Bright Data vs Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Bright Data and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Bright Data wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick. Pick Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) if you need data & databases.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Bright Data
Unlock any website for large-scale, reliable web data collection
Best for you if:
- • You want proxy network leader
- • You want many proxy types
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping
Best for you if:
- • You want large IP pool of 125M+ IPs across 195+ countries ensures broad geo-coverage
- • You want aI-native integrations (AI Parser, MCP server, n8n) reduce setup time for machine learning pipelines
| At a Glance | Bright Data | Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.9/moProxy Infrastructure | $0.02/moDatacenter proxies |
Best For | Developer Tools | Data & Databases |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose Bright Data or Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)?
Choose Bright Data if
Unlock any website for large-scale, reliable web data collection
- You want proxy network leader
- You want many proxy types
- Your work is developer tools-shaped, not data & databases-shaped
Choose Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) if
Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping
- You want large IP pool of 125M+ IPs across 195+ countries ensures broad geo-coverage
- You want aI-native integrations (AI Parser, MCP server, n8n) reduce setup time for machine learning pipelines
- Your work is data & databases-shaped, not developer tools-shaped
| Feature | Bright Data | Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 346 reviews | ★4.6/5 687 reviews |
| Categories | Developer ToolsData & Databases | Data & DatabasesDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Bright Data
Unlock any website for large-scale, reliable web data collection
Bright Data's pricing is generally on the expensive side, particularly for their 'Managed Data' starting at $1500/month and 'Data Solutions' from $250/month.
Watch out
Minimum spend for 'Data Solutions' and 'Managed Data'.
Strengths
- +Proxy network leader
- +Many proxy types
- +Web scraping tools
- +Good API
- +Enterprise scale
Weaknesses
- -Expensive
- -Complex pricing
- -Learning curve
- -Ethical concerns
- -Compliance requirements
Key features
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping
Decodo's pricing is competitive for usage-based proxy and scraping services, but can add up quickly for high-volume users.
Watch out
Overage fees apply beyond base plan limits
Strengths
- +Large IP pool of 125M+ IPs across 195+ countries ensures broad geo-coverage.
- +AI-native integrations (AI Parser, MCP server, n8n) reduce setup time for machine learning pipelines.
- +High uptime (99.99%) and fast response times for reliable data collection.
Weaknesses
- -Free tier is limited to specific products (AI Parser, MCP server) requiring paid plans for full proxy and API access.
- -Advanced features like city/ASN targeting may require technical knowledge to configure effectively.
Key features
Pricing: Bright Data vs Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
| Plan | Bright Data | Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | From $1/1k requests Pay-as-you-go APIs | from $2/GB Residential proxies |
| Tier 2 | From $0.9/IP Proxy Infrastructure | from $0.27/IP Static residential proxies |
| Tier 3 | From $250/month Data Solutions | from $2.25/GB Mobile proxies |
| Tier 4 | From $1500/month Managed Data | from $0.020/IP Datacenter proxies |
| Tier 5 | N/A | from $0.95/1K req Site Unblocker |
| Tier 6 | N/A | from $0.09/1K req Web Scraping API |
| Tier 7 | N/A | from $0.4/1K req Fast Search API |
| Tier 8 | N/A | from $0.08/GB Video Downloader |
| Tier 9 | N/A | free AI Parser |
| Tier 10 | N/A | free MCP server |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Bright Data pricing and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Bright Data
Want the highest-rated option?
Bright Data: 4.6/5 (346 reviews). Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): 4.6/5 (687 reviews).
Go with: Bright Data
Value user reviews?
Bright Data: 346 reviews (4.6/5). Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): 687 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Bright Data is a developer tools tool. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is in data & databases. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Both are rated 4.6/5.
Key Takeaways
Bright Data
- Our pick for this comparison
Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)
- Larger review base (687 reviews)
- Better fit for data & databases
The Bottom Line
Bright Data wins this matchup. Porkbun is our overall Developer Tools pick. Jotai is our free Developer Tools pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bright Data or Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) better?
Bright Data is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Bright Data and Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) used for?
Bright Data: Unlock any website for large-scale, reliable web data collection. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy): Scale web data collection with diverse proxies and AI-powered scraping.
What does Bright Data cost vs Decodo (formerly Smartproxy)?
Bright Data is a paid tool. Decodo (formerly Smartproxy) is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.