Background Although SWL and Laser remain the most common modalities for the treatment of proximal ureteral stones, there is still an ongoing debate among the academicians and medical practitioners regarding the best treatment modality. Objective To compare the efficacy of ureteroscopy using holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy versus shock wave lithotripsy in management of proximal ureteric stones (≤10 mm) regarding surgical efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness. Patients and Methods This study was performed to compare ureteroscopy using holmium: YAG laser lithotripsy versus shock wave lithotripsy in management of proximal ureteric stones (≤10 mm) regarding surgical efficacy, safety and cost effectiveness. It included 52 patients with proximal ureteral stones and it was done in the period starting from September 2021 to February 2022. Results There was a statistically significant difference between the both modalities in favor of SWL as regarding the anesthesia, the overall procedural time and overall cost as SWL group were treated as an outpatient cases. There was a significant difference in used anesthesia (sedation for SWL and general anesthesia for Laser). Regarding Overall procedural time (hours), it was 4.55 ± 1.94 and was 36.88 ± 5.38 for SWL and Laser groups respectively. Overall cost; even if patients underwent three sessions of SWL, the cost between the two options was still significantly different. The overall cost of Laser was 15000 EP, with an efficiency of 80 %, while overall cost of SWL was (2500 EP), with an efficiency of 49.9 %. Conclusion Laser is more effective, has the advantage of the higher SFR from the first session without need of multiple hospital visits and prolonged radiation exposure time. SWL has lower treatment costs, while complications were comparable in both groups, so treatment decision depends on not only stone characteristics but also cost-effectiveness ratio and this should be considered when counseling the patient with proximal ureteric stone. Larger sample size is required for more convenience data.