Types of proxies: server, residential, mobile and how they differ

I sort proxies by IP source, protocol and how the address rotates, and suggest what to take for the task.

Proxies split by three traits: where the IP comes from, which protocol it runs on and how the address changes. Let's take each so you choose with open eyes.

By IP source there are three groups. Server ones live in data centers: fast, cheap, easy to spot. Residential ones take home-provider addresses, with higher trust and price. Mobile ones hand out carrier IPs, with top trust and rotation on demand.

By protocol there's HTTP, HTTPS and SOCKS5. SOCKS5 is the most universal: it carries any traffic and pairs with antidetect browsers. HTTP and HTTPS stay for simple web tasks.

By how the address rotates, proxies are static or dynamic. A static IP doesn't change, handy for a single binding. A dynamic one changes by timer or link, and that's exactly what you need to separate accounts.

There's also a split by access. A private channel goes to one user, a shared one is split between several. For serious work take private, or neighbors on the IP will drag you into a ban.

Mobile proxies are almost always dynamic and private, and that's their edge. One channel per profile plus address rotation spreads accounts across different virtual phones.

Different tasks need different picks. Changing country to watch something, a server one will do. Careful scraping with geo, a residential one. Account work where trust matters, a mobile one.

The cheapest way to have a mobile address is to spin it up from your phone. An Android app and an unlimited SIM give a personal channel, and the spares you sell on the marketplace.

Read also

• Where to buy mobile proxies: what to look at
• Mobile proxies for Proxifier: step-by-step setup
• Security and anonymity when working with mobile proxies

Proxies for your task

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