In this article: Complete guide to choosing between residential and datacenter proxies in 2025. Learn about IP address sources, infrastructure, key differences, and when to choose which type for your tasks.
What Are Proxy Servers and Why Are They Needed
A proxy server is an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you use a proxy, websites see the proxy server's IP address, not your real IP address.
In 2025, proxies have become an essential tool for web scraping, price monitoring, social media management, and privacy protection. With increasing bot protection, choosing the right proxy type can mean the difference between success and failure of your project.
There are two main types of proxies by IP address source: residential and datacenter.
Residential Proxies: Real Users' IP Addresses
What Are Residential Proxies
Residential proxies use IP addresses allocated by real Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to home users. When you connect through a residential proxy, websites perceive you as a regular home internet user.
These IP addresses are issued by real providers (AT&T, Comcast, Verizon in the USA, or similar ISPs in other countries). This makes them extremely difficult to detect.
Sources of Residential IP Addresses
1. Opt-in applications and SDK — the most ethical method. Users consciously agree to share bandwidth in exchange for rewards (Honeygain, Pawns, Massive SDK).
2. Incentive programs — integration into free VPN services or utilities. Users get free access in exchange for using part of their connection.
3. Corporate partnerships — agreements with companies that have large end-user networks (IoT devices, mobile applications).
⚠️ Important About Ethical Sources
Always choose providers that openly disclose their IP acquisition methods and guarantee compliance with GDPR, CCPA, and other privacy regulations.
Residential Proxy Characteristics
- Geographic coverage: 195+ countries, thousands of cities, hundreds of providers
- Success rate on protected sites: 85-95%
- Speed: 10-50 Mbps (depends on end device)
- Connection stability: 10-30 minutes (users may disconnect)
- Price: $2-15 per GB of traffic
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Datacenter Proxies: Speed and Performance
What Are Datacenter Proxies
Datacenter proxies use IP addresses belonging to data centers and cloud providers. These IP addresses are not associated with physical user addresses but are created for server purposes.
Datacenter proxies are located on powerful servers with high-speed connections, backup power, and professional maintenance.
Sources of Datacenter IP Addresses
1. Server rental — in professional data centers (Amazon AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, DigitalOcean, OVH).
2. Own infrastructure — large providers own their own servers.
3. IP subnet purchase — entire IPv4 address blocks directly from regional internet registrars.
Types of Datacenter Proxies
- Shared: one IP for multiple clients — $0.10-0.30 per IP
- Semi-dedicated: 2-3 clients per IP — $0.30-0.60 per IP
- Private/Dedicated: exclusively one client — $0.60-2.00 per IP
- Rotating: automatic IP change — price depends on traffic
Datacenter Proxy Characteristics
- Geographic coverage: 50-100 countries
- Success rate on protected sites: 20-40%
- Speed: 100-1000 Mbps
- Connection stability: 99.9%+ uptime
- Price: $0.10-2.00 per IP
Key Differences
IP Address Origin and Legitimacy
Residential proxies: IP addresses in WHOIS appear as belonging to providers (AT&T, Comcast, Verizon). Websites perceive them as legitimate traffic from real users.
Datacenter proxies: IP addresses in WHOIS belong to hosting companies (Amazon AWS, Google Cloud). Websites easily determine that traffic comes from server infrastructure.
ASN and Detection
Websites with advanced bot protection analyze the ASN (Autonomous System Number) of incoming requests.
Residential proxies have ISP ASNs — indistinguishable from regular users.
Datacenter proxies have hosting company ASNs — easily identified and often automatically blocked.
When to Choose Which Type
Choose Residential Proxies for:
- Web scraping of protected sites (Amazon, Google, social networks)
- Bypassing geo-blocks on streaming services (Netflix, YouTube)
- Social media account management
- Working with sites that aggressively block bots
- Tasks requiring maximum anonymity
Choose Datacenter Proxies for:
- Scraping unprotected sites
- High-load tasks with large request volumes
- SEO monitoring and position checking
- Testing and development
- Tasks where speed and low price are important
Hybrid Approach
Many professionals use a combination of both types: datacenter for primary data collection from unprotected sources, residential for working with protected sites.
Quick Comparison
| Parameter | Residential | Datacenter |
|---|---|---|
| Success Rate | 85-95% | 20-40% |
| Speed | 10-50 Mbps | 100-1000 Mbps |
| Price | $2-15/GB | $0.10-2/IP |
| Stability | 10-30 min | 99.9%+ |
| Anonymity | High | Low |
🎯 We've created a Telegram bot where you can buy proxies in a minute: choose a country, pay with crypto or card, get access. Or through your personal account on the website.