Even though proxies enhance web scraping and cyber security, configuring a proxy on a Windows PC is not as straightforward as you may expect it.
Yes, Windows is widely used. Nonetheless, it includes multiple proxy setup menus. Plus, setting up proxies to optimize business operations includes advanced settings or rules to ensure data security. So, what’s the solution?
Finding a proxy server that’s curated for windows is the way out. Check out these proxy server providers that offer windows-compatible solutions.
7 Best Proxy Servers for Windows
We selected these seven proxy server providers based on how easy it is to configure their proxies on a Windows machine and how their proxies handle real-world use cases. Delve in!
Bright Data
When it comes to easy Windows setup and top-tier performance across use cases, Bright Data tops the list. To configure and use their proxies, you install their proxy manager like any standard Windows program.
The .exe file for Bright Data’s proxy manager is hosted on BrightData’s GitHub releases page. Upon downloading the .exe file, you run it on your computer and follow the on-screen steps to install it.
The proxy manager packs multiple features, including a live log that displays the websites you visit through the app. This way, you get to monitor bandwidth usage and overall performance.
Other than the proxy manager, you have access to updated Windows setup documentation, making it easier to use their residential, datacenter, ISP, or mobile proxies. If something goes wrong, their online troubleshooting and FAQ pages come in handy.
Decodo
Decodo, initially known as Smartproxy, offers Windows users a fully windows-compatible application built for anti-detection browsing. The app, known as X-Browser, allows you to create and manage multiple browser profiles, with custom proxy settings and a unique fingerprint.
Besides the X Browser, there’s a Chrome and Edge extension for quick and easy proxy switching. The two extensions work directly in the browser, eliminating the need to open Windows settings to manually configure proxies.
If you are tech savvy, you also get dedicated guides for manual configurations, including screenshots to ease troubleshooting.
Decodo’s Windows solutions also include price-aggregation tools, SEO bots, scrapers, and automation frameworks. This makes their proxies ideal for web scraping, social media management, SEO monitoring, and Ad verification.
SOAX
Compared to Decodo and BrightData, SOAX does not offer a standalone Windows app. However, SOAX is still a solid choice among Windows users because it supports FoxyProxy and SwitchyOmega browser extensions.
The two extensions are for beginners who want to use proxies to simply bypass content limitations without changing system-wide settings. The extensions work in the Firefox and Chrome browser, allowing you to switch IPs and define basic proxy rules with a single click.
For technical users, there’s a comprehensive manual configuration guide. The guide specifies every keystroke alongside screenshots, making it easier for even beginners to confidently setup SOAX’s proxies for advanced use cases like web scraping and automation.
Moreover, SOAX provides an online IP checker tool to verify if your proxies are active and showing the correct location.
IPRoyal
Like SOAX, IPRoyal has a dedicated Chrome extension for Windows called Proxy Manager. The extension is great for managing different accounts, tasks, and IPs from one device. You get to switch between proxy profiles quickly without interacting with your computer’s system settings.
For advanced usage or business needs, IPRoyal offers WinGate, a Windows-based solution for individuals and teams to set up system-wide proxies.
WinGate features traffic monitoring, bandwidth control, user access policies, content filtering, and VPN pass-through tools. These tools enable you to control how one or more devices connect to the internet on a network-wide level.
Little to no code is required to configure WinGate’s tools. You can manage settings, apply proxy rules, view connections, and do more through the graphical interface. And, when there’s an issue, there’s a detailed log that highlights the sites visited and proxy usage data.
Proxy-cheap
Even though Proxy-Cheap’s proxies are considered uncommonly affordable, we found them effective for use cases like social media automation and web scraping. The proxies are fast and have an impressive uptime.
The setup process on Windows is also straightforward. You have the option of using their proxies through a Chrome extension or following their detailed Windows proxy configuration guide.
The Chrome extension has a simple interface, allowing you to switch proxies for all sites or per site. You can manage multiple accounts and tasks directly on the Chrome browser and not have to change any Window’s system settings.
In addition to the proxy setup guide for Windows, Proxy-Cheap includes content around common Windows proxy errors for troubleshooting. This content helps whenever you run into problems like connection issues, failed proxy loads, and IP conflicts.
StormProxies
Compared to the rest of the proxy providers on this list, StormProxies offer private proxies. These proxies are fast, especially when applied to tasks like keyword monitoring and web scraping.
Using StormProxies private or residential proxies does not require usernames or passwords. There is a step-by-step guide on how to adjust Windows network settings to point your IP to a select StormProxies proxy.
After configuring your Windows internet settings, you input your PC’s IP in StormProxies’ dashboard to whitelist it. This decreases the chances of authentication errors.
If you want to use StormProxies’ solutions on the browser only, there are third-party and community guides for this. The guides cover how to configure Edge and Chrome to use acquired proxies, ensuring the browser uses the proxy as you want it to.
Oxylabs
Oxylabs’ proxy solutions are mostly for developers who understand their way around the Windows ecosystem and proxies. However, they do have an official Windows setup guide for beginners, too.
Developers get an SDK that support .NET and C#. Oxylab’s documentation includes examples on how to use .NET and C# to run proxies inside apps and scripts, making it easier for developers to automate tasks that need IP switching.
Moreover, Oxylab has a strong community of developers that create open-source SKDs and integrations on GitHub.
Instead of building scrapers or other tools that need proxies from scratch, you download the tools and customize them to fit your purpose, especially web scraping and automating anything, from ad verification to price tracking.
Wrapping Up!
And, there you have it! Seven proxy providers that won’t have you guessing how to configure a proxy on Windows. Most of these proxy providers have clear Windows proxy setup documentation to ease the configuration process.
Some of the proxies on this list offer dedicated apps for Windows and browser extensions. If you are a beginner, you are better off getting proxies from such providers. Nonetheless, always remember to stay ethical while using these proxies on Windows.
