If you’re new to using proxies, knowing when you should use private proxies versus shared proxies might sound confusing. You can tell that there’s a considerable price difference between the two, but knowing when to use each, well, that can be difficult. Here are some things to consider before proxy server buy your next set of proxies.
A shared proxy is exactly what it sounds like you’re sharing it with other people. No, it’s not a public proxy in the sense that everyone has access to it, but you aren’t the only one using the proxy. The number of people using the proxy depends on the proxy provider. Each proxy provider has their own rules as to how many people they’ll sell the proxy to and how many connections each customer can make.
A private proxy is a proxy that only you have access to. You don’t have to share the proxy with anyone. You can use the proxy on several computers or servers if you like. There is no worry of bogging down the proxy because you restrict every aspect of its use.
There’s quite a bit of debate on when you should choose a private or shared proxy. The first reason why most people choose shared proxies is because of the price. Shared proxies are generally cheaper, and the savings can be substantial if you buy several proxies. Using shared proxies is also a good idea if you’re scraping the web and don’t need lightning-fast speeds.
Those of you who want to perform lots of tasks over many servers or computers will want to use private proxies. You’ll enjoy being able to use multiple connections on several devices without the worry of your proxy being pounded by others. Speed is also another consideration, because if you want to do something super fast, you’ll need a private proxy to ensure that all the bandwidth goes for your projects and nothing else.
Let’s talk about mobile proxies a little
Both shared and privatre proxies originate from a data center. The proxies are connected to a server in a data center just like web hosts use for hosting. Mobile proxies are different because they are actual mobile internet connections just like your cell phone.
Sometimes you might need to test how a website reacts to a mobile IP address from a different location than your own. Another great example would be if you want to use a social media platform that only allows you to use mobile internet connections.
Mobile proxies tend to be more expensive, but since they’re a more specialized product, they’re only used for certain applications. The average person reading this won’t have much use for mobile proxies unless you’re into social media marketing or another highly specialized field.
Residential proxies are useful for specific cases
No discussion of proxies would be complete without mentioning residental proxies. Sneaker customers or those buying tickets are the ones who use residential proxies the most. A residential proxy is an IP like the one you use on your home computer. The proxy doesn’t look like it came from a data center because it doesn’t.
When using a residential proxy, you’re connecting to the internet using a home IP address. The connection could be from anywhere in the world, but usually, your proxy provider will let you choose where the proxy is coming from. So, if you want to connect from Miami, Florida, because you want to do something on a dating site, the residential proxy provider might have that location available for you to choose from.
The Ideal proxy for the right job
So, which proxy is best for you? Shared proxies are the best for most online tasks. You get to enjoy the savings associated with them while also using a proxy that’s generally fast. If you need speed, go the private route.
Mobile and residential proxies are usually not useful to most people, and they’re usually much more expensive. However, if you’re into making geo-restricted purchases or using social and dating sites, you may want to look into those types of proxies.
