Bright Data vs Smartproxy: Which Wins? [2025 Comparison]

Bright Data vs Smartproxy: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing between Bright Data and Smartproxy (now Decodo) is one of the most common dilemmas in the proxy world. Both providers offer residential proxies, but they target different market segments with distinct advantages.

For proxy fundamentals, start with understanding residential proxies and their benefits.

Currently (2025), Bright Data dominates the enterprise market with 150M+ IPs and advanced features, while Smartproxy focuses on cost-effective solutions for small to medium businesses with 115M+ IPs. This comprehensive comparison will help you make the right choice. For detailed pricing analysis, see our Bright Data pricing breakdown.

Pricing Battle: Cost vs Features

Bright Data Pricing Structure (2025 Latest)

Current Offer: 50% OFF (code: RESI50), up to $500 deposit matching

Smartproxy (Decodo) Pricing Structure

Current Offer: 50% OFF (code: RESI50), 14-day money-back guarantee

Pricing Verdict

Small Scale (< 50GB/month): Smartproxy wins
Medium Scale (100-500GB/month): Smartproxy significantly cheaper
Large Scale (1TB+/month): Competitive, custom quotes needed

Feature & Performance Comparison

IP Pool and Coverage

Bright Data

• IP Pool: 150M+ residential IPs
• Coverage: 195 countries, 6M+ cities
• ASNs: 72,000+ providers
• Strength: Largest pool, enterprise-grade geo-targeting

Smartproxy

• IP Pool: 115M+ residential IPs
• Coverage: 195+ locations, 50 US states
• ASNs: 700+ providers
• Strength: High-quality IPs, fraud score 32.72 (industry avg: 45.57)

Performance Metrics

Protocol Support

Common Features

• HTTP/HTTPS proxies
• SOCKS5 protocol
• Username/password + IP authentication
• Rotation capabilities

Targeting Features Comparison

Bright Data Advanced Targeting

• Geographic: Country, state, city, ZIP, ASN, carrier
• Advanced Options: Custom sessions, dedicated IPs, enterprise APIs
• Special Features: Mobile operator selection, ISP targeting

Smartproxy Targeting Options

• Geographic: Country, state, city, ASN, ZIP support
• Session Management: Rotating or sticky (up to 30 min)
• Protocols: Full HTTP/HTTPS and SOCKS5 support

Usability and Support

Management Dashboard

Bright Data

• Advanced Proxy Manager
• Detailed analytics and reporting
• Enterprise-grade APIs
• Steeper learning curve

Smartproxy

• Clean, intuitive interface
• Basic statistics and monitoring
• Beginner-friendly design
• Excellent quick-start guides

Customer Support

Bright Data

• 24/7 dedicated support
• Technical specialist assistance
• Video call KYC process
• Enterprise SLA available

Smartproxy

• 24/7 live chat support
• Comprehensive documentation
• Fast response times
• Active community forum

Use Case Recommendations

When Bright Data Wins

1. Large-Scale Web Scraping

   • 1TB+ monthly usage
   • Complex geo-targeting requirements
   • Enterprise-level SLA needs

2. High-Difficulty Targets

   • Advanced bot protection sites
   • CAPTCHA solving requirements
   • Dedicated IP pools needed

3. Global Enterprises

   • Multi-country operations
   • Compliance requirements
   • Custom integration needs

When Smartproxy Wins

1. SMBs and Startups

   • Under 500GB monthly usage
   • Cost-performance focus
   • Simple operation requirements

2. Price Monitoring & Competition Analysis

   • Regular data collection
   • High success rates needed
   • Budget constraints
   • Ideal for e-commerce site scraping

3. Development & Testing

   • Prototype development
   • Feature validation
   • Learning purposes

2025 Selection Criteria

Budget-Based Guidelines

Monthly Budget Under $1,000: Smartproxy recommended
Monthly Budget $1,000-$5,000: Depends on requirements
Monthly Budget $5,000+: Bright Data recommended

Technical Requirements

Simple Use Cases: Smartproxy
Advanced Customization: Bright Data
Global Expansion: Bright Data
Cost Priority: Smartproxy

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Do both offer free trials?
A. Yes. Bright Data offers usage-based trials, Smartproxy provides 3-day 100MB trial.

Q2. Is switching between providers easy?
A. Both use standard HTTP/SOCKS5 protocols, making migration straightforward with configuration changes.

Q3. What about IP quality in specific regions?
A. Bright Data has ~1M Japanese IPs, Smartproxy ~500K. Both maintain high quality.

Q4. Payment method differences?
A. Both accept credit cards and PayPal. Bright Data also supports AWS/Azure billing.

Q5. KYC requirements?
A. Bright Data requires KYC for residential proxies. Smartproxy generally doesn't.

Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Smartproxy (Decodo) is the clear winner for small to medium businesses prioritizing cost-effectiveness and ease of use. If your monthly usage is under 500GB and you need straightforward web scraping or price monitoring, Smartproxy offers exceptional value.

Bright Data dominates the enterprise segment with its massive infrastructure and advanced features. For complex geo-targeting, high-difficulty sites, or large-scale operations, the premium cost is justified by superior performance and support.

Our Recommendations

• Beginners & SMBs: Start Smartproxy 3-day free trial
• Enterprises: Contact Bright Data sales

Both providers excel in their respective niches. The key is matching your specific needs and budget to the right service. We recommend starting with free trials to test actual performance before making long-term commitments.

For additional proxy comparisons, check out our Bright Data vs Oxylabs detailed analysis and datacenter vs residential proxy differences.

Quick Decision Matrix

Choose Smartproxy if:

• Monthly usage < 500GB
• Budget-conscious
• Simple requirements
• New to proxies

Choose Bright Data if:

• Monthly usage > 1TB
• Complex geo-targeting needed
• Enterprise compliance required
• Advanced features essential

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Pricing information accurate as of July 6, 2025. Check official websites for latest rates and promotions.