Proxies aren't just for IT folks anymore. Today, students use them to access blocked educational resources, marketers spy on competitors, and regular people watch content that's not available in their country.
Proxies come in all shapes and sizes - there's a type for every job. Let's break down the main types, their features, and where they come in handy. We'll also look at how to pick what you actually need and check if your proxy is working properly.
What Is a proxy server and how does It work?
A proxy is basically a middleman between your computer and websites. You send a request, it goes to the proxy, and then the proxy talks to the website on your behalf. When it gets a response, the proxy sends it back to you.
IP replacement and traffic routing through proxies
When you work through a proxy, websites see the proxy's IP address, not yours. Here's what that gets you:
- Bypassing regional restrictions
- Hiding your real location
- More privacy online
- Working with multiple accounts at once
- Faster loading for frequently visited sites
How proxies differ from VPNs and other anonymization methods
Key differences:
Traffic coverage: VPN encrypts all your device's traffic, proxies only work with specific programs.
Encryption: VPN always encrypts data, proxies might work with minimal or no encryption at all.
Speed: Proxies are usually faster - they don't waste resources on full encryption. GonzoProxy has high-speed servers with minimal lag.
Flexibility: Through proxies, you can set up different programs to use different servers.
Why regular people need proxies
Everyday uses:
To access popular platforms restricted in certain countries — like YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, X (Twitter), Facebook, Spotify and others — people often use European proxies. Services like GonzoProxy provide EU IPs that help bypass regional blocks and give full access to social media, streaming services, and news sites.
- Save money: prices for goods and services vary by country - you can find better deals
- Café security: extra protection when using public Wi-Fi
- Less tracking: ad networks have a harder time following your activity
Proxy server classification: Full Overview
By protocol and application
HTTP / HTTPS
HTTP proxies work with web traffic. They understand the HTTP protocol and can cache pages for quick reloading. The HTTPS version adds basic encryption.
Pros:
- Fast web request processing
- Save bandwidth through caching
- Work with all browsers
- Can filter content
Cons:
- Only work with HTTP/HTTPS
- Might keep logs of your activity
- Can see transmitted data
Where to use: web browsing, website parsing, corporate access control.
SOCKS5
Universal proxy type at the transport level. Works with any protocols and traffic types without interfering.
Features:
- Works with UDP
- Has authentication
- Supports IPv6
- Excellent throughput
Where needed: torrents, gaming, messengers, professional parsing. SOCKS5 from GonzoProxy works reliably with any software.
DNS / SMTP / FTP
Specialized proxies for specific protocols:
TOR, CGI, SmartDNS
TOR proxies work through the Tor network:
- Multi-layer encryption
- Maximum anonymity
- Access to .onion sites
- Slow speed
CGI proxies work through a web interface:
- No system setup needed
- Easy to use
- Limited capabilities
SmartDNS combines DNS and proxy:
- Removes geographic restrictions
- Maximum speed without encryption
- Great for streaming
By location and IP source
Datacenter Proxies
Located in data centers, use hosting provider IPs.
Pros:
- Excellent speed
- Stable operation
- Low price
Cons:
- Easily detected by protection systems
- Often blocked by popular platforms
- Look unnatural to websites
Residential proxies
Use regular ISP IPs, look like home users.
Pros:
- Websites trust them
- Rarely blocked
- Work great with social media
- Wide country selection
Cons:
- More expensive than other types
- Speed can fluctuate
Among services providing access to residential IPs in over 100 countries, GonzoProxy stands out — a provider focusing on connection stability and wide geolocation choice.
Mobile proxies
Use mobile carrier IPs, maximally natural traffic.
Features:
- IP changes automatically
- Platforms trust them the most
- Almost impossible to block
- Mimic mobile behavior
Applications: SMM, affiliate marketing, mobile app testing.
Services like GonzoProxy provide mobile and residential proxies with fine-tuning options — IP retention, timer-based rotation or on-demand, country and region selection. This is handy when you're building infrastructure for a specific use case.
By level of anonymity
Transparent proxies
Don't hide your IP or the fact you're using a proxy. Pass all information in headers.
Applications:
- Corporate caching
- Parental controls
- Employee monitoring
- Speed boost
Anonymous proxies
Hide your real IP but show you're using a proxy.
Good for:
- Protection from web analytics
- Bypassing simple blocks
- Blocking personalized ads
Elite (High-Anonymous) proxies
Completely hide both your IP and the fact you're using a proxy. Indistinguishable from regular users.
Essential for:
- Professional parsing
- Social media work
- Confidential research
- Serious testing
Most proxy services don't hold up under serious anonymity checks. GonzoProxy uses technologies that make traffic indistinguishable from regular users.
By traffic direction
Forward proxy
Regular proxy type, works on behalf of the client to access the internet.
Flow: Your computer → Proxy → Website
Reverse proxy
Works on behalf of the server, accepts requests and distributes them among company servers.
Flow: Your computer → Reverse proxy → Company servers
Applications:
- Load balancing
- DDoS protection
- Caching
- SSL termination
By service model
Dedicated / Private
Provided only to you, maximum speed without other users' influence. GonzoProxy gives dedicated proxies with full control.
Shared / Public
Used by several people simultaneously. Cheaper, but speed can drop under high load.
Rotating proxies
Automatically change IPs at set intervals. Essential for mass parsing.
GonzoProxy has two modes for rotating residential proxies:
1. Sticky IP: IP holds for a certain time (30 seconds to 7 days)
2. Randomize IP: new IP for each request
How to choose the right proxy for your use case
Selection based on use case
Web scraping and data collection
Main thing - reliability and resistance to blocks.
What to get:
- Rotating residential for complex projects
- Datacenter for simple tasks
- SOCKS5 for protocol flexibility
Accessing geo-blocked content
Anonymity and server location matter.
Best choice:
- Residential proxies from the needed country
- Elite anonymity level
- HTTPS for data protection
SMM, affiliate marketing, multi-accounting
Need maximally natural behavior.
What works:
- Mobile proxies for social media
- Residential from different subnets
- Separate proxy for each account
Testing and automation
Stability and parameter control are important.
Suitable types:
- Datacenter for speed
- SOCKS5 for different protocols
- Static IPs for repeatable tests
DePIN farming
Participating in decentralized networks needs special settings. GonzoProxy has optimized solutions for DePIN. Details in the special guide.
What to consider when choosing a proxy
IP location and stability
Choose proxies in needed countries with stable IPs.
Speed, anonymity, protocol type
Set priorities: for parsing speed matters, for privacy - anonymity, for specific tasks - support for needed protocols.
Number of IPs and rotation settings
Large projects need many IPs with customizable rotation.
How to check If your proxy works
Browser-level proxy testing
Set up the proxy in your browser and visit an IP checker site. If the address changed - the proxy works.
Tools and API-based checks
Speed testing:
- SpeedTest.net for general measurements
- Fast.com for quick checks
- Special tools for precise measurements
Anonymity test:
- Whoer.net for comprehensive checking
- DNSLeakTest.com for DNS leak checks
- IPLeak.net for WebRTC leaks
How to tell if your PC is connected via proxy
To find out if a proxy is being used on your computer:
- Windows: Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy
- macOS: System Preferences → Network → Advanced → Proxies
- Command line: use netstat or curl commands
Proxy vs VPN: Which one to use?
Get GonzoProxy if:
1. Speed is critical
2. Working with large volumes
3. Need flexible settings for different programs
4. Want to save money
5. Need professional support
Get VPN if:
1. Need to protect all device traffic
2. Often use public Wi-Fi
3. Want one-click setup
4. Provider protection matters
Conclusion
What types of proxies exist - in short
Proxies differ by protocols (HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5), IP sources (datacenter, residential, mobile), anonymity (transparent, anonymous, elite) and service model (private, shared, rotating). GonzoProxy has all types for any task.
How to find the best proxy
First, figure out your goal. For parsing, get rotating residential, for bypassing blocks - elite with the right geography, for SMM - mobile. Look for balance between speed, anonymity and price.
Practical tips
- Always test proxies before buying large packages
- Use different types for different tasks
- Monitor server availability
- Don't skimp on quality for important projects
- Choose providers with good support
- Keep up with new proxy technologies
Ready to start working with professional proxies? Check out GonzoProxy rates and use promo code START15 for 15% off your first purchase.
