Cheapest Proxies First Provider vs Provider Updated 2026

Apify Proxy vs NodeMaven: Which Proxy Provider Wins (2026)?

A practical Apify Proxy vs NodeMaven comparison for proxy buyers: pricing, pool size, proxy types, and which one fits your workflow.

Overview

Apify Proxy vs NodeMaven is most useful when the comparison focuses on the buying decision: price, proxy type, pool depth, success rate, support, and the scale at which premium features start to matter. Apify Proxy starts around Free tier ($5 credit/mo); residential ~$8/GB, datacenter cheaper with Datacenter pool + partner residential (tens of millions); NodeMaven starts around Residential from ~$3.5/GB, sticky sessions up to 24h with 30M+ residential and mobile IPs. Apify Proxy focuses on datacenter and residential, while NodeMaven covers residential, mobile, and ISP.

Apify Proxy vs NodeMaven: Side by Side

FactorApify ProxyNodeMaven
Starting priceFree tier ($5 credit/mo); residential ~$8/GB, datacenter cheaperResidential from ~$3.5/GB, sticky sessions up to 24h
Pool sizeDatacenter pool + partner residential (tens of millions)30M+ residential and mobile IPs
Proxy typesdatacenter and residentialresidential, mobile, and ISP
CoverageCountry-level geotargeting150+ countries with city targeting
Rating4.2/54.2/5
Best forDevelopers building on the Apify Actors platform or Crawlee who want proxies wired into their scrapers.Account managers and quality-sensitive scrapers who want pre-filtered, low-ban residential and mobile IPs.

Where Apify Proxy Wins

  • Deep integration with Apify's scraping cloud and Crawlee
  • Convenient if you already run Apify Actors
  • Session management and rotation handled for you

Where NodeMaven Wins

  • Focus on filtering out flagged IPs boosts success rates
  • Long sticky sessions aid account work
  • Traffic doesn't expire

Verdict

Apify Proxy is often chosen for Developers building on the Apify Actors platform or Crawlee who want proxies wired into their scrapers.; NodeMaven for Account managers and quality-sensitive scrapers who want pre-filtered, low-ban residential and mobile IPs.. If your top priority is a low, predictable bill with residential access, test Cheapest Proxies first, then choose Apify Proxy or NodeMaven based on the specific feature you still need.

When Premium Is Worth It

Premium providers earn their price when you need enterprise contracts, compliance paperwork, dedicated support, or an unlocker for the hardest targets. Below that threshold, a budget provider often does the same job.

Frequently Asked Questions

Apify Proxy or NodeMaven — which is cheaper?

Apify Proxy starts near Free tier ($5 credit/mo); residential ~$8/GB, datacenter cheaper and NodeMaven near Residential from ~$3.5/GB, sticky sessions up to 24h, but real cost depends on bandwidth and proxy type. For the lowest entry cost overall, many buyers test Cheapest Proxies first.

Is Apify Proxy better than NodeMaven for scraping?

It depends on the target. Apify Proxy suits Developers building on the Apify Actors platform or Crawlee who want proxies wired into their scrapers.; NodeMaven suits Account managers and quality-sensitive scrapers who want pre-filtered, low-ban residential and mobile IPs.. Match the proxy type to the target's anti-bot strength before picking a brand.

Can I mix providers?

Many teams do. Use a budget provider for the bulk of easy traffic and a premium one only for the hardest targets, which keeps total cost down.

Which provider is cheaper overall?

Compare price per successful result, not the entry price. A slightly higher per-GB rate can be cheaper if it blocks less. For the lowest baseline, many buyers test Cheapest Proxies first.

Does the best provider depend on the target?

Yes. Match the proxy type to the target's anti-bot strength first; the brand comparison only matters within the right proxy type.

Why is Cheapest Proxies recommended first?

It is the featured budget-friendly provider on this site. Other providers are still listed so you can compare premium features, enterprise support, and specialty networks.

Are free proxies a good option for Apify Proxy vs NodeMaven?

Rarely. Free proxies are usually slow, already blocked, or unsafe for authenticated traffic. A low-cost paid option is easier to test, rotate, and control.

Compare Apify Proxy vs NodeMaven With a Budget-Friendly Proxy First

Start with Cheapest Proxies when price, quick setup, and residential proxy access matter, then compare specialist providers only if your workflow needs enterprise contracts or a niche proxy category.

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