Online gaming has exploded in popularity, with over 3 billion gamers across the world. Games like Fortnite, DOTA 2, and Call of Duty are played by hundreds of millions daily.
The surge in online multiplayer games has also increased the need for gaming proxies. Gaming proxies refer to proxy servers that are optimized to provide a smooth, lag-free gaming experience.
But with so many proxy services out there, which ones are best for gaming in 2024? This guide will cover:
- Benefits of Using a Gaming Proxy
- Factors to Consider When Choosing a Gaming Proxy
- 10 Best Gaming Proxy Services Reviewed
- Gaming Proxy FAQs
By the end, you’ll know exactly which proxy provider offers the best ping times, highest speeds, and most reliable connections for online games. Let‘s dive in!
Contents
Why Use a Gaming Proxy?
There are several important benefits that gaming proxies provide:
Bypass Geographic Restrictions
Some games limit access based on your physical location or IP address. A gaming proxy allows you to mask your true location so you can play restricted games from anywhere.
According to a 2021 survey by Ampere Analysis, 18% of gamers use proxies to bypass geographic blocks and access more game content.
Reduce Latency and Lag
Latency refers to the delay between your computer and the game server. High latency results in lag, teleporting, and unsynced gameplay.
Gaming proxies use optimized network routes to provide the shortest path to game servers, reducing latency. Average pings drop from 100ms to around 20-50ms using a good gaming proxy.
Avoid DDOS Attacks
Your IP address can be targeted with DDOS attacks, kicking you out of a game. Gaming proxies rotate your IP address, acting as a buffer between you and the server.
The FBI reported that DDOS attacks on gaming platforms increased by 340% in 2020. Proxies help avoid this.
Access Game Hacks/Cheats
Gaming proxies can allow you to use cheating or hacking software without being detected by the game publisher.
According to Irdeto, an anti-piracy company, there are over 100 million monthly searches for game cheats and hacks.
Maintain Anonymity
Your IP address can be used to reveal your identity and location. Proxies keep your information private from the game server.
Now that you know the main benefits, let‘s review the top gaming proxy services for 2024.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Proxy for Gaming
With so many proxy providers available, you want to evaluate them across these key criteria:
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Speed – The proxy infrastructure and network must be fast enough to handle gaming traffic without lag or jitter. Look for guaranteed speeds of at least 100 Mbps.
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Latency – Average ping times should be below 50ms for optimal gameplay. Under 30ms is ideal.
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Location – Choose proxy locations close to the game servers you want to connect to for best latency.
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Reliability – High uptime and reliability are critical. Look for uptime guarantees of 99% or more.
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Features – Support for SOCKS5 protocols, unlimited bandwidth, and low port churn are desirable proxy features.
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Customer Support – Pick a provider with multiple support channels in case you need help.
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Price – Gamers use significant bandwidth so cheaper proxies can get expensive. Find a balance between cost and performance.
Keeping these factors in mind, let‘s look at the top gaming proxy services available in 2024.
10 Best Gaming Proxy Services Reviewed
1. Oxylabs
Oxylabs has one of the largest pools of residential proxies available, with over 100 million global IPs. This makes it easy to locate IPs close to any game server for low latency.
Some key features:
- 100M+ residential IPs in 195 countries
- 1 Gbps network speed
- Average latency under 35ms
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Services like Fortnite, Pokemon Go, Clash of Clans
- Prices start at $300/month for 50 GB traffic
With their enormous proxy network, Oxylabs is a top choice for bypassing geographic restrictions and getting excellent ping times for competitive online gameplay.
2. GeoSurf
GeoSurf offers high-performance residential proxies with IPs located around the world. You can even select proxies tailored to specific games.
Why GeoSurf stands out:
- 300,000+ residential IPs
- Custom proxy packages for gaming
- IPs in 30+ countries like UK, Canada, France
- Ultra-low latency starting around 15ms
- 24/7 customer support
GeoSurf has servers near popular gaming sites to provide some of the lowest ping times on the market, resulting in seriously smooth online play.
3. Luminati
Luminati has one of the largest proxy networks with over 40 million residential IPs for unparalleled location access.
Notable features:
- 40M+ residential IPs worldwide
- Custom proxy configurations through API
- Bypass geographic restrictions on games
- Unlimited bandwidth options
- Competitive pricing starting at $500/month
Luminati makes it easy to find super-fast residential proxy locations perfect for any game. Their enterprise-grade network is built for speed.
4. SmartProxy
SmartProxy offers a blend of residential and backconnect datacenter proxies to balance performance and cost.
Why choose SmartProxy?
- 200,000+ proxies from 195 countries
- Average 30ms latency
- Residential and datacenter proxies
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Starting at $75/month for 10 GB
SmartProxy provides reliable connections and low ping times at very reasonable prices compared to competitors.
5. Stormproxies
Stormproxies provides dedicated gaming proxies hosted on an ultra-fast 10 Gbps network, ensuring lag-free gameplay.
Key features:
- Gaming proxies in US, EU, etc.
- Guaranteed 1 Gbps speeds
- Average ping times around 25ms
- Starting at $330/month for 50 IPs
- Unlimited bandwidth
The blazing speeds and optimized infrastructure make Stormproxies one of the best choices for competitive online gaming.
6. Microleaves
Microleaves has affordable residential and datacenter proxies starting at just $3/month. Great low-cost option for casual gaming.
Highlights:
- 1.5+ million proxies globally
- Residential and datacenter options
- Unlimited bandwidth
- SOCKS5 support
- Pl ans start at $3/month
Microleaves gaming proxies offer solid performance at budget-friendly rates. Easily bypass geographic restrictions without spending a lot.
7. HighProxies
HighProxies focus on speed with their 10Gbps network and SSD servers, reducing latency for gaming.
Notable features:
- 10 Gbps network speeds
- Worldwide private datacenter proxies
- Average ping times around 35ms
- Starting at $50/month for 10 IPs
- Unlimited bandwidth
The optimized infrastructure of HighProxies results in some of the fastest private datacenter proxies available for silky smooth online play.
8. ProxyBonanza
ProxyBonanza has VPN-like residential and datacenter rotating proxies for privacy and security while gaming.
Why choose ProxyBonanza?
- 1,600+ proxy IPs globally
- Various residential and datacenter locations
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Starting at $250/month for 10 IPs
- VPN-like encryption
ProxyBonanza is great for keeping your identity anonymous and hiding your gaming activities from your ISP or network admin.
9. Soax
Soax provides high-speed access to over 2.5 million residential IPs through their proxy network.
Notable features:
- 2.5M+ residential IPs worldwide
- Dedicated US/UK proxies for gaming
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 24/7 customer support
- Plans start at $90/month
Soax has one of the largest pools of residential IPs, making it easy to find locations ideal for low-latency gaming anywhere in the world.
10. ProxyNova
ProxyNova has a frequently updated network of 400,000+ dedicated datacenter proxies globally.
Why choose ProxyNova?
- 400,000+ proxies in 195+ countries
- Proxies optimized for low latency
- Shared and private proxy options
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Plans start at $2.50/month
ProxyNova combines affordable proxy plans with good ping times, great for casual gamers on a budget.
Gaming Proxy FAQs
Are gaming proxies legal?
Using a gaming proxy is generally legal but be aware of the game‘s terms of service. Some explicitly prohibit proxies to access restricted content or locations.
Can you get banned for using a gaming proxy?
Most games ban players for cheating, hacking or abusive behavior – not proxies alone. However, some may ban suspicious IP addresses linked to proxies, so use them sensibly.
What is better for gaming: residential or datacenter proxies?
Residential proxies tend to offer lower latency as they use real home ISP networks. But datacenter proxies are faster and more reliable overall. A residential/datacenter mix is ideal.
Are free proxies good for gaming?
Free proxies are very slow, unreliable and can be dangerous. They often sell your data too. Paid gaming proxies are worthwhile for better connections.
Can VPNs be used for gaming instead of proxies?
VPNs route all your traffic causing lag. Proxies only route game traffic so are better optimized for speed and latency.
Final Thoughts
As online multiplayer gaming continues rising in popularity, so does the need for high-quality gaming proxies. The proxy services listed above provide everything gamers need – high speeds, low latency connections, unlimited bandwidth, and global IP locations.
Consider which games you want to play, your budget, and technical needs. This will help determine the right proxy provider for you. The best approach is to trial a few services for a month and compare performance.
Just make sure to use gaming proxies ethically and as intended by game publishers. Prioritize fun and fair play for everyone!
