Let's break down which proxies actually work for Telegram, how much traffic you really need (spoiler: less than you think), and how to configure the app so that 1 GB lasts you half a year.
Why Datacenter Proxies Are Wasted Money
Telegram recognizes datacenter IPs instantly. AWS, Hetzner, OVH—all these ranges have long been blacklisted. The system sees that the connection is not coming from a home ISP, but from a server rack.
The result is predictable: "Too many attempts," "Number blocked," endless CAPTCHAs. This is especially true when registering new accounts or logging in from a new device.
Residential and mobile proxies are a different story. These are IPs from real Internet Service Providers and mobile carriers. To Telegram, you look like a regular user sitting at home or in a cafe with a smartphone.
| Parameter | Datacenter | Residential | Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP Source | Hostings | ISP Providers | Mobile Carriers |
| Blocks | Constant | None | None |
| Account Registration | Blocks | Works | Works |
| Lifespan | Weeks | Years | Years |
| Price per GB | $1.5 | $2.7 | $3.8 |
The price difference is $1.2 per gigabyte. With a consumption of 150 MB per month, that's 18 cents. For that money, you get proxies that simply work.
How Much Traffic You Actually Need
Most proxy sellers won't tell you this because they benefit from selling large packages. But here are the real figures:
1 GB of residential proxies for $2.7 = 6-7 months of use with typical activity. That's 40 cents a month. Cheaper than a cup of vending machine coffee.
Important: these figures apply when media auto-download is disabled. Below is how to set this up in 2 minutes.
Configuring Telegram to Save Traffic
By default, Telegram downloads everything—every photo, every video, every GIF in the feed. Three settings reduce consumption by 5 times:
Settings → Data and Storage → Media Auto-Download
Disable everything. Media will only load when you tap on it. Saves up to 80% of traffic.
Settings → Data and Storage → Autoplay
Turn off GIFs and videos. Otherwise, every clip in a channel loads as you scroll.
Settings → Data and Storage → Calls
Enable "Use less data." It barely affects quality.
The Bottom Line: What to Choose
For Telegram, you need residential or mobile proxies. Datacenter proxies are a lottery with a predictable loss.
With the right settings, 1 GB lasts for six months. That's $2.7 for residential or $3.8 for mobile. Without subscriptions—you only pay for the traffic you use.
We created a Telegram bot where you can buy proxies in a minute: choose a country, top up with crypto or card, and get access. Or use the personal account on the website.