✓ last verified 2026-08-07 · every figure read from the provider’s live pricing page on that date · how we verify
Ranked on rates read from live pricing pages 2026-08-07 — not sponsor order. The market spans a verified $1.00/GB (DataImpulse) to $7.00/GB (IPRoyal entry PAYG), with the mid-market clustered at $2.20–$4.00/GB. One provider (NetNut) was seized by the FBI in July 2026 and is excluded.
The verified table
| Provider | Best verified rate | Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProxyEmpire | $0.75/GB | rotating from | static resi from $0.75/GB + $2/IP; rotating mobile from $1.25/GB; DC from $0.35/GB; unlimited resi from $1500/ |
| Proxy-Cheap | $0.78/GB | rotating from | shown discounted from $2.60 — promo pricing; static resi (ISP) $2.71/mo; rotating mobile $5.99/GB; DC IPv4 fro |
| DataImpulse | $1/GB | Intro/Basic | PAYG, traffic never expires; 1TB tier $0.80/GB; premium resi $5/GB |
| Proxy-Seller | $1.3/GB | from | STARTING PRICE ONLY; mobile from $10/IP, IPv4 from $0.49/IP, ISP from $0.98/IP, IPv6 from $0.02/IP |
| SOAX | $1.5/GB | Scale $1500/mo | Tier1 geo; 3000 credits; +VAT; Enterprise from $0.85 T1 |
| Webshare | $1.5/GB | 1000GB | 3TB tier at $1.40/GB |
| Rayobyte | $1.5/GB | Professional 250-999GB | Corporate 1-5TB $0.70/GB; Enterprise 5TB+ $0.50/GB |
| IPRoyal | $1.75/GB | Custom 10TB+ | subscription variant $1.84 |
| NodeMaven | $2.2/GB | monthly from | PAYG $4.50/GB (20% off from $5.63); $3.50 trial w/ 750MB; ISP from $2.99/IP |
| Bright Data | $2.5/GB | 798GB | 50% off promo pricing |
| Decodo (ex-Smartproxy) | $2.75/GB | 100GB | +VAT |
| Oxylabs | $6/GB | from | STARTING PRICE ONLY — full tier table not visible; mobile from $7.5, ISP from $16, SOCKS5 from $8 |
Picks by scenario
- DataImpulse — best price, verified $1.00/GB PAYG, $5 minimum, non-expiring traffic — the budget benchmark.
- Webshare — best self-serve scaling: verified $3.50/GB at 1GB → $1.40/GB at 3TB.
- Decodo (ex-Smartproxy) — best mid-market all-rounder: verified $2.75–$4.00/GB, 3-day trial, mature tooling.
- SOAX — best geo-flexibility: verified $1.50–$5.00/GB Tier-1 with granular targeting.
- Bright Data — best enterprise tooling: verified $2.50–$4.00/GB on promo tiers, $499/mo commitments.
- Oxylabs — best for compliance-heavy procurement (from verified $6/GB entry).
Ranked by verified pricing and published terms; independent performance benchmarking is on the roadmap and will change these rankings when it lands. No sponsored placement, ever.
FAQ
What is the best residential proxy provider in 2026?
There is no single best — there’s best per scenario. On verified pricing: DataImpulse for budget ($1.00/GB), Decodo for mid-market ($2.75–$4.00/GB), Bright Data/Oxylabs for enterprise. Performance benchmarks land next and will sharpen this.
What do residential proxies cost in 2026?
Verified 2026-08-07: $1.00–$7.00/GB depending on provider and volume; bulk tiers reach $0.50–$1.75/GB. Claims below $1/GB are typically starting-rate marketing — check the tier table.
Which residential proxy providers have free trials?
Decodo (3-day), NodeMaven ($3.50/750MB), ProxyEmpire ($1.97 trial), Webshare (free datacenter tier) — verified from their pricing pages; full trial-terms verification is in progress.