ProxyMesh Proxy Server Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the proxy servers located?

There are two proxy server networks, one in located in the US and the other in the UK. The locations you get access to depend on the plan you choose

  • PROXYMESH_10: access to either UK or US proxy servers
  • PROXYMESH_20: access to both UK and US proxy servers
  • PROXYMESH_50: access to both UK and US proxy servers
There is also an open proxies network, that provides access to thousands of open proxies around the world.

Are there plans for other proxy server locations?

If you are interested in more locations, please fill out this survey: ProxyMesh Europe.

How many outgoing IPs do you have?

There are currently 10 outgoing IPs at both the US & UK proxy servers, while the open proxies server usually has over 1000 IPs.

How often do the IP addresses change?

The US & UK IP addresses change every 12 hours, so that's 20 different IPs every day (and you don't have to do any manual switching). The open proxies change at a rate of about 100/hour (100 removed, 100 new).

Is there any software to download & install?

No (we hate that as much as you). There is absolutely no software to download or install. All you have to do is configure your existing client to use our proxy server.

Does this service require a VPN?

Nope, we use the existing HTTP protocol, so any HTTP client can access our proxy servers without going through a VPN.

Do you support the SOCKS protocol?

No, we only support the HTTP protocol right now. If SOCKS support is important to you, then please send us an email.

Does the proxy server support HTTPS/SSL sites?

Yes. The proxy server itself is still HTTP, but it can securely proxy HTTPS/SSL connections between you and a HTTPS server (using the CONNECT method). All communication between your client/browser and the secure site is encrypted; the proxy server is only moving the data back and forth.

How do I configure my program to use your proxy?

Check out our HTTP client examples to see how to set the Proxy-Authorization header in various HTTP clients. If your client isn't covered and you'd like see an example, then send us an email. You can also use IP address authentication, which allows you to add multiple IP addresses to your account. Once you've subscribed, you'll receive the specific address and port of our proxy server, and can add IP addresses or configure the Proxy-Authorization header.

How do I configure my web browser to use your proxy?

See how to change your IP address with a proxy server for links to proxy configuration instructions for specific browsers. The easiest way to use a browser with ProxyMesh is to add your IP address from the dashboard, and then tell your browser to use our proxy auto-configuration url, which you can also find in your dashboard.

How does the service work?

We have our own python based proxy server that forwards your requests through a set of rotating squid proxies. Your requests are not changed in the process, except to remove the following request headers in order to protect your privacy and anonymity, so that your requests cannot be traced back:

  • Authorization
  • From
  • Proxy-Authorization
  • Proxy-Connection
  • Via
  • X-Forwarded-For

Which plan should I choose?

It depends on how much bandwidth you expect to use each month, how many sub accounts you need, and which proxy server locations you want access to. If you expect to use less than 20GB of bandwidth, don't need sub accounts, and only want to access either US or UK sites, then ProxyMesh 10 is the best deal. If you expect to use between 20GB and 60GB each month, or you need sub accounts, or if you want access to both the US and UK proxy servers, then you should choose ProxyMesh 20. For more than 60GB/month, or for up to 50 sub accounts, choose ProxyMesh 50.

Once I signup, is there a way to monitor my bandwidth usage?

Yes, once you signup you'll have access to a dashboard showing your current bandwidth usage and an estimate of your next bill. If you are using sub accounts, their bandwidth will be tracked as well.

What are Sub Accounts?

Sub accounts are intended for web scraping professionals and companies that are using ProxyMesh on behalf of a client or customer and wish to pass on the costs. For example, if you are using ProxyMesh with Visual Web Ripper on behalf of a client, you can use sub accounts to track the bandwidth used on your client's behalf, then bill them for it, at whatever price you wish. Sub accounts will have the same proxy access that your main account has, but will have their own usernames and can have their own authenticated IP addresses.

Do you accept international credit cards?

Yes we do, and we have international customers that are successfully using the service. If you do have any problems subscribing with your credit card, then please contact us.

Is there a test account I can use?

Yes, if you'd like a free-trial to evaluate the service for a day, send us an email to schedule a time.