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comparisonDecember 15, 20247 min read

Residential vs Datacenter Proxies: Which to Choose

Compare cost, performance, and detection rates across different proxy types for your use case.

Overview

Choosing between residential and datacenter proxies depends on your specific use case, budget, and target websites.

Datacenter Proxies

Characteristics

  • Hosted in data centers
  • Fast and stable connections
  • Cheaper per request
  • Higher detection rates

    • Best For

  • Speed-critical applications
  • Non-sensitive scraping
  • Budget-conscious projects
  • Internal testing

    • Residential Proxies

    Characteristics

  • Real ISP IP addresses
  • Lower detection rates
  • Higher cost per request
  • Variable speed and reliability

    • Best For

  • E-commerce scraping
  • Social media automation
  • Sneaker/ticket purchasing
  • Sites with strict anti-bot measures

    • Cost Comparison

    Making the Choice

  • **Start with datacenter** for initial testing
  • **Upgrade to residential** when facing blocks
  • **Use mobile proxies** for the most protected targets

    • Conclusion

    There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Match your proxy type to your target site's anti-bot sophistication and your budget constraints.

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