To visit YouTube, Twitter, Facebook and some other websites that are blocked in China, sometimes I use free online proxy tools, but most of the time, I like using free proxy softwares, since they are faster and free of ADs.
Among those free proxy softwares, below 10 are the most popular.
1. Freegate
The Freegate proxy software supports both English and Chinese languages, you can download and run it without any installation.
When Freegate runs, it will automatically open Dynaweb homepage in IE, which you can turn off in the settings. For any other browser, you can set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:8580.
2. UltraSurf
The free proxy software UltraSurf also supports English and Chinese, and you can also download and run it without any installation.
When UltraSurf runs, it will automatically open Ultrareach homepage in IE, and of course you can turn it off in the settings. For any other browser, you can set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:9666.
3. GTunnel
The GTunnel proxy software also supports Chinese and English languages.
The most powerful feature of GTunnel is that you can access the proxy network with your GTalk or Skype account.
When GTunnel runs, it will automatically open Garden Networks homepage in IE, if you like to use GTunnel on any other browser, just set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:8081.
4. Tor
The free proxy software Tor supports a lot of languages, such as English, Chinese, French, and so on.
For windows, you can download the Tor Browser Bundle, which can be used directly without any installation, or you can download the Vidalia Bundle and install it. When the Vidalia is connected, just set the browser SOCKS (v4) proxy to 127.0.0.1:9050, then you are done.
But most of the time, you also need to add some bridges.
5. GappProxy
GappProxy is an http proxy software based on Google App Engine, and its instructions are written in Chinese, here is the English instructions translated by Google.
You can download the GappProxy windows client and run it without installation, but most of the time, you need to create a new FetchServer with Google App Engine and Python.
To run GappProxy, you need to set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:8000, or you can check out this post for how to install and use GappProxy.
6. Hyk-proxy
The free proxy software Hyk-proxy is also built on Google App Engine and Java with Chinese instruction, here is the English instruction offered by Google Translate.
You need to create a Google App Engine application to use the hyk-proxy client, for more details, you can check out this post.
To run Hyk-proxy, you need to set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:48100.
7. Your Freedom
Create a free account on the Your Freedom website, download and install the suitable client for your computer system, change your browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:8080, then you can visit those blocked websites.
The configuration will take a few minutes, but automatically.
8. GPass
You can download the GPass proxy software and run it without installation.
The most powerful feature of GPass is that you can access the proxy network with Tor or Skype.
You need to set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:8000.
9. Tunnelier
You need a SSH account to use the free proxy software Tunnelier.
For SSH account, you can use your own hosting, or search for a free account.
You need to set the browser HTTP proxy to 127.0.0.1:7070.
Bonus:
Install the Firefox add-on AutoProxy , then you can switch the above nine free proxy softwares from one to another easily, no need to change the browser HTTP proxy address every time.
Or you can use below free proxy software, which is free of browser network settings.
10. Hotspot Shield
Besides English, French and Chinese, Hotspot Shield also supports Arabic, Persian, Russian and Vietnamese.
You download the Hotspot Shield software and install it, then you can use the free proxy services, but there will be ADs when you visit open any web page.
Bonus:
Since most of the websites of the above 10 free proxy softwares are also blocked by GFW or something like that, you can visit them with these free online proxy Websites or VPN services.
Update: Strictly speaking, Hotspot Shield is considered as a VPN and not proxy.
