✓ last verified 2026-08-07 · every figure read from the provider’s live pricing page on that date · how we verify
Cheap without fiction: every rate below was read from a live pricing page and dated. Watch two traps — starting-rate marketing (the “from $0.75/GB” that requires terabyte commitments) and promo framing (standing “50% off” that is really list price).
The verified table
| Provider | Best verified rate | Plan | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProxyEmpire | $0.75/GB | rotating from | static resi from $0.75/GB + $2/IP; rotating mobile from $1.25/GB; DC from $0.35/GB; unlimited resi from $1500/ |
| Proxy-Cheap | $0.78/GB | rotating from | shown discounted from $2.60 — promo pricing; static resi (ISP) $2.71/mo; rotating mobile $5.99/GB; DC IPv4 fro |
| DataImpulse | $1/GB | Intro/Basic | PAYG, traffic never expires; 1TB tier $0.80/GB; premium resi $5/GB |
| Proxy-Seller | $1.3/GB | from | STARTING PRICE ONLY; mobile from $10/IP, IPv4 from $0.49/IP, ISP from $0.98/IP, IPv6 from $0.02/IP |
| SOAX | $1.5/GB | Scale $1500/mo | Tier1 geo; 3000 credits; +VAT; Enterprise from $0.85 T1 |
| Webshare | $1.5/GB | 1000GB | 3TB tier at $1.40/GB |
| Rayobyte | $1.5/GB | Professional 250-999GB | Corporate 1-5TB $0.70/GB; Enterprise 5TB+ $0.50/GB |
| IPRoyal | $1.75/GB | Custom 10TB+ | subscription variant $1.84 |
| NodeMaven | $2.2/GB | monthly from | PAYG $4.50/GB (20% off from $5.63); $3.50 trial w/ 750MB; ISP from $2.99/IP |
| Bright Data | $2.5/GB | 798GB | 50% off promo pricing |
| Decodo (ex-Smartproxy) | $2.75/GB | 100GB | +VAT |
| Oxylabs | $6/GB | from | STARTING PRICE ONLY — full tier table not visible; mobile from $7.5, ISP from $16, SOCKS5 from $8 |
Picks by scenario
- DataImpulse — the honest floor: verified flat $1.00/GB at a $5 minimum — no volume gymnastics.
- Proxy-Cheap — verified rotating residential from $0.78/GB on current promo — confirm the post-promo rate at checkout.
- ProxyEmpire — from a verified $0.75/GB starting rate with a $1.97 trial — tier minimums apply.
- Webshare — the volume play: verified $1.40–$1.75/GB at 500GB+.
Ranked by verified pricing and published terms; independent performance benchmarking is on the roadmap and will change these rankings when it lands. No sponsored placement, ever.
FAQ
What is the cheapest residential proxy in 2026?
Lowest verified flat rate: DataImpulse at $1.00/GB (2026-08-07). Lower advertised rates (ProxyEmpire from $0.75/GB, Proxy-Cheap $0.78/GB promo) carry volume or promo conditions.
Are cheap residential proxies worse?
Pool quality varies with sourcing and IP reuse, and cheap pools skew recycled. Our position: we verify prices now and are building success-rate benchmarks so ‘worse’ becomes a measured number, not a vibe.
Is pay-as-you-go or subscription cheaper?
PAYG rates run ~5–15% above subscription equivalents (verified example: IPRoyal $7.00 PAYG vs $7.35 subscription is inverted — one of the rare cases PAYG wins; check per provider). Non-expiring PAYG traffic usually beats an underused subscription.