Proxies are intermediaries acting on your behalf when you connect to the internet. They change your IP address and allow you to bypass geo-restrictions. If you already know that the next step is to choose the type that fits your needs.

It’s a challenging task for first-time buyers as proxies come not only in different types but many subtypes as well. One such variation is between shared and dedicated datacenter proxies. But which one is a better choice?

What are datacenter proxies?

Datacenter proxies are named after the facilities they are created in – data centers. Picture a place with many servers, wires and professional IT staff. With datacenter proxies, you can connect to such a facility first and only then visit the needed websites.

Such setup distinguishes datacenter proxies from the rest as they have no affiliation with ordinary internet service providers (ISPs) and physical devices. Instead, they are created using commercial-tier internet and virtually with cloud technology.

Datacenter proxies are the fastest and most affordable type of all. Connecting through data centers is way faster than using ordinary homes while creating IPs virtually lowers the costs of maintaining servers.

The downside of datacenter proxies is that they are relatively easy to notice for websites. The ISP cannot confirm their location, and IP addresses created in one server are similar. Nevertheless, they are probably the most popular proxy type, especially for tasks requiring a high-speed connection.

Shared proxies

Since datacenter proxies are the fastest and most powerful type, it is commonplace to use them simultaneously with others. Shared proxies give access to a pool of IPs that you and others can access equally. Some proxies are semi-shared when the number of users having access is limited.

The bigger the proxy pool, the better – that’s why datacenter proxies are a great fit for sharing. It is cost-effective to create a lot of IP addresses virtually and rotate them for set periods to increase security. Additionally, it enables users to make unlimited concurrent connections since, for pricing purposes, only web traffic counts.

Such an approach significantly reduces costs, so shared datacenter proxies are undoubtedly the cheapest option. Dedicated ones can be twice as expensive, and they are the second cheapest option you can get. Still, many users choose them because of a couple of drawbacks of sharing.

Compared to dedicated proxies, shared ones can lack performance if there are a lot of users connecting. It is a rare occurrence with good datacenter proxy providers. Some inferior ones don’t limit the number of users accessing IPs or do not have a large enough IP pool to keep up with the demand.

Legitimacy is a concern for some tasks as other users can have the IP addresses already blocked in certain websites you want to visit or scrape. While it’s possible with shared datacenter proxies, the responsibility rests on the provider. Quality ones rotate the IPs to avoid bans and check their IP pool regularly.

Dedicated proxies

Dedicated (also called private) proxies are not shared with anyone else and are assigned only to one user. They have unique log-ins to ensure limited access but get significantly more expensive as all the costs need to be covered by one user.

However, dedicated datacenter proxies have some serious advantages. First, they are faster because you don’t share the bandwidth with others and can have it all to yourself. Additionally, fluctuations in speed are minimal as you are the only user.

Dedicated IP addresses are unavailable for any purpose without your knowledge. If the IP address is banned, it can only be your own fault. So by using them cautiously, the risk of bans is almost non-existent.

The only downsides, besides high price, come from untrustworthy providers. A poor-quality dedicated proxy can perform even worse than a shared datacenter proxy from a trusted provider. So if you don’t have any especially important tasks and want to save some money, shared datacenter proxies might be a better option.

Which one to choose?

Price is an obvious win for shared datacenter proxies, while speed and legitimacy go with the dedicated ones. Of course, it doesn’t mean shared datacenter proxies are pe-banned or incapable. They are usable in most scenarios, but dedicated ones are superior in comparison.

Bandwidth allocation is equally flexible with both. It is common to allow unlimited concurrent sessions with these proxies since you are provided with a pool of IPs and pay only for the web data used.

While shared datacenter proxies give you thousands of IPs rotating automatically, with dedicated ones, you will pay additionally for expanding your private IP pool. It can be a plus or a minus because some tasks require a lot of IP addresses, while others need only a few well-performing and legitimate ones.

For example, a view bot might benefit from shared datacenter proxies more as a large quantity of available IPs is crucial. However, when you need to scrape a popular website, shared IPs might already be blacklisted.

Applicability is similar as both types can complete the same tasks – from anonymous browsing and bypassing geo-restrictions to web scraping. However, dedicated proxies will achieve the same results faster and more consistently. They are better for tasks you deem very important.

Locations are equally diverse between shared and dedicated proxies with most providers. One or two countries might differ, but the most popular regions – North America and Europe, are covered by both types. It is more of a red flag for providers if they don’t support these regions.

Conclusion

Dedicated datacenter proxies are clearly the better choice when you don’t account for the price. If costs are an issue, go with the shared proxies. For some ordinary tasks, the drawbacks of shared datacenter proxies aren’t crucial. Switching to a more expensive option will remain a possibility, and you have to start somewhere.