Proxy server providers have become one of the crucial tools to stay safe online. You can also bypass censorship, unblock geo-restrictions, and scrape websites with this effective tool. One such reliable service is Webshare. Founded in 2018, Webshare is based in California, providing private and safe proxy servers for personal and business purposes.
However, it was later acquired by Oxylabs in 2022 and is working independently. Webshare is a budget-friendly proxy dedicated to building a strong static proxy network. With all these useful features, one may ask that is Webshare worth it? Well, for that, you must research extensively and check the service with every aspect possible.
The good news is that we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about Webshare proxy server: what it is, how it works, what makes it the best option, how it compares to competitors, and whether it’s indeed the best proxy for your needs.
Webshare pros and cons
- User-friendly interface
- Affordable pricing
- High-speed proxies
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Features a free proxy plan
- A plethora of proxy types
- Emphasis on anonymity
- Compatible with multiple apps, platforms, HTTP/SOCKS5
- Over 30M IPs in more than 195 countries across the world
- Expert support is not available 24/7
- Limited location targeting
Webshare proxy servers: Quick overview
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | It was founded in 2018, and it’s based in the San Francisco Bay Area, California. |
| Key features | Lightning-fast speeds, HTTP/SOCKS5 support, API access, downloadable proxy lists |
| Service type | Proxy providers such as Static Residential, Data Center, and Residential) |
| Use cases | Social media management, web scraping, SEO, cybersecurity, price tracking |
| Proxy locations | Over 30M IPs spread across more than 195 countries globally |
| Support | Features 24/7 AI assistance, but lacks 24/7 expert support |
| Starting pricing | $2.99 for 100 Data Center IPs and $7 for the 1 FB Residential |
| Free option | You get 10 free proxies and 1 GB per month of bandwidth |
What is Webshare?
Webshare was founded in 2018 to take care of the rapidly growing proxy software demand. The service is headquartered in Walnut, California, and has built a reputation for offering exceptional proxy servers for businesses and individuals.
Unlike several proxy servers, which depend on white-label services, Webshare develops its technology in-house. It provides residential as well as datacenter proxies across the world and features a network of more than 30 million IPs.
Moreover, the proxy has made a name for itself as a simple and affordable proxy provider for individuals, small businesses, and even enterprises that have huge data needs. It makes everything possible thanks to its high-performance proxies, like residential, ISP proxies, and datacenter proxies.
The service is built for a plethora of tasks such as SEO monitoring, web scraping, price tracking, social media management, accessing geo-restricted content, automating online workflows, conducting market research, and boosting general online privacy, among others.
How Webshare works
Webshare offers you fast and reliable datacenter proxies that ensure that you browse the internet anonymously. You can choose either static or rotating proxies depending on your specific needs.
Static proxies maintain one IP address, which makes them the best option when you want to maintain several social media accounts or other tasks that need the same IP address. On the other hand, rotating proxies change the IP address automatically after every request, and hence help to reduce the risk of being blocked or detected by websites.
It has a user-friendly interface, and you sign up effortlessly. You make the purchase; you’ll receive configuration details that you can easily integrate with third-party tools such as SEO tools, web scrapers, and automation bots.
Also, Webshare doesn’t have bandwidth limits, meaning you can easily collect huge amounts of data, and you don’t have to worry about overages. Thanks to Webshare’s global proxy pool, you get access to proxies from several countries, which allow for region-specific collection of data as well as access to blocked content.
Who can use Webshare?
When it comes to use cases, Webshare is suitable for all types of users, from businesses of all sizes to individuals. However, here’s the group of users who benefit the most:
SEO professionals
The first patch that benefits the most is SEO professionals who use Webshare proxies to track keyword rankings, gather competitor insights, and monitor search engine results pages (SERPs). These types of proxies allow users to easily bypass the search engine rate limits as well as avoid IP bans, which helps to collect huge amounts of data easily.
Data collectors and web scrapers
For individuals and businesses that want to scrape data from websites without blocks, Webshare is ideal for them. It has high-speed datacenter proxies that help users collect data quickly and efficiently without detection.
Users seeking anonymity
If you’re looking for a way to stay anonymous online, Webshare is a great option to consider. Whether it’s for accessing geo-restricted content, personal browsing, or even maintaining online anonymity, it offers a secure option to browse without showing your IP address.
Social media managers
For individuals who manage a variety of social media accounts, they can use Webshare static proxies that provide consistent IP addresses to manage various accounts without raising any flags.
Small and medium-sized businesses
Some SMEs that might need to monitor competitors, collect market data, and even track industry trends can benefit from Webshare proxies, as they offer not only affordable but also efficient solutions. Moreover, its scalable options and pricing structure make it favorable for businesses to grow data collection efforts without incurring high costs.
Webshare features
Webshare comes with a lot of features that make it a top proxy server in the market. Although some of its features are similar to other proxy servers, it offers other features that most users find helpful. Here are some of the top Webshare features:
Dedicated proxy server
One of the top features is a dedicated proxy server that provides faster speeds (compared to shared servers), given that you won’t share resources with other users. Take it as if you’re running your own proxy network, but with the flexibility and features that Webshare offers.
The best part of a dedicated proxy server is the fact that all your online activities are known only to Webshare, and they’re not shared with third parties. Also, you can connect to this server using SOCKS5 and HTTPS protocols.
Moreover, dedicated servers provide up to 100 Gbps and unlimited bandwidth, which is excellent for huge data scraping.
In terms of price, dedicated proxy servers are available from as low as $26.60 per month for 20 proxies that have 250 GB bandwidth. Interestingly, if you get past your bandwidth allocation, you’re allowed to pay some extra fees for more bandwidth. Also, you can pay extra fees for high concurrency, unlimited IP authorization, and high-priority network.
Shared proxy server
Sometimes, a dedicated proxy server might seem expensive for you, and hence, Webshare has an alternative proxy server that can be shared by even two users. The shared proxy server offers you the reliability of a lone proxy server, but at an affordable price.
It gives you the option to connect with SOCKS5 and HTTPS protocols, and also select IPs from more than 40 countries. Moreover, with a shared proxy server, you have unlimited bandwidth and speeds of about 100 Gbps, just like a dedicated server. The only difference is that your speed might vary depending on the workload of the other users who share the same server.
The following table shows the download speed we got:
| Avg. without proxies | Average | Median | Slowest IP |
| 53.42 MB/s | 7.86 MB/s | 8.64 MB/s | 0.71 MB/s |
We tested 10 proxies, and our target was Hetzner’s 100 MB Ashburn benchmark.
As these IPs are shared (multiple other users were using these at the same time), we had an accountable bandwidth to work with. It may not be enough for 4K video streaming, but we found the network to be fast enough for tasks other than that.
In terms of cost, a shared proxy will cost you from as little as $24 per month for 25 proxies with 250 GB bandwidth, which you can upgrade to as much as you want.
Easy-to-use platform
Webshare provides one of the simplest and user-friendly platforms that you can imagine. You can easily manage your proxies, buy new plans, and even upgrade your services. The platform has an intuitive interface, and you can easily integrate your proxies with third-party tools such as SEO software, web scrapers, and automation bots, even when you don’t have technical expertise.
Downloadable proxy lists
Webshare offers you the opportunity to choose a proxy list as a file and then use your API to customize it. It’s one of the best features that you can use as it doesn’t have manual copying – you only download and plug it into your apps.
You also have a handful of settings options within your account. Below is the screenshot for you.
Fast proxy speeds
Webshare has built its proxies right from scratch, and they offer lightning-fast speeds. They’re the best option for tasks such as downloading and browsing.
Also, the proxies run on exceptional hardware, which translates to high speeds of up to 1 Gbps with an uptime of 99.97%. Even when you run heavy tasks, you can be assured that they won’t flinch.
Compatibility
Webshare works well with a wide range of tasks. For instance, it’s exceptional with browsers through manual configuration, scrapers, SEO tools, and botting tools. Therefore, it’s easy to say that Webshare proxy has got you covered.
Moreover, it offers a lot of integrations to ensure that proxy setup is smooth across different tools and platforms. For instance, Webshare proxies work excellently with apps like WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber, TeamViewer, and Tinder, among other platforms such as Airbnb, Alibaba, Amazon, Craigslist, Temu, and Walmart. That way, you can easily access any restricted content or easily scrape data.
Also, you can configure Webshare proxies for search engines, gaming consoles, and streaming services.
Security and anonymity
Webshare prioritizes user security and anonymity as it has a strong no-logs policy for all paid accounts. Also, all the connections are encrypted and feature SOCKS5 support that ensures end-to-end web encryption (using AES-256 encryption). Moreover, it has IP leak protection via browser as well as network recommendations.
Some might see it as a substitute for using a VPN, but that’s not the case. However, when it comes to stealth browsing or scraping, the Webshare proxy server is undoubtedly a solid option.
Pricing
Webshare has categorized users as on the number of IPs, rotation frequency, country targeting, and type of proxy (dedicated, shared, residential).
For instance, the starting price for shared proxies is $2.99 per month for 10 proxies. For dedicated proxies, the price is $15 a month for 100 proxies, and for residential proxies, the price is $50 per month for 1,000 rotating IPs.
In addition, there are bulk discounts as well as enterprise plans upon request. Interestingly, all the plans have unlimited bandwidth as well as API access.
Moreover, there’s a free plan with 10 proxies that’s limited to shared IPs as well as basic geo-location. It’s the best starting point for newbies to test Webshare. But, you should expect some downsides, such as speed throttling, low geo-targeting, when on the free Webshare plan.
Webshare does have a refund policy, whereby it offers a 3-day money-back guarantee in case the proxies aren’t compatible with the needs of the user.
During our research process, in which we reached out to Webshare without revealing our identity, we found that their money-back guarantee has some conditions. First, you need your active subscription bandwidth usage to be below 1 GB. Second, the number of proxies used must be below 1,000. Finally, you must request a refund within 48 hours after the purchase.
Global coverage
Webshare offers IPs in more than 30 countries across the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, Canada, and Germany. It allows you to filter the proxies according to the location, and hence, it is a perfect option for geo-specific tasks.
Chrome extension
Webshare extends its features to the limits and provides a browser extension for Google Chrome, which lets you rotate the proxies with only a click of the button. It’s ideal for users who want to enjoy the internet borderless.
You only need to select a proxy IP located in the relevant country and then refresh your website to access the blocked content.
Interestingly, Webshare offers 10 free proxies that you can easily access from your browser extension, meaning you won’t need to visit the website anytime you need a new proxy.
Customer support
Webshare has responsive customer support that you can rely on both directly and indirectly. It features a Help Center that has detailed user guides as well as manuals for all features – you can learn how to deploy as well as manage the proxies effectively.
Also, it has extensive technical documentation for APIs, which makes it a breeze to integrate proxies into the external applications. Moreover, there’s a FAQs section that offers solutions to the most common problems.
In case you want direct help, you can email the team and expect a reply within 48 hours. Unfortunately, Webshare doesn’t have a live chat option or even telephone support.
Why should you use Webshare?
There’s no denying that there are several proxy service providers in the market, but Webshare beats most of them to a good extent. Here are some of the reasons why Webshare should be your first option:
User-friendly platform
You need a proxy provider that you can easily use and navigate. Webshare integrates with third-party tools and is very simple to get started, even for beginners, in the world of proxies.
High-quality and affordable proxies
If you want affordable datacenter proxies, then you might want to consider Webshare. Besides, it offers high-speed connections at affordable prices. Therefore, for users who want reliable proxies at low costs, Webshare is the best bet.
No bandwidth limits
When you buy Webshare proxies, you can be assured that they come without bandwidth restrictions – a major benefit when you want to collect huge amounts of data or even when you want to run continuous automated tasks. That way, it ensures that you maximize your proxy usage without any worries of reaching a limit.
Static and rotating proxies
Webshare offers both rotating and static proxies; therefore, whether you have large-scale scraping tasks or you want to manage several accounts, Webshare has got you covered. All you can do is choose the proxy type that suits your needs.
Global coverage
Webshare has a global proxy pool, and you can access proxies from different parts of the world. That way, it makes it easier to bypass almost any geo-restricted material across the globe.
Types of Webshare proxies
1. Data center proxies
Data center proxies are the most affordable option and are very fast. They’re the best deal for basic web scraping, bulk data gathering, and price monitoring. However, they’re not tied to the real residential users.
2. Residential proxies
Webshare offers Residential proxies for more advanced tasks such as ad verification, scraping, bypassing geo-restrictions, and social media automation. The platform has residential IP addresses in more than 50 countries, with the popular locations including the UK, Spain, France, Germany, and Canada. Besides, it features over 30 million IP addresses across the available countries.
Residential IP addresses are often sourced from the consenting users, a significant aspect in the proxy industry.
3. Static residential proxies
Webshare has static residential proxies that have the speed of data center proxies and the reliability of real ISP addresses. Therefore, they’re the best when you want to manage several social media accounts as well as e-commerce activities.
Static IPs are sourced from the ISPs and are usually reliable, given that the IP doesn’t keep changing. Usually, they’re issued for long-term use and are very hard to detect, which helps the user to stay anonymous. Moreover, they have unlimited bandwidth, and charges per IP and not by bandwidth like residential IPs. There are over 10,000 static IPs in the pool that cover various countries.
Webshare alternatives
When it comes to the proxy software market, you can be spoiled with options. There’s a plethora of proxy servers available, but the main Webshare competitors include the following:
1. Decodo
It features an expansive proxy network than of Webshare. For instance, it offers more than 125 million IPs in more than 195 countries across the globe, whereas Webshare only has more than 30 million IPs in about 50 countries across the world.
Also, Decodo has social media, search engine, and e-commerce scraping APIs, which you won’t get in Webshare. However, the advantage that comes with Webshare over Decodo is the fact that it offers more affordable proxies.
2. PacketStream
While Webshare is a centralized service, PacketStream is merely a peer-to-peer proxy service. If you’re looking for a more affordable proxy service, then you might want to consider PacketStream. Also, it refunds users who contribute bandwidth to the network.
However, PacketStream only offers residential proxies, meaning it doesn’t have dedicated proxy servers or ISP proxies like Webshare. Moreover, its peer-to-peer nature makes it a less reliable option as it doesn’t have control over the internet speed of a device that shares the IP.
3. Bright Data
This is a proxy service that offers similar proxies (residential, datacenter, and ISP) like Webshare. Additionally, it offers a web unblocker, web scraping APIs, and ready-made datasets that you can use instead of scraping from zero.
Also, it features a larger IP pool when compared with Webshare, and it’s generally a better tool. However, you’ll have to pay for its proxies than you’ll for Webshare.
4. Oxylabs
Oxylabs offers various proxies, such as datacenter proxies, residential proxies, and web scraping tools, such as SERP Scraper API and their Next-Gen residential proxies. It has access to more than 100 million IPs, and it’s well known for its performance, scale, and compliance.
It’s one of the best when it comes to uptime, speed, and reliability, given that it’s designed for heavy business-critical and scraping tasks. It has a global network as well as automatic proxy rotation, which ensures that you get 99.9% uptime, load-balanced servers, and ISP-level rotation.
Moreover, Oxylabs offers session control and sticky IPs – essential for maintaining consistent connections. It’s competitively priced across the various proxies, and you can purchase plans as much or as little as needed without focusing on the long-term commitments.
5. IPRoyal
One of the most affordable and user-friendly proxy services in the market. IPRoyal provides a versatile range of proxy types, like datacenter, residential, static, and mobile proxies. It’s a popular proxy among small businesses, sneakerheads, marketers, and freelancers who want a reliable proxy at affordable prices.
While IPRoyal might not be as large-scale as the other options, it still delivers exceptional performance at its price level. For instance, it offers fast proxy assignment, high-speed connections, and stable uptime (above 99%). Unfortunately, it features slower response times when it comes to crowded IP subnets or residential pools that are overused.
It’s the best option and suited for small teams, individual users, and hobbyists. Its use cases include social media automation, streaming content, sneaker botting, bypassing blocked content, web scraping for minor projects, and gaming, among others.
Webshare competitor comparison table
Here’s a quick and easy competitor comparison:
| Features | Webshare | Bright Data | PacketStream | Oxylabs | IPRoyal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scraping APIs | Present | Present | Absent | Present | Absent |
| Data center proxies | From $0.029/month | From $0.8/month | From $1.2/month | From $1.8/month with 100IPs | From $1.3/month |
| Residential price | $4.50/GB | $15/GB | $8.2/GB | $15/GB | $1.75/GB |
| Free trial | 10 IP, 1GB | $1 credit | 2IPs free | 7-day trial | 2 IPs free |
| Sticky IP sessions | Present on all types | Present | Present for a limited duration | Present | Present |
| Use case fit | Scraping, social media management, ticketing, sneaker bots, | Enterprise-grade scraping, large-scale automation, AI training, | Enterprise scraping, brand protection, and SERP tracking | Enterprise scraping, brand protection, SERP tracking | Budget scraping, social media managing, ticketing |
| Support | Email, FAQs, | Live chat, Email, and dedicated support | Email only | 24/7 live chat | Email and Telegram |
| Countries | 195 | 100+ | 195 | 100+ | 100+ |
| Success rate | 99.93% | 99.5% | 99% | 99.2% | 97.8% |
FAQs
Webshare offers password/username authentication, IP authentication, DNS leak protection, and SSL encryption for maximum user safety.
Yes, they have a free trial that you can use to test the service, as it offers 10 free IPs as well as 1 GB of monthly bandwidth.
Webshare offers residential proxies, data center proxies, static residential proxies, and verified proxies to cater to the needs of all users.
Webshare offers customer support to help its users update and answer any questions raised. Their support is available via various channels, like email and a ticket system. Unfortunately, they don’t have a live chat option.
Webshare is excellent for web scraping, thanks to its rotating datacenter proxies that are suitable for web scraping as they offer high-speed connections and ensure the user avoids IP bans.