Proxy Tester
Check if your proxy is working and see its details.
Paste your endpoint below. Supports HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 (simulated in-browser test).
Proxy is Working!
Your proxy successfully connected.
Proxy Test Failed
Could not connect to the proxy.
Note: Due to browser security restrictions, this tool tests connectivity through a simulation. For accurate testing, use your proxy directly in your application.
Understanding Proxy Servers
What Is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server is an intermediary system that sits between a client (your computer or application) and a destination server (the website or service you want to access). When you use a proxy, your requests are first sent to the proxy server, which then forwards them to the destination. The destination server sees the proxy's IP address instead of yours.
Proxy servers serve multiple purposes:
- Anonymity: Masking your real IP address from destination servers
- Geographic access: Appearing to browse from different locations
- Load distribution: Distributing requests across multiple IPs to avoid rate limits
- Caching: Storing frequently accessed content to improve performance
- Filtering: Controlling access to certain websites or content types
How Proxy Testing Works
Proxy testing involves sending a request through the proxy server to verify its functionality and characteristics. A comprehensive proxy test typically checks:
- Connectivity: Whether the proxy accepts connections and forwards requests
- Response time: The latency added by routing through the proxy (measured in milliseconds)
- Exit IP: The IP address that destination servers see
- Geolocation: The apparent geographic location of the proxy
- Anonymity level: Whether the proxy reveals your real IP in headers
- Protocol support: Which protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS) the proxy supports
Understanding Test Results
When testing a proxy, you may encounter various outcomes:
Working / Success
The proxy successfully connected and forwarded your request. The destination server responded, and you received data back through the proxy.
Connection Timeout
The proxy did not respond within the allowed time. This indicates the proxy is offline, overloaded, or the address/port is incorrect.
Connection Refused
The server actively rejected the connection. The proxy server exists but is not accepting connections on that port, or authentication is required.
Authentication Required
The proxy requires username and password credentials. You need to provide valid authentication to use this proxy.
Proxy Types Explained
HTTP Proxy
Designed for web traffic (HTTP protocol). The proxy interprets and may modify HTTP headers. Suitable for basic web browsing and scraping. Does not encrypt traffic between client and proxy. Cannot handle non-HTTP protocols.
HTTPS / CONNECT Proxy
Supports encrypted HTTPS connections through the CONNECT method. Creates a tunnel for SSL/TLS traffic. The proxy cannot see the encrypted content, only the destination address. Recommended for secure browsing and sensitive operations.
SOCKS4 Proxy
Protocol-agnostic proxy that works at a lower network level. Supports TCP connections but not UDP. Does not interpret traffic content. Can proxy any TCP-based protocol (HTTP, SMTP, FTP, etc.).
SOCKS5 Proxy
The most versatile proxy protocol. Supports both TCP and UDP traffic. Includes authentication support. Works with any application or protocol. Commonly used for gaming, streaming, and applications requiring UDP.
Proxy Anonymity Levels
Proxies are classified by how much information they reveal about the original client:
Level 1: Elite / High Anonymity
Does not reveal that a proxy is being used. Does not forward your real IP address in any headers. The destination server cannot detect proxy usage through header analysis.
Level 2: Anonymous
Identifies itself as a proxy (via Via or X-Forwarded-For headers) but does not reveal your real IP address. The server knows you're using a proxy but cannot identify you.
Level 3: Transparent
Forwards your real IP address in the X-Forwarded-For header. Provides no anonymity. Often used for caching and content filtering in corporate networks.
Why Proxy Testing Matters
Regular proxy testing is essential for several use cases:
- Web scraping: Ensure proxies are working before running large data collection jobs to avoid wasted time and blocked requests
- Automation: Verify proxy pools are healthy to maintain consistent automation workflows
- Account management: Confirm proxy IPs and locations match expectations before accessing geo-sensitive accounts
- Quality assurance: Monitor proxy provider performance and uptime over time
- Security: Verify anonymity levels to ensure your real IP is not being exposed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies?
HTTP proxies work at the application layer and are designed specifically for web traffic. They understand and can modify HTTP headers. SOCKS5 proxies work at a lower network layer and are protocol-agnostic - they can handle any type of traffic (HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, SMTP, gaming, etc.) without interpreting the content. SOCKS5 is more versatile but HTTP proxies can offer features like caching and content filtering.
How can websites detect that I am using a proxy?
Websites use multiple methods: checking HTTP headers (X-Forwarded-For, Via) that transparent proxies add; comparing IP geolocation with browser timezone or language settings; identifying known datacenter IP ranges; analyzing connection patterns and timing; checking if the IP appears in proxy/VPN blacklists; examining WebRTC leaks that may reveal your real IP; and behavioral analysis that flags non-human patterns.
What does "elite" or "high anonymity" proxy mean?
An elite (high anonymity) proxy does not add any headers that identify it as a proxy or reveal your real IP address. When you connect through an elite proxy, the destination server sees only the proxy's IP and cannot determine from headers alone that a proxy is being used. This is in contrast to anonymous proxies (which identify as proxies but hide your IP) and transparent proxies (which expose your real IP).
What is the difference between residential and datacenter proxies?
Residential proxies use IP addresses assigned by ISPs to home users, making them appear as regular consumers. Datacenter proxies use IPs from data centers and cloud providers. Residential IPs are harder to detect and block because they look like real users, but they're typically slower and more expensive. Datacenter proxies are faster and cheaper but more easily identified and blocked by sophisticated anti-bot systems.
Why does my proxy test show a different location than expected?
IP geolocation databases are not always accurate. The proxy provider may route traffic through different servers than advertised. Some proxies use anycast routing where the same IP can exit from multiple locations. The geolocation database used for testing may be outdated. Additionally, mobile or ISP-assigned IPs are sometimes registered to corporate headquarters rather than actual usage locations.
Can I test multiple proxies at once?
Batch proxy testing requires sending concurrent requests through multiple proxies simultaneously. This typically requires scripting or specialized software, as browser-based tools like this one test proxies individually. For testing large proxy lists, command-line tools or programming languages with concurrent request capabilities are more efficient. Many proxy providers also offer built-in dashboards showing the health status of their proxy pools.