What Is a Private Proxy?
A private proxy, also called a dedicated proxy, has an IP address that is assigned to one user only. Other proxy types rotate IPs between users with some regularity.
When you use private proxies, you have full control over what online activities their associated IP addresses are used for. As a result, you can avoid the “bad neighbor” effect. That is, your proxies won’t suddenly get banned because someone else has abused them. As such, private proxies are the best choice for businesses and anyone else who really cares about not facing blocks.
Private proxies are almost always datacenter IPs. That’s because most residential proxies belong to real devices owned by actual people. This makes their uptime too unreliable for dedicated use by one user.
Can There Be Private Residential Proxies?
Yes. Some companies have started registering their datacenter IPs under residential internet service providers. This gives the datacenter proxies a residential ASN. In turn, this makes websites identify those IPs as real users. Such proxies are called static residential proxies or ISP proxies.
If you’re looking for them instead of private datacenter IPs, visit our list of the best ISP proxies.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Proxies
Advantages
- Security. You don’t have to share private proxies, meaning there is less chance your personal data will be compromised. You also won’t have to worry about others doing something illegal with the proxies that could get you into trouble.
- Speed. Private proxies are much faster than semi-dedicated or shared proxies because you don’t have to share bandwidth with anyone else. So your operations shouldn’t be slowed down beyond the usual unavoidable proxy requirements.
- Smallest number of blocks. Once again: if no one else is using your proxies, you can be sure they won’t be already blocked by websites like Google or Amazon. It’s also harder to encounter blocks when you start working with these IPs as you have full control over who gets to access them.
Disadvantages
- Price. Because you’ll be the sole user of the IPs, there won’t be anyone else to shoulder the costs. As such, you can expect to pay more for the privilege of having your proxies for yourself. You can find relatively cheap private proxies, but they’ll still be more expensive than shared IPs.
When to Use Private Proxies
People use private proxies over shared proxies when they want more predictability and performance. Since you’re the only one using said proxies, you know precisely when they will be in use and what the traffic will be. And when they’re idle, you’ll have access to 100% of the bandwidth.
People often try out shared proxies first because they’re cheap. Once they find out that those proxies don’t suit their needs, they migrate to private IPs. Alternatively, they may need a consistent identity, which shared rotating proxies couldn’t provide. That’s why private proxies were big for social media account management a few years ago. Now, mobile IPs are stealing their thunder.
Private datacenter proxies get blocked more often than residential or mobile addresses. This makes them hard to use with services like travel fare aggregators, social media networks, or sneaker stores. Still, they have more raw power and no traffic limits. So if you know what you’re doing, you can scrape fast and keep the blocks in check. Today, popular use cases for datacenter IPs include brand protection, market research, SEO, and scraping large e-commerce websites.
When using private proxies, it’s a good tactic to either get the whole subnet for yourself or to go for as many subnets as possible. We suggest the former if you know what you’re doing, and the latter if you have less experience.
Why You Should Never Use a Free Private Proxy
A free dedicated proxy is, first of all, a scam. Not many things in life are actually free – when it comes to free online services, somebody somewhere is most likely making money from your data. Anyone who uses a free dedicated proxy risks:
- Their private information leaking (think credit card info, passwords and other crucial data).
- Target websites having malicious ads injected into them (read more about it in our “free proxies are bad” blog post).
- Being redirected to a website full of ads, so someone could make some money from you. Not the most dangerous scenario, but it can get super annoying (just imagine copping sneakers with such proxies).
There’s another important point to make. If your dedicated proxy is supposedly free, you probably got it from one of the free proxy lists. And, well, that makes it a shared proxy because it’s nearly impossible that you will be the only one using it.
How to Choose the Best Private Proxy Provider
Research them. Analyze their websites, see how they position themselves. Usually, there are two ways of presentation:
- Proxies for business: enterprise proxy providers for business will usually state their use cases as market research, SEO, brand protection, price monitoring, e-commerce, and so on.
- Proxies for personal use: personal proxy providers will usually talk about geo-blocks, website unblocking, sneaker copping (which is a business, but somehow it is usually categorized as “personal use”), Pokemon Go, Netflix, TikTok, Shein, Patreon, Craigslist proxies, and so on.
We recommend contacting the provider before purchasing their product to ensure that there are no hidden fees. They will also usually ask you about your target websites and the goals you would like your proxies to achieve. Tell them as much as you can – they can optimize the proxies specifically for your needs.
Also, don’t forget to read the reviews. While it can be assumed to be part of research, it’s worth mentioning separately. Proxyway is a review site, so if you’re here, you are already on the path to choosing the best provider!
The Best Private Proxy Providers of 2026
1. Webshare
Customizable private IPs with complete self-service.
Get 50% off your first purchase.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Shared, semi-shared, dedicated list
- Countries: ~15 in four continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Other features: IP refresh interval, # of manual IP replacements, high concurrency, network priority, 0 fraud score
- Starts from: $6 for 20 shared IPs ($0.3/IP) & 250 GB
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Shared, semi-shared, dedicated list
- Countries: ~45 in six continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Other features: IP refresh interval, # of manual IP replacements, high concurrency, network priority, 0 fraud score
- Starts from: $2.99 for 100 shared IPs & 250 GB. Free plan with 10 IPs & 1 GB/mo available
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, SOCKS5
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist
- Extras: Sub-users, management API, browser extension
- Support: 6AM-6PM PST via live chat & email
- Trial: Refund available
Webshare is a prominent proxy provider for the general consumer market and small businesses. It hosts 100K dedicated ISP proxies in 15 countries around the world. As for the dedicated datacenter variety, the actual pool size isn’t stated, but we know that it is spread over 40 countries.
One of Webshare’s standout features is the customizability of the product. This means that the entry-level configuration is cheap but limited. For example: datacenter and ISP proxies both have 250 GB traffic and 500 concurrent connections per IP limits. If you want more, up to unlimited, pay more. But if you don’t care about any of that, the entry configuration can turn out to be very cheap.
For more information and performance tests, read our Webshare review.
2. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Robust private ISP proxies in 15 locations.
Try 100 MB for free.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, rotating pool
- Countries: 16 in four continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Starts from: $4.7 for 10 shared IPs ($0.47/IP), $10 for 3 dedicated IPs ($3.33/IP), or $3 for 1 GB
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, pool with 100k IPs
- Countries: 18 in five continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Starts from: $3.5 for 100 shared IPs, $5.55 for 3 dedicated IPs ($1.85/IP), or $6 for 10 GB
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, QUIC over UDP
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist
- Extras: Sub-users, management API, browser extension, proxy checker
- Support: 24/7 via live chat, Discord, or email
- Trial: 100 MB for residential mobile proxies. 14-day refund available
Decodo offers robust private ISP proxies in 16 locations and dedicated datacenter IPs (400K of them) in the US. You can refresh the list after renewing the subscription or keep the same proxies for as long as you wish.
When it comes to ISP geolocation, you can choose as many countries as you want on order. Like most providers on this list, Decodo comes with unlimited traffic and threads, subject only to the provider’s fair usage policy.
You’ll get a polished user experience, award-winning customer support, and attractive prices. The plans start small but can scale up if needed. Both hustlers and enterprises will find something for themselves.
For more information and performance tests, read our Decodo review.
3. Oxylabs
Premium private proxies with the widest network.
Use the code proxyway35 to get 35% off your first purchase.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list
- Countries: 18 in four continents with ASN selection
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Starts from: $16 for 10 shared IPs ($1.6/IP) or 5 dedicated IPs ($3.2/IP)
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, pool with 55k IPs
- Countries: 43 in five continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Starts from: $12 for 10 shared IPs ($1.2/IP), $6.75 for 3 dedicated IPs ($2.25/IP), or $11.8 for 20 GB ($0.59/GB). 5 free IPs with 5 GB/mo available
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, QUIC over UDP
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist
- Extras: Sub-users, management API, browser extension, Android app
- Support: 24/7 via live chat
- Trial: For companies, refund available
Oxylabs has the vastest network of private datacenter proxies on the market. With over 2 million IPs in 188+ locations, it can sustain even the largest web scraping operations. It’s a different deal when it comes to ISP proxies: around 100K IPs are spread over 21 locations.
You can choose any number of countries when you order. A bigger limitation is the 10,000 threads you get by default with datacenter proxies. Whichever you choose, you can expect Oxylabs quality that consistently puts it among the top 3 in most – if not all – of our tests.
On the other hand, that quality costs money. For example, only enterprise users get the 188 location options for datacenter proxies. Mere mortals get 30, with targeting limited to the country level. At least the ISP proxies come with ASN filtering.
For more information and performance tests, read our Oxylabs review.
4. Rayobyte
Strong choice for customers of all sizes.
Use the code proxyway to get 5% off.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, rotating pool
- Countries: 6 in two continents, with city targeting in the US
- Rotation: Only for the rotating pool
- Starts from: $12.5 for 5 shared IPs ($2.5/IP), $25 for 5 dedicated IPs ($5/IP), $3.75 for 1 GB (scaling pay as you go)
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, pool with 60k IPs
- Countries: Up to 29 in five continents, with city targeting in some locales
- Rotation: Only for the rotating pool
- Starts from: $5 for 5 shared IPs ($1/IP), $12.5 for 5 dedicated IPs ($2.5/IP), $0.30 for 1 GB (scaling pay as you go)
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist (excl. rotating DC)
- Extras: Reseller API, browser extension, proxy checker
- Support: 24/7 via email, ticketing system, or live chat
- Trial: 2-day refund
Rayobyte is a well-known datacenter and ISP proxy provider. It offers 300K datacenter proxies spread over 30 locations, and an unstated number of ISP proxies in six. However, the proxies are spread out over nine ASNs, and the system automatically mixes up ASNs to maximize variety. What’s more, Rayobyte owns all of the hardware.
Your IP list can optionally refresh every month for free. You may also replace individual IPs manually as long as you don’t exceed your monthly maximum.. And if you want to, you can manually top up your plan with more proxies (in the same location).
For more information and performance tests, read our Rayobyte review.
5. Byteful
Performant and unlimited proxies.
Use the code PROXYWAY10 to get 10% off.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Dedicated list
- Countries: 15 in three continents
- Rotation: Static
- Starts from: $2.5 for 1 IP
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Dedicated list
- Countries: New York, Miami, Germany
- Rotation: Static
- Starts from: $20 for 10 IPs ($2/IP)
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, UDP
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist
- Extras: Management API, proxy checker
- Support: 5AM-7PM European time via live chat, email, tickets, Discord
- Trial: 1 GB for residential proxies
As Ping Proxies, this provider was all about the sneaker copping game. As Byteful, it serves proxies of all the main varieties. The datacenter proxy pool size is not stated, but it covers three locations (two in the US, one in Germany). For the ISP proxies, you have the choice of 150K proxies spread over 18 countries.
Byteful doesn’t offer a trial, but you are encouraged to buy a single IP for a test run. The rest of the service is fairly standard: unlimited concurrency, unlimited bandwidth with the usual FUP asterisk. The platform itself is great, and our tests of its non-dedicated services have shown the infrastructure to be performant.
However, its total pool of 150K ISP IPs isn’t the largest around, and no city targeting is a little painful. Furthermore, Byteful doesn’t make it easy to refresh them – workarounds involve getting rid of IPs by downsizing your plan or axing the whole list by signing up for a new account.
For more information and performance tests, read our Byteful review.
6. IPRoyal
Cheap dedicated proxies from more than 60 countries.
Use coupon PROXYWAY30 to get a 30% discount.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Dedicated list
- Countries: ~32 in five continents with state & city selection
- Rotation: Static
- Other features: Multi-device access, extra requirements, 0 fraud score
- Starts from: $4 for 1 IP
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Dedicated list
- Countries: ~60 in six continents with state & city selection
- Rotation: Static
- Other features: Multi-device access, extra requirements, 0 fraud score
- Starts from: $9 for 5 IPs ($1.8/IP)
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, UDP (DC & ISP only)
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist
- Extras: Proxy tester, browser extension
- Support: 24/7 via live chat or email
- Trial: Not available
IPRoyal offers affordable datacenter proxies from over 60 countries. As for the ISP variety, they come from more than 30 countries, with city targeting. Proxy pricing is influenced by their location, with prices varying by up to 15%.
You can choose one country per plan. State and city targeting is an optional extra. Overall, there are a few interesting (if price-boosting) settings. For example, you can choose IPs with a good Scamalytics score or just enter your own custom requirements in a text field.
The service comes with an API for proxy management, and you can refresh your proxies once per month free of charge. However, there’s no proxy rotation option.
For more information and performance tests, read our IPRoyal review.
Strong Options We Haven’t Tested Recently:
Bright Data
Versatile private proxies with powerful management tools.
Use the code PROXYWAY60 to get 60% off all proxy plans and Browser API. New users only.
ISP proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, pool with 40k IPs
- Countries: ~50 in six continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Starts from: $18 for 10 shared IPs, $35 for 10 dedicated IPs, or $8 for 1 GB. Pay as you go available
Datacenter proxies
- Formats: Shared, dedicated list, pool with 40k IPs
- Countries: ~100 in six continents
- Rotation: Available in all formats, optional
- Starts from: $14 for 10 shared IPs, $22 for 10 dedicated IPs, or $0.6 for 1 GB. Pay as you go available
General info
- Protocols: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, QUIC over UDP
- Authorization: Credentials, IP whitelist
- Extras: Management API, sub-users, browser extension, Proxy Manager app
- Support: 24/7 via live chat, tickets, dedicated account manager
- Trial: No-card free trial available
Bright Data mainly targets businesses. It has a large collection of private IPs, with 1,300,000 of datacenter and dedicated ISP proxies each. You can control the proxies using robust management tools: an API and Bright Data’s proxy manager. The latter lets you rotate and otherwise manipulate the addresses. The provider displayed excellent download speed, so it’s a good choice for traffic-intensive tasks.
While Bright Data doesn’t force you to buy many proxies at once, it makes financial sense to do so. The provider’s policies severely limit available use cases (no surveys, ticketing, account management, etc.), and its platform takes time to get used to.
For more information and performance tests, read our Bright Data review.
Frequently Asked Questions About Private Proxies
Both terms refer to the same thing – proxies only you can use, making their IPs less likely to face blocks. Sometimes, dedicated proxies also mean IPs dedicated for a specific task, such as social media or SEO.
It depends on the IP location, provider, and how much you buy. A few IPs will cost you $1.5-3 each, and the price per proxy will decrease the more you purchase at once.
Yes. They’re also called static residential or simply ISP proxies. We feature them in our list of the best residential proxies.
Yes. Nowadays, many providers offer private SOCKS5 proxies, so you’ll have no trouble finding where to buy them.
