What Is a Proxy Scraper? 9 Best Proxy Scraping Tools
Milena Popova
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In This Article
Did you know you can simplify your quest for free and functional proxies? Instead of looking for the best option out there, you can simply use a proxy scraper. With the right tool, you’ll not only save time but also cut costs, accessing fast and reliable free proxies hassle-free.
Whether you need a proxy server for web scraping, market research, or just to bypass geo-restrictions, using the best proxy scraper can make your job significantly easier. For that reason, we’ll review some of the most popular options on the market so you can make a well-informed decision. But first, let’s explain what these tools are and how they work.
What Is a Proxy Scraper and How Does It Work?
It’s a tool or software designed to automatically extract and collect proxy server information from various sources on the internet. This information includes IP addresses, port numbers, and protocols.
The main goal of using proxy scrapers is to build or update a list of usable proxies for various purposes. These tools can gather proxy information from public proxy lists, forums, websites, and other sources where proxy details are available.
What Is a Proxy List?
It’s a list of IPs derived from proxies and used to access the internet. It contains details such as the proxy server type (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, etc.), port, speed, latency, uptime, and sometimes even the country of origin.
The list is made by collecting potential IPs and running them through various filters and tests. Its purpose is to provide users with a selection of proxy servers to choose from for various applications.
Why Would You Need One?
Proxy lists are used when you need to rotate proxies or when you want to assign one IP to each account or user. They keep crawlers and bots anonymous, ensuring uninterrupted operations on the internet.
Common Use Cases of Proxy Lists
Requiring multiple IPs or rotating them is common for automated bot-driven activities, brand protection, price comparison, and travel aggregation, all of which need a proxy list. Here are the most common use cases of proxy lists:
- Web scraping
- Anonymous browsing
- Bypassing restrictions
- SEO monitoring
Free Proxy Lists
A free proxy list comprises IP addresses you can access without charge. In other words, it’s a list of free proxies you can use for your online operations. They can offer different proxy types based on performance, speed, and specifications.
But as with any free service or product, it’s crucial to look for a trustworthy provider. While not all free proxy servers are blocked or misused, some are.
Potential Dangers of Using a Free Proxy Server
A free proxy server is enticing for users seeking a quick solution but can come with potential dangers and drawbacks. Some of the main concerns include:
- Data leaks
- Unreliable performance
- Slow speeds
- Limited location availability
- Unsupported protocols
- Incompatibility with certain websites That’s why you must be careful when choosing your provider and ensure you can trust it with your sensitive data. Look for a reputable name in the proxy world instead of risking your privacy and security online.
9 Best Proxy Scraping Tools – Review
Here’s a quick review of some of the best options on the market. They are listed in no particular order, so consider their features, pricing, and user experience when making a decision.
1. GSA Proxy Scraper
With this popular proxy scraping tool, you can test thousands of proxies in a few simple clicks. It features a port scanner – a Windows-based software that lets you decide what type of proxy server you want.
GSA Proxy Scraper can scrape proxies by type, including transparent, anonymous, elite, and SOCKS. Supported protocols include SOCKS4, SOCKS5, CONNECT, WEB, etc. The software costs $97, but it’s a one-time fee. It also comes with a five-day free trial. On the downside, it has so many functions, so it’s not very beginner-friendly.2. Proxyscrape
While not a proxy scraping tool, Proxyscrape offers free lists of proxies you can download on your PC. The proxies are regularly tested to ensure they are up-to-date and working. You can choose the proxy type based on the protocol supported, including HTTP, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5.
There are also options to select the location, timeout, and anonymity level of the proxies on your list. If you’re unsatisfied with the free proxy servers from Proxyscrape, you can always try their paid service.
3. IPRoyal
While we’re mostly known for our premium solutions, we also offer a free proxy list , including HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 proxies. The proxies are tested and updated every 10 minutes, so you can rest assured they are fresh and working.
Thanks to their high speeds and efficiency, you can use them for various purposes. You can choose from thousands of IPs based on their protocol and location down to the city level. If you’re looking for premium residential proxies , IPRoyal has non-expiring traffic starting at only $7 per GB.
4. Apify’s Ultimate Proxy Scraper
The Ultimate Proxy Scraper from Apify lets you scrape thousands of proxy servers from over 30 data sources. You can choose to get free or premium SOCKS4, SOCKS5, HTTP, and HTTPS proxies for all sorts of applications.
The scraper is optimized to scrape thousands of proxies with the maximum speed possible. The monthly fee is $5, but there’s also a free trial that lets you test the scraper for three days.
5. Proxy Scraper Checker
This working and up-to-date proxy scraping tool is available on GitHub . It’s written in Python, so it’s ideal for Python programmers who need proxies for constructing client-based applications.
It supports multiple proxy types, including HTTP, SOCKS4, and SOCKS5 proxy servers, and can sort them by speed. The tool can show the proxy’s anonymity level and the geolocation of its exit node. You can download it for free from GitHub.
6. Somiibo
Somiibo Proxy Scraper is a free proxy scraping software that can find and test thousands of proxies in an instant. It's easy to use and lets you choose whether to search a proxy server by protocol (HTTP, SOCKS4, or SOCKS5), anonymity, or country.The tool is automatically updated with new proxy sources, and the proxies are regularly checked to ensure you get fresh IPs with good speeds.
7. Proxy List Scraper
This Chrome extension can help you extract proxies from proxy list websites using only your browser. The extension has a friendly interface and works only in Google Chrome, which is somewhat limiting.
However, for those who have Chrome on their phones and computers, it’s a great option to consider. Using the tool is pretty straightforward – you visit a site with free lists of proxies and enable the extension. Then, you just let it do its magic.
8. Free Proxy List
This one is not a proxy scraping software but rather a provider offering free proxy lists . The lists are tested and updated every 30 minutes, so you don’t have to worry about getting a non-functional proxy server.
The provider’s API allows you to customize the output format of the list and filter the proxies by country. However, you can only get HTTP/HTTPS proxies, so if you’re looking for SOCKS5 support, you should look elsewhere.
9. Proxy Scraper Checker
We end our list with another up-to-date proxy scraping tool written in Rust and available on the GitHub and lib.rs platforms. The software scrapes and checks SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies from the proxies archive on checkerproxy.net.
You can choose to save only anonymous, HTTP, or SOCKS5 working proxies in a folder on your PC.
To Sum Up
Proxy scrapers can help you get your hands on free lists of proxies so you can collect data from any site you want without investing in costly proxy services. Explore our selection of leading proxy scraping tools and reliable providers offering free proxy lists and choose the best solution for you.
Author
Milena Popova
Content Writer
With nine years of writing experience, Milena delivers exceptional content that informs and entertains readers. She is known for her reliability, efficiency, and cooperative nature, making her a valuable team player. Milena’s passion for IT and proxy networks fuels her content creation, ensuring accessibility for all. Outside of work, you’ll find her reading a good book or keeping up with the ever-evolving world of IT.
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