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DriverFix review
12:19 pm | March 4, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

Ed: As of March 2024, Driverfix has stopped operations. In a FAQ published on its site, the company announced that "We've made a strategic decision to halt the processing of new transactions and discontinue all automatic renewals. For our existing customers who have already made payments, we want to reaffirm that we're committed to supporting our product and delivering technical services right up to the conclusion of your billing cycle."

DriverFix is a driver monitoring and driver update software package for Windows. It scans all your device drivers and searches the web for the most recent updates. Where applicable, it lets you update them right away, or download the missing ones. 

DriverFix, Inc is the eponymous company behind the DriverFix software program. We’ll review the program based on specific criteria, including plans and pricing, features, customer support, user interface, and so on.

Plans and pricing

DriverFix is available through a monthly or annual subscription. You either pay month-to-month or pay for a yearly subscription that’s significantly discounted compared to the monthly option. There’s also a free trial version available but of limited functionality.

DriverFix review

DriverFix has three paid plans and a 60-day money-back guarantee  (Image credit: DriverFix)

DriverFix has three distinct plans and you can purchase the Personal Pack for $19.95 annually or $4.75 per month, the Family Pack for $29.95 annually or $7.13 per month or the Extended Pack for $39.95 annually or $9.51 per month.

Given the significant discounts applied to the yearly payment, it’s wise to pick it over the monthly option.

There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee. However, to get a refund, you must show that you’ve removed the software from your computer and returned the PC to its previous state, which could be very difficult to do. 

DriverFix review

DriverFix found 13 updates to the drivers on our Windows 10 test machine (Image credit: DriverFix)

Features

Automatic scans and updates

DriverFix lets you scan your entire PC for missing or outdated drivers at any time. Afterward, you can update the outdated ones or download the missing ones afresh.

DriverFix scans your drivers against a vast database of over 18 million driver files. Hence, you’re always likely to find the correct drivers on that database.

Driver Backup and Restore

DriverFix lets you back up and save your PC drivers into a compressed zip file. This feature is necessary because a driver update can sometimes cause malfunctions. Hence, if you have the previous backup of whichever driver is malfunctioning, you can just restore it and move on.

Schedule Manager

With DriverFix, you can set schedules to scan your PC drivers and ensure they’re always in check. For example, you could set DriverFix to run automatic scans whenever your PC boots afresh. This way, you’ll make sure that your drivers are up-to-date and complete at all times.

DriverFix review

DriverFix lists the drivers that need to be updated and the dates new drivers were made available (Image credit: DriverFix)

One-click Update

Suppose you run a DriverFix scan and see that over a dozen drivers need updating on your PC. You don’t have to take your valuable time to update them individually. DriverFix lets you update all outdated drivers by clicking a single button. 

Interface and in use

To get DriverFix, you first need to download the installation file from the official website. You can download the file for the free or paid version, depending on your choice. For the paid version, you first need to make the required payment. DriverFix accepts several payment methods, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, WebMoney, and wire transfer.

If you use uBlock Origin or any other content filtering service, you may see that it blocks the DriverFix download for supposedly being malware. This block is likely a false positive. 

Interface

DriverFix has a minimal user interface with all of its various tools available from a menu on the left hand side (Image credit: DriverFix)

After downloading, you’ll see that DriverFix has a user-friendly interface. Once the program starts up, it scans your PC for outdated and missing drivers and gives you immediate results. Missing our outdated drivers are shown in a list. Afterward, you can update the drivers individually if you’re on the free version or update all of them with one click on the paid tier.

One drawback about using DriverFix’s free version is the popups you get in the middle of your screen urging you to update your drivers. These pop ups are usually annoying and feel intrusive. However, getting the paid version removes them. 

DriverFix review

DriverFix’s main avenue of support is via 24/7 live chat (Image credit: DriverFix)

Support

DriverFix offers technical and customer support through email and live chat. There’s meant to be a FAQ page but clicking the link takes you to a contact form for some reason. Also, the company claims to have telephone support but has no contact number listed on its website. 

The competition

DriverFix is one of many driver update tools available on the market. Some notable competitors include AVG Driver Updater and Auslogics Driver Updater. DriverFix has similar functionalities to Auslogics but is considerably more expensive. However, it’s significantly cheaper than AVG.

Final verdict

When it comes to keeping your drivers in check, DriverFix is the perfect tool. It may lack extra features of rival driver updaters, but it performs its primary task excellently. It’s also a good bang for the buck because an annual license supports use on multiple PCs. 

We've also highlighted the best driver updater software

DriverFix review
12:19 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

Ed: As of March 2024, Driverfix has stopped operations. In a FAQ published on its site, the company announced that "We've made a strategic decision to halt the processing of new transactions and discontinue all automatic renewals. For our existing customers who have already made payments, we want to reaffirm that we're committed to supporting our product and delivering technical services right up to the conclusion of your billing cycle."

DriverFix is a driver monitoring and driver update software package for Windows. It scans all your device drivers and searches the web for the most recent updates. Where applicable, it lets you update them right away, or download the missing ones. 

DriverFix, Inc is the eponymous company behind the DriverFix software program. We’ll review the program based on specific criteria, including plans and pricing, features, customer support, user interface, and so on.

Plans and pricing

DriverFix is available through a monthly or annual subscription. You either pay month-to-month or pay for a yearly subscription that’s significantly discounted compared to the monthly option. There’s also a free trial version available but of limited functionality.

DriverFix review

DriverFix has three paid plans and a 60-day money-back guarantee  (Image credit: DriverFix)

DriverFix has three distinct plans and you can purchase the Personal Pack for $19.95 annually or $4.75 per month, the Family Pack for $29.95 annually or $7.13 per month or the Extended Pack for $39.95 annually or $9.51 per month.

Given the significant discounts applied to the yearly payment, it’s wise to pick it over the monthly option.

There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee. However, to get a refund, you must show that you’ve removed the software from your computer and returned the PC to its previous state, which could be very difficult to do. 

DriverFix review

DriverFix found 13 updates to the drivers on our Windows 10 test machine (Image credit: DriverFix)

Features

Automatic scans and updates

DriverFix lets you scan your entire PC for missing or outdated drivers at any time. Afterward, you can update the outdated ones or download the missing ones afresh.

DriverFix scans your drivers against a vast database of over 18 million driver files. Hence, you’re always likely to find the correct drivers on that database.

Driver Backup and Restore

DriverFix lets you back up and save your PC drivers into a compressed zip file. This feature is necessary because a driver update can sometimes cause malfunctions. Hence, if you have the previous backup of whichever driver is malfunctioning, you can just restore it and move on.

Schedule Manager

With DriverFix, you can set schedules to scan your PC drivers and ensure they’re always in check. For example, you could set DriverFix to run automatic scans whenever your PC boots afresh. This way, you’ll make sure that your drivers are up-to-date and complete at all times.

DriverFix review

DriverFix lists the drivers that need to be updated and the dates new drivers were made available (Image credit: DriverFix)

One-click Update

Suppose you run a DriverFix scan and see that over a dozen drivers need updating on your PC. You don’t have to take your valuable time to update them individually. DriverFix lets you update all outdated drivers by clicking a single button. 

Interface and in use

To get DriverFix, you first need to download the installation file from the official website. You can download the file for the free or paid version, depending on your choice. For the paid version, you first need to make the required payment. DriverFix accepts several payment methods, including credit and debit cards, PayPal, WebMoney, and wire transfer.

If you use uBlock Origin or any other content filtering service, you may see that it blocks the DriverFix download for supposedly being malware. This block is likely a false positive. 

Interface

DriverFix has a minimal user interface with all of its various tools available from a menu on the left hand side (Image credit: DriverFix)

After downloading, you’ll see that DriverFix has a user-friendly interface. Once the program starts up, it scans your PC for outdated and missing drivers and gives you immediate results. Missing our outdated drivers are shown in a list. Afterward, you can update the drivers individually if you’re on the free version or update all of them with one click on the paid tier.

One drawback about using DriverFix’s free version is the popups you get in the middle of your screen urging you to update your drivers. These pop ups are usually annoying and feel intrusive. However, getting the paid version removes them. 

DriverFix review

DriverFix’s main avenue of support is via 24/7 live chat (Image credit: DriverFix)

Support

DriverFix offers technical and customer support through email and live chat. There’s meant to be a FAQ page but clicking the link takes you to a contact form for some reason. Also, the company claims to have telephone support but has no contact number listed on its website. 

The competition

DriverFix is one of many driver update tools available on the market. Some notable competitors include AVG Driver Updater and Auslogics Driver Updater. DriverFix has similar functionalities to Auslogics but is considerably more expensive. However, it’s significantly cheaper than AVG.

Final verdict

When it comes to keeping your drivers in check, DriverFix is the perfect tool. It may lack extra features of rival driver updaters, but it performs its primary task excellently. It’s also a good bang for the buck because an annual license supports use on multiple PCs. 

We've also highlighted the best driver updater software

IObit Driver Booster 12 review
1:30 am | March 3, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Tags: | Comments: Off

IObit Driver Booster is a PC optimization tool made by IObit, an American software company. Apart from Driver Booster, IObit has many other products, including a software uninstaller, VPN, screen recorder, antivirus, and more.

IObit released the first Driver Booster a long time ago and has released many more updated versions. This review is for IObit Driver Booster 12, released in 2024. We’ll judge it based on specific criteria, including features, pricing, compatibility, ease of use, and more.

IObit Driver Booster: Plans and pricing

Anyone can download a free version of the IObit Driver Booster, but it has limited functionalities. For instance, you'll only have access to a more limited driver database (9,500,000 compared to 15,000,000) and slower driver download speeds. You’ll need to pay for the premium version to make the most of Driver Booster.

Pricing

IObit only charges you a bit more to cover two additional PCs (Image credit: IObit)

The premium version of IObit Driver Booster is available through an annual subscription, with two different plans according to the number of supported PCs. You can get a yearly subscription covering 1 PC for $19.95 and 3 PCs for $24.95. Note that these are discounted rates for first-time users. In the ensuing years, you may end up paying the regular price, which is $39.95/year for 1 PC and $74.85/year for 3 PCs. 

The premium version also has a 14-day trial period you can utilize. IObit also offers a 60-day money-back guarantee for every purchase. This gives you some flexibility if you are thinking of subscribing. You can be safe in the knowledge that you aren't committing yourself financially until you're certain IObit Driver Booster 12 is the right driver updater for you. 

Features

IObit Driver Booster 12 includes plenty of features and tools to help optimize your PC (Image credit: IObit)

Features

IObit Driver Booster 12 includes a number of useful features designed to help your PC run at optimal performance including:

Driver Updates

IObit Driver Booster 12 scans your system and provides you with a list of all of your outdated drivers (Image credit: IObit)

Driver Updates

This is the first and foremost feature of IObit Driver Booster 12. It scans all your computer’s drivers and reports back on which ones are outdated or missing. Afterwards, you can download the newest versions for the outdated ones or new ones for the missing ones. This software checks your drivers against a vast database of over 15 million drivers. 

You can constantly update your computer’s drivers and boost its performance with this feature. In fact, the smart update functionality can automatically pick out and install the right drivers for you.

Backup and Restore

IObit Driver Booster lets you backup your drivers and restore them where needed. This feature is essential because some driver updates can cause malfunctions. In such a case, you’ll just need to revert to the backup version and have your PC perform as usual.

With IObit Driver Booster, rolling back to a previous driver is straightforward. You can create restore points before installing new drivers and reinstall the backup version with a single click.

Junk files are another potential issue that can prevent your device from operating optimally - and another that Driver Booster can help with. Junk files may be software leftovers, temporary folders, random executables, thumbnail caches, etc. What’s common among them is that they slow down your computer.

IObit Driver Booster 12 lets you find and quickly remove junk files from your computer. This feature enables you to collect and display detailed information about your computer. 

Common Problems

Driver errors can often be responsible for common PC problems (Image credit: IObit)

Fix Common Problems

Driver Booster has tools to fix common problems you encounter when using your computer. Such issues include network failure, wrong resolution, no sound, device error, and so on. 

Automatic Scans

You can set schedules for Driver Booster to automatically scan your computer’s drivers. For example, it could be daily, weekly, or whenever your computer boots up so you don't have to worry about forgetting to keep your driver updated. 

Game Booster

IObit Driver Booster 12 can also stop unnecessary apps and services from running to improve your gaming performance (Image credit: IObit)

Game Boost

This feature stops all unnecessary apps from running during gaming to have the best gaming experience. Driver Booster can also prioritize the updating of game-ready drivers and components to provide you with the best possible gaming experience. Making sure your devices are compatible with the newest games means frequently updating game-related drivers, including graphics cards and sound cards. 

Interface and in use

IObit Driver Booster 12 is relatively easy to download and use. We downloaded the setup file directly from the official website with no issues. Afterwards, launching the setup file and installing it on our computer took less than five minutes, allowingus to begin using the tool right away.

UI

IObit Driver Booster 12's user interface is free of clutter and easy to navigate (Image credit: IObit)

IObit Driver Booster 12 has a dashboard from which you can observe and control all its features. After opening the app, the first feature you’ll notice is the “scan” button that lets you run a check on all your PC’s drivers. By clicking this button, you can start or stop the scan anytime you like, as well as re-scan if necessary. On the scan results page, you'll be presented with a list of outdated drivers and game components, with results broken down into four categories: outdated drivers, missing drivers, faulty drivers, and non-installed game drivers. 

You'll notice a sidebar on the right side of the main window that will allow you to check your PC information. There are also two other tabs labeled “Boost” and “Tools”, where you can find all the other features.

Support

IObit offers customer support through email and telephone. You can contact them directly to resolve your challenges when using the app. Note that IObit prioritizes paying customers over non-paying customer support inquiries, although it's nice that support is offered at all to users of the free version.

Support

IObit's FAQ page could give you some insights into common issues and concerns (Image credit: IObit)

There’s also a user manual and FAQ page published online to help users familiarize themselves with Driver Booster. Questions are broken down into General FAQs and Product FAQs, so whether you need renewal information or system care, this will hopefully resolve your issue.

The competition

IObit has many competitors, such as Ashampoo Driver Updater and Auslogics Driver Updater. Let’s make a quick comparison.

IObit Driver Booster may be slightly more expensive than some other driver updaters but the functionality and support make it worth the price. Plus, the fact that even the free plan comes with some level of, albeit reduced, support is not something that all of its rivals can say.

Final verdict

There are many driver management tools out there but IObit Driver Booster is certainly one of the best. It has the necessary features to ensure you continually update your drivers. If we could change one thing, we'd make the upselling of other IObit products a little less intrusive, but it's only a minor gripe.

We've also highlighted the best driver update software and the best programs to speed up your PC

Driver Genius 22 Platinum review
9:30 pm | February 28, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Driver Genius 22 Platinum is one of several driver updaters on the market promising to optimize your device, enhance your security and maintain high levels of compatibility even as new solutions are released. If you’re assigned the task of keeping several computers up to date, you should know how challenging it is to ensure they’re running the latest drivers at all times. With Driver Genius 22 Platinum, this becomes possible because it can automatically scan your computer and tell you which drivers you should update. 

BVRP, a French software company, is the manufacturer of the software. It uses the Avanquest name for many of its products, including PDF editors, graphic design software, and system utilities and repair tools.

The following review will focus on the Driver Genius 22 Platinum driver updater, looking at various criteria, including pricing, customer support, compatibility, features, and user-friendliness. Taking all these factors into account, we found this to be a great piece of kit requiring minimal manual intervention. 

Pricing

You have your choice between the Professional Edition and the Platinum Edition of Driver Genius 22 (Image credit: Avanquest Software)

Driver Genius 22 Platinum: Plans and pricing

Avanquest Driver Genius 22 is available in three versions. The first version is a time-limited free trial that excludes some full software features. The second version is Driver Genius 22 Professional Edition, which costs $30 per year. It’s the full version of the software but without certain features such as System Booster and SSD Speeder. These features are reserved for Driver Genius 22 Platinum Edition, which will set you back $60 per year. The Platinum version is our review’s focus.

There’s a 60-day money-back guarantee for your purchase, which represents a generous timeframe for you to work with the software and decide if it's something you want to commit to. Alternatively, if you are still an adherent of physical media you can pay an extra $9.95 to have Driver Genius 22 Platinum delivered as a disc to your address. 

Automated Driver Detection

Driver Genius 22 automatically detects and updates your device drivers (Image credit: Avanquest Software)

Features

Driver Genius 22 Platinum comes with all the features you'd expect from a driver updater. Avanquest has been in this game for a long time - hence the 22 in the Driver Genius name - so has accumulated a wealth of understanding regarding the kinds of features that users are after from a driver updater. 

Key features that you can expect from Driver Genius 22 Platinum include:

Automatic Driver Detection

Driver Genius 22 Platinum lets you set schedules to analyze your drivers automatically and report which ones are outdated or defective. Afterwards, you can update or download new ones right away.

Driver Genius Platinum scans your drivers against a database of over 2 million drivers so there's a good chance it will include the one you need.

Backup and Restore

With this software, you can back up your drivers and restore them when needed. You can choose to back up all the drivers you currently use, the original Windows drivers, or select them individually, among other options. 

This feature is essential because some driver updates could cause system malfunctions. If you fall into this category, you can just restore the backup version of whichever driver is causing the issue to fix it. You see similar functionality with many other business tools, for instance, the best cloud storage solutions, which allow file versioning.

Driver Cleanup

This feature allows you to eliminate invalid driver packages from your computer. Doing this frees up space that your system will utilize for other tasks and perform better.

In fact, cleaning optimization is a core component of Driver Genius' offering. As well as being able to uninstall outdated or unwanted drivers, you can use the software to diagnose and resolve network connection or sound issues, identify peripheral devices that may not be working correctly, and unlock hidden options in the display driver control panel.

System Booster

This feature lets you optimize your entire system in one click. It includes;

  • Memory configuration
  • Advanced management of Windows services
  • Optimization tools for system files

SSD Speeder

You can optimize your system to enhance the performance and reliability of your solid-state drives. SSD Speeder and System Booster are exclusive features for the Platinum edition.

Compatibility

It’s compatible with Windows XP, Windows Vista 32-bit, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11. As long as you're a Windows user, you're unlikely to have any compatibility issues with Driver Genius. 

Interface

Driver Genius 22 has a clean interface with all of its tools and menu items available via the toolbar on the left (Image credit: Avanquest Software)

Interface and in use

Driver Genius 22 Platinum has a professional, friendly user interface. We tested it on a Windows 10 laptop and got good results. It found ten drivers needing updates, which we promptly actioned. It took just one click to update all the required drivers.

The main menu includes all the app’s primary features. You can see clear options for

  • Driver Update
  • Driver Backup
  • Driver Restore
  • Driver Cleanup
  • Toolkit

Toolkit

You can find other useful utilities in Driver Genius 22's Toolkit (Image credit: Avanquest)

The Toolkit section includes additional features such as hardware information, system transfer assistance, and fixing sound problems.

Driver Genius 22 is well-organized and free from clutter. It scores very high on user-friendliness. There's also now a dark mode included as an option when you're customizing the user interface. It's far from necessary but represents a nice option for users. 

Support

Only users of Avanquest's paid products have access to customer support (Image credit: Avanquest Software)

Support

24/7 technical support is available if you’re a paid user but the free version lacks any technical support, which is disappointing. If you are a paid subscriber, you can contact the company directly through email or telephone and, according to the official website at least, support responds to email queries within 24 hours during working days.

Avanquest also has a user guide and Frequently Answered Questions (FAQ) page, where common issues, like how to activate the software, are covered.  

The competition

IObit Driver Booster 9 Pro is significantly cheaper than Driver Genius 22 Platinum. It costs $40 per year and scans from a database of over 8 million drivers. Avast Driver Updater is also cheaper. It costs $40 per year and has a database of over 8 million drivers.

However, although Driver Genius may not be the cheapest or have the largest database of drivers, it does boast a commitment to reinvention. Already, users can download Driver Genius 23 Platinum, so they can be sure that Avanquest won't stand still as new drivers emerge. The fact that all your drivers are bundled into a single executable file can also greatly boost productivity when you are looking to clean up your drivers. 

Final verdict

Driver Genius 22 Platinum’s features such as Driver Update, Driver Cleanup, Driver Backup, and Driver Restore were sufficient to keep the drivers of the laptop we tested it on in good shape. Admittedly, it did have some drawbacks, such as not finding as many drivers compared to a competitor like Avast. 

We hope that Avanquest expands its drivers' database to catch up with the competition. Given that the company never seems far away from launching another version of Driver Genius, we're sure this is on their agenda. 

We've also highlighted the best driver update software

Auslogics Driver Updater review
11:30 pm | February 26, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Auslogics Driver Updater is a device management tool and driver updater for Windows operating systems. Outdated drivers are one of the most common reasons for slow system performance, which can be extremely damaging to productivity. This tool helps you keep those drivers in check. 

Auslogics is an Australian software company. The Driver Updater is just one of many device management tools the company has developed. The company also offers antivirus, malware removal, data recovery, and registry cleaner solutions.

This review will look specifically at Auslogics Driver Updater tool based on various criteria, such as pricing, features, compatibility, customer support, and user interface. Although there are some drawbacks, including download speeds that are on the slower side, they are more than made up for with handy functionality like scan scheduling. This is a driver updater that is certainly worthy of your consideration. 

Pricing

The pricing of Auslogics Driver Updater seems to fluctuate as the company regularly offers deals on its driver update software (Image credit: Auslogics)

Auslogics Driver Updater: Plans and pricing

Auslogics Driver Updater is a one-time purchase and the software is available on the company's website for $33.96 at the time of writing. Once you pay, you can download the complete software package. It’s compatible with Windows  7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.

There’s also a free tier available but it is admittedly of slightly limited functionality. Fir example, you can't update multiple drivers at once of schedule scanning with the free version. However, it does mean you can get to grips with the updater more quickly because you can download this one right away without any payment details. It’s suitable for testing the software before making your final purchase decision.

Features

Having all of the drivers on your system up to date ensures optimal performance (Image credit: Auslogics)

Features

Auslogics Driver Updater includes a number of useful features to ensure your drivers are up to date and your PC is running at peak performance including:

Automatic Scan

As we said, this is only available with the paid version of Auslogics Driver Updater but it may be worth paying for as it means you can automatically scan all your device drivers and highlight which ones need to be updated or not at a time that's convenient. The scan is quick and easy. For example, you can set it to scan all your drivers automatically whenever your system boots up, so your drivers are always up to date.

Automatic Update

After scanning your drivers and seeing which ones need updating, Auslogics Driver Updater lets you update all of them in one stretch through the click of a button, as long as you're a subscriber to the paid version. You need not stress updating them individually, especially when many drivers are involved.  

Backup

In addition to updating you can also backup and restore your system's drivers (Image credit: Auslogics)

Driver Backup and Restore

A driver update can cause failures or malfunctions in some cases, but it doesn’t spell the end of your computer system. You can backup your drivers to another device, such as an external hard drive or USB drive, and restore them where needed. 

Scheduler

You can set schedules where the Auslogics Driver Updater will automatically scan your computer for driver updates. For example, you can set it to scan and automatically update drivers where applicable weekly to maintain a superb PC performance. Regular scans of this manner are a primary tool for having a healthy computer. 

Compatibility

The Auslogics Driver Updater is compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11. This represents a good range of operating systems for Windows users. Those of you that prefer MacOS, can use the built in driver updater from Apple. 

Interface

Auslogics Driver Updater has a simple and clean user interface where all of its features can be accessed from the menu on the left hand side (Image credit: Auslogics)

Interface and in use

Auslogics Driver Updater has a simple and user-friendly interface. Downloading the software is as easy as heading to the company’s website and making just a few clicks. You can download the free version with just a click, whereas you need some registration details for the paid version. This is hardly surprising as you'll see something similar when you are choosing between, say, the best CRM and a free CRM. It's hard to say which is the best approach, per se, without knowing your budget, but you will have to come to terms with some restrictions if you choose the free option.  

After downloading the installation file for either the free or paid version, run it, and it takes just a few minutes to install it on your computer completely. Then, it's time to use it. The interface is intuitive, with visible buttons for different functions. On the main dashboard, you have clear buttons to “Back Up,” “Restore,” “Schedule,” and “Diagnose.” If ease of use were the only criteria of our review, we’d give Auslogics a clean 5/5.

Support

Auslogics provides customer support through email and telephone. You can call the company’s customer support line for instant assistance or email them and wait for a response. Ideally, you should choose either of these options based on the urgency of your issue. Note that telephone support isn’t always readily available due to high levels of demand. It's worth noting that you only have access to extended priority support by subscribing to the paid version of Auslogics Driver Updater. 

There's also an Auslogics Support Center with common questions for all of the company's products. For Auslogics Driver Updater, these questions revolve around issues like compatibility, safety, and how to update specific drivers like a graphics driver, network, audio, or any other.

Support

There is also an FAQ page though it could certainly be longer (Image credit: Auslogics)

Auslogics also has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page you can consult to resolve commonly encountered problems.

The competition

Auslogics Driver Updater has many competitors, such as Ashampoo Driver Updater, IObit Driver Booster Pro, or DriverDoc. Compared to them, Auslogics is one of the cheapest options despite having similar functionality. For example, Ashampoo costs $19 to download, and DriverDoc costs $40, compared to $33.96 for the Auslogics Driver Updater.

Download speeds for some drivers are not the fastest when using Auslogics, so if you are going to be updating drivers on a regular basis at scale, this could hamper your employees' efficiency levels. Similarly, if you are a free user, you can only update one driver at a time, which will also restrict the speed of your updates - or the general performance of your devices.  

Final verdict

Auslogics Driver Updater represents good bang for your buck. It has a clean interface, good support, and decent functionality. Download speeds could be better but, overall, the Auslogics Driver Updater lives up to its promise of being a handy tool for keeping your device drivers in check. It helps maximize your computer’s performance. 

We've also highlighted the best driver update software

Auslogics Driver Updater review
11:30 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Auslogics Driver Updater is a device management tool and driver updater for Windows operating systems. Outdated drivers are one of the most common reasons for slow system performance, which can be extremely damaging to productivity. This tool helps you keep those drivers in check. 

Auslogics is an Australian software company. The Driver Updater is just one of many device management tools the company has developed. The company also offers antivirus, malware removal, data recovery, and registry cleaner solutions.

This review will look specifically at Auslogics Driver Updater tool based on various criteria, such as pricing, features, compatibility, customer support, and user interface. Although there are some drawbacks, including download speeds that are on the slower side, they are more than made up for with handy functionality like scan scheduling. This is a driver updater that is certainly worthy of your consideration. 

Pricing

The pricing of Auslogics Driver Updater seems to fluctuate as the company regularly offers deals on its driver update software (Image credit: Auslogics)

Auslogics Driver Updater: Plans and pricing

Auslogics Driver Updater is a one-time purchase and the software is available on the company's website for $33.96 at the time of writing. Once you pay, you can download the complete software package. It’s compatible with Windows  7, 8, 8.1, 10, and 11.

There’s also a free tier available but it is admittedly of slightly limited functionality. Fir example, you can't update multiple drivers at once of schedule scanning with the free version. However, it does mean you can get to grips with the updater more quickly because you can download this one right away without any payment details. It’s suitable for testing the software before making your final purchase decision.

Features

Having all of the drivers on your system up to date ensures optimal performance (Image credit: Auslogics)

Features

Auslogics Driver Updater includes a number of useful features to ensure your drivers are up to date and your PC is running at peak performance including:

Automatic Scan

As we said, this is only available with the paid version of Auslogics Driver Updater but it may be worth paying for as it means you can automatically scan all your device drivers and highlight which ones need to be updated or not at a time that's convenient. The scan is quick and easy. For example, you can set it to scan all your drivers automatically whenever your system boots up, so your drivers are always up to date.

Automatic Update

After scanning your drivers and seeing which ones need updating, Auslogics Driver Updater lets you update all of them in one stretch through the click of a button, as long as you're a subscriber to the paid version. You need not stress updating them individually, especially when many drivers are involved.  

Backup

In addition to updating you can also backup and restore your system's drivers (Image credit: Auslogics)

Driver Backup and Restore

A driver update can cause failures or malfunctions in some cases, but it doesn’t spell the end of your computer system. You can backup your drivers to another device, such as an external hard drive or USB drive, and restore them where needed. 

Scheduler

You can set schedules where the Auslogics Driver Updater will automatically scan your computer for driver updates. For example, you can set it to scan and automatically update drivers where applicable weekly to maintain a superb PC performance. Regular scans of this manner are a primary tool for having a healthy computer. 

Compatibility

The Auslogics Driver Updater is compatible with Windows 7, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows 11. This represents a good range of operating systems for Windows users. Those of you that prefer MacOS, can use the built in driver updater from Apple. 

Interface

Auslogics Driver Updater has a simple and clean user interface where all of its features can be accessed from the menu on the left hand side (Image credit: Auslogics)

Interface and in use

Auslogics Driver Updater has a simple and user-friendly interface. Downloading the software is as easy as heading to the company’s website and making just a few clicks. You can download the free version with just a click, whereas you need some registration details for the paid version. This is hardly surprising as you'll see something similar when you are choosing between, say, the best CRM and a free CRM. It's hard to say which is the best approach, per se, without knowing your budget, but you will have to come to terms with some restrictions if you choose the free option.  

After downloading the installation file for either the free or paid version, run it, and it takes just a few minutes to install it on your computer completely. Then, it's time to use it. The interface is intuitive, with visible buttons for different functions. On the main dashboard, you have clear buttons to “Back Up,” “Restore,” “Schedule,” and “Diagnose.” If ease of use were the only criteria of our review, we’d give Auslogics a clean 5/5.

Support

Auslogics provides customer support through email and telephone. You can call the company’s customer support line for instant assistance or email them and wait for a response. Ideally, you should choose either of these options based on the urgency of your issue. Note that telephone support isn’t always readily available due to high levels of demand. It's worth noting that you only have access to extended priority support by subscribing to the paid version of Auslogics Driver Updater. 

There's also an Auslogics Support Center with common questions for all of the company's products. For Auslogics Driver Updater, these questions revolve around issues like compatibility, safety, and how to update specific drivers like a graphics driver, network, audio, or any other.

Support

There is also an FAQ page though it could certainly be longer (Image credit: Auslogics)

Auslogics also has a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page you can consult to resolve commonly encountered problems.

The competition

Auslogics Driver Updater has many competitors, such as Ashampoo Driver Updater, IObit Driver Booster Pro, or DriverDoc. Compared to them, Auslogics is one of the cheapest options despite having similar functionality. For example, Ashampoo costs $19 to download, and DriverDoc costs $40, compared to $33.96 for the Auslogics Driver Updater.

Download speeds for some drivers are not the fastest when using Auslogics, so if you are going to be updating drivers on a regular basis at scale, this could hamper your employees' efficiency levels. Similarly, if you are a free user, you can only update one driver at a time, which will also restrict the speed of your updates - or the general performance of your devices.  

Final verdict

Auslogics Driver Updater represents good bang for your buck. It has a clean interface, good support, and decent functionality. Download speeds could be better but, overall, the Auslogics Driver Updater lives up to its promise of being a handy tool for keeping your device drivers in check. It helps maximize your computer’s performance. 

We've also highlighted the best driver update software

Auvik review
9:30 pm |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

Why you can trust TechRadar  We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test. 

Auvik is a cloud-based network monitoring solution that aims to simplify network monitoring and management. The final goal of the entire platform is to increase your efficiency as you support your network. By creating a physical and logical map of your network (routers, switches, firewalls, etc.) you will get automatic network monitoring for all mapped devices. 

While there are metrics that you can track out of the box, it would be helpful to have a greater level of customization when it comes to this aspect, but by no means are the out-of-the-box KPIs bad. Its monitoring capabilities also extend out to devices like PCs, phones, and printers. Auvik has the capability to provide services to multiple separate networks, enabling administrators handling various independent clients to merge all of their networks into one account, thereby simplifying management. 

Pricing

Auvik's pricing may be opaque but at least there's a free trial (Image credit: Auvik)

Plans and pricing

When we head to the pricing tab to navigate the company website, it isn't very reassuring to see that we need to exchange our company credentials- including a business email- in order to get the pricing info.  

If you want to get the exact pricing, which is custom-made, you will have to go through their sales channel. There is a calculator on their website (which sometimes freezes), in which you can calculate an approximate amount of money you will have to pay for the services. Remember that the services are charged per device, and a minimum device number is 5, regardless if you have less than that. We’ve managed to get a rough calculation of $25 per device license, making the service quite pricey. 

We would appreciate a few tiers of plans, that would help less advanced users know exactly what they’re getting and how much it will cost. Playing gymnastics with the calculator or going through the sales team, is not something we find amusing. 

Features

Detect issues, know what's on your network and manage it over the cloud with Auvik (Image credit: Auvik)

Features

Auvik is designed to monitor your network for events, and provide alerts that can be used preconfigured (with 50 available), or even customized for your needs. The included alerts are based on the best practices from the industry, and range from informational to emergencies. With the custom options available, administrators can also select the frequency to receive the alert.

With Auvik in action, much better control of the network can be performed. Administrators gain access to real time network metrics with data on topology, config history, and device performance, that not only gives a snapshot on current performance, but also can be compared as this data gets stored for years back for comparison purposes. Insights then get revealed, such as if the poor performance is due to the IDP or the internal network, or if the SSL VPN has reached the license limit by tracking the number of simultaneous VPN licenses in use.

Support

Auvik offers a range of resources and tools to assist users in maximizing the platform's support capabilities. These resources include online manuals, a knowledge base, and a user community forum. Additionally, Auvik provides round-the-clock email support and phone assistance during business hours. It sets itself apart by prioritizing partner support and offering a range of services and tools to aid partners in achieving success. These include a partner site, co-branded marketing materials, and dedicated partner assistance.

Support

Auvik also provides an extensive knowledgebase with plenty of useful articles (Image credit: Auvik)

You have the option of sending a message if you didn’t find an answer to your question in the extensive knowledge database, or if you simply want to get in touch and discuss some specifics. On the support part of the page there is also a prominent support number, so you can always pick up the phone and dial their support for any issues you may have. When it comes to configuration issues, we would recommend consulting the knowledge database or simply the extensive forum, prior to calling support, as you may be directed to the manuals first.

Final verdict

Auvik is a comprehensive network management platform that is packed with various features that aim to help IT professionals manage their networks more easily and faster. The network mapping and management capabilities offer enhanced visibility, and it is fairly easy to set up. 

While some parts are more difficult to configure, overall, we would argue that the platform is designed for ease of use. However, its scalability and performance are really good, allowing you to effectively monitor large networks

The pricing aspect could have been done better, but perhaps that comes down to personal preference in the end. Support is fairly decent, with a lot of documentation available on the forums and knowledge base. Therefore, if you’re looking for a powerful network management platform, Auvik could be the solution for you, just keep in mind you will have to pay for the powerful feature set.  

We've also featured the best wireless routers, best Wireless Access Points and the best VPN

AVG Driver Updater review
7:51 am | February 17, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

AVG Driver Updater is a device management tool made by AVG Technologies, a company based in the Czech Republic. The company is most famous for its antivirus software, but it has other product lines, such as its driver updater

AVG Technologies is a leading software company that has existed for three decades. It’s a subsidiary of Avast Software, an organization known for a family of solutions across the Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems - again, largely focusing on security matters. 

This review will take a look at AVG’s Driver Updater specifically taking into account a variety of factors, including the program’s features, user interface, customer support, compatibility, and pricing.

Pricing

(Image credit: AVG)

AVG Driver Updater: Plans and pricing

The AVG Driver Updater costs $40 per year, which works out to be quite expensive compared to similar products on the market. There’s a free trial version, but it has just a few features compared to the paid version and lasts only a month. Thus, the paid version is the practical option to make the most of the driver updater. 

If you do sign up for the paid plan, it’s important to be aware that after your first year is complete, your subscription will automatically renew at the full price annually. Your bank account will automatically be charged for a one-year period, so make sure you are happy to continue subscribing before AVG automatically renews. You will receive an email reminder of your subscription ending up to 65 days in advance but if you don’t want to be charged, make sure you cancel your subscription at least 35 days before your current plan ends. There is also a free trial period of 15 days,  however, which you can sign up for without entering any credit card details.

Features

(Image credit: AVG)

Features

AVG Driver Updater contains a number of features to keep your system using the latest drivers and running smoothly:

Scans

(Image credit: AVG)

Real-time Scans

You can scan and update your drivers in real time as you perform other functions on your computer. Many driver updaters lack this feature, which means you can carry on with your work, which AVG Driver Updater operates in the background. 

Scan Scheduling

You can set schedules and intervals for the AVG Driver Updater to run automatic scans of your PC’s drivers and produce reports. This feature ensures convenience and keeps you always in the loop regarding your driver updates.

Large Driver Database

AVG’s Driver Updater checks your drivers against a database of over 50 million drivers. Such an extensive database contains virtually any driver you may need, making it your one-stop shop for driver downloads and updates. Computer drivers come in various types, including printer, scanner, audio card, video card and graphics card drivers. Whatever driver you are looking to update, AVG will probably be able to find it. 

AVG Driver Updater is also especially good if you’re a big consumer of video or gaming content. The updater can optimize your gaming and streaming experience by giving you access to the latest audio and graphics driver downloads.

Driver Backup and Restore

You can backup your drivers with AVG’s Driver Updater and restore them when required. This feature is critical because some driver updates can cause performance issues on your PC. You don’t need to panic in such a case when the software lets you backup and restore older versions of your drivers to avert the issue. 

Brands

(Image credit: AVG)

Installs Official Drivers

AVG’s Driver Updater can download and install authentic drivers from over 1,300 leading technology brands. 

Neat User Interface

This tool has a very well-organized user interface that makes it easy to use and navigate through. It’s uncluttered, and all the functionalities are visible to the user. This neat interface ensures that anyone can use the driver updater regardless of their technical knowledge or experience.

Compatibility

AVG’s Driver Updater is compatible with Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, and 11. 

Interface

(Image credit: AVG)

Interface and in use

The interface of this driver updater is very organized and user-friendly - right from the downloading and installation phases. To download AVG Driver Updater, go to the official website and get the executable file (.exe), either for the free or paid version. Then, run it. 

After installing and launching the software, you’ll see the friendly, uncluttered interface we’re talking about. There are clear buttons for whichever function you want to pick, with no complexity or opportunity for confusion.  

Support

(Image credit: AVG)

Support

AVG offers customer support through email, live chat, and telephone. You can contact the support team directly via phone or live chat for instant answers or use email and wait for a while. The telephone support varies depending on the country you’re calling from, but it’s generally reliable. Due to customer traffic, the live chat and telephone customer support may be unavailable at certain times. 

However, there are also a number of tutorials and guides on AVG’s site in case you run into problems. The AVG Driver Updater FAQ will hopefully resolve your issue if it’s a common problem, including how to install and use the driver updater, as well as the usual troubleshooting. 

The competition

There are many other competing driver updaters on the market. A few examples are the Ashampoo Driver Updater and Auslogics Driver Updater. AVG’s parent company, Avast, also has its driver updater that’s almost identical except for the name. 

Compared to Ashampoo and Auslogics, AVG is the much more expensive option. It costs $40/year, while Ashampoo costs $19 and Auslogics $11.50 for the same period. While all of them have similar functionality, AVG's driver updater certainly draws from an impressively wide database of drivers - more than 50 million, in fact - so if you do need to update a driver, chances are AVG's updater will locate it. The support you receive, both before and after you've updated your drivers, is also impressive. 

.

Final verdict

AVG’s Driver Updater is a dependable tool for keeping your device drivers healthy and improving your PC’s performance. It’s easy to use and has all the necessary functionality you'd expect from a driver updater. Although it is relatively expensive compared to the competition, it does come from a well-respected brand and take the manual burden out of searching for new drivers. 

We've also featured the best driver update software

AVG Driver Updater review
7:51 am |

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Software & Services | Comments: Off

AVG Driver Updater is a device management tool made by AVG Technologies, a company based in the Czech Republic. The company is most famous for its antivirus software, but it has other product lines, such as its driver updater

AVG Technologies is a leading software company that has existed for three decades. It’s a subsidiary of Avast Software, an organization known for a family of solutions across the Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS operating systems - again, largely focusing on security matters. 

This review will take a look at AVG’s Driver Updater specifically taking into account a variety of factors, including the program’s features, user interface, customer support, compatibility, and pricing.

Pricing

(Image credit: AVG)

AVG Driver Updater: Plans and pricing

The AVG Driver Updater costs $40 per year, which works out to be quite expensive compared to similar products on the market. There’s a free trial version, but it has just a few features compared to the paid version and lasts only a month. Thus, the paid version is the practical option to make the most of the driver updater. 

If you do sign up for the paid plan, it’s important to be aware that after your first year is complete, your subscription will automatically renew at the full price annually. Your bank account will automatically be charged for a one-year period, so make sure you are happy to continue subscribing before AVG automatically renews. You will receive an email reminder of your subscription ending up to 65 days in advance but if you don’t want to be charged, make sure you cancel your subscription at least 35 days before your current plan ends. There is also a free trial period of 15 days,  however, which you can sign up for without entering any credit card details.

Features

(Image credit: AVG)

Features

AVG Driver Updater contains a number of features to keep your system using the latest drivers and running smoothly:

Scans

(Image credit: AVG)

Real-time Scans

You can scan and update your drivers in real time as you perform other functions on your computer. Many driver updaters lack this feature, which means you can carry on with your work, which AVG Driver Updater operates in the background. 

Scan Scheduling

You can set schedules and intervals for the AVG Driver Updater to run automatic scans of your PC’s drivers and produce reports. This feature ensures convenience and keeps you always in the loop regarding your driver updates.

Large Driver Database

AVG’s Driver Updater checks your drivers against a database of over 50 million drivers. Such an extensive database contains virtually any driver you may need, making it your one-stop shop for driver downloads and updates. Computer drivers come in various types, including printer, scanner, audio card, video card and graphics card drivers. Whatever driver you are looking to update, AVG will probably be able to find it. 

AVG Driver Updater is also especially good if you’re a big consumer of video or gaming content. The updater can optimize your gaming and streaming experience by giving you access to the latest audio and graphics driver downloads.

Driver Backup and Restore

You can backup your drivers with AVG’s Driver Updater and restore them when required. This feature is critical because some driver updates can cause performance issues on your PC. You don’t need to panic in such a case when the software lets you backup and restore older versions of your drivers to avert the issue. 

Brands

(Image credit: AVG)

Installs Official Drivers

AVG’s Driver Updater can download and install authentic drivers from over 1,300 leading technology brands. 

Neat User Interface

This tool has a very well-organized user interface that makes it easy to use and navigate through. It’s uncluttered, and all the functionalities are visible to the user. This neat interface ensures that anyone can use the driver updater regardless of their technical knowledge or experience.

Compatibility

AVG’s Driver Updater is compatible with Windows 7, 8/8.1, 10, and 11. 

Interface

(Image credit: AVG)

Interface and in use

The interface of this driver updater is very organized and user-friendly - right from the downloading and installation phases. To download AVG Driver Updater, go to the official website and get the executable file (.exe), either for the free or paid version. Then, run it. 

After installing and launching the software, you’ll see the friendly, uncluttered interface we’re talking about. There are clear buttons for whichever function you want to pick, with no complexity or opportunity for confusion.  

Support

(Image credit: AVG)

Support

AVG offers customer support through email, live chat, and telephone. You can contact the support team directly via phone or live chat for instant answers or use email and wait for a while. The telephone support varies depending on the country you’re calling from, but it’s generally reliable. Due to customer traffic, the live chat and telephone customer support may be unavailable at certain times. 

However, there are also a number of tutorials and guides on AVG’s site in case you run into problems. The AVG Driver Updater FAQ will hopefully resolve your issue if it’s a common problem, including how to install and use the driver updater, as well as the usual troubleshooting. 

The competition

There are many other competing driver updaters on the market. A few examples are the Ashampoo Driver Updater and Auslogics Driver Updater. AVG’s parent company, Avast, also has its driver updater that’s almost identical except for the name. 

Compared to Ashampoo and Auslogics, AVG is the much more expensive option. It costs $40/year, while Ashampoo costs $19 and Auslogics $11.50 for the same period. While all of them have similar functionality, AVG's driver updater certainly draws from an impressively wide database of drivers - more than 50 million, in fact - so if you do need to update a driver, chances are AVG's updater will locate it. The support you receive, both before and after you've updated your drivers, is also impressive. 

.

Final verdict

AVG’s Driver Updater is a dependable tool for keeping your device drivers healthy and improving your PC’s performance. It’s easy to use and has all the necessary functionality you'd expect from a driver updater. Although it is relatively expensive compared to the competition, it does come from a well-respected brand and take the manual burden out of searching for new drivers. 

We've also featured the best driver update software

Bright Data review
12:00 pm | February 14, 2022

Author: admin | Category: Computers Gadgets Pro Security | Comments: Off

Originally named Luminati Networks, Bright Data traces its beginnings back to 2014, when it was established as a division of a renowned VPN service called Hola. In 2017, it was sold separately from Hola and rebranded under its current name in 2021 to highlight its goal of helping users scrape data with its proxy services.

Today, Bright Data provides access to its 150 million-strong collection of proxy IPs, including to more than 20,000 enterprises. Alongside individual users, they rely on its residential, datacenter, and mobile proxies to circumvent geographical restrictions and scrape important information.

Plans and Pricing

Due to offering different types of proxies and related services, Bright Data has several pricing options.

Users pay for residential proxies according to the bandwidth they consume. Bright Data offers three standard plans, currently at a 50% discount for the first three months: $499 monthly for 141 GB, $999 monthly for 332 GB, and $1,999 monthly for 798 GB. Alternatively, you can choose the pay-as-you-go option starting at $4 per GB. The drawback is that the pay-as-you-go plan is slightly more expensive in the long run ($4 per GB compared to $3.5 per GB on the standard 141 GB plan). If you need more than 1 TB, you can reach out to the company for customized pricing.

For datacenter proxies, users can pay according to the number of IP addresses they require. The standard plans are 10 IPS at $14 per month ($1.4 per IP), 100 IPs at $100 per month ($1 per IP), 500 IPs for $475 per month ($0.95 per IP), and 1,000 IPs at $900 per month ($0.9 per IP). As with residential proxies, if these plans don’t meet your needs, you can contact the company for tailored pricing above 1,000 IPs. Users can also pay for datacenter proxies according to bandwidth. The standard plans are $499 monthly for 1 TB, $999 monthly for 2 TB, and $1,999 monthly for 5 TB. The pay-as-you-go option with no monthly commitment costs $0.6 per GB.

Dedicated datacenter proxies are pricier.

If you need ISP proxies, Bright Data has four standard plans to offer you: $18/month for 10 IPs ($1.8 per IP), $145/month for 100 IPs ($1.45 per IP), $700/month for 500 IPs ($1.4 per IP), and $1,300/month for 1,000 IPs ($1.3 per IP). You can also pay for ISP proxies according to bandwidth. The standard plans are $499 monthly for 39 GB, $999 monthly for 88 GB, and $1,999 monthly for 190 GB. The pay-as-you-go option with no monthly commitment costs $15 per GB.

Dedicated ISP IPs are a bit more expensive but follow the same structure. Similarly to residential and datacenter plans, should you require over 1,000 IPs or 1 TB, you’ll need to check in with the Bright Data team directly.

Mobile proxies are priced similarly to residential proxies, $499/month for 71 GB, $999/month for 166 GB, and $1,999/month for 399 GB, with the possibility to get the pay-as-you-go, no commitment option at $8 per GB.

Bright Data offers sophisticated web access APIs with its Web Unlocker API pricing coming in three standard versions: Growth for $499 monthly ($1.3 per 1,000 results), Business for $999 monthly ($1.1 per 1,000 results), and Premium for $1,999 monthly ($1 per 1,000 results). The higher your plan, the greater the scraping requests available each month. If you don’t want a monthly commitment, you can choose the $1.5 per 1,000 results pay-as-you-go plan.

It also has a similarly priced Web Scraper API, at $499/month for 1K records under the Growth subscription, $999/month for 1K records included in the Business plan, and $1,999/month for 1K records as offered by the Premium pricing tier. These are currently available at a 25% discount. As expected, there’s a pay-as-you-go option at $1.5 per 1K records.

SERP API has the same pricing structure as the Web Scraper API, except that it’s currently available at a 50% discount for the first six months of use. The Browser API pricing follows much the same sentiment, costing $499/month for 71 GB, $999/month for 166 GB, and $1,999/month for 399 GB. The no-commitment option is charged $8 per GB.

Alternatively, you can run your scrapers as serverless functions at $500/month + compute time of $0.095/hr under the Growth plan, $1,000/month + $0.09/hr compute time as part of the Business option, and $2,000 + $0.085/hr compute time included in the Enterprise subscription.

Finally, Bright Data offers pre-built datasets, a unique feature that many proxy platforms don’t have. Starting at $250 per month for 100,000 records, these datasets allow businesses to access ready-made data instead of scraping it from scratch at higher costs. Available datasets include Amazon products, Yahoo Finance stock market data, Zillow real estate listings, LinkedIn profiles, and much, much more.

There’s no free trial available per se, but you do get $2 in credits when first signing up. Bright Data also offers a 7-day free trial for registered companies. This trial period is short, but it helps users test the features before committing to a monthly or pay-as-you-go plan.

Features

Accessing Bright Data’s features starts with registration. To sign up as a new user, you’ll need a work email address, but the platform also supports logging in with Google and GitHub accounts. You'll receive a verification email after signing up and creating a password.

Residential Proxies

Bright Data offers proxy IP addresses sourced from physical devices worldwide. People agree to add their devices to the network for a benefit, such as a VPN subscription. Bright Data’s users can then choose one of the IPs to bypass geo-restrictions and scrape data.

This platform offers over 150 million ethically sourced residential proxies from 195 countries, with the most popular locations being Brazil, India, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Russia, and China. Residential proxies rotate IP addresses, i.e., change with each browsing session.

Bright Data residential proxies

(Image credit: Bright Data )

During our test, the residential proxies had excellent speed and reliability. Both static and rotating proxies allowed us to surf the web seamlessly and bypass strict website geo-restrictions. You can manage all proxies from your user dashboard, deploying new ones or removing existing ones at will.

Bright Data gives you significant control over your proxies. You can choose proxies from specific cities, states, and countries. The robust IP network, especially in Europe and North America, makes it easier to bypass geo-restrictions. If an IP address can’t successfully bypass the restriction, Bright Data rotates different IP addresses until it succeeds.

ISP Proxies

ISP proxies are static residential proxies sourced directly from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Unlike residential IPs that rotate with each browsing session, a static ISP proxy is assigned only to you. You can keep this static IP for as long as your subscription lasts.

Bright Data offers a network of 1,300,000+ fully compliant static IPs, with the most popular locations being the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, and France. The U.S. has the highest number of static IPs - 1,173,705 - while all other countries have fewer than 15,000 each. This smaller number is expected because of the higher costs and difficulty of obtaining IP addresses directly from ISPs.

The static ISP proxies offered excellent speed and reliability during our test. Bright Data lets users manage static IPs directly from their Control Panel or an external API. The user-friendly Control Panel makes it easy to deploy and organize a large number of proxies.

ISP proxies are more reliable than typical residential proxies because they don’t change frequently. Using one IP address for a long period makes it easier to browse anonymously and break through geographical and IP website restrictions. Once you bypass a site’s restriction with a static IP, you can continue accessing the site with that IP. In contrast, rotating proxies mean you can bypass a site’s restriction today and struggle to bypass it tomorrow with a new IP address. Expectedly, Bright Data’s static IPs cost more than rotating IPs.

Datacenter Proxies

Datacenter proxies are sourced from secondary corporations rather than ISPs. A server (in a datacenter) with a unique IP acts as the intermediary between your device and a website you want to access. You can request a shared or dedicated datacenter IP: a dedicated IP is more reliable in circumventing site blockades.

Bright Data datacenter proxies

(Image credit: Bright Data)

Bright Data offers 770,000+ datacenter proxies in 98 countries, unlike residential proxies available in 195 countries. You can select your datacenter proxy by specific city or country. These proxies are fast because your browser request is sent directly from the proxy server to the target website, unlike residential proxies that can bounce through several devices before reaching the target site.

The drawback is that datacenter proxies are more vulnerable to detection because of their less diverse IP range. They are cost-effective but less efficient at bypassing geo-restrictions than residential and ISP proxies.

Mobile proxies

Bright Data’s pool includes over 7 million mobile proxy IPs from 195 countries. These residential IPs are sourced from mobile devices across the globe, with India, the U.S., and Brazil having the largest share in Bright Data’s pool. You can use these IPs to surf the web from the eyes of real mobile users. You can choose IPs from 3G, 4G, or 5G networks.

During our test, Bright Data’s mobile proxies provided top-notch browsing speed. We tested IPs from different countries, and they worked reliably. Usually, mobile IPs are more expensive than residential IPs from PCs, but Bright Data charges the same amount for both.

Web Scraper API

Web scraping is one of the most common use cases for proxy servers. Some businesses need to scrape massive amounts of data from a website, e.g., pricing data from retail sites. However, many websites discourage scraping by implementing geographical and IP restrictions. Proxy IPs let businesses bypass these restrictions and scrape their desired data.

Bright Data web scrapers library

(Image credit: Bright Data)

As a first-rate platform, Bright Data doesn’t stop at providing proxy IP addresses for web scraping. It also provides APIs that let businesses automate data scraping. It has ready-made scraping APIs for websites like Facebook, Amazon, LinkedIn, Zillow, X, ChatGPT, and TikTok. Several websites, such as Facebook, have filed lawsuits to block these scraping APIs, but Bright Data has countersued and prevailed.

Suppose you run a price comparison site that helps people find the best e-commerce deals. You can use Bright Data’s APIs to automate data scraping from Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and other popular e-commerce sites. You’ll then clean the scraped data and display it on your price comparison website.

Bright Data's APIs can handle bulk scraping requests, convert raw HTML into structured data, and validate data automatically. Pricing depends on the number of API requests you make.

Dataset Marketplace

You don’t always have to scrape data from scratch. Bright Data offers an alternative: ready-made datasets sourced from different websites. It provides pre-built datasets from many websites, like LinkedIn, Pinterest, Crunchbase, Amazon, and Redfin. You can also get categorical datasets, such as car prices, housing prices, crime rates, NBA players' stats, etc.

Bright Data dataset marketplace

(Image credit: Bright Data)

Pre-built datasets reduce headaches for businesses. Instead of scraping data from scratch and waiting a while to access it, you can access datasets already scraped by others. Pricing starts from $250 monthly for 100,000 records.

Ease of Use

Bright Data has an intuitive interface you’ll likely enjoy using. The left menu has all the features you need to access, and the right side is the main dashboard. Many features are neatly arranged across the dashboard to make them easy to find. With a white background and a few contrasting colors, Bright Data’s interface looks visually pleasing.

Bright Data welcome page

(Image credit: Bright Data)

You can access this proxy software primarily from the desktop interface. There’s also a Google Chrome extension that lets you seamlessly change proxy locations. Bright Data's user-friendliness is unmatched by most rivals.

Customer Support

One of Bright Data’s strengths is its top-notch support. You can contact its support team 24/7 and receive a response in less than 30 minutes. It offers support via live chat and email, but there’s no telephone support.

Bright Data also provides extensive documentation and user manuals to help users figure out solutions to their problems. The website’s Docs section contains detailed guides for all features and an API reference that helps users write effective data scraping commands.

We found Bright Data’s documentation easy to follow and helpful for our test. For instance, we followed the web scraping tutorial to harvest data from an external website.

The Competition

The proxy software market is very competitive. There’s no shortage of rivals to Bright Data, and the ones we’d like to highlight are Decodo (formerly Smartproxy), Oxylabs, and Webshare.

Decodo is an excellent proxy provider offering residential, ISP, and datacenter proxies. It's a cost-effective alternative with a large pool of 125 million+ IPs across 195 countries. However, Bright Data has a larger IP pool across the same number of countries and offers more features and customizability.

Oxylabs offers a slightly larger IP pool, with 175 million+ addresses compared to Bright Data’s 150 million+. Both platforms have similar offerings, but Bright Data provides some features not available in the other, such as a dataset marketplace and a web IDE. Bright Data also has a more responsive support team than Oxylabs, according to our experience when testing both.

Webshare is one of the best alternatives that go head-to-head with Bright Data. It’s a more affordable tool, which is crucial for small businesses. It offers effective APIs to scrape data en masse, just like Bright Data. However, Webshare has a much smaller pool of IP addresses: roughly 80 million compared to Bright Data’s 150 million.

Final Verdict

Bright Data is a comprehensive provider of proxy and proxy-related services. It offers not just tons of IP addresses covering the entire world, but also throws in quite a few extras for good measure. These include different kinds of web scraping APIs and even pre-built datasets. Thanks to these features, it’s well equipped to provide you with anything you need to bypass website restrictions and scrape any required data. There are a few drawbacks here and there, primarily its higher cost compared to the competition, but it might well be worth it, especially for high-volume needs.

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