Curious about free proxy lists and how they work? In this article, you'll discover where these proxies come from, who gathers them, and why they’re often unreliable for browsing. We’ll also explore the legality of using free proxies, why they rarely work in browsers, and what tasks they’re best suited for. If you're considering using free proxies, this guide will help you understand the risks and benefits, and why paid options might be a better choice for your needs.

This article is part of a larger comprehensive guide on proxy servers that we highly recommend visiting for a deeper understanding of all types of proxies and their uses.

Example of a Free Proxy List

As an example of a free proxy list, you can check out this page:

https://proxycompass.com/free-proxy/

This page features a collection of free proxies from various sources. In addition to the proxy list itself, you'll find useful information about how the list is compiled and the criteria used to test these free proxies.

a free proxy list example

What Are Free Proxy Lists?

Free Proxy Lists are large collections of proxy servers available online. These proxies don’t require a username or IP address for authentication, so anyone can use them. They are easy to access and can be used for various online tasks.

Where Do Free Proxy Lists Come From?

The origins of Free Proxy Lists are quite diverse. Here are a few possible sources:

• Misconfigured Servers: Sometimes servers are not properly set up, either due to admin error, outdated software, or after a security breach. These servers, which could belong to businesses, schools, medical institutions, or other organizations, become publicly accessible.

• Compromised Home Computers: In some cases, home computers can also become proxies if they are improperly configured or compromised, allowing them to be accessed from outside the network. This can happen through outdated software, security vulnerabilities, or even by accident.

• Locally Intended Proxies: Some proxies are originally intended for local use within a specific organization or network. However, due to misconfiguration or other issues, they end up being accessible to a broader audience, and thus appear on Free Proxy Lists.

These are just a few examples of how proxy servers can unintentionally end up on Free Proxy Lists, becoming available for anyone to use.

Who Gathers Free Proxies, Why, and How?

Free proxy lists are collected using specialized scanning programs like Charon and GScan. These scanners work non-stop, scanning entire IP ranges. When an IP address from the range responds with a "200 OK" status code (indicating that the server is reachable and functioning properly), it is added to the list.

After initial collection, these lists are often re-checked using tools like cURL to verify their availability, uptime, geolocation, and supported protocols.

The motives behind collecting these proxies can vary. Some do it to attract search traffic to a website or an online forum with a specific focus, while others compile and sell these lists for profit.

Why Free Proxies Rarely Work in Browsers

The main reason free proxies rarely work in browsers is that 99% of modern websites (as of 2024) operate using the HTTPS protocol. HTTPS encrypts the connection between the browser and the website, ensuring data security and privacy. To access such sites through a proxy, the proxy itself must support HTTPS.

The problem with most free proxies is that they don’t support HTTPS. When you try to access a website through one of these proxies, the site simply won’t load.

If you need reliable access to websites, the only real solution is to purchase paid proxies that support the HTTPS protocol.

What Are Free Proxies Used For?

As mentioned earlier, free proxies are not typically used for browsing websites. Instead, they are most commonly downloaded from source websites and utilized in bots that operate using HTTP or SOCKS protocols.

For example, they can be used to interact with an API (where HTTPS is not required) or to connect to SSH or RDP services. These tasks don’t require the secure connections that HTTPS provides, making free proxies suitable for these specific business needs.

Is It Legal to Use Free Proxy Lists?

Scanning IP ranges to find accessible proxies is illegal, and we strongly discourage readers from engaging in such practices. However, using free proxies that are publicly available on websites is not against the law.

That said, using public proxies is highly discouraged for sensitive tasks, such as sending passwords or any other personal information.

Using free proxies can be risky and potentially harmful, so keep that in mind.

The Most Popular Countries for Free Proxy Lists

When working with various platforms—such as social media, e-commerce websites, online marketplaces, or news platforms—it's essential to use proxies from the same country as the platform or the account registered on it. This approach helps ensure smooth operations and reduces the chances of being flagged or restricted.

The full proxy list (incl all countries).

The most popular proxy countries are:

• USA (free US proxy list)

• Germany (free German proxy list)

• Russia (free Russian proxy list)

• UK (free UK proxy list)

Other commonly used proxies include:

• Spain (free Spain proxies)

• Brazil (free Brazilian proxies)

• France (free French proxies)

• China (free Chinese proxies)

• Canada (free Canadian proxies)

• Australia (free Australian proxies)

• Switzerland (free Swiss proxies)

• Netherlands (free Dutch proxies)

• Poland (free Polish proxies)

• Turkey (free Turkish proxies)

• Ukraine (free Ukrainian proxies)

• Japan (free Japanese proxies)

• India (free Indian proxies)

We’ve curated a selection of both paid proxy services and free proxy sources for each of these countries, which you can find through the links above.