Search Here

A free proxy server is always tempting, but it always comes with potential risks that you need to consider before using it. Although it may seem like it has the same functionality as a paid proxy, it's different in many ways.

So, you need to know what to expect from free proxies before getting one and end up being disappointed or frustrated.

Understanding Free Proxy Servers

Understanding the pros and cons of free proxy servers can help you decide whether they are the right choice for you. Before we discuss each of them, let's explain what free proxies are.

What Are Free Proxies?

Free proxies are exactly what the name implies - proxies that are free of cost. No one owns them, so they are usually shared with multiple users at the same time. This means that you'll be using the same IP address as many other internet users.

Not having complete control over your proxy makes it less secure and reliable than it's supposed to be. In fact, you may end up paying a hefty price for using a free proxy. In some cases, however, free proxies can do the job just well, so why pay for a proxy when you can achieve the desired result free of charge?

Let's find out the pros and cons of free proxies so you can decide whether you should use them or avoid them at all costs.

Advantages of Free Proxies

Here are a few good reasons to consider using free proxies:

• Free of cost

This is probably the biggest reason why many people turn to free proxies. Basically, you get another IP address without paying at all.

• Partial anonymity

Although free proxies don't offer complete anonymity, they still provide it to a certain degree. That's because they have their own IP addresses, so when using one to connect to a website, you're hiding your own from the site servers. This allows you to visit the site anonymously.

• Accessibility and availability

You can easily find a free proxy and use it whenever you want. For example, you can find a free proxy list at iproyal.com.

Disadvantages of Free Proxies

Not paying for a proxy is usually not a good idea no matter how tempting it is to try and save a few dollars. Here are the major reasons why you might want to rethink your decision of using a free proxy:

• Sluggish performance

Since you'll be sharing the same IP address with who knows how many people and for what purpose, it'll generate an enormous amount of traffic. This can lead to prolonged response time, slow speed, and crashes. So one thing you can do before using a free proxy is to at least test its speed with a proxy tester.

• Lack of complete anonymity 

A lot of free proxy providers are collecting and selling your search information to third parties like companies and agencies for the purpose of targeted advertising. That's how they can later bombard you with tons of personalized ads. So while free proxies make you anonymous to the sites you visit, they do the opposite for the proxy server owner and third parties.

• Little to no protection

When using a free proxy, there's no way you can know who controls it. It can be a hacker or cybercriminal that has set up a free proxy honeypot to collect data packets traveling through web servers. By using their free proxies, you're exposing your sensitive data to them and increasing the chances of data theft, data destruction, and data manipulation. There's also a chance of malware.

• No customer service 

If your free proxy doesn't work for reasons such as technical issues, there will be no one to call for help. Unlike paid proxy providers, free ones lack dedicated customer service.

In Conclusion

If you're considering using a proxy server, the chances are you'll most likely go with a free proxy because why not? Well, there are some things you should know before using one that will make you think twice before using one.

Reasons that can make you want to buy your proxy instead of getting it for free include low quality of performance, lack of full anonymity, and little to no online protection.

On the other hand, they can be ideal if you're on a tight budget and are not using them to handle sensitive information. So we recommend that you take all of this information into consideration before making a decision.