Residential proxy pricing can be confusing. Some charge per GB, others per IP, and a few use subscription models. Understanding these pricing models can save you hundreds — even thousands — of dollars per month.
The 3 Main Pricing Models
1. Pay-Per-GB (Most Common)
You pay based on the amount of data transferred through the proxy network. Prices range from /GB (budget) to 5/GB (premium). This model is ideal if your usage varies month to month. Watch out: some providers count upload AND download traffic, effectively doubling your cost.
2. Pay-Per-IP / Port
You rent a set of IPs or ports for a fixed monthly fee. Common with datacenter proxies but some residential providers offer it too. Best if you need consistent, predictable IPs for ongoing tasks.
3. Subscription / Unlimited
A few providers offer unlimited bandwidth plans. Be skeptical — these usually come with fair-use limits or throttled speeds after a threshold. Always read the fine print.
Hidden Costs to Watch For
- Minimum commitments: Oxylabs starts at 00/mo — not for hobbyists
- Traffic counting: Does 1GB mean 1GB down, or 500MB down + 500MB up?
- Inactive fees: Some plans charge even when you are not using the service
- Overage rates: Going over your plan limit often costs 2-3x the base rate
- Setup fees: Some enterprise plans charge one-time onboarding fees
Our Recommendation
For most users, pay-per-GB with IPRoyal or Smartproxy offers the best value. You only pay for what you use, there is no long-term commitment, and prices start as low as .20/GB. For enterprise needs, Bright Data is worth the premium for its reliability and tooling.
Check our comparison page for the latest pricing breakdowns.