Proxies are an essential tool of security, offering internet anonymity, vital protection against data hacking, and more. Most businesses and even non-professional users are choosing to opt for a proxy to stay safe, as the rates of cyber crime keep increasing.
The right proxy can be absolutely revolutionary, however, making the right choice is something that intimidates many first time buyers. If you are confused on whether to opt for a datacenter or residential proxy it is a good idea to first know what makes them different.
Residential proxy
A residential proxy offers the user a dedicated IP address, which can be provided only by an authorized Internet Service Provider, or ISP.
Pros:
More Legitimate
As residential proxies IPs are maintained by real ISPs only, they appear much more legitimate, and thus, it is pretty hard to detect if a user is online through a proxy. Therefore, it makes residential proxies much safer to use.
Hard to get blacklisted
Residential proxies are provided by authorized ISPs and not mass produced, and thus, they appear completely organic, which makes it hard to detect and blacklist. It is perfect for running marketing campaigns, especially on social media.
More locations to connect
With the help of rotating residential proxies, it is possible to connect to a large number of locations, which means you can bypass wider geographical restrictions and access content from more countries.
Excellent geo-location
If a client requires, to retain and use the same IP address for a longer period of time, it is possible with a static residential proxy. This comes to great use for geolocation services since it is easier to be tracked if the IP doesn’t keep changing.
Cons:
Expensive
As residential proxies are maintained by authorized ISPs only, they offer top grade anonymity, high stability, and security. Thus, they can be a little expensive, but the quality of the proxy makes it worth every penny.
Datacenter proxy
A datacenter proxy is not affiliated with an Internet Service Provider, but are instead mass produced at datacenters and provided to users by a secondary corporation.
Pros:
Better speed
The speed of datacenter proxies is usually faster speed than that of residential proxies, which is desirable for speed-dependent processes. However, acting too fast runs a higher risk of getting detected and blocked so caution is recommended with speed.
Stronger built
Datacenter proxies are extremely efficient when it comes to load bearing and perform well in higher stress situations, and this makes them excellent for processes which require data harvesting.
Cheaper
Since they datacenter proxies are not provided by a real ISP, they are much more affordable than residential proxies. These proxies are mass produced and if budget is an issue or there is a need to buy in bulk, it is the best bet.
Cons:
Less legitimate
Datacenter proxies are not provided by any authorized ISPs, and thus, they do appear a little less legitimate, making them easier to detect and block. However datacenter proxies are still extremely secure and offer quality safety features and anonymity, just a tad less than a residential proxy.
Residential and datacenter proxies have some pros and cons. It is a good idea to understand what each offers, as well as what you need, and weigh in to make the right choice.
