Read this first: FoxyProxy is a proxy manager, not a VPN. It routes browser traffic through proxies you supply. It does not encrypt or hide your traffic by itself.

Why it's a strong pick

FoxyProxy gives you rules, not just a switch. You can say which sites go through which proxy. The README says it has been "owned and developed consistently by the same team since 2006" and now supports Manifest V3. It is open source under GPL-2.0, and its code is public on GitHub. The repo's FoxyProxy 9.8 release is dated 2026-09-14.

What it does

FoxyProxy sets your browser's proxy. The README calls the proxy permission "the core function of the extension." You add proxy servers you already have, then choose when to use them: for all sites, for certain patterns, or for one tab.

Key features

Pattern rules. Proxy by patterns, with include and exclude host commands.
Tab Proxy. Use a proxy for one tab.
Shortcuts. Set a proxy or turn it off with a command.
Export and import. Move your settings between browsers.
Delete Browsing Data button. Optional.
WebRTC limit or toggle. Optional, and it needs the optional privacy permission.
Log export. Added in 9.8, per the release notes.

Who it's for

FoxyProxy is for people who use proxy servers, their own or from a provider, and want rules for which sites use which proxy. If you want a one-click service that hides your connection, you want a VPN. See the VPN picks below.

What does a proxy manager protect, and what does it not?

It sends browser traffic to the proxy you pick. That can change which server sites see. It does not encrypt your traffic by itself, and we found no claim that it does. A proxy you do not trust can see what goes through it. It covers the browser only.

What permissions does FoxyProxy ask for?

Its manifest asks for contextMenus, downloads, notifications, proxy, storage, tabs, webRequest and webRequestAuthProvider. It also asks for access to all sites. Browsing data and privacy are optional. The README explains each permission, and says no remote code is used. That is the project's own statement.

Does the WebRTC option stop IP leaks?

We cannot say. FoxyProxy offers an optional way to limit or toggle WebRTC, and you must grant the optional privacy permission first. We did not read any claim about how many leaks it covers. Test your setup yourself before you rely on it.

What about privacy?

The README's permission section is the developer's own statement of what each permission does. It is not a privacy policy, so it does not tell you what happens to your data. We could not read the developer's privacy policy when we checked; read it before installing, and read the permission list in the README too.

FAQ

Is FoxyProxy a VPN? No. It is a proxy manager and works with proxies you supply.

Is it open source? Yes, under GPL-2.0.

Can I use a proxy for one tab only? Yes. The Tab Proxy feature does this.

Good to know

Start with one pattern rule for one site, then check that it works. Turn on the optional permissions only if you need them. Only use proxies you trust, because the proxy sees your traffic.

Other VPN & privacy tools to compare

FoxyProxy is one of 12 picks in our VPN & Privacy Tools guide:

ExpressVPN: A browser extension with two modes: a browser-only proxy, or a remote for the ExpressVPN desktop app. It needs a subscription.
NordVPN: A proxy extension that routes your browser traffic through NordVPN. It needs a NordVPN subscription.
Proton VPN: A browser VPN extension from Proton AG, the company behind Proton Mail. It has a free plan and covers browser traffic only.
Surfshark VPN: A lightweight Surfshark extension that protects browser traffic and adds ad, tracker and breach-alert tools. The 7-day trial needs payment details first.
Privacy Badger: A tracker blocker from the EFF that learns which third parties track you as you browse.
Ghostery: An open-source tracker and ad blocker that also removes cookie pop-ups and shows tracker info for each site.
DuckDuckGo Search & Tracker Protection: Tracker blocking and HTTPS upgrades from DuckDuckGo. It also makes DuckDuckGo your default search engine.
I Still Don't Care About Cookies: An open-source community fork that removes cookie banners on most sites. It hides or accepts them. It does not reject them.
ZeroOmega: Open-source proxy switcher for proxies you supply. Not a VPN: it provides no servers.
JShelter: Browser privacy hardening: limits what sites can read from your browser APIs and helps against fingerprinting. Not a VPN and does not hide your IP address. Open source.
NoScript: An open-source script blocker that stops JavaScript, embedded objects and media until you allow a site.

Compare: ZeroOmega vs FoxyProxy