Datacenter proxies are one of the most affordable and versatile ways to mask your IP address online. They provide fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and are great for a variety of use cases like web scraping, avoiding geo-restrictions, automating online tasks, and more.
When choosing datacenter proxies, you have many options – from shared IP pools to dedicated addresses for your exclusive use. There are even some limited free proxy servers. This guide will help you understand the different types of datacenter proxies and choose the best datacenter proxy provider for your needs in 2024.
What Are Datacenter Proxies?
Datacenter proxies are IP addresses hosted on powerful servers in data centers, rather than coming from individual devices like residential proxies. When you connect to a website through a datacenter proxy, the site sees the proxy‘s IP address and location instead of your own.
The main advantages of datacenter proxies are:
- Very fast connection speeds
- Typically offer unlimited bandwidth
- Generally cheaper than residential proxies
- Work well for most websites and use cases
However, they do have some drawbacks compared to residential IPs:
- Easier for websites to detect and block
- Often less effective for very strict targets like sneaker or ticket sites
- IP pool is more limited than residential networks
So datacenter proxies are best for general use cases and most websites, while residential proxies are better for the most challenging targets. Next let‘s look at the two main types of datacenter proxies.
Shared vs Dedicated Datacenter Proxies
Shared Datacenter Proxies
With shared datacenter proxies, the same IP address is shared between multiple users. This helps keep costs down and providers can offer larger proxy pools. You‘ll typically be sharing the IP with a handful of others – it‘s not as crowded as free proxies.
The two sub-types of shared proxies are:
- Rotating shared proxies – The IP changes with each connection request to reduce bans
- Static shared proxies – You get a fixed list of IPs that remains the same
Prices typically range from around $0.50-$1 per IP or GB. Shared rotating proxies are some of the most cost-effective options for web scraping and other tasks. The main downside is you have no control over who else is using the IP, which can lead to blocks.
Dedicated Datacenter Proxies
Dedicated proxies, also called private proxies, are IP addresses that are exclusively yours and not shared with other users. This provides maximum performance and control over the IP reputation. You can get private proxies in nearly any country.
Most dedicated proxies are sold by the IP and come with unlimited bandwidth. So instead of paying for traffic, you pay a fixed price per IP address, typically around $1-$2 each depending on the provider and location.
Dedicated datacenter IPs are good for when you need more reliability than shared proxies can offer, but don‘t want to pay for residential proxies. They work well for many web scraping projects, social media, and general browsing.
How to Choose the Best Datacenter Proxy Provider
With many datacenter proxy services on the market, how do you choose the best one? Here are the key factors I recommend considering:
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Proxy network size and location coverage – Larger networks with more locations provide the most flexibility. Look for providers with IPs in your required countries.
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Private vs shared IPs – Decide if you need the exclusivity of private datacenter proxies or if shared ones will suffice for your project. The latter are cheaper.
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Rotation options – Check if the proxies are static or rotate, and if you can set custom rotation times. Rotated proxies are better for preventing bans when web scraping.
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Supported protocols – Make sure the provider offers the protocols you need, like HTTP(S) and SOCKS5. SOCKS5 provides more flexibility but not all providers have it.
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Billing model – Shared proxies are usually priced by bandwidth, while dedicated ones charge per IP. Pick a model that fits your expected usage to get the best price.
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Performance and reliability – Look for providers with high network uptime, server speed, and IP auth success rates. User reviews are helpful to gauge real-world performance.
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Customer support – Responsive 24/7 support is important if you encounter issues with your proxies. Check if they offer your preferred contact methods.
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Your budget – Datacenter proxy prices vary a lot between providers. Determine how much you‘re willing to spend and find the best service in your price range.
The Best Datacenter Proxy Providers for 2024
Based on my analysis, experience, and comparisons, here are my recommendations for the top datacenter proxy providers this year:
1. Bright Data
Best overall for large enterprises needing flexibility and scale.
- Huge proxy network with 1.5+ million datacenter IPs
- Locations in 195+ countries, best geo-targeting options
- Shared and dedicated IPs, rotating and static
- Advanced proxy manager for fine-tuned control
- Provides 24/7 customer support with dedicated account managers
- 99.99% network uptime guarantee
- Pricing starts at $500/month for a starter plan
2. SOAX
Best newcomer offering affordable dedicated and shared proxies.
- Over 5 million shared proxies and 100,000 private proxies
- Locations across 100+ countries
- Flexible rotation options down to every request
- Supports SOCKS5 protocol
- Clean, intuitive dashboard for easy proxy management
- Plans start from just $75 per 5 private IPs or 90 GB shared bandwidth
- Responsive 24/7 live chat support
3. Smartproxy
Best for reliable, mid-range shared datacenter proxies.
- Over 40,000 rotating datacenter IPs shared between limited users
- Locations in the US and EU
- Rotate every request or use sticky sessions up to 30 mins
- No limits on threads or connection requests
- Easy to use with a well-designed dashboard
- Pricing from $50/month for 100 GB bandwidth or $200/month for 400 GB
- Helpful customer support though no 24/7 live chat
4. Proxy-Cheap
Best budget provider of dedicated and shared datacenter proxies.
- 6,000 dedicated proxies and a large pool of shared IPs
- Dedicated locations in 27 countries, shared in 50+ countries
- Unlimited threads and bandwidth included
- Supports HTTP(S), SOCKS4, SOCKS5 protocols
- Browser extensions available for easy use
- Plans start at just $6.50 for 10 dedicated proxies or 10 GB shared
- 24/7 support though only via tickets, not live chat
5. HydraProxy
Best freemium provider with limited free datacenter proxies.
- Offers 10 free rotating proxies as part of free plan
- Over 200,000 paid rotating proxies across US and EU
- Useful proxy tester tool to check IP quality
- Simple pay-as-you-go pricing from $1.60/GB on the Starter plan
- Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
- Support via email tickets and limited live chat hours
- Best for small projects on a budget
Frequently Asked Questions About Datacenter Proxies
Here are answers to some of the most common questions about datacenter proxies:
Are datacenter proxies good for web scraping?
Yes, datacenter proxies work well for many web scraping projects. Dedicated proxies perform best on tough targets, while shared rotating proxies provide the best value for most sites. Residential proxies are only needed for the most difficult, bot-sensitive websites.
Can you use datacenter proxies for sneaker sites?
In most cases, no. Sneaker sites are very good at detecting datacenter IP addresses. You will likely need residential proxies or even ISP proxies to avoid bans and purchase limited-edition sneakers.
How do I set up datacenter proxies?
Most providers offer easy connection guides. Usually you just need to authorize your IP in the dashboard, whitelist your target URLs if required, then copy the proxy hostname and port into your scraper or proxy settings.
Are datacenter proxies legal?
Yes, using datacenter proxies is completely legal. However, what you do with the proxies can be illegal, like web scraping in violation of a site‘s terms of service, or committing fraud. Be aware of the applicable laws for your use case.
The Bottom Line
Datacenter proxies are some of the most versatile and cost-effective tools for hiding your IP address online. In this guide, we‘ve covered what datacenter proxies are, the different types, and how to choose the right provider.
I‘ve also shared my top recommendations for datacenter proxy services in 2024. The best one for you depends on your specific use case, required locations, rotation needs, and budget.
For most users, I suggest starting with Smartproxy or Proxy-Cheap for a good balance of performance and price. If you have a larger budget and need maximum flexibility, Bright Data is the top premium option.
Whichever provider you choose, datacenter proxies open up many possibilities like web scraping, ad verification, travel fare aggregation, SEO, and more. Use them responsibly and you‘ll be able to access data from around the globe while keeping your own IP address private.
