Side by side
| Rayobyte | Geonode | Webshare | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proxies | No-card trial on residential, rotating ISP and rotating datacenter | Low-cost residential trial | Free plan forever: 10 datacenter proxies, 1 GB/month |
| APIs | 5,000 Scraping API requests | 1,500 Scraper API requests a month | None |
| Other | Web Unblocker trial; 48 rayobrowse hours | None | None |
| Card needed | No | Yes, for the paid trial | No |
At the time of writing. See proxy free trials.
A combined test plan that costs almost nothing
- Build and debug your scraper on Webshare's free plan.
- Use Rayobyte's trial to see which targets need ISP or residential IPs.
- Buy Geonode's small residential trial and run the same residential tests.
- Try both providers' free API requests on the targets that failed.
- Compare cost per 1,000 successes and choose per target.
See testing Rayobyte proxies for a script.
Which free option is best?
Residential tip: If you only add one provider to an existing setup, add the one that fills a gap: Rayobyte lists HTTP/3, SOCKS5 UDP and device OS targeting on its residential traffic, which few providers offer, plus US mobile proxies. More in the Rayobyte free trial.
What to test in each free option
On Webshare's free plan: your code, your headers and your parsing logic, against lenient targets. With 1 GB a month, keep tests to HTML and skip images. It's also an ideal proxy for continuous integration.
On Rayobyte's trial: which proxy type each target needs. Run the same 50 to 200 requests through rotating datacenter, rotating ISP and Premium Residential, then try the free Scraping API requests on anything that still fails.
On Geonode's trial: residential performance in your target locations, and whether its 24-hour sticky sessions help your workflow. The trial bandwidth doesn't expire, so you can spread testing over weeks.
Turning three trials into one decision
Record, for each target and product: success rate on correct content, median response time, bandwidth per success and cost per 1,000 successes at list price. The cheapest product that clears your success threshold wins that target. When the winners span providers, that's your routing table. See testing Rayobyte proxies and how to test proxies before buying.
Strengths and watch-outs
| Provider | Best for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Rayobyte | Free, card-free comparison of proxy types | Temporary; static ISP via sales |
| Geonode | Non-expiring trial GB; recurring API allowance | Trial costs a little |
| Webshare | Free forever for light use | Datacenter only, 1 GB a month |
Proxy tip: To test the Geonode side of this comparison, a small residential balance from Geonode is enough, and it doesn't expire if you pause. See our complete Geonode guide for its full product range.
Bottom line
Using all three free or cheap options costs almost nothing and answers most buying questions.
Rayobyte, Geonode and Webshare are three options among many. Our best proxies in 2026 guide explains how to match a proxy type to each task, and cheap proxies that work shows where budget providers fit. To understand the IP type behind this, read our residential proxies guide.
For head-to-head versions of this comparison, see Rayobyte vs Geonode Free Trials, Rayobyte Free Trial vs Webshare Free Plan, Webshare vs Geonode Free Plans and Trials.
Budget tip: If you want a cheap proxy to try this with, Webshare has a free plan with 10 datacenter proxies and 1 GB of bandwidth a month, no card required. Paid lists let you pick proxy count, bandwidth and location. See Webshare's free proxy plan.
Key takeaways
- Webshare's free plan never expires; Rayobyte's trial is broad and card-free; Geonode's trial is cheap and its API tier recurs.
- Use all three to test for little or nothing.
- Choose per target based on cost per success.
FAQ
Which is free forever?
Webshare's free plan.
Which free option includes residential IPs?
Rayobyte's trial.
Which offers free API requests every month?
Geonode.
Are free proxy lists from the internet a good alternative?
No. Anonymous free proxies are slow, unreliable and can inspect or alter your traffic. See free proxies risks.
How long should a trial test run?
A day or two of spread-out requests is enough to see patterns; test at two different times of day.
Which trial needs a card?
Rayobyte's and Webshare's free options need no card; Geonode's residential trial is paid.
Can I extend a trial?
Ask sales, especially if you're evaluating for a larger contract.
Editorial note: Proxy providers change their pools, features and prices often, so treat any figures here as typical ranges at the time of writing and confirm current terms with the provider before you buy.