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Datacenter vs. Residential vs. Mobile Proxies: Which One Should You Choose in 2026?

12 min readFebruary 19, 2026

Choosing the wrong proxy type can lead to account bans, failed scraping projects, or wasted money. In this comprehensive comparison, we break down the three main proxy types to help you make the right decision.

1. Datacenter Proxies

Datacenter proxies are the most common and affordable type. They come from cloud servers and data centers, not from real ISPs. They offer blazing-fast speeds but are easier for websites to detect and block.

Best For:

  • Speed-critical tasks that don't require high anonymity
  • Accessing geo-restricted content quickly
  • Website performance testing from different locations

At SP5Proxies, our Turbo ⚡ package offers premium datacenter proxies with maximum speed at the most competitive prices.

2. Residential Proxies

Residential proxies use real IP addresses assigned by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to home users. This makes them appear as legitimate users, making them extremely difficult for websites to detect and block.

Best For:

  • Large-scale web scraping and data collection
  • Market research and price monitoring
  • Ad verification and brand protection
  • SEO monitoring and SERP tracking

3. Mobile Proxies (The Gold Standard)

Mobile proxies are the most powerful and trusted type of proxy available. They use real IP addresses assigned by mobile carriers (AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon) to 4G/5G networks. Since millions of real users share these IPs, platforms like Instagram and Facebook trust them implicitly.

Best For:

  • Managing multiple social media accounts
  • Creating and growing accounts safely
  • Any task requiring maximum trust and reliability
  • Competitive gaming and streaming

At SP5Proxies, our Golden 👑 package is our flagship offering, providing premium mobile proxies that give you the ultimate power and reliability.

Complete Comparison Table

FeatureDatacenterResidentialMobile
SourceCloud serversHome ISPsMobile carriers (4G/5G)
SpeedFastestMediumFast
Trust LevelLowHighHighest
Detection RiskHighLowNearly Zero
Cost$$$$$$
Social MediaNot RecommendedGoodPerfect
Web ScrapingBasic sitesAll sitesAll sites

Find Your Perfect Proxy

SP5Proxies offers all three types of proxies with plans starting at just $0.25. Try our service risk-free with our free trial.