Choosing the right proxy type is a crucial task whenever getting ready for a project that requires reliable IP addresses. It’s important to determine whether the project requires rotating or static proxies.
Rotating residential proxies are IP addresses assigned to residential home addresses by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). These proxies are hard to detect as they appear as regular internet users. Rotating IPs change at every request or set interval, which means that a single proxy cannot be used for an unlimited amount of time.
Static proxies are IP addresses that can stay for as long as the user requires. Some specific targets require keeping the same IP address, but it has its cost when it comes to flexibility and maintenance.
Both rotating and static proxies have their pros and cons. Getting familiar with their features can help users decide which type of proxies is best for their use case.
What Are Static Proxies
Static proxies are IP addresses that remain static, which means they don’t change. The user remains connected to the target sites with the same IP address, even if their original IP is dynamic.
Not all types of proxies can be static. In general, only ISP and data center proxies can be static. These proxies are hosted on servers that always stay online and can assign a single IP address to one user. Residential proxies always rotate because they cannot ensure for the IP address is online all the time.
Static proxies are used when someone needs to keep the same identity for a longer period of time. For example, this is applicable when managing multiple accounts or going through a multi-step flow. Rotating proxies can also create a sticky proxy function with a sticky session, but these usually last between 10 to 30 minutes. Static proxies can ensure the user gets to keep the same IP address for an unlimited time.
What Are Rotating Proxies
Rotating proxies automatically assign users a new IP address from a pool of proxies. Rotation intervals can depend on time and assign a new IP every few minutes. Otherwise, rotation can be based on connection requests. For example, the user can send 100 connection requests, and each of them can come from a different IP address.
Theoretically, every type of proxy can rotate, it all depends on the setup. But usually, residential proxies are the ones referred to as rotating proxies. This is due to the fact that they originate from real people rather than data centers. And real people cannot ensure a stable internet connection, which gives us rotating residential proxies. They can still be used with sticky sessions, which enable proxies to stay static for 10 to 30 minutes.
Comparing Rotating vs Static Proxies
Rotating residential proxies and static IP addresses have more differences than just their rotation. They can differ in performance, pricing, flexibility, and maintenance.
Performance
Rotating residential proxies is not very predictable as they come from other internet users. However, target websites see these IP addresses as regular site visitors, so they are unlikely to get suspended or banned.
Meanwhile, static proxies are often hosted on virtual servers, which can ensure fast internet connections. However, static proxies are incapable of sending too many requests to the same site, as it would get the IPs blocked.
Pricing
In most cases, rotating proxy pricing is based on traffic or on ports. Proxy providers charge for the amount of traffic clients use, or the number of IP addresses users access simultaneously.
Static proxies are often sold by the number of IP addresses, and that’s what the users get charged for.
The exact pricing of proxies depends on each provider. However, it’s important to note that free proxies are never recommended as they can compromise users’ privacy and harm their devices.
Flexibility
Rotating residential proxies is highly flexible, as users can adjust various parameters. For example, they can choose the IP address location or the rotation interval times. Users can also decide how many IP addresses they need to use.
Meanwhile, static proxies aren’t as flexible. Once the user gets a static IP address, they are unable to change any parameters, such as location.
Maintenance
Maintaining rotating IP addresses is relatively easy. The user can simply change the proxy whenever something’s wrong by connecting to the next one in line.
The upkeep of static proxies is significantly more complicated compared to rotating IPs. If there are issues with a static proxy, it has to be replaced or discarded, which is time-consuming and requires extra effort.
Conclusion
Choosing between rotating residential proxies and static IP addresses requires knowledge about each of their features. Both types of IP addresses can shield the user’s original IP and add a layer of protection when connecting to the target site. However, they also differ in many ways.
Rotating proxies can change with every request or at a set interval. These IP addresses are flexible, and users can customize their parameters, including location and session duration. However, rotating proxies often are less predictable as they originate from real users, which means a stable internet connection cannot be ensured.
Static proxies are IP addresses that stay unchanged for a required amount of time. They can remain static for as long as needed, and this feature is often required when managing multiple social media accounts or going through a specific multi-step flow.
Static proxies can ensure a stable internet connection as, in most cases, they originate from data centers. However, these IP addresses lack flexibility as users cannot customize their parameters.
Which type of proxy to choose depends on user needs and project requirements but having information on both kinds is a great starting point.