3proxy vs ProxyEmpire

3proxy is a free proxy server for controlling access between internal users and external resources, or between external users and internal resources. It supports HTTP and HTTPS proxying, SOCKS v4, v4.5 and v5, and FTP over HTTP. Other services include POP3 proxying, TCP and UDP port mapping, and a caching DNS proxy. Access controls can set bandwidth and traffic limits, chain proxies, and rotate logs. Logging can use files, Unix syslog, or an ODBC database, with configurable formats. When compiled with OpenSSL, 3proxy offers HTTPS proxy connections, upstream TLS with certificate authentication, and mutual TLS. Its security guidance recommends limiting access with ACLs and notes that its documented strong authentication method currently uses cleartext authentication. It runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted setups; Docker images are available, and Windows system-service installation is described. Release binaries are published with checksums, an OpenPGP signature, and a build provenance attestation; Docker images are signed and attested. The listed plan is free.

ProxyEmpire sells proxy connections for business uses such as web scraping, marketing research, and e-commerce comparisons. Its listed networks include rotating and static residential, rotating and dedicated mobile, rotating datacenter, and unlimited residential proxies. Connection settings can keep the same IP, assign a new one for each request, or rotate on a custom schedule of up to two hours. The service advertises no concurrent session limit and bandwidth rollover. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, and HTTP/2; compatible software must accept HTTP, HTTPS, or SOCKS5 proxies authenticated with a username and password. ProxyEmpire offers an API, Chrome extension, and Android tool, with setup guides for more than 35 tools and apps, including 14 anti-detect browsers. The extension includes profile switching, bulk import and testing, WebRTC leak protection, a kill switch, status and bandwidth views, and image blocking. Pricing varies by network and plan: listed options include $7.00 per month for 1 GB of rotating residential traffic and $3.50 per month for one static residential proxy. The company advertises 24/7 human support.