Proxyium is a free web proxy that routes your browser traffic through its servers to unblock restricted sites. While it works for quick, no-install browsing, its slow speeds, limited server locations, and weak privacy make it unreliable for anything beyond casual use.
In this guide, I'll walk you through six Proxyium alternatives that actually deliver on performance, privacy, and reliability—whether you need a free web proxy or something more powerful.
The Main Difference Between Proxyium and Premium Alternatives
The main difference between Proxyium and paid proxy services is infrastructure quality and IP reputation. Proxyium uses shared servers that thousands of users access simultaneously, resulting in slow speeds, frequent blocks, and zero privacy guarantees. Premium alternatives like residential proxies provide dedicated or rotating IPs from real ISPs, ensuring faster connections, lower detection rates, and actual anonymity for professional tasks.
What is Proxyium?
Proxyium is a browser-based web proxy that masks your IP address by routing requests through its servers. You paste a URL, pick a server (Poland, US, Singapore, or Germany), and it fetches the page for you.
The appeal is obvious: no downloads, no account, completely free. For bypassing a school firewall to check social media, it works fine.
But that's where the positives end.
Free web proxies like Proxyium come with serious trade-offs. Shared servers mean unpredictable speeds. Limited locations restrict what you can actually unblock. And privacy? You're trusting an ad-supported service with your browsing data.
If you've hit Proxyium's limits—slow loading, blocked connections, or just want something more reliable—these alternatives are worth exploring.
Why Look for Proxyium Alternatives?
Several common issues drive users to seek Proxyium alternatives:
Speed problems during peak hours. Proxyium's free servers handle millions of requests daily. During busy periods—school hours, evening entertainment time—speeds drop significantly.
Limited server locations. Four server options (Poland/France, US, Singapore, Germany) restrict what you can unblock. Region-locked content requiring UK, Japan, or Australian IPs stays inaccessible.
Blocked by target websites. Popular sites actively detect and block known proxy server IPs. Proxyium's IP addresses are widely flagged, meaning frequent connection failures.
No privacy guarantees. Free services make money somehow. With Proxyium, ads subsidize operations, but the privacy policy doesn't clearly state what data is logged or retained.
Unreliable for professional use. Any task requiring consistent connections—scraping, automation, account management—fails with shared proxy infrastructure.
The 6 Best Proxyium Alternatives at a Glance
| Alternative | Best For | Key Feature | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roundproxies | Scraping, automation, multi-account | Residential, datacenter, mobile IPs | From $3/GB |
| CroxyProxy | Speed and streaming | Fast video playback, SSL encryption | Free |
| Hide.me Proxy | Privacy-focused browsing | No-logs policy, strong encryption | Free (VPN from $2.99/mo) |
| BlockAway | Bypassing school/work filters | Simple interface, EU/US servers | Free |
| ProxySite | Reliable daily use | Multiple server locations, built-in ad blocker | Free |
1. Roundproxies – Best for Scraping, Automation, and Multi-Account Management
Free web proxies work for casual browsing. For anything more serious, you need actual proxy infrastructure.
Roundproxies offers residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile proxies designed for professional use cases. This is a different category than free web proxies—but if Proxyium's limits pushed you toward looking for alternatives, you might actually need this level of service.
Why Roundproxies beats all free alternatives:
Free proxies share IP addresses across thousands of users. Sites detect and block these IPs constantly. Roundproxies provides dedicated IPs that aren't flagged.
For scraping data, managing multiple social media accounts, or running automation tools, shared proxy IPs fail immediately. You need clean, rotating IPs that don't trigger bot detection.
The difference is night and day. Where Proxyium gets blocked after a few requests on protected sites, residential proxies from proper providers complete thousands of requests without interruption.
Proxy types available:
- Residential proxies: IPs from real ISPs, ideal for accessing sites that block datacenter IPs. These look like regular home internet connections to target websites.
- Datacenter proxies: Fast and affordable for high-volume tasks where stealth matters less than speed.
- ISP proxies: Static residential IPs for accounts requiring consistent identity over time.
- Mobile proxies: 4G/5G connections for mobile app testing and social media automation where mobile IPs are expected.
When to upgrade from free proxies:
If you're experiencing these issues, free proxies aren't enough:
- Accounts getting banned despite using proxies
- Scraping scripts blocked after a few requests
- Geo-unblocking failing inconsistently
- Speed too slow for bulk operations
- Captchas appearing on every page load
- Target sites showing access denied messages
Professional use cases:
Market researchers use residential proxies to gather pricing data without triggering anti-bot measures. Social media managers run multiple accounts across different IPs to avoid platform bans. E-commerce businesses monitor competitor pricing across regions. Ad verification companies confirm ads display correctly worldwide.
None of these tasks work reliably with free web proxies.
Pricing starts at $3/GB for residential proxies, with datacenter options available at lower rates for high-volume users. The cost pays for itself when you factor in failed scraping attempts and banned accounts from using free alternatives.
Best for: Web scraping, social media management, ad verification, market research, automation at scale, any professional proxy use case.
2. CroxyProxy – Best for Speed and Streaming
CroxyProxy handles video streaming better than most free alternatives. Where Proxyium buffers and stutters, CroxyProxy plays YouTube and social media content smoothly.
The interface is clean—no confusing options. Paste your URL, hit Go, and you're connected. It supports SSL encryption, which adds a layer of security that many free proxies skip.
Why CroxyProxy beats Proxyium:
CroxyProxy maintains faster connections during peak hours. In my testing, a 720p YouTube video loaded in about 3 seconds compared to 12+ seconds on Proxyium.
It also works with more sites. Proxyium struggles with certain streaming platforms and social networks that have aggressive proxy detection. CroxyProxy's infrastructure handles these better.
The service supports YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and most major social platforms. For accessing blocked entertainment content, it's currently the strongest free option available.
Technical features:
- SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
- Cookie management options
- JavaScript and media support
- Mobile-responsive interface
- No registration or account required
Limitations to know:
Like all free web proxies, CroxyProxy still routes traffic through shared servers. You're getting better speed, not better privacy. Don't use it for logging into sensitive accounts or handling financial transactions.
Connection stability varies by server load. During high-traffic periods, you may need to retry connections or wait for faster routing.
Best for: Streaming geo-blocked videos, accessing social media, general browsing where speed matters.
3. Hide.me Proxy – Best for Privacy-Focused Browsing
Hide.me offers a free web proxy with something rare in this space: a genuine privacy commitment.
The company operates a full VPN service with audited no-logs policies. Their free web proxy benefits from that same infrastructure and philosophy.
Why Hide.me beats Proxyium:
Proxyium's privacy policy is vague at best. Hide.me explicitly states they don't log your browsing activity. For users who care about anonymity—even for basic browsing—this distinction matters.
The proxy also includes options to disable cookies and remove scripts, giving you more control over tracking.
The free proxy vs. paid VPN difference:
The free web proxy handles browser traffic only. If you need device-wide protection, encrypted connections, and access to thousands of servers, their VPN starts at $2.99/month.
For occasional use—checking blocked news sites, accessing region-locked content—the free proxy works well.
Limitations to know:
Speeds are moderate. Hide.me prioritizes security over raw performance. If you're streaming HD video, CroxyProxy will feel faster.
Best for: Privacy-conscious users, research on sensitive topics, situations where you don't want browsing logged.
4. BlockAway – Best for Bypassing School and Work Filters
BlockAway focuses on one thing: getting past network restrictions quickly.
If you're on a school WiFi that blocks YouTube or a corporate network that restricts social media, BlockAway cuts through those filters reliably.
Why BlockAway beats Proxyium:
BlockAway's servers are specifically optimized for defeating common network filtering software. Many schools and workplaces use similar content filtering systems, and BlockAway targets those specifically.
The interface is stripped down—enter a URL and go. No extra options to confuse users who just want quick access.
EU vs. US servers:
BlockAway offers European and American server options. Choose based on what you're unblocking:
- EU servers: Better for European streaming services, UK content
- US servers: Better for American streaming services, US-only websites
Limitations to know:
BlockAway shows ads to fund its servers. The premium version removes ads and improves speeds, but the free tier handles most use cases.
Best for: Students and employees bypassing network restrictions, quick access to blocked sites.
5. ProxySite – Best for Reliable Daily Use
ProxySite has been around longer than most alternatives on this list. That longevity translates to stability.
While newer proxies come and go, ProxySite maintains consistent uptime and reliable connections.
Why ProxySite beats Proxyium:
Server variety makes a difference. ProxySite offers locations across the US, Europe, and Asia. When one server is slow, you can switch to another.
The built-in ad blocker reduces intrusive advertising while browsing. It's not perfect, but it catches most banner ads.
SSL and security features:
ProxySite adds SSL encryption to sites that lack it. This protects data in transit between you and their servers. It also caches popular pages, which can speed up load times for frequently visited sites.
Limitations to know:
ProxySite struggles with some modern web applications. Sites heavy on JavaScript or WebSocket connections may not work properly.
Best for: Daily browsing, users who want a reliable fallback proxy, international travel.
How to Choose the Right Proxyium Alternative
Your choice depends on what you're actually trying to accomplish.
For professional tasks:
Roundproxies provides the infrastructure that free tools can't. If you're running automation, managing accounts, or scraping at scale, this is your starting point.
For quick, free unblocking:
CroxyProxy and BlockAway handle casual needs well. If one's slow, try the other. Keep both bookmarked.
For privacy without paying:
Hide.me's free proxy respects user data more than ad-supported alternatives. Use it when you don't want browsing logged.
For reliable daily use:
ProxySite's uptime and server variety make it dependable. It's the proxy least likely to be down when you need it.
For complete protection:
NordVPN replaces web proxies entirely. If you're willing to pay, it covers every use case better than any free alternative.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Using free proxies for sensitive accounts:
Never log into banking, email, or work accounts through a free web proxy. The operator can see your traffic. Stick to VPNs or direct connections for anything sensitive.
Relying on a single proxy:
Free services go down. Servers get blocked. Keep multiple alternatives ready so you're never stuck.
Ignoring speed for your use case:
If you're streaming video, speed matters more than privacy features. If you're researching sensitive topics, reverse those priorities.
Expecting free proxies to work for scraping:
Free proxy IPs are blacklisted across most major platforms. You'll hit captchas and blocks immediately. Professional proxies exist specifically because free ones fail at scale.
Security Warnings for All Free Proxies
Free proxy services—including all the options listed above—come with inherent risks that paid services typically address:
Data interception risk. Free proxies act as man-in-the-middle for your traffic. A malicious operator could capture unencrypted data. Always verify sites use HTTPS when browsing through any proxy.
IP logging uncertainty. Most free proxies don't clearly state their logging policies. Assume your IP address and browsing activity may be recorded unless explicitly stated otherwise.
Malware injection possibility. Some free proxies have been caught injecting ads or malicious code into pages. Use browser extensions that detect and block such modifications.
Account compromise danger. Logging into any account through a free proxy exposes credentials. Session cookies can be captured and reused. Treat free proxies as untrusted networks.
The safest approach: Use free proxies only for browsing content, never for logging in. For anything requiring authentication, switch to a VPN or direct connection.
FAQ
Is Proxyium safe?
For basic browsing, Proxyium works without major risks. However, free proxies can log traffic, and Proxyium's privacy policy doesn't provide strong guarantees. Avoid using it for anything sensitive.
What's the best Proxyium alternative overall?
For professional use cases like scraping, automation, and multi-account management, Roundproxies offers the infrastructure free tools can't match. For casual browsing, CroxyProxy delivers the best speed among free options.
What's the fastest Proxyium alternative?
CroxyProxy consistently delivers the fastest speeds among free web proxies. For streaming and video content, it's the best option.
Can Proxyium alternatives unblock Netflix?
Most free web proxies fail against Netflix's detection. VPNs like NordVPN work reliably for streaming, as they invest heavily in bypassing geo-restrictions. Free proxies typically get blocked within minutes.
Are paid proxies worth it?
For professional use—scraping, automation, account management—paid proxies are necessary, not optional. Free proxies fail at these tasks because their IPs are blacklisted across most platforms.
What's the difference between a proxy and VPN?
Proxies route browser traffic through a server. VPNs encrypt all device traffic and provide stronger privacy guarantees. For full protection, VPNs are superior. For quick unblocking without installation, web proxies work faster.
Why do free proxies show ads?
Server infrastructure costs money. Free proxies either display ads, collect user data for monetization, or both. Ad-supported models are more transparent—you can see how they make money. Hidden data collection is more concerning.
Do Proxyium alternatives work on mobile?
Most web proxies work on mobile browsers. CroxyProxy and BlockAway both offer mobile-optimized interfaces. For full mobile protection, VPN apps provide better coverage across all apps, not just browser traffic.
How do I know if a proxy is working?
After connecting through any proxy, check your IP address using a site like whatismyip.com. If it shows a different IP than your real one, the proxy is routing your traffic correctly.
Can my ISP see what I do through a proxy?
Your ISP can see you're connecting to the proxy server, but not what specific sites you visit through it (assuming SSL encryption). VPNs provide stronger encryption that further obscures your activity.
Why does Proxyium sometimes not work?
Common reasons include: server overload during peak hours, the target site blocking Proxyium's IP addresses, network-level blocks in your location, or temporary server maintenance. Having backup alternatives solves most availability issues.
Final Thoughts
Proxyium serves its purpose for quick, no-commitment browsing. But its slow speeds, limited servers, and questionable privacy make it unreliable for anything beyond the basics.
For professional use, Roundproxies provides the infrastructure free tools can't match—residential, datacenter, and mobile proxies that actually work at scale.
For free alternatives, CroxyProxy wins on speed, Hide.me wins on privacy, and BlockAway wins for bypassing network filters.
For complete protection, a VPN like NordVPN replaces web proxies entirely.
Choose based on your actual needs—and keep multiple options ready when your primary choice goes down.
