1. Home
  2. Blog
  3. compare-residential-proxy-and-datacenter-proxy
news
Residential proxy versus Datacenter proxy: Which one to opt for?
Admin
2025-03-17T09:49:10.288Z
To meet the demand for anonymous IP addresses, proxy types such as Residential proxy and Datacenter proxy have been commonly used. However, they have significant differences that make users need to choose to suit their purpose. Let's find out them with Genlogin through this article.

1. The definition of Residential proxy and Datacenter proxy

Residential proxy
Datacenter proxy
A Residential proxy is an IP address that is assigned to a homeowner by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) for their personal use. (From AI Multiple)
Residential proxies can be used to mask a user's actual IP address and location, providing a level of anonymity when browsing the internet.
A Datacenter proxy is an intermediary server that sits between a user and a website, forwarding requests to the website on behalf of the user.
Datacenter proxies can be a valuable tool for businesses and individuals looking to access large amounts of web data or automate certain online tasks, but it's important to use them ethically and within the bounds of the law and website terms of service.

2. The main differences between a Residential proxy and Datacenter proxy

Residential proxy
Datacenter proxy
Source IP
is an IP address that has been assigned to a device by an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and is associated with a physical location such as a house or apartment
is the IP address of the data center itself, rather than the specific device that is forwarding the traffic
IP Rotation
Yes
No
Proxy anonymity level
Residential proxies are suitable for activities that require high levels of anonymity, such as web scraping, social media management, and SEO monitoring.
Datacenter proxies are suitable for activities that require less anonymity, such as accessing geo-blocked content or checking ad placements.
Speed
Residential proxies are slower than datacenter ones because they are IP addresses assigned to individual devices, such as home computers or smartphones, which may have limited bandwidth and processing power.
Datacenter proxies tend to be faster than residential proxies because they are hosted on servers in datacenters that are specifically designed to handle large volumes of internet traffic
Cost
Residential proxies are more expensive than datacenter proxies because they are obtained from internet service providers (ISPs) or other legitimate sources, such as mobile carriers, and therefore involve higher costs to acquire and maintain.
Datacenter proxies are generally more affordable because they are created in bulk by datacenters, and do not require the same level of infrastructure or maintenance as residential proxies. Datacenter proxies are often priced based on the number of proxies needed, with larger orders typically offering lower per-proxy pricing.
Use Cases
They’re perfect for:
  • Web scraping
  • Accessing content that’s blocked in your location
  • Testing affiliate links
  • Search engine optimization
  • Ad verification
  • Monitoring brand reputation
  • Projects involving websites that ban data center IPs
Some of the reasons you might choose data center proxies include:
  • Gaming
  • Anonymous Browsing
  • Budget restrictions
  • Any project where speed is the most important factor

3. Pros and cons of Residential proxy and Datacenter proxy

Residential proxy
Datacenter proxy
Advantages
Residential proxy has a much more diverse IP location, has a place like real users, distributed diverse everywhere
Datacenter proxy generates an enormous volume of IP addresses. Buying in bulk makes it easy to switch to a new IP address when you get banned or to use a different IP address for different requests.
Disadvantages
Residential proxies are typically limited in number, which means they may not be readily available when you need them. This can be a problem if you need to use a specific IP address to access a website or service.
Datacenter proxy is almost only concentrated in a limited area.
Datacenter proxies are more easily detected and blocked by websites and services that employ anti-scraping measures or security protocols. This can make them less reliable for certain tasks, such as web scraping or automation.

4. Conclusion

In conclusion, residential proxies and datacenter proxies are two different types of proxies that offer unique advantages and disadvantages. Overall, the choice between a residential proxy and a datacenter proxy will depend on the specific needs of the user. If anonymity and trustworthiness are the top priorities, a residential proxy may be the best option. If speed and affordability are more important, a datacenter proxy may be the way to go.
IN THIS ARTICLE:

Ready? Try it - Free!

Sign up now and build your pages the way you envisioned. No credit cards required.