Datacenter vs. Residential IP Proxies: Your Complete Guide
Our software, Multilogin, masks all of the common browser fingerprints, such as screen size, operating system, and others that websites use to track and identify you. As using the same browser fingerprint across your different accounts can lead to account suspension.
But ultimately, the biggest fingerprint of all is your IP address. Using the same IP address with multiple accounts is a big red flag that can, and often does, lead to account suspension.
As such, many users log in to their accounts through proxy servers to change their IP addresses and avoid triggering the red flag. But not every IP address is the same. When connecting through a proxy server, you will be using either a residential IP proxy or a datacenter IP proxy. Note that there are many different ways to mask your IP address other than using a proxy server, like by using a VPN or a separate internet connection, and with those other types of connections, you can end up with either a residential IP or a datacenter IP. But for the sake of simplicity, in this article, we will group the types of connections with the general terms “residential IP proxy” and “datacenter IP proxy”.
You must understand the difference between the two and use the correct type if you wish to keep your accounts safe. This unbiased guide will detail the similarities and differences between residential IPs and datacenter proxies from A to Z. If you use proxies to control multiple accounts (whether through Multilogin or not), please continue.
What is a residential IP?
Think of a residential IP as a connection that is assigned from an ISP to a homeowner. When you move to a new house or apartment and set up internet, your connection is assigned an IP address. Go to a website like What Is My IP and your IP address will be on display for the world to see. It will look like 11. 22. 33. 444 or 111. 444. You’ll also see the details associated with your IP address, like your ISP name, and even your rough location. If you connect through a different residential IP address by using it as a proxy, when browsing, your public IP information will appear to be for whatever particular residence the IP is used at.
What is a datacenter proxy?
A datacenter proxy is different in that it is not owned by an ISP. It can function as a “wall” between you and anyone who tries to look at your IP through the web. Instead of seeing your home IP address and all of its associated identifying information, the person trying to look at your real IP address sees only the datacenter proxy address, as well as the information associated with the company that owns the datacenter. You can think of a datacenter proxy as a way to mask your real IP address and its associated identifying information – but not as a full replacement for a residential IP.
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What’s the difference?
If you are using a new connection for the simple purpose of masking your real IP address, then you may be wondering what the point of using a residential IP as a proxy is. After all, you just need a different IP address to fool websites into thinking you’re someone else – right?
Sort of. The problem is that people are trying to spam popular sites day in and day out. They know they need different IP addresses to get around website filters, so they usually turn to datacenter IPs, because datacenter IPs are easier to acquire in bulk than residential IPs are (explained further down the page).
So, almost all users with nefarious intentions are using datacenter IPs. There are also legitimate users using datacenter IPs. For example, many corporate offices make their employees use them. But overall, a very small percentage of legitimate users are using datacenter IPs over residential IPs – and almost all nefarious users are using datacenter IPs. This combination means that a high percentage of users with datacenter IPs will be trying to access a website for spammy or malicious purposes. So, while you can certainly use a datacenter IP to browse the web when you do, you will very likely be held to extra scrutiny by website security systems.
Rest assured that security systems will indeed be able to tell whether or not you are using a datacenter IP. To start, they will grab the info for the IP and see if you are using a datacenter gateway (either a VPN or proxy). If you are, you will immediately be placed into a small subset of users that are held to extra scrutiny.
From there, certain security systems may go a step further and try to determine if you are using a VPN or a datacenter IP proxy by checking which ports are open. The majority of VPNs have just port 80 open, whereas datacenter IP proxies have multiple ports open.
In general, users choose a VPN for privacy reasons, because using a VPN will encrypt traffic and protect the user from attacks. But datacenter IP proxies serve the sole purpose of masking your IP address – they do nothing for encryption – and they are usually much cheaper to buy in bulk.
So, most nefarious users choose datacenter IPs, and website security systems can and will scrutinize them more than they do for residential IPs or VPN datacenter IPs. That’s the biggest difference between the two.
You can perform a similar test yourself with a tool like Whoer. Go to that link, and if you are using a datacenter IP with open ports, the security system will be able to tell that you are – though it will not be able to tell what the real IP behind the proxy is, assuming you have taken the proper precautions and disabled browser extensions that may leak your real IP.
There are a few other differences between residential and datacenter IP proxies, too:
Residential IP Proxies
More legitimate. Creating hundreds of datacenter proxies yourself isn’t particularly difficult, and we will even detail how to do it a bit further down the page. But getting hundreds of residential IP proxies is extremely difficult – because residential IPs are assigned only to residents. As such, security systems generally deem residential IPs to be more genuine and legitimate than datacenter proxies. The reasoning goes something along the lines of “if you’re not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to hide” (you have no reason to use a proxy).
More expensive with few providers. Because of how difficult it is to collect residential IPs that can be used as proxy connections, fewer providers offer them, and getting a monthly subscription to access a pool of them is usually extraordinarily expensive – though for some users, the monthly subscription can sometimes be cheaper than a large monthly subscription of datacenter IP proxies. (We will detail a few providers further down the page. )
Sometimes blacklisted. Residential IPs are more trusted, but they are still prone to abuse. As such, some will still be blacklisted by certain security systems and databases. Having a residential proxy connection is better – but not perfect.
Datacenter connections
Less legitimate, but still protective. As we covered, websites can detect that you are using a proxy connection, and because of spammers and other nefarious users out there, you are immediately held to scrutiny when logging into an account with one. But, all the website can tell is that you are using a datacenter proxy in general. Most proxies will completely shield your main IP address. So, using a clean datacenter proxy for each account is better than using your real IP for each account – though it’s clear you are on a proxy, assuming you are using different proxies, your accounts aren’t directly connected.
Less expensive with lots of providers. Because of how easy it is to get datacenter proxies, there are plenty of providers to pick from, and as such, private datacenter proxies generally cost a fraction of what residential IP “proxies” do.
Which one should you use?
We aren’t trying to sell you proxies of either type so you can take this as unbiased analysis of when to use each one. (Be careful taking advice from a proxy or VPN company that profits from your decision. )
Datacenter proxies will be fine for the majority of users, assuming you are covering your tracks by using a browser fingerprint mask like the one included in Multilogin. Remember that seeing a datacenter proxy is just one trigger in a security system. If you have a clean datacenter proxy and the rest of your fingerprint is credible, most websites will let you pass without scrutiny. Keep in mind that legitimate users do use datacenter IP connections.
But, if your browser fingerprint is leaving a footprint (you are logging in with different datacenter proxies but using the same browser fingerprint for each login), the security system will likely take action against you.
Many users think that just using a proxy is enough – but these days, it’s not. You need the accompanying fingerprint masking along with your datacenter proxy masking to fly under the radar.
There are also some unique cases where using a datacenter proxy is always a dead end, even if proper fingerprint masking techniques are being utilized. The most mainstream example is Craigslist. Craigslist is used as a local person-to-person classified ad board. Letting users post across the country is asking for spam. So, the developers tend not to allow datacenter proxy usage at all, and residential IPs are restricted to posting to wherever the IP information shows they are located. You might be able to get by with residential IP proxies on Craigslist if you are an extremely skilled poster, but if you are buying regular datacenter proxies and trying to post with those, even if your fingerprints are masked, and even if the datacenter proxies show a location close to where you are posting, you still will likely not have success.
Overall, assuming you are masking your fingerprints, most will be able to get by with using datacenter proxies. But, certain proxy applications will require residential IPs, and in general, connecting to a website through a residential IP will throw up fewer red flags than connecting through a datacenter proxy will.
Your options to utilize either type of connection
Datacenter Proxies
Buy from a provider. There are countless companies offering datacenter IPs at a monthly rate. You can buy private proxies, which are used by only you, or you can buy shared proxies, which are shared between you and multiple other customers. Shared proxies are cheaper, but most Multilogin users will want to control their accounts with private proxies to ensure that others do not abuse the proxies and put your accounts at risk.
Set up your own proxy pool. We have written a complete guide here. The process is easier than you think, and if you put the effort in, you can guarantee that you are using fresh datacenter proxies – instead of ones that have potentially been abused over and over for years.
Residential IPs
Buy from a known provider. The biggest provider of residential IP connections is a company called Luminati. That company also runs an SDK service for application vendors. When a user installs such an app, they agree to share their IP with Luminati customers. Basically, with a Luminati subscription, you can access the IP of anyone who opted-in to share. Some people have their doubts as to the ethics of this practice, but the proxy connections Luminati provides are indeed residential IP connections, and not from a datacenter. Click here to learn more. (We mentioned earlier that these residential IP subscriptions are expensive. Luminati starts at $500 per month. For a bit less expensive option, try Geosurf (starts at $450 per month). Beware of shady companies that operate similarly to Luminati… except without the consent of the machines that the connection-enabling software or plugin is installed on.
Create your own “gateway” of residential IPs in a particular location through the usage of smartphones and mobile connections. Click here for a guide.
Conclusion
Is your head spinning? Below, we will recap everything we just covered. Like we mentioned at the start of this guide, make sure you understand the information in full before using proxies with your accounts – or else they might be at risk.
Datacenter proxies and connecting to a residential IP to use as a proxy will both accomplish the same task: hiding your real IP from the internet
However, website security systems can detect whether you are using a datacenter proxy, or if you are coming from a normal residential IP
Using a datacenter proxy won’t necessarily get your accounts suspended, but it is a red flag to many major web platforms
When using proper fingerprint masking techniques (like the ones included in Multilogin), most users will be able to successfully control multiple accounts safely with datacenter proxies, despite the red flag
However, certain websites will restrict datacenter proxies in general – here, you will have to use residential IP connections
Because they do not show you are using a proxy connection, residential IP connections are generally more secure to use (in terms of keeping your account safe), though some residential IP connections can still become blacklisted through abuse
Overall, determine which type of connection you need for your purposes, buy from a provider or set up your own network to obtain IPs, then combine your new connections with unique browser fingerprints from a software like Multilogin to ensure you pass by all of the security systems features on the websites you wish to use multiple accounts on
If you are looking for an easy way to run different accounts with proxy management and bulletproof fingerprint masking, check out Multilogin. It’s the most effective way to control an army of online accounts, and to ensure the safety of them whenever you log in – no matter which type of proxy connection you ultimately end up choosing.
The Ultimate Guide To Buy A Proxy And Buy IPs – Bright Data
A guide to help you navigate through the various proxy types, what they are and buy IPs that are suitable for you
27-Feb-2020
You know you need to buy a proxy or an IP, but what does that mean and why? Do I require a public IP, dedicated IP, static IP, country IP, a cheap IP, residential IP – the list goes on and with each IP type comes pros and cons.
If you want to buy IPs, this guide is here to help you navigate through the various proxy types, what they are and buy IPs that are suitable for you – so let’s dive in.
Jump directly to:
What is a Public IP Address?
Why Buy an IP Address from a Specific Country?
How Can You Buy an IP Address?
What is a Dedicated IP Address?
Why Buy Static IPs?
How to Buy a Residential IP
How to Buy a Static residential IP
How to Buy a Mobile IP
How to Buy a country Specific IP
Similar to a mailing address, a public IP address allows requests to be sent from your computer with a return address so sites can respond to you.
Requests basically ask a site to show its homepage and product offerings and the site responds by providing the information.
The IP address itself relays information about the user in regards to the country the request is coming from and other relevant details to ensure the right language and pricing are displayed. When buying an IP you are technically leasing it from one of three sources an ISP (internet service provider), proxy provider or data center farm.
The most common reason is due to geoblocking, which is when sites use the IPs geographical location to limit specific internet content.
If you are looking to compare proxies prices in different countries, are trying to conduct accurate market research, want to test your site from other parts of the world and more, you would be required to buy an IP address from the specific country of interest. However, if you need to verify advertisements or something that is more sensitive to location, then it would be in your interest to purchase city-specific IPs.
If you are looking to buy a specific country IP, Bright Data is the only proxy network in the world to offer residential IP’s in every country and every major city around the world. Our network covers 195 countries and over 26, 000 cities.
It is easy to buy an IP from multiple sources. A residential IP can be purchased from an ISP such as AT&T, Xfinity or Verizon, a proxy service such as Bright Data offering multiple IP types, or a data center IP – a machine-generated IP purchased from a data center farm.
This connection, when derived from an ISP, is referred to as a residential IP and ISP’s tend to impose limitations in terms of one IP per household.
This IP cannot be changed or rotated for another using the ISP service provider. Lastly, an IP address can also be acquired through your cell phone service provider, this 3G/4G connection is referred to as a mobile IP.
Proxy services commonly have multiple product offerings including many IP types. Proxy providers differ in the types of IPs they offer, the number of IPs available and types of the settings they provide.
It is important to find a reputable provider to guarantee the quality of the IP addresses purchased, so read reviews about proxy services before making a decision.
A dedicated IP address is a unique internet protocol IP address. It is an IP that can be used for hosting an account or website.
A dedicated IP allows you to do more with your server such as host your own SSL certificate and offer more security as this IP is used exclusively by you.
This provides the ability to control the traffic entering the site and maintain a high level of performance which is necessary with high-volume traffic domains.
Dedicated IP addresses are also used for FTP or File Transfer Protocol which allows clients to download files from the server.
A static IP is an IP address that does not rotate. A static IP is needed when devices such as a server, printer or wireless camera are connected to it. These IPs are useful for managing accounts or filling out forms where an IP rotating can cause issues.
The alternative is a rotating proxy also referred to as a dynamic IP and will rotate between IP addresses based on specific parameters such as a certain number of requests, a certain time frame or both.
Residential IPs are leased from an ISP and are the same IP type as the one you most likely use at home, where you call a service provider and pay a monthly subscription fee.
These IPs are the strongest type of IP as they have all the characteristics of a real IP. When purchasing a residential IP the reputation of your proxy provider is important as how they acquired the IPs is directly related to their performance and legality. Begin by choosing the specific location you require and if the provider offers them. Then consider how many IPs you require and the overall bandwidth you may need.
Most residential packages due to their continuous rotation do not charge by IP but by overall bandwidth used.
If you want to buy a Residential IP, we provide the most advanced residential proxy service offering the fastest and largest real-peer IP network in the world.
A static residential IP is a non-rotating IP, leased from an ISP for commercial use.
Residential networks naturally rotate as they are providing access to existing user’s IP addresses.
When the owner accesses their IP, the IP will automatically rotate.
A static residential IP does not rotate as it is owned solely by you and is an IP that is not being used by a real owner like its rotating residential counterpart.
Static IPs are perfect for account management or when you want to make a purchase or fill out a form due to their static nature.
Static IPs are normally purchased per IP and specific targeting options may come with a price per gigabyte as well.
A mobile IP is a 3G/4G connection or how your phone connects to the internet when you are not on wifi.
These IPs are needed for actions that are mobile-specific such as accessing popular applications, verifying mobile advertisements and ensuring the performance of online assets on a mobile interface.
To purchase a mobile IP, begin by finding a mobile provider with your country and geo of interest.
Next, if you require 3G or 4G specifically, ensure these options are available.
Mobile IPs can be offered with carrier targeting.
If this is a desired feature, make sure the provider offers the specific carriers you need. Mobile IPs, similar to residential IPs, are normally offered in a rotating network, meaning they are charged by bandwidth and not per IP.
Location-based limitations are commonplace on the internet and this is where country and city IPs dominate. To purchase one, first find a reputable dealer to guarantee the IP is derived from your location of interest. IPs can be provided with country, city and even carrier resolutions.
You want to make sure your provider offers the specific targeting you require and the locations you need.
Make sure to clarify if the provider has not only the location but also the IP type you need in that location.
Confirm the availability of these IPs and check how they are priced. Is it in your interest to pay by bandwidth with endless rotation? Or is it more suitable for you to purchase one IP with unlimited bandwidth?
Once you understand the basics of IPs and how they work it is easy to figure out what you need. If you are still unsure of the type of proxy you require, speak to a proxy expert who can understand what you are trying to accomplish and provide the best solution for you and your budget.
Rachel Hollander | Content Marketing Manager
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What is a Residential VPN? – Tuxler
What is a Residential VPN? 3 minApril 16, 2020
Defining Residential VPN
A residential VPN is a type of virtual network that routes web requests through residential IP addresses that are assigned by actual internet service providers (ISP). These IP blocks are dedicated and verified, and therefore allow you to appear as a regular user browsing or surfing from that specific location.
To provide an example for the sake of clarity, consider a person sitting in China. He is using tuxler VPN driven by a residential IP of a city in the United States to mask himself. To any web service that he interacts with (such as Google Search or Reddit), he will appear as a user from that city in the United States. The best part is that he will appear to be using a residential IP given out by a real ISP like Comcast or type of a virtual private network is considered the safest because of the quality of anonymity. When compared with VPNs that depend on data centers, dedicated IPs take precedence due to their higher level of protection and genuineness.
What is a Residential IP Address?
A residential IP address is an internet connection assigned by local or national ISP to a real subscriber based in that city/town. Since such IPs have real details attached to them, websites tend to trust them more and avoid scrutiny as is common for generic VPNs. This naturally provides better cloaking and trustworthiness while avoiding any surveillance which is on the based on residential IP addresses are also known for their anti-spam quality, large network, and end-to-end encryption. tuxlerVPN is one of the leading providers of such type. In December 2019, we also began providing data center IPs to our patrons.
What is a Residential Proxy?
The thin line between a proxy server and a VPN can be described by the existence of a server attached to a real, physical address in the former. A residential proxy server, therefore, is a server that uses a residential IP to surf the internet. They are relatively more expensive and are generally used by large organizations and IT hubs. A common application is to gain access to websites with regional as well as IP-level restrictions.
How does a Residential VPN Work?
It’s a simple mechanism that banks on user permission (PDF). When you decide to use a free residential VPN, say through an Android smartphone or a Windows desktop computer, you automatically agree to the terms and conditions of the provider as well as agree to share your internet connection with the provider’s pool. In return, you receive a qualified IP address for your personal use.
This exchange of IP addresses is essentially what forms the residential VPN pool. The larger the pool the better your chances of finding an IP of a city that you are targeting. This is why you should choose a residential VPN provider that has a populated pool with verified, valid, and dedicated IP addresses. A paying user has an advantage where he does not have to share his internet connection with the pool.
Such a system is effective mainly because web services generally tend to turn a blind eye to requests coming from residential IPs. On the other hand, if it’s a data center IP, they may be compelled to check the nature of the request and block it for some reason, also depending upon that IP’s history. This is also the reason why most free VPNs based on data center IPs tend to provide low-quality cloaking. The VPN may look like it is working, but it is just mimicking the routing process.
It will not be wrong to say that a dedicated residential VPN is the safest and a growingly popular virtual network today. Although it has its share of cons, it provides better anonymity, unrestricted access, and even city-level proxy servers.
If you are new to this concept, you can try out our free residential IP VPN that comes as a nifty Google Chrome browser extension. Click here to install tuxler VPN and experience the next level of virtual private networking. Now also with the option to choose between a data center or a residential IP.
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Frequently Asked Questions about resident ip
How do I get a residential IP address?
It is easy to buy an IP from multiple sources. A residential IP can be purchased from an ISP such as AT&T, Xfinity or Verizon, a proxy service such as Bright Data offering multiple IP types, or a data center IP – a machine-generated IP purchased from a data center farm.Feb 27, 2020
What is a residential IP VPN?
A residential VPN is a type of virtual network that routes web requests through residential IP addresses that are assigned by actual internet service providers (ISP). These IP blocks are dedicated and verified, and therefore allow you to appear as a regular user browsing or surfing from that specific location.Apr 16, 2020
What is static residential IP?
A static residential IP address is an IP address usually attached to or generated by a residential VPN server. Dedicated VPNs also use static IPs to provide uninterrupted tunneling. The most common example of such a system is corporates that want their employees to connect via a dedicated VPN server at all times.Sep 23, 2021