Top 10 Best Proxy Servers on Windows PCs
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ShadowsocksR
Open-source Socks5 proxy with advanced settings for bypassing Internet censorship, which enables you to create a list of multiple servers.
Designed for experienced users when it comes to proxy servers, ShadowsocksR is a Windows tool that gives you the possibility to bypass Internet protocols in order to secure your connection, protect your identity from hackers and your privacy from marketers, as well as unlock geo-blocked content.
Using Socks5, the program can be populated with a list of multiple proxy servers to switch. It gets integrated into the systray on launch, where you can easily toggle the proxy mode. The list of servers can be created from the servers menu.
Create profiles with multiple proxy servers
If your web browsers are equipped with proxy extensions, it's recommended to disable them to prevent software conflicts. Unless you with to enable the system proxy, it's possible to set the browser proxy manually to 127.0.0.1:1080 (Socks5 or HTTT). The default port can be changed from the global settings panel.
The PAC file can be updated using information from other lists available in the downloaded package, or edited with manual settings. What's more, you can view server statistics, tinker with server subscription settings, scan QR codes shown on the monitor, as well as double-click the tray icon to bring up the main app window.
Configure advanced settings
The main window gives you the possibility to add new proxy servers and remove existing ones or edit server settings when it comes to the server IP and port, password, encryption method, protocol and protocol parameters, obsfucator and obsfucator parameters, remarks, and group. ShadowsocksR supports many encryption methods, such as AES 256, RC4-MD5-6, Salsa20, and Chacha20.
The utility is wrapped in a portable package and has two distinct executable files for compatibility with .NET Framework 2.0 (in Windows 7) and .NET Framework 4.0 (in Windows 8 and newer). Therefore, it can be saved to a USB flash drive and effortlessly moved between all your machines to enable proxy.
Available for expert users only
It had minimal impact on system resources usage in our tests and quickly applied the proxy configuration. On the bright side, ShadowsocksR comes bundled with more than enough options for advanced users, especially developers. On the downside, it's not oriented toward casual users at all.
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Jackett
Add all of your favorite torrent indexing sites in one place without having to visit each site individually each time you want to search for a show or a movie with the help of this indexer that works with Sonarr and Radarr.
While torrents aren't all the hype right now, there are still users out there who rely on them to find the latest episodes of their favorite shows.
Usually, finding new releases can be straightforward, but it can also be quite the pain as you have to manually search entire sites or even swap between several torrent sites. Here's where Jackett comes into play.
What exactly is Jackett and why should I care?
Jackett is a sort of torrent indexer service that is primarily designed to work with Sonarr and Radarr (but it also works well with SickRage, CouchPotato, Mylar, Lidarr, DuckieTV, qBittorrent and Nefarious, just to name a few).
In short, it allows you to add all your favorite torrent indexing sites in one place, therefore removing the need to visit each site individually altogether.
To quote the official repository of the project: "Jackett works as a proxy server: it translates queries from apps [...] into tracker-site-specific HTTP queries, parses the HTML response, then sends results back to the requesting software."
So, with the help of Jackett, you can simply add the API information from each tracker and you can simplify the whole process. Each API you add to Jackett will automatically search for the show or movie you desire. No more manually searching and checking each tracking site.
Installation and configuration details
Before anything else, it's worth noting that Jackett works on Windows, macOS, and even Linux. If you're wondering about the full list of supported Public Trackers, Semi-Private Trackers, and Private Trackers, they are all available on the project's GitHub repository.
The installation process is pretty straightforward: simply download the latest version of the installer, (if you get prompted if you would like this app to make changes to your computer click "Yes"), and make sure you check the "Install as Windows Serve" checkbox.
After the installation, launch the app and either make use of Jackett's tray menu to launch the web app or simply enter the following address in your web browser's address bar: "http://127.0.0.1:9117"
From this point onwards, you're ready to add trackers suing the provided web GUI. The configuration process is not yet done, though, as you'll have to still find the API keys from the aforementioned services, but thankfully, there are many tutorials on the Internet to help you out.
Final words
Even though getting used to Jackett might seem a bit counterproductive (especially for beginners), it is without a doubt a very useful tool that does its job right.
It's just a matter of you being willing to take a few minutes to install and read a few tutorials online to make it work. If you opt to do so, you'll be rewarded with a lot of saved time when you want to catch the latest episodes of your favorite TV shows.
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ChrisPC Anonymous Proxy Pro
Connect to the Internet using a proxy server so as to make sure your privacy is protected while you browse the web or make online payments.
There are numerous websites and online services that are accessible only from specific countries so users located in other parts of the world are blocked from gaining access to them. One of the ways to bypass this restriction is to connect to the Internet using a proxy server, so that computer’s IP changes and the target website considers it to come from a whitelisted area. This can be achieved using a dedicated software solution, such as ChrisPC Anonymous Proxy Pro.
Quick connection through preset profiles
The application comes with an intuitive graphic interface so that even novices can easily choose the proxy server they want to connect to, so as to gain access to the websites they are interested in.
If you do not need a certain proxy server and you simply want to anonymize your browsing so as to ensure your privacy remains protected at all times, you can simply choose the fastest proxy, from a random country.
Set up filters and choose browsers to use
Furthermore, ChrisPC Anonymous Proxy Pro also comes with a dedicated filter that blocks advertisements, page counters and tracking script. This way, you can navigate the web and access your chosen websites without any distractions and without worrying that your browsing habits will be monitored.
Last, but not least, you can choose which browsers should connect to the Internet using the proxy server you specified - in other words, you can connect via proxy only when exploring the web with a certain browser, such as Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera or Safari.
Additionally, you can set ChrisPC Anonymous Proxy Pro to run at Windows startup so you will not need to manually set up a new connection every time you login to your PC.
To end with
All in all, the application can come in handy to all those who want to overcome the restrictions imposed to them on specific websites, simply because they are located in a blocked country. Those who are satisfied with the app’s performance can purchase a license and enjoy all its features beyond the evaluation period.
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Proxifier
Easily bypass firewalls and location restrictions with this application, which routes your Internet connection through a proxy server of your choice.
Proxies still play an important role in Internet filtering and connectivity, especially for users who struggle to bypass restrictions and firewall rules that block certain websites and services.
Proxifier is an application that aims to help you take another step towards total freedom on the Internet, as it is designed to grant you access to any online resource through your very own proxy, no matter the software solution you use.
As you may already know, some of the Windows apps we're using do not come with built-in proxy support, so it's almost impossible to start them if there's a firewall restriction in place. But not if you use Proxifier. This application has been designed to enable any program to access the Internet through a proxy, no matter if it has such an option or not.
The user interface may seem a bit overwhelming at first glance, but there's nothing too complicated. The proxy servers can be configured in a couple of seconds while setting the rules is only a matter of a few clicks through Proxifier's menus.
Perhaps a small inconvenient is that you will need your very own proxy, so the application isn't able to scan the Internet and give you one. During our tests, however, it was very easy to create so-called 'Proxification Rules' that allow selected applications to use specific ports on specific target hosts.
Another plus for Proxifier is that it comes with detailed logs to inform you which programs are using the proxy or not, as well as detailed traffic statistics to check out what's happening at any given moment.
Overall, Proxifier offers a great experience as it supports a very wide range of applications and remains very light on computer resources.
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Download Hubs
Proxifier is part of these download collections: Proxy Servers, Server Managers
Proxy Switcher Lite
Surf anonymously via proxy by creating multiple profiles that you can easily switch through, as well as opt for the direct Internet connection.
Proxy Switcher Lite is a simple-to-use piece of software that allows you to switch through multiple proxies when navigating the Internet, by creating multiple profiles.
Rapid installation and accessibility via system tray
Setting up the program takes minimal time and effort. Once initialized, Proxy Switcher creates an icon in the system tray. Users can create multiple profiles by specifying the proxy server and port number, along with notes (if any).
Create multiple proxy profiles with advanced settings
Advanced settings can be configured when it comes to the secure line, FTP, Gopher, and Socks. Proxies can be edited and removed from the list easily.
In addition, it is possible to create a global exclusion list and ask the app to bypass the proxy server for local addresses, automatically run Proxy Switcher at system startup until further notice, disable balloon hints for the system tray icon, and so on.
Evaluation and conclusion
Proxy Switcher is very light when it comes to CPU and RAM, so it does not affect the overall performance of the PC. We have not come across any problems throughout our evaluation, as the app did not hang, crash or pop up error messages. All in all, this tool comes bundled with an intuitive set of options for managing multiple proxy profiles while navigating the Internet, which can be easily figured out.
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Lantern
Get access to restricted or unavailable websites from anywhere across the world with the help of this efficient tool that can change your IP address.
Lantern is a user-friendly and efficient piece of software created to help you gain access to forbidden websites, bypass various regional restrictions, and increase your level of anonymity online by changing your IP address when browsing the Internet.
Hides your identity while surfing the web using Google Chrome
The application requires that you go through a quick and uneventful installation, but bear in mind that you need to have Google Chrome installed on your computer for it to function properly.
Subsequent to the setup, you will need to log into your account or create one, in order to benefit from the full functionality of Lantern, as there are several configuration choices that need be performed.
Effortlessly get or give access to restricted websites
After logging into the community, the program modifies your IP address to one from the various worldwide servers that have the role of providing people with access to free Internet, so you would then be able to watch movies, listen to music and perform other activities you were otherwise unable to.
The utility lets you share your account with multiple friends with Google accounts so that you can help others have access to the free web too. You can thus visit any websites through the proxy provided by Lantern, and the Pro edition even allows you to select the server location that best suits your needs.
Moreover, in the program’s main window, you are informed about the number of unsecure HTTP connections turned into HTTPS as well as about the number of ads blocked by the program along with some data usage statistics.
A simple proxy instrument that ensures your anonymity
To summarize, Lantern is a practical and easy-to-understand application that you can rely on for protecting your online identity and bypassing country-based Internet restrictions, all carried out with minimal effort on your side.
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Proxy Mask
With this simple and user-friendly program you can ensure your safety and anonymity online by using proxies to browse the Internet.
Proxy Mask is a useful and efficient software solution whose main function resides in helping you hide your tracks in the online environment, preventing websites or browsers from monitoring your activity on the Internet.
Instruction-riddled interface
The program features a rather cluttered appearance, its main window informing you of the benefits of using such a tool, while also allowing you to choose which component to work with.
As such, you can opt to ‘Start Proxy Checker and Switcher’ or you can ‘Start TOR Anonymous Network’, both ensuring a safer browsing experience.
Navigate the web anonymously and access the TOR network unrestricted
Proxy Mask aims to help you bypass regional restrictions and let you surf the Internet freely, allowing you to watch any video you want and view any website you like, regardless of the country you are from.
The ‘Proxy Checker and Switcher’ component of the application enables you to gain access to an extensive list of ‘Elite’, ‘Anonymous’ and ‘Transparent’ proxies, allowing you to check their availability using a preferred URL address.
Moreover, you can assign a different IP address to every process on your system, meaning you can easily navigate the web from USA on one browser, while from another you can access websites with a French IP, for instance.
Using the ‘TOR Anonymous Network’ component of Proxy Mask, you can change your IP to a one from TOR, which becomes visible in the tool’s interface. You can then access any websites you want from your default browser, without jeopardizing your security or identity.
A handy web anonymizer
To conclude, Proxy Mask is a reliable and efficient utility that you can resort to whenever you want to bypass country restrictions on the Internet or when you feel your online self is being monitored and wish to prevent that from happening.
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Clashy
Keep your system's functionality, security, and privacy safe with the help of this nifty, little GUI proxy client built with Clash and Electron.
A proxy server is either an app or a utility that acts as an intermediary for requests from a source that seeks resources from the parties that provide those resources.
What is a proxy server?
In less technical terms, a proxy server acts as a gateway between your computer and the Internet. The traffic flows through the proxy server on its way to the address you requested. The request in question then comes back through the same proxy server (typically), and the proxy server forwards the data received to the end-user which, in this case, is you.
Proxy servers, while not very popular with day-to-day users, can do a great job when it comes to improving one's security and privacy.
Meet Clashy
If you're looking for a non-pretentious, easy-to-use proxy server for your computer, then you can check out Clashy, a cross-platform proxy client (available for Windows, Linux, and macOS) built with Electron.
It boasts a simple, modern-looking GUI that allows you to get all the information you require in a straightforward fashion. The app's main window houses 4 important sections, namely Status, Proxies, Profiles, and Settings.
The Status section is the place where you can view information regarding the HTTP port, the socks port, and other aspects such as the log level, mode, and LAN.
While not an over-complicated app, Clashy does have a nice Settings section. You are provided with three proxy modes such as Global, Rule, and Direct. You can also change the socks and http ports according to your needs, allow LAN, and enable the app's main proxy functionality (set as system proxy).
Conclusion
If you're looking for a modern, free, and cross-platform proxy client for your Windows or Linux computers, or your Mac, then Clashy is not a bad choice. It's not the lightest app of this sort out there, but it looks good, it gets the job done, and it's remarkably easy to use.
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GSA Proxy Scraper
Scan, collect, find and test proxies from all over the world, in little to no time, with the help of this comprehensive and reliable application.
GSA Proxy Scraper is a practical and easy to understand software solution which aims to help you find reliable proxy servers to use in your work, checking at regular intervals for new IPs and testing them to ensure they function properly.
Compact and straightforward looks
The program displays an intuitive and simple to handle appearance, providing you with everything you need from the first run, even without a mouse click.
The main window of GSA Proxy Scraper automatically loads built-in sources and begins the testing operations, but also allows you to manually input your own sources or customize existing ones.
Find, collect and test multiple proxies with minimal effort
The application features over eight hundred proxy sources, providing you with access to an extensive database, so you can easily find and work with the ones you need. Upon launching GSA Proxy Scraper, it automatically loads the entries. It then proceeds to checking them and informs you of their status, when complete.
The information for each host includes country of origin, type, anonymity level (transparent, anonymous, elite), tag (public or private), speed, source, status and for how long it has been alive. Selected entries can be tagged, set as browser proxy, exported, and more.
Furthermore, the utility comes with several components that allow you to locate new sources. The integrated proxy and port scanner can further assist you in identifying means of anonymizing your online activity. It also features numerous filtering possibilities to only focus on proxies that are useful to you, and even offers input on suspicious IPs.
A proxy finder and testing tool
In closing, GSA Proxy Scraper is an effective proxy finder that enables you to identify numerous means of protecting your online activity. However, while it does come with a useful set of functions, when considering its price and given the varied alternatives, it is understandable why it may not draw in that many fans.
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