13 Best Proxy Tools for PC [2024 Reviewed]
Get ready to benefit from the highest level of encryption
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Key notes
- If you're looking for the best proxy software to pair with your Windows 10 & 11 PC, we've got the best selection below.
- Check out this comprehensive guide, compare features, and choose the best VPN and IP hiding software.
- They will provide perfect privacy protection and help you avoid geo-location restrictions.
Before we start, we need to quickly explain how proxies work. Basically, the proxy works as a middleman between your PC and the Internet.
When using a proxy your actual IP address will be hidden, and you’ll use your proxy’s IP address instead.
Although proxy masks your IP address, it doesn’t encrypt your traffic, which means that malicious users can still intercept it.
What are proxy tools?
Simply said, proxy tools as devices like routers or systems that protect your online privacy with a gateway for the users when navigating on the web.
For instance, you can use proxy servers to access online resources by sending traffic to a proxy that evaluates the web pages before you access them.
Which type of proxy is best?
There are multiple types of proxy servers out there so you can shield your privacy requirements.
If you’re looking for the best proxy types, you should go for residential proxies as they are the most popular option among users because it has real IP addresses for devices.
Which one is better, VPN or proxy?
We have to mention that proxy doesn’t affect your entire network connection, and it will affect only a single application, such as your browser.
Also, by going through a proxy, your original IP can be traced back to your PC. VPNs ensure that your PC is untraceable.
Of course, when you activate a VPN, it will cover all the apps on your PC, not just the browser so you’re covered all the way.
However, this doesn’t mean that proxy tools can’t be useful, and if you’re looking for the best proxy tool, today we’re going to show you a few.
What is the best proxy tool for Windows 10 and 11?
Private Internet Access – Best VPN from all
As the world’s leading VPN, PIA does more for your online privacy than a simple proxy tool could ever do.
With this Kape Technologies-owned VPN, you will be able to enjoy a truly liberated web experience, completely free of censorship and geographically imposed restrictions without compromising on security.
If anything, you will benefit from the highest level of encryption for your traffic data, anonymous browsing, IP cloaking, and other privacy-oriented features including a strict no-logs policy.
This means that your online activity will never be tracked or monitored, not by your ISP, not by governmental agencies, and not by hackers.
Speaking of hackers, you will be completely protected against any kind of cyber threats as PIA also includes a malware blocker and a firewall.
Moreover, your IP address is changed when connecting to one of its 3292 servers strategically spread across 46 countries worldwide.
Let’s quickly look at its key features:
- Bypass censorship and unblock restricted websites
- Secure protection even on public Wi-Fi
- Unlimited bandwidth and ultra-fast Download Speeds
- Integrated ads, trackers, and malware blocker
- Compatible with all popular desktop and mobile operating systems
- Strict no-logs policy for total privacy
- Easy to set up and easy to use (1 click connection)
- Secure VPN protocols (Wireguard, PPTP, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPSec)
- Protect up to 10 devices simultaneously with just 1 subscription
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access
Extend the benefits of proxies to your entire network and all your devices with PIA!NordVPN – Quickest connection speed
NordVPN is a reliable VPN service provider trusted by millions of users worldwide.
Unlike a proxy server, this software comes with in-built security features that ensure your traffic data is protected when you browse online.
The VPN program works on the operating system level and encrypts the traffic between your device and the internet network. In this way, your ISP won’t be able to collect data or track what you do online.
With NordVPN’s obfuscated servers you can even hide the fact that you are using a virtual private network.
Since this type of server changes your data packets, connecting to it will enable you to access firewalls blocked by VPNs.
Another great feature of this service is its strict no-logs policy. NordVPN does not track or collect your private data while you navigate online.
Here are other key functions of this software:
- 5000+ fast servers in 59 countries
- Supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS
- Connect one account to six devices at once
- CyberSec technology
- Double VPN security feature
- No ISP or bandwidth throttling
- Automated kill switch
- Browser extensions for Firefox and Google Chrome
- Dedicated, static IP address accessible only by you
- Mobile apps for Android and iOS
- Live chat support 24/7
With NordVPN you can download and share files through secure P2P servers with no bandwidth limits.
NordVPN
Connect to the fastest VPN servers and browse stress-free with NordVPN!Surfshark – Great encryption
Surfshark is a resourceful VPN service with a strict no-logs policy. They do not keep track of any of your data.
Plus, by hiding your IP and connecting you to a private server, no third party will be able to identify or track you.
It uses the private DNS of each server. This means that all your data is fully encrypted.
Surfshark VPN uses industry-leading AES-256-GCM encryption. No one will be able to access your browsing history, traffic data, or identity without your permission.
Along with that, they use secure protocols like IKEv2/IPsec. They also allow you to use OpenVPN.
In case the connection drops, this VPN is equipped with a killswitch which will automatically turn off any traffic data in case the connection drops.
Surfshark VPN is compatible with all major platforms and you can connect it to an unlimited number of devices. It is subscription-based with a 7-day free trial available for each plan.
Other key features of Surfshark VPN include:
- Changes your IP
- NoBordersMode
- Split tunneling
- Ad blocker
- Anti tracker
Surfshark
Keep your data private and increase internet connection speed with this reliable and budget-friendly VPN.ExpressVPN – Optimized for stable connections
Another useful tool if you want to keep your personal details private is ExpressVPN.
To understand how it works compared with a free proxy tool, keep in mind that every single application will need to be configured separately to use the proxy you desire.
Thus, changing the proxy server location might require a complete reconfiguration.
On the other hand, once you install a VPN tool, selecting a location becomes easy and fast. Express VPN routes and encrypts all kinds of traffic through its servers.
When you choose to connect on a free proxy server, check first if it encrypts its traffic and be aware that loads of other users are getting this free congested highway.
Choosing a premium VPN like this Express VPN International Ltd. owed security software instead is like a secured private tunnel just for you, optimized for speed and stability.
ExpressVPN it’s not free, though its speed and the numerous servers it has in 160 locations spread worldwide make the difference.
Plus, you get to enjoy special discount rates and a convenient 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN
Enjoy secure and reliable connections on ultra-fast servers in 94 countries!Cyberghost VPN – Good for multiple devices
The best privacy buddy while surfing the web is a virtual private network software (VPN). You can check out this best VPN list to learn more about the virtual private network.
This is one of the leaders on the market when it comes to security. It masks your IP and keeps all your data safe as you are surfing the Web.
Easy to install and easy-to-use, it allows you to run up to 7 devices at a time. This feature is extremely useful if you are using multiple gadgets for the same purposes and you need a safe internet connection.
One of the most important security features that Cyberghost has to offer is that it separates your browsing from your personal data.
It doesn’t log your files in order to prevent them from being damaged or stolen.
CyberGhost VPN has dedicated servers for various activities and you can customize the recommendations based on your preferences and location.
This flexible function makes it the ideal VPN provider for online transactions, streaming, torrenting, and more.
Cyberghost VPN
Surf online with one of the best anonymous web proxy!IPRoyal – Huge pool of IPs
IPRoyal is one of the best proxy tools out there with over 2 million IPs available so it’s definitely worth a shot.
You can either choose a sticky IP that you can use for 24 hours or a rotating proxy and you will benefit from 99.9% uptime.
All the IPs are real, residential proxies from genuine users and they cannot be distinguished from organic visitors.
Even you can leave your IP to be used if you’re not using your PC for a while and you will be compensated for that.
With IPRoyal’s data centers you will benefit from unlimited bandwidth with no extra charges, and that translates into fast access speeds.
You will avoid any geo-blocking by selecting a proxy from any location in the world and the IP is reserved for you.
And all the browsing is perfectly secure, with HTTPS and SOCKS5 support and a lot more.
IPRoyal
Choose a reliable proxy from any part of the world and enjoy browsing your favorite content.
Ultrasurf – Great for Android surfing
Ultrasurf is a small and portable tool that will protect your privacy online. According to its developer,
Ultrasurf has about 3 to 5 million users every month from more than 180 countries. This tool will encrypt your web traffic while hiding your IP address.
At the same time, your IP address will be protected on public networks and you’ll be able to access any website that is blocked on a regional basis.
Ultrasurf is a simple tool, and as soon as it starts it will select the best proxy server and connect you to it.
This is a portable application, so there’s no need to install it. This also means that you can run the tool on any PC and even from a USB flash drive.
We also have to mention that this tool doesn’t require any registration, so you can just download it and use it without limitations.
After you start the application, you’ll automatically connect to the proxy server and your default browser will start.
In our case, Chrome started automatically in Incognito mode, so no traces such as cookies or browsing history are left behind while using Ultrasurf.
From the application, you can choose between different servers and you can even visualize the speed of the server as well.
On the other hand, you won’t be able to see the server’s location, which can be a turn-off for some users.
Ultrasurf is a small, free, and portable proxy tool. The application is rather straightforward, so if you’re looking for a proxy tool, there’s no reason not to try it.
Freegate – Great portable tool
Freegate is another proxy tool that will protect your privacy online. Since this tool is also portable, it can run on any PC without installation. As soon as you launch the app, your default browser will start.
For some reason, the default browser wasn’t correct in our case, but you can change the desired browser from the settings menu.
The application comes with a humble user interface that shows you a simple network graph. As for available settings, you can choose between two tunnels.
The tool supports HTTP and SOCKS5 protocols, and you can even use your own proxy server with this tool if you want to.
Freegate is a simple but useful tool, and if you want to use a proxy, you should definitely give it a try.
SafeIP – Good for ID protection
SafeIP is another proxy tool that you can use to protect your privacy online. The tool comes with a simple interface so you can easily choose a proxy server with just a few clicks.
All servers are listed in three categories, and you can choose between the US, UK, and other worldwide servers. Simply double-click the desired server and your IP address will change automatically.
The tool offers several available presets such as anonymous web browsing, fast content streaming, and mass or bulk mailing.
Additional options include malware protection, advertisement blocking, cookie tracking protection, referring URL protection, and browser ID protection.
You can also turn on traffic encryption or DNS privacy if you want. To keep your IP address secure, you can automatically change it after a certain number of minutes.
This is a simple application, and it offers most of its features for free. Certain options such as Wi-Fi Protection, Speed and torrents, and Speed Boost modes are unavailable in the free version, but that’s not a big problem.
We also have to mention that not all servers are available in the free version, and the list of available servers will change during the day.
This means that certain servers might not be available at all times, but with an extensive number of servers, this won’t be a problem.
SafeIP is a simple and free proxy tool. With a large number of available servers and a friendly user interface, this app is perfect for all basic users.
Tor – Very easy to use
Tor is probably one of the best-known applications that can protect your privacy online. This tool is simple to use, and in order to do that, you just need to install Tor Browser.
The browser will have some extensions installed that will prevent websites and malicious users from tracking your online.
Although Tor doesn’t allow you to choose a proxy server, it connects to several different nodes, thus hiding your IP address and encrypting your traffic.
Tor is incredibly simple to use, and if you’re concerned about your privacy online, you might want to consider using it. This application is free, and you’ll be able to enjoy it even if you’re a basic PC user.
⇒ Get Tor
KProxy – Good for avoiding location restrictions
KProxy is a useful proxy service that allows you to hide your IP address online. This is a web service, but if you want, you can download Chrome or Firefox plugin.
There’s also a KProxy browser available which is basically a portable version of Firefox with KProxy plugin.
By using this service, you can circumvent any regional restrictions that you might have. This is especially useful if certain services or online content isn’t available in your country.
In addition, this service will also protect you from malicious users and keep your personal information hidden from your Internet service provider.
KProxy is a free service, however, it has certain limitations. By using the free version you can choose between Canadian and German servers.
However, US and UK servers will remain unavailable unless you purchase a Pro version.
We also have to mention that in the free version, servers can get overloaded due to the number of users.
Psiphon – Simple user interface
Another free proxy tool on our list is Psiphon. This tool comes with a simple user interface and it allows you to choose between 7 different servers.
Psiphon allows you to use the Split Tunnel feature, and you can also configure local proxy ports, upstream proxy, or use Transport Mode.
The tool also comes with a useful log that you can use to check your connection status.
In addition, Psiphon is available in several different languages. This is a simple, free, and portable application, so it should work on any PC without problems.
One minor issue is the lack of compatibility with third-party browsers. During our testing, the application worked perfectly with Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer, but it didn’t work with Chrome or Firefox.
This application is completely free and it doesn’t have any restrictions, so if you’re looking for a free proxy tool, be sure to check Psiphon out.
ChrisPC Free Anonymous Proxy – Unblocks geo-restricted websites
If you’re looking for a free proxy tool, ChrisPC Free Anonymous Proxy might be just what you need.
This tool allows you to choose between many worldwide proxy servers with just a few clicks. We have to mention that this tool offers several different modes.
The first one is Anonymous Proxy Mode which hides your IP address and allows you to browse the Internet anonymously.
Expat Mode will unblock geo-restricted websites and there’s also Unblock Websites Mode that will unblock certain popular websites.
Another available feature is Ads Blocker Filter, but you can use it only for 30 minutes in the free version.
The free version of the tool offers basic options, but if you want to use Expat Mode or change advanced settings, you’ll have to purchase the premium version.
⇒ Get ChrisPC Free Anonymous Proxy
How do I use a proxy tool?
- Go to Network and Internet in Windows Settings menu.
- Click on Proxy.
- In the manual setup window, toggle on Use Proxy Server option.
- Slide the option for Automatically detects settings.
- Turn on the Use Setup Script option and add the script address.
As you can see, there are many different proxy tools that you can use on Windows 10 and 11.
We have to mention that using a free proxy isn’t the most secure method to protect your privacy online.
So, you might want to refrain from entering sensitive information while using such a tool. Better yet, try a VPN instead to protect your entire network.
In this respect, we suggest checking our list of the best VPNs for Windows 10 & 11.
Have you tried any of the solutions above? If so, share your feedback in the comments section below.
