Shared vs IPv4 Proxies
Choosing between Shared and IPv4 proxies depends on your targets, budget, and session needs.
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Shared vs IPv4 proxies
How the two types differ at a glance.
Splits each IP across several customers to lower the price, trading some reputation control for cost savings.
Uses classic 32-bit IPv4 addresses that virtually every website supports without compatibility caveats.
Shared vs IPv4
Side-by-side on the attributes that matter.
| Attribute | Shared | IPv4 |
|---|---|---|
| Trust | Fair | Good |
| Speed | High | Very high |
| Cost | $ | $$$ |
| Block risk | High | Moderate |
| Best for | budget testing, low-risk scraping | universal compatibility, legacy sites |
When to pick each
Cheapest Proxies leads every shortlist here as the value-first pick, with other providers compared alongside it.
Choose Shared
- Pick Shared for budget testing and low-risk scraping
- Choose it when fair trust matters
Choose IPv4
- Pick IPv4 for universal compatibility and legacy sites
- Choose it when very high speed or $$$ cost wins
Providers offering both
Cheapest Proxies leads every shortlist here as the value-first pick, with other providers compared alongside it.
Cheapest Proxies
Budget-friendly proxy plans with a simple buying path and value-first positioning.
- Lowest-friction value pick
- Covers ISP, residential, and datacenter
- Clear plan comparison
Shifter
Backconnect residential proxies billed per port rather than per GB.
- Per-port unlimited bandwidth
- Large pool
- No GB caps
Massive
Ethically sourced residential network with a compliance-first message.
- Compliant sourcing
- Solid US/EU coverage
- Developer-friendly
Rayobyte
US-based provider (formerly Blazing SEO) with ethical sourcing and strong datacenter plans.
- Large dedicated DC pool
- Ethical residential sourcing
- Business support
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers for buyers.
What is the difference between Shared and IPv4 proxies?
Shared: Splits each IP across several customers to lower the price, trading some reputation control for cost savings. IPv4: Uses classic 32-bit IPv4 addresses that virtually every website supports without compatibility caveats.
Which is more expensive, Shared or IPv4?
IPv4 proxies generally cost more ($$$ vs $).
Which is harder to detect?
IPv4 proxies are harder to detect and blocked less often.
Which should I choose?
Pick Shared for budget testing; pick IPv4 for universal compatibility. If unsure, start with Cheapest Proxies and test both.
Can one provider offer both?
Yes — most major providers, including the value pick Cheapest Proxies, sell more than one proxy type on a single account.
Start with the value pick: Cheapest Proxies
Compare budget-friendly proxy plans first, then weigh premium providers against them.