Another debate, ISP vs Residential proxies… Both have their own pros and cons, but one is more recommended.
We have shed light on the difference between datacenter vs residential proxies in our last article. In today’s blog, we proceed to touch on another debate, “ISP vs Residential Proxies.”
Read on to understand the difference between an ISP proxy and a residential proxy to help yourself make a good decision.
What Are ISP Proxies?
ISP proxies are a type of proxy server that use IP addresses associated with internet service providers (ISPs). They are akin to residential proxies but differ in that they are hosted on servers located in data centers. ISP proxies can handle fewer concurrent requests than residential proxies. Yet, they excel at dealing with websites that have relatively simple blocking mechanisms and site architectures.
ISP proxies are favored among proxy users for their ability to combine the best aspects of residential, datacenter, and dedicated proxies. They are known for their speed, stability, and constant availability, making them well-suited for data-intensive tasks.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using an ISP Proxy
If you’re considering using an ISP proxy as your proxy server, it’s good to understand both its benefits and drawbacks. Below are the advantages and disadvantages of an ISP proxy to help you make your decision.
Advantages of ISP Proxies
Lower Detection Risk: IPs of an ISP proxy are supplied by Internet Service Providers, hence the ISP in its name. They closely resemble residential IPs. This similarity makes ISP proxies an excellent choice for tasks like web scraping and managing social media accounts, where avoiding detection is essential.
High Speed and Stability: Since these IPs are hosted on servers in data centers, they pride themselves on their fast and stable connections to Internet services. This makes ISP proxies perfect for activities that demand rapid data transmission, such as streaming services and online gaming.
Long-Lasting Sessions: ISP proxies are static, meaning they maintain the same IP address for an extended period. This consistency is ideal for tasks requiring a reliable and continuous connection, like downloading or uploading large files.
Improved Privacy and Security: By masking your actual IP address, ISP proxies enhance your online privacy and security. They help protect your identity and data from potential threats.
Disadvantages of ISP Proxies
Limited Location Coverage: The availability of ISP proxy networks can be limited in certain regions, depending on your proxy provider. Various factors, such as regional demand and the willingness of ISPs to participate, influence this coverage. As a result, you may find limited options in specific geographic areas.
Low Subnet Diversity: ISP proxies may have limited subnet diversity and collaborate with smaller internet service providers. This can make them more susceptible to blacklisting if not refreshed regularly. It’s essential to monitor and maintain these proxies to ensure their reliability.
Small ISPs: Many ISP proxy IPs end up registered with smaller, regional companies rather than major commercial providers. Unfortunately, IP databases often categorize them as datacenter IPs. This can negate the primary benefit of using ISP proxies — resembling residential IPs.
What Are Residential Proxies?
Residential proxies are a distinct type of IP address associated with actual homes and specific Internet service providers. They form a sprawling network of authentic IP addresses provided by ISPs. Residential proxy networks enable users to utilize these IP addresses, enhancing their online protection. These IP addresses are typically tied to physical locations, ranging from small local areas to global reach.
Residential proxies operate by substituting the user’s real IP address with a different one. This action creates the illusion of being in a specific country or city, regardless of the user’s true location. A residential provides heightened anonymity and stealth, compared to ISP proxies. This is because their IP addresses are from real ISP customers. Residential proxies are legal. They are used in business for competitor analysis, market research, and brand reputation management.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Residential Proxies
If your heart is tilting towards buying a residential proxy, it’s just as important to weigh their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Residential Proxies
Anonymity and Privacy: A residential proxy helps keep you anonymous and private while surfing the web. It makes it hard for websites to tell if you are using a proxy or not. This means you are less likely to get blocked. It also adds more security to your online activities.
Access to Localized Content: With a residential proxy, you can access content that is blocked in certain areas. It gives you a local IP address, making it look like you are in that region. This way, you can see content that you normally can’t access.
Abundance of IP Options: Residential proxy services typically operate vast pools of IP addresses, from thousands to millions of IPs. These addresses are distributed across various geographic locations. This helps the users reduce the likelihood of using the same IP address repeatedly. You can choose a different IP for each request to a target website.
Reduced Risk of IP Blocking and Restrictions: Residential proxies allocate their real IP addresses to users. This authenticity minimizes the chances of being blocked or restricted by websites.
Disadvantages of Residential Proxies
Unstable Connections: Residential proxies route client requests through actual devices,. Sometimes, this can result in slower data retrieval compared to ISP proxies.
Only Shared IPs: Residential proxy providers grant all customers access to the same pool of proxies. As a result, you’ll be sharing these IPs with other users. While this can offer diversity, it also means that the same IP address may be used by multiple individuals simultaneously.
The Differences Between ISP and Residential Proxies
Now that you have grasped what ISP proxies and residential proxies are, it’s time to compare these two to help you weigh your options better.
Origin of the IP Addresses
ISP proxies are a hybrid, assigned by internet service providers, but hosted in data centers. They combine elements of both residential and datacenter proxies.
Residential proxies are IP addresses provided by internet service providers to homeowners. These IPs are associated with real residential addresses.
Anonymity
ISP proxies provide a level of anonymity similar to residential proxies. However, they can be more easily identified as proxies compared to purely residential IPs.
Residential proxies offer high levels of anonymity since they represent regular internet users, making them less likely to be distinguished from genuine users.
Reliability
Both types had smaller chances to be blacklisted by websites in comparison with datacenter proxies. However, residential proxies outshine ISP proxies because they appear as genuine user connections.
Cost
Generally, ISP proxies fall between residential and datacenter proxies in terms of cost. They are more affordable than residential proxies but pricier than datacenter alternatives. That means residential proxies are more expensive due to their legitimacy and lower risks of detection.
Speed
ISP proxies tend to be faster and more stable than residential proxies because they are hosted on data center infrastructure.
Residential proxies are slower and less stable because they rely on the real users’ internet connection.
Use Cases
ISP proxies are suitable for tasks that demand both speed and a certain level of legitimacy. Examples include web scraping, SEO research, and social media management.
Residential proxies are ideal for data scraping, ad verification, and accessing geo-restricted content while minimizing the risk of being blocked.
Conclusion
So, another debate addressed. ISP vs Residential Proxies? The choice ultimately depends on your specific needs. ISP proxies offer speed and versatility but are easier to detect. Yet, we recommend using a residential proxy, not because we provide this type, because it offers excellent anonymity and reliability.
To explore more insightful topics and stay informed, check out our other blogs at 9Proxy. Subscribe to receive our biweekly newsletter and enhance your internet experiences.
