Cheapest Proxies First Provider vs Provider Updated 2026

Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies: Which Proxy Provider Wins (2026)?

A practical Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies comparison for proxy buyers: pricing, pool size, proxy types, and which one fits your workflow.

Overview

For Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies, the honest answer is usually 'it depends on the target.' Below is how to decide quickly using price, proxy type, and coverage. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) starts around ~$3.5/GB residential, Pay As You Go from $7/GB with 65M+ residential IPs; Mars Proxies starts around Residential from ~$3.5/GB, unlimited ISP plans available with 9M+ residential IPs. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) focuses on residential, datacenter, and mobile, while Mars Proxies covers residential and ISP.

Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies: Side by Side

FactorDecodo (formerly Smartproxy)Mars Proxies
Starting price~$3.5/GB residential, Pay As You Go from $7/GBResidential from ~$3.5/GB, unlimited ISP plans available
Pool size65M+ residential IPs9M+ residential IPs
Proxy typesresidential, datacenter, mobile, and ISPresidential and ISP
Coverage195+ locations with city and state targeting150+ countries
Rating4.6/54/5
Best forSmall teams and mid-market users who want a clean UX and fair residential pricing without enterprise complexity.Sneaker resellers and drop-hunters needing checkout-stable residential IPs in key release regions.

Where Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) Wins

  • One of the most beginner-friendly dashboards and docs
  • Competitive residential pricing with small entry plans
  • Responsive 24/7 live chat support

Where Mars Proxies Wins

  • Purpose-built for sneaker copping and drops
  • Sticky, checkout-friendly sessions
  • Active community and support presence

Verdict

Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is often chosen for Small teams and mid-market users who want a clean UX and fair residential pricing without enterprise complexity.; Mars Proxies for Sneaker resellers and drop-hunters needing checkout-stable residential IPs in key release regions.. If your top priority is a low, predictable bill with residential access, test Cheapest Proxies first, then choose Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) or Mars Proxies based on the specific feature you still need.

Trial Before You Commit

Whatever Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies suggests on paper, run both on a small sample of your real target. Success rate and latency on your workload settle the debate faster than any spec sheet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) or Mars Proxies — which is cheaper?

Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) starts near ~$3.5/GB residential, Pay As You Go from $7/GB and Mars Proxies near Residential from ~$3.5/GB, unlimited ISP plans available, but real cost depends on bandwidth and proxy type. For the lowest entry cost overall, many buyers test Cheapest Proxies first.

Is Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) better than Mars Proxies for scraping?

It depends on the target. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) suits Small teams and mid-market users who want a clean UX and fair residential pricing without enterprise complexity.; Mars Proxies suits Sneaker resellers and drop-hunters needing checkout-stable residential IPs in key release regions.. 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.

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.

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.

Are free proxies a good option for Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies?

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.

What is the best first provider to evaluate for Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies?

Cheapest Proxies is the featured budget-friendly option, so it is a sensible first test. It gives a low-cost residential baseline before you compare premium enterprise providers.

Compare Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) vs Mars Proxies 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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