The Difference Between Dedicated Proxies and Shared Proxies

In recent years, with the rapid development of the internet, as many online businesses have flourished, proxy IPs have become a widely used internet tool in various industries like cross-border e-commerce, social media management, SEO testing, market research, and more. These proxy IPs can be categorized into shared and dedicated types, and they differ in how they are used. Here's what sets them apart and how to choose between them.

I. Dedicated Proxies

Dedicated proxies are exclusively used by one person and are not shared with anyone else. They are also known as private proxies.

Advantages:

• Fast internet speed because only one person uses the proxy, allowing them to have all the available bandwidth.
• Enhanced security and reliability. As the name suggests, private proxies ensure the security of your personal information, especially when acquired from a trusted provider.

Disadvantages:

• Typically, dedicated proxies come at a higher cost compared to shared proxies because the proxy provider allocates them to a single user, leading to higher expenses.
• While reliable proxy providers can guarantee the security of your personal information, there may be fraudulent providers. Dedicated proxies can be costly, so be cautious of advertisements from free providers for your own safety.

Use Cases:

• Managing social media accounts. Social media websites track the IP of each account to ensure they are used by real individuals. If your IP undergoes significant changes or gets flagged for fraudulent activity, your account may be disabled.
• Ensuring online data security. Proxies can protect your personal information and online activities. Dedicated proxies offer much greater security compared to shared proxies because you have control over their usage.

II. Shared Proxies

As the name implies, shared proxies are used by many people simultaneously, which means that some IP addresses in the pool might become unavailable due to overuse and potential issues.

Advantages:

• Significantly lower cost compared to dedicated proxies. Shared proxies are more affordable because they are shared among many users, which leads to shared bandwidth and lower prices. Shared data center proxies can even be cheaper than shared residential proxies.
• Shared proxies often rotate. When using these proxies, your IP address will automatically change every few minutes, aiding in achieving a high level of anonymity.

Disadvantages:

• Network speed can be slower than using a dedicated network because many users share the bandwidth. In extreme cases, this may lead to server overload.
• Some users may misuse the proxy, causing certain websites to block the IP. When others using the same IP attempt to access the same site, it becomes inaccessible. Users must change their IP to regain access.

Use Cases:

• Hiding your IP address. Shared proxies can help you remain anonymous on the internet, allowing you to easily change your IP to virtually any location.
• Web scraping. If you are conducting SEO research, you'll need a large number of IP addresses. Using dedicated proxies can be costly, and in reality, you may not need a dedicated IP for web scraping. Shared proxies can provide you with accurate data at a reasonable cost.
• Unlocking geo-restricted content. You can browse articles and videos from around the world using proxies. For instance, a website may release a TV series that only viewers with a US IP can access. You can change your IP to the US and use a proxy to watch it.

III. Conclusion

Both dedicated and shared proxies have their advantages and disadvantages, and your choice depends on your specific needs. If you're wondering which type of proxy IP to use, it's essential to first consider your business requirements, budget, and demands. Quality-wise, dedicated IPs have the upper hand. Nowadays, providers like IPFoxy focus on offering clean dedicated IPs for cross-border businesses and even provide the option of using shared IPs for free. If you want to truly test their quality, give them a try to find out.