All listed proxies are fully tested.
It is very easy to use: just enter the URL you want to access, and it will instantly open the website in your browser. No software installation, no registration, no advertising.
On Hidester’s official website, the information is presented in a simple and straightforward manner, making it easy to understand what the company has to offer without a nuisance.
7. FilterBypass
Plus Point: Very handy for unblocking videos
FilterBypass is a free anonymous web proxy that supports all major streaming portals like YouTube and Dailymotion. It also unblocks your favorite social networks, such as Twitter, Facebook, and VK, within a click.
FilterBypass provides various security features ranging from URL and page encryption to scripts and cookies deletion. All content is delivered to you over an encrypted SSL connection.
Like all free web proxies, it logs your activity (to report illegal activity), but they are deleted automatically after a week.
6. VPNBook
Plus Point: No upper band limit, decent performance.
VPNBook uses PPTP (point to point tunneling) connection to protect your data. All traffic between you and the VPN server is encrypted using standard encryption methods such as AES-128 or AES-256. To put this into perspective, it would take the world’s fastest supercomputer thousands of years to crack this level of encryption.
There are multiple proxy server locations (US, Canada, UK, France) to choose from. The server and login information is provided on the website, along with its uptime status.
VPNBook is not perfect, but its unlimited bandwidth and smart CDN fallback make it our pick for the best free proxy.
5. Hotspot Shield
Plus Point: Large VPN coverage, security-focused.
Although Hotspot Shield is primarily a VPN instead of a proxy, it does offer generous free data limits – 500MB/day or 15 GB/month. The free version allows you to unblock and access all content from your favorite apps or website, but it contains limited ads.
Hotspot Shield is one of the most trusted and secure VPNs out there. It masks your IP address, establishes an encrypted connection, and lets you browse anonymously and security over public WiFi.
Both free and premium versions are available for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chrome. They all provide ‘military-grade’ encryption and effectively block malware, viruses, and phishing scams.
4. Hola
Plus Point: No bandwidth limit, fast enough to stream UHD video.
Hola is an interesting VPN-like service that does not rely on a fixed network of managed servers. Instead, the company defines itself as more of a peer-to-peer VPN, where traffic is routed through its users.
Since there aren’t any destination server or fixed routers, it makes it more difficult for sites to detect that you are using a VPN. Thus, the service is excellent in terms of unblocking websites and minimizing server and bandwidth bills.
Hola installs as a browser extension. The basic service is offered for free with no upper bandwidth limit. The simplest way to use it is to continue your browsing as normal or select your proxy locations from multiple options.
3. KProxy
Plus Point: 10 different proxy servers to choose from
KProxy has been providing anonymity services for more than a decade. It helps you bypass online blocks to access foreign content like a local, and bypass government or workplace censorship.
Like other good proxy servers, KProxy hides your IP address and protects your data from snooping by your internet service provider. In addition to web-browser service, it offers an extension for Chrome and Firefox, which encrypts the connection between your browser and the target server.
However, with free service, you can only browse until you have reached your 300 MB limit. Then you will see a page requesting you to register for a premium account, but this is not mandatory. After a 30-minute break, your free data limit will be reset.
Read: 7 Best VPN For Chrome Browser
2. ProxySite
Plus Point: Best for accessing social networking sites
ProxySite uses Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption to ensure online safety. Irrespective of your destination, it will connect to the website and pass it back along to you.
It lets you access popular networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, Imgur, and YouTube. It has multiple proxies servers in the United States and the European Union to protect your online privacy. There is also an option to block ads for a seamless browsing experience.
1. Hide.me
Plus Point: Supports lots of different devices, super simple to use
Hide.me is safe, simple to use, and supports various devices, including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Apple TV. Since the proxy is supported by all BitTorrent clients, it is very easy to set up your device and get protected within a minute.
They have three, access-controlled proxy locations (USA, Netherlands, Germany). Each supports all crucial protocols, such as PPTP, IPsec, L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN, SSTP, SoftEther, and SOCKS.
Read: 18 Advanced Alternative Search Engines
None of the server stores IP addresses or logs. You can use them as much as you want to access any site on the internet.
Are free VPN providers going to start trending any time soon? It’d be great if you could share your thoughts on them! I’m currently using Atlas VPN and it is running very smoothly.