A proxy extension for Chrome sets a proxy for the browser alone, so you can switch IP address and location with one click instead of changing your computer’s network settings. A good one also saves the proxy’s username and password, so Chrome stops asking for them. We compared 11 free Chrome proxy extensions and proxy switchers on login support, protocols, switching rules and leak protection. For every other way to set a proxy in Chrome, see our Chrome proxy settings guide.
Quick answer
ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager is the best proxy extension for Chrome in 2026. It is free, works with HTTP proxies from any provider, signs in to username-and-password proxies for you, and adds WebRTC leak protection, a kill switch, timezone and language matching and a one-click leak check. Version 1.1.0 is on the Chrome Web Store.
Best proxy extension for Chrome: 11 compared
All 11 extensions at a glance| # | Extension | Works with | Proxy login | Protocols listed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager | Any provider | Saved, automatic sign-in | HTTP | Best overall |
| 2 | FoxyProxy | Any provider | Saved (HTTP/HTTPS) | HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4/5, QUIC, PAC | URL rules and per-tab proxies |
| 3 | ZeroOmega (SwitchyOmega 3) | Any provider | Saved (HTTP/HTTPS) | HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4/5, PAC | Auto-switch rules |
| 4 | Decodo Extension | Any provider | Saved, or Decodo login | HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5 | Decodo users |
| 5 | Oxy Proxy Extension | Any provider | Not stated | HTTP(S), SOCKS | Several providers in one list |
| 6 | Proxy Helper | Any provider | Supported | HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4/5, QUIC, PAC | Lightweight and open source |
| 7 | Webshare Proxy Extension | Webshare only | Webshare account | Not stated | Free starter proxies |
| 8 | Bright Data | Bright Data only | Bright Data account | Not stated | City and carrier choice |
| 9 | IPRoyal Proxy Manager | Any provider | Saved, or IPRoyal login | Not stated | IPRoyal traffic at a glance |
| 10 | Proxy Switcher and Manager | Any provider | Chrome’s sign-in box | HTTPS, SOCKS, PAC | PAC scripts |
| 11 | MarsProxies Proxy Extension | Any provider | Saved | HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5 | Pasting a proxy string |
All 11 extensions are free. “Works with” says whether you can add any provider’s proxies or only the maker’s. No Chrome extension can send a login to a SOCKS5 proxy (see why). “Not stated” means neither the Chrome Web Store listing nor the maker’s page says. Checked on 1 October 2026. The original Proxy SwitchyOmega is no longer on the Chrome Web Store, so it isn’t ranked. ResiProx, Proxy-Seller, NodeMaven and Byteful don’t publish Chrome extensions of their own; their proxies work in the extensions below.
How we compared Chrome proxy extensions
What matters in a browser proxy toolMost paid proxies need a username and password, and many jobs need more than one proxy. So we asked: does it save the login, does it take any provider’s proxies, how fast does it switch, and does it stop your real IP leaking?
The 11 best proxy extensions for Chrome in 2026
Proxy extensions and proxy switchers, reviewed
ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager
Best overallProxyEmpire’s free Chrome extension keeps your proxies as profiles you connect to with one click, signs in to authenticated proxies automatically and matches the browser’s timezone, language, geolocation and User-Agent to the proxy’s location. It works with HTTP proxies from any provider, not only ours.
- WebRTC leak protection set at browser level, a kill switch that blocks traffic if the proxy drops, and a one-click Leak & Consistency Check
- Profile folders and tags, bulk import with a proxy test, live latency and bandwidth, and image blocking
- Its listing doesn’t mention rules that switch proxies by website, which FoxyProxy and ZeroOmega offer, and there is no Firefox version
FoxyProxy
URL rules and per-tab proxiesFoxyProxy is an open-source proxy manager developed since 2006. It switches proxies by click, URL pattern or browser tab, and Byteful (formerly Ping Proxies) recommends it for browser setup.
- A separate proxy for Incognito windows, a WebRTC switch and import/export of all settings
- Saves HTTP and HTTPS proxy logins and signs in for you
- Its own help pages say SOCKS5 logins work only in Firefox, and the options take time to learn
ZeroOmega (Proxy SwitchyOmega 3)
Auto-switch rulesZeroOmega is the maintained Manifest V3 fork of SwitchyOmega. It keeps the profiles and Auto Switch rules that send each website through the proxy you choose, and NodeMaven’s Chrome guide uses it.
- Open source, with settings sync through a GitHub Gist and a dark theme
- Saves HTTP and HTTPS proxy logins
- Look-alike SwitchyOmega uploads sit next to it in the store, so check the exact name “Proxy SwitchyOmega 3 (ZeroOmega)”
Decodo Extension
Decodo usersDecodo (formerly Smartproxy) makes a free extension that takes any provider’s proxies. Log in with a Decodo account and you also pick location, ASN and sticky or rotating sessions.
- Bypass list and one-click clearing of cookies and cache
- Handles residential, ISP, mobile and datacenter proxies, with 24/7 live chat from Decodo
- Its help page says SOCKS5 is disabled for Decodo’s own proxies in the extension: HTTP and HTTPS only
Oxy Proxy Extension (Oxylabs)
Several providers in one listOxylabs’ free extension holds unlimited proxies from any provider and connects with one click, handy if you mix vendors.
- Keep the same IP across requests or switch proxy type in a click
- Simple setup: add a profile, then connect
- No leak protection, timezone matching or website rules are listed
Proxy Helper
Lightweight and open sourceProxy Helper is a small open-source extension covering every proxy scheme Chrome supports, plus PAC scripts, a bypass list and custom rules. NodeMaven publishes a setup guide for it.
- HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS4, SOCKS5 and QUIC proxies
- Syncs its settings across your Chrome installs
- A plain settings form; the listing mentions no profile list, leak check or kill switch
Webshare Proxy Extension
Free starter proxiesWebshare’s extension logs in to your Webshare account, loads your proxy list and connects in one click, with nothing to copy. A free account includes 10 proxies.
- Search and filter your list by country or IP
- Picks up proxies you add in the dashboard automatically
- Works with Webshare proxies only, and the free proxies are datacenter IPs
Bright Data
City and carrier choiceBright Data’s extension puts its datacenter, static residential, residential and mobile IPs in the browser, with country, city or carrier choice and session length.
- Deep location targeting from one popup
- Custom DNS settings and User-Agent changes
- Needs a Bright Data account, which means KYC checks for new users, and the extension is the largest here at 7.85 MiB
IPRoyal Proxy Manager
IPRoyal traffic at a glanceIPRoyal’s free manager stores any provider’s proxies; after an IPRoyal login it also sets location, protocol and rotation for its residential proxies and shows traffic left.
- Search across all your saved proxies
- Residential traffic balance shown in real time
- The account features only help if you buy IPRoyal residential proxies
Proxy Switcher and Manager
PAC scriptsProxy Switcher and Manager is an open-source switcher with profiles, inline or remote PAC scripts, and a log of resources that failed to load through the proxy.
- Good for testing PAC files and switching rules
- Uses no resources while its panel is closed
- It doesn’t request Chrome’s proxy sign-in permission, so it can’t save a password, and it offers public free proxies in its manual tab
MarsProxies Proxy Extension
Pasting a proxy stringMarsProxies’ extension takes any provider’s proxies: paste the full credential string into one field and it fills in host, port and login.
- Very quick to set up
- Favourites for the proxies you use most
- Not updated since April 2025, the oldest release in this list
How to install and use the ProxyEmpire Chrome extension
From the Chrome Web Store to a working proxyOpen ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager in the Chrome Web Store; the developer email on the listing is hello@proxyempire.io. It installs in Edge and Brave too: in Edge, turn on “Allow extensions from other stores” first; in Brave, click “Add to Brave”.
- Add it to Chrome. Click Add to Chrome, then pin it from the puzzle-piece menu so the icon stays in the toolbar. Alt+Shift+P opens it too.
- Get your proxy details. In the ProxyEmpire dashboard, choose rotating residential or mobile, the country, city or ISP, and a rotating or sticky session. The host is v2.proxyempire.io and the port is 5000; copy the username and password it generates.
- Create a profile. Enter the host, port, username and password, or import a list of proxies in bulk. Add one profile per location you need.
- Connect. Click the profile. The extension shows the status, latency and an estimate of the bandwidth used.
- Run the Leak & Consistency Check. It compares your IP, WebRTC, timezone, language and geolocation with the proxy’s location. You can also test the IP with our free proxy checker.
Click disconnect to clear the proxy and restore Chrome’s default WebRTC setting. Profiles stay in your browser; the listing says the extension collects no data.
Looking for the ProxyEmpire app? Chrome on Android doesn’t run extensions, so use the free ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager app: it routes Chrome or any app you pick through HTTP or SOCKS5 proxies with a login. Our Android proxy setup guide shows each step. For Firefox, see our Firefox proxy guide.
SOCKS5 proxy extensions for Chrome, and why logins fail
What the Chrome developer docs allowPeople looking for the best SOCKS5 proxy extension for Chrome soon find that none accept a SOCKS5 username and password. That is a Chrome limit. Chrome’s proxy API takes a scheme, host and port, with no login fields. Extensions sign in by answering Chrome’s HTTP authentication request (webRequest.onAuthRequired), which a SOCKS5 proxy never sends. FoxyProxy’s help pages confirm SOCKS5 logins work in Firefox only.
So you have three options in Chrome:
- Use the HTTP endpoint. Most providers sell the same IPs over HTTP and SOCKS5. With ProxyEmpire, use v2.proxyempire.io on port 5000 over HTTP in the extension: same pool, same targeting, and the extension signs in for you.
- Use SOCKS5 without a login. If your provider allows IP whitelisting, FoxyProxy, ZeroOmega or Proxy Helper can use SOCKS5 with no password. ProxyEmpire uses logins only, so this doesn’t apply to it.
- Use a desktop client. An app such as Proxifier signs in to the SOCKS5 proxy and passes Chrome’s traffic through it.
For browsing, HTTP proxies do the same job; our SOCKS vs HTTP guide explains when the difference matters.
Proxy switcher, proxy extension or VPN?
Three tools that people often mix upA proxy switcher is a proxy extension built around rules and quick changes between saved proxies, like ZeroOmega or FoxyProxy. Neither comes with IPs; you add a provider’s proxies. A VPN extension is not a proxy extension: it connects you to the VPN company’s own servers for personal privacy, not for choosing a city or rotating IPs.
| Proxy extension or switcher | Chrome’s system settings | VPN extension | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Chrome only | Every app that follows them | The browser |
| IPs from | Any provider you choose | Any provider you choose | The VPN company |
| Saves the login | Usually yes | No, Chrome asks | Account login |
| Switching | One click or rules by site | By hand | Server list |
| Best for | Location checks and many profiles | A whole-computer proxy | Everyday privacy |
Which one to pick:
- One tool for a paid proxy: ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager, for the saved login, leak protection and kill switch.
- Different proxies per website: FoxyProxy or ZeroOmega. Our SwitchyOmega setup guide covers the profiles and switch rules ZeroOmega shares.
- IPs to put in it: ProxyEmpire’s rotating residential and rotating mobile proxies; see also residential proxies vs VPNs.
Free proxy extensions for Chrome: what is actually free
Why we don’t list free proxiesEvery extension here is free; the proxy you put in it is what costs money. Some extensions offer public free proxy lists. Those proxies are shared by thousands of people, change daily, slow down fast and are run by strangers who can see your traffic, which is why we don’t publish a list. For a one-off look at a page, a web proxy may do; see our online proxies round-up. For regular use, a private proxy is the reliable choice, and ProxyEmpire’s $1.97 trial gives you 100 MB of residential and 50 MB of mobile traffic that never expires. Website terms and local laws apply whichever proxy you use.
Chrome proxy extension FAQ
Short answersWhat is the best proxy extension for Chrome?
ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager, in our 2026 comparison. It is free, saves proxy logins, and adds WebRTC leak protection, a kill switch and a one-click leak check.
Is the ProxyEmpire extension free?
Yes. The extension is free and works with HTTP proxies from any provider. You only pay for the proxies, and ProxyEmpire’s trial costs $1.97.
Is there a ProxyEmpire app for Android?
Yes, the free ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager app. Chrome on Android can’t run extensions, so the app routes Chrome or other apps through the proxy with your login.
Can Chrome extensions use SOCKS5 proxies with a username and password?
No. Chrome’s proxy API has no login fields, and extensions can only answer HTTP login requests. Use the HTTP endpoint, IP-whitelisted SOCKS5 or a desktop client.
What is a proxy switcher?
An extension that stores several proxies and changes between them with a click or by rules for each website. ZeroOmega and FoxyProxy are the best-known ones.
Is SwitchyOmega still available for Chrome?
The original is no longer on the Chrome Web Store. Its maintained Manifest V3 fork is listed as “Proxy SwitchyOmega 3 (ZeroOmega)”.
Does a proxy extension hide my IP address?
For pages Chrome loads through the proxy, yes. WebRTC can still expose your real IP, so turn on WebRTC protection and run a leak check after you connect.
Why does Chrome keep asking for my proxy password?
Chrome’s own settings don’t store proxy logins. An extension that saves the username and password, such as ProxyEmpire Proxy Manager, signs in for you.
Proxies for your Chrome extension, in any city
30M+ residential IPs in 179 countries and territories from $1.50/GB, 4M+ mobile IPs, rotating or sticky sessions, 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support from real people. Add them to our free Chrome extension and try ProxyEmpire for $1.97.
