Let's understand how a proxy server works and the criteria for choosing a provider

What is a proxy server?

A proxy server is an intermediate server that sits between the client andthe target site. It serves as a bridge for communication, providing anadditional level of security and privacy by masking the client's IP address.

When a client sends an HTTP request to a website, the request is intercepted by the proxy server, which forwards it to the recipient on behalf of the client. The site responds to the proxy server, which in turn sends the response back to the client. This process helps protect the identity of the client because the target site sees the requests as coming from the proxy server.

This mechanism provides various benefits, including:

• Improved performance through caching
• Prevent IP blocking, captcha and user fingerprinting.
• Access to geographically restricted content.
• Bandwidth regulation and speed limit bypass.
• Enhanced security.

Types of proxy servers

Proxy servers can be used for a variety of purposes, from enhancing security and privacy to optimizing network performance. That is, there are different types of proxy servers, each with its own characteristics. Based on this, they can be divided into several categories. Let's take a look at the most popular ones

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By IP address location

According to the IP address provided to the user, they can be categorized into:

• Data Center Proxy Servers:these servers are hosted in data centers and provide IP addresses that are not associated with any Internet Service Provider (ISP) or location. They are fast, but sites can easily detect and block them because of their identifiable IP address ranges.
• Resident proxy servers:offer IP addresses assigned to real resident devices. They guarantee a high level of anonymity because they appear as regular IP addresses from a specific location. Resident proxy servers are ideal for accessing sites that use geographical restrictions or anti-bot measures.
• Internet Service Provider Proxy Servers:expose static resident IP addresses provided by Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They are fast, secure, very reliable and are an ideal solution for SEO monitoring, web browsing and market research.
• Mobile proxy servers:their IP addresses come from real mobile devices. They provide a high level of anonymity and are useful for accessing mobile applications, websites or content. Learn more in our detailed guide to proxy IP address types.

Learn more in ourdetailed guide to proxy IP address types.

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By IP address rotation

These types of proxy servers are categorized by whether they provide a fixed IP address or an IP address that changes over time:

• Static proxy servers:use a fixed IP address for each connection request. They provide a constant and stable IP address for the duration of the proxy session. This is useful whenever you need to perform operations based on the IP addresses.
• Rotary proxy servers:dynamically change the IP address for each connection or after a certain period or number of requests. This type of proxy server ideal for appearing as a different user at all times, and allows you to bypass the speed limits imposed by anti-bot and scraping protection systems.

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By user use

Depending on the type of access they offer to users, distinguish:

• Shared proxy servers:multiple users can access the same server at the same time. These proxy servers are economical and are suitable for normal browsing or working with non-confidential information. They can be less reliable and may affect performance if many users use the same proxy server.
• Dedicated proxy servers:servers that provide exclusive use to a single user. They provide better performance, reliability, and enhanced security than shared proxy servers. Typically, dedicated proxy servers are useful for tasks that require dedicated resources or involve sensitive information.

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By level of anonymity

There is a different type of proxy server for each of the three levels of anonymity:

• Transparent Proxy Servers (level 3):reveal to the target server your IP address and the fact that you are using a proxy server. They are common because they do not need to be configured on the user's device. They do not guarantee anonymity and are mainly used for caching or content filtering.
• Anonymous proxy servers (level 2):hide your address from the target server, but may add headers indicating the use of a proxy server. They provide some level of anonymity, but their requests can still be detected advanced proxy protection measures.
• Elite proxies (level 3):replace your IP address with a new one and remove all your identity information from the headers HTTP. They provide the highest level of anonymity by completely hiding your IP address and avoiding any headers associated with the proxy server. Elite proxy servers are less likely to be detected by anti-bot technologies and are suitable for scenarios that require maximum anonymity.

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Per protocol

Depending on the ISO/OSI level they operate at, you may find:

• HTTP/HTTPS proxies:work at the application layer, processing HTTP and HTTPS traffic. They can intercept, filter and modify HTTP requests and responses.
• SOCKS proxies:operate at the transport layer and can handle a variety of protocols including HTTP, FTP and SMTP. They provide high flexibility and are typically used to route traffic through firewalls or for applications requiring traffic other than HTTP.
• SSL proxy:A gateway for TLS (Transport Layer Security) connections. They decrypt and re-encrypt data, offering a higher level of anonymity than HTTP and HTTPS proxies. Read our article on SSL proxies to learn more. Read our comparison article to understand the difference between SOCKS and HTTPS proxies.

What to look for when choosing a proxy server provider

When choosing a provider, it is important to consider some specific factors.Only by examining them can you be sure of choosing a reliable and appropriate service for your needs.

Here's a list of key elements to look for

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1. Multiple server types

The best proxy server providers sell a variety of different types of servers. This allows you flexibility for different use cases, such as accessing regional content, scraping web pages, protecting your identity, or checking advertisements.

Typically, proxy server vendors offer proxy servers for data centers, residents, ISPs, and mobile devices. Horizontally, they should have both shared and dedicated servers, each providing static or rotating IP addresses with varying levels of anonymity.

In addition to different types of proxy servers, a good provider should also have a large number of IP addresses to choose from. Ideally, several million. Providers that have an array of servers are more likely to have better reliability and performance because they can spread their user base across a large pool of servers.

This wide selection of proxy servers and IP addresses allows users to choose the most effective one based on their unique needs such as speed, IP address location, traffic type and security requirements.

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2. Various tariff plans

A reliable proxy server service offers several pricing plans, each with its own price and features. In this industry. Several types of proposals are used, the most popular of which are:

• Pay-as-you-use tariffs:you are charged according to the amount of proxy traffic used in gigabytes. This model ideal if you have predictable data usage or only want to pay for what you consume.
• Subscription-based plans:you pay a fixed monthly or annual price for access to a specific tier service determined by the available features and bandwidth constraints.
• Customized plans:special offers designed to meet the corporate needs of large companies. They usually involve a dedicated account manager for support and specific restrictions depending on the agreement made.

Analyzing a vendor's pricing structure is critical to ensure it fits your budget and needs. Another key aspect to consider is the availability of a free trial. This allows you to test proxy servers before upgrading to a paid plan.

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3. Global infrastructure

A reputable company in the industry should have servers on all six inhabited continents to ensure complete geographic coverage. A global infrastructure with servers distributed around the world has a number of advantages.

First,it gives you the ability to access content and sites from different countries, cities, and regions. When servers are strategically located in many areas, you can get local IP addresses from all over the world. This helps you bypass geographical restrictions and access regional content.

Second,it improves performance and speed. By locating servers geographically closer to users, the provider can ensure minimal latency. In other words, this means faster connection speeds and a better proxy experience.

Third,a broad infrastructure increases stability and helps to Ensure uninterrupted service. If a server in one location experiences problems or downtime, you can easily switch another server.

In general,the more proxies a vendor controls, the better the performance and reliability. It also demonstrates the company's commitment to meeting the needs of different users and providing a seamless experience.

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4. High reliability, uptime and availability

A reliable vendor should have a robust server infrastructure with systems in place to minimize downtime. This includes redundant servers, heartbeat monitoring and a proactive approach to maintenance to quickly resolve any potential issues.

The best proxy servers are available almost always and without slowdowns. A provider with a reputation for high reliability ensures that their proxy connections remain stable and efficient.

However, reliability without long uptime would be impossible. The percentage of time that servers are up should be greater than 99%. This ensures that proxy servers are up and running minimizing service interruptions.

Uptime also ensures availability, that is, the ability to access proxy servers at any time. A good vendor aims to ensure that its systems are available whenever users need them.

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5. Fast-response technical support

Working with proxy servers can be , especially for teams unfamiliar with the technology. That's why technical support is crucial for a smooth operation.

A service worth using has a fast and efficient technical support team available 24/7. A team of experts should be ready to assist you at any time, regardless of your geographical location or time zone. You should be able to resolve any questions or issues that may arise with fast and expert help.

You should also be able to contact the company through a variety of channels, including , chat, and ticketing. When a problem arises, no one knows how stressed you are at that moment and where you are. Thus, you should be able to choose your preferred method of communication.

In addition to operational support, the best proxy vendors also offer training resources including documentation, tutorials, videos and blog posts. This knowledge base contains many self-help solutions and helps you better understand the world of proxy servers.