If you need to access websites globally for data scraping, to see how your localized ads show up, or to monitor your competitors’ prices, you need a proxy. But not all proxies are the same. Residential proxies often deliver better legitimacy than datacenter ones, which means reliable, secure, fast, and private.
Still, with so many providers out there, how do you know which ones actually deliver?
The last thing you want is to buy a proxy plan that promises “unlimited access,” only to watch your connections crawl, or your IPs leak and get blocked halfway through a project. Sadly, that’s the problem many businesses face when they choose the wrong residential proxy provider.
Finding the right solution matters because a slow or unstable proxy isn’t just frustrating — it costs time, money, and even your credibility. So, we’ve compiled this guide to make your work easier and save you the headache later.
Here are the top 7 residential proxy providers trusted by businesses worldwide:
1. NetNut
If you ask what makes NetNut rank high amongresidential proxies, the answer is simple — its architecture. Unlike many proxy networks that route traffic through peer-to-peer devices, NetNut uses a one-hop connectivity system.
So, instead of data traveling through random user connections, it goes directly through ISP-level servers, and that eliminates bottlenecks that often slow or disrupt traffic. The result is lightning-fast performance and unmatched consistency, even during large data volume scraping sessions or automated tasks where several tabs run concurrently.
Additionally, NetNut’s network spans over 85 million residential IPs across 195+ countries, which gives users real global reach. Whether you’re targeting the U.S. or Asian market for ads and SEO, you get precise geolocation control that even narrows down to the city level.
Security and transparency are also part of its DNA. With no third-party routing and a strict no-logging policy, you can be confident your sessions remain anonymous and safe. Plus, you get access to a dedicated account manager, a real-time dashboard, and detailed analytics that make monitoring performance easier.
Another area where NetNut excels is pricing flexibility. No one’s left out.
Want to start small?
Take the cost-effective Starter (28GB at $84 per month) package and even scale later to Master (2TB at $3,180 per month). And all plans support unlimited connections and API access.
2. Bright Data
Formerly known as Luminati, Bright Data is unquestionably one of the most recognized names in the proxy industry. They stand out for good reasons. Firstly, they offer an enormous pool of over 70 million residential IPs.
Bright Data is also known to lead in transparency, advanced data collection and automation tools. With such rich customization and targeting options, it’s a reliable solution for users after high-traffic scraping, brand monitoring, and fine-grained management of their data operations.
However, Bright Data’s advanced features come at a premium. You can choose between subscription or usage-based plans across three commitment levels ($500, $1,000, and $2,000). The good thing is, the rates aren’t fixed — you can start on a pay-as-you-go basis and only commit once your usage reaches $500.
3. Decodo (Smartproxy)
Decodo, formerly Smartproxy, is another simple-to-use proxy with over 55 million IPs, 195+ locations, and thousands of datacenter IPs worldwide. Their wide reach offers strong reliability. Its plug-and-play dashboard lets users integrate proxies into data scraping tools or browsers within minutes.
For businesses that don’t have a technical team, this beginner-friendly proxy works perfectly. It allows you to carry out data scraping, manage multiple accounts, or run ad campaigns without getting banned.
It also has transparent and flexible pay-as-you-go pricing starting from $8.5 per GB for residential proxies.
4. Oxylabs
Oxylabs positions itself as a data infrastructure powerhouse. With more than 100 million residential IPs, it’s designed for enterprises running large-scale data extraction and AI training. Its advanced rotation and ethical sourcing policies have earned it trust and recognition from established brands.
What makes Oxylabs competitive is its automation-ready setup and strong customer support. Their pricing aligns more with enterprise budgets, which makes it suitable for companies that prioritize compliance, reliable speed, scalability, and customer support above all else.
5. Soax
Soax is best known for offering clean, regularly refreshed IPs. Its strong verification system ensures that every residential IP in the pool is active and legitimate for a stable connection, minimizing failed requests and IP bans. Users can target specific regions, which helps in running region-specific campaigns or localized scraping projects.
Soax’s dashboard is intuitive, but its bandwidth limits can add up quickly if you’re running large-volume operations. But for small to medium-sized businesses focused on accuracy and minimal downtime, it’s a solid mid-range option.
6. IPRoyal
If you’re looking for an affordable way to get started with residential proxies, IPRoyal is definitely worth a look. It’s ideal for freelancers, SEO experts, and small businesses that don’t need huge data volumes but still want reliability.
The platform manages its own pool of 32 million residential IPs sourced through a bandwidth-sharing app, offering reliable global coverage. While its network may be smaller compared to some big names, the ease of setup and transparent pricing make it stand out — just $3.50 per GB with no monthly commitments.
Plus, IPRoyal is big on ethically sourced IPs, which not only boosts trust but also shows their commitment to responsible proxy practices.
7. Shifter
Shifter has been around for over a decade, previously known as Microleaves. It offers a wide range of proxies, including residential, with a focus on uptime and reliability. The platform is designed to support bulk operations like large-scale ad verification and affiliate tracking. Generally, Shifter is highly reliable, and the reasonably long-term pricing makes it a good choice for businesses that need a set-and-forget type of proxy service.
Conclusion
The proxy industry is full of options, but only a few consistently deliver the mix of speed, uptime, and transparency that modern businesses demand. As a data analyst, developer, or e-commerce business owner, your choice of provider directly affects how effectively you can operate globally.
These top residential proxies are designed not just to provide access but to give you a global reach, seamless integration, and stability. From NetNut to Shifter, each has unique features that bring value to certain user needs.
In the end, there is no right or wrong proxy provider; you just have to go with one that fits your needs — one that gives you reliable speeds, control, and consistency.
