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A proxy (or proxy server) is an intermediary server that sits between your device and the internet. When you use a proxy, your requests go to the proxy first, which forwards them to the target website and returns the response to you. The website sees the proxy's IP address instead of your real one — which is why proxies are used for privacy, geo-targeting, scraping, and managing multiple accounts.
In one sentence: a proxy hides your real IP address by routing your traffic through a different server.
How a proxy server works
Every device on the internet has an IP address — a unique identifier that reveals your approximate location and network. A proxy replaces yours with its own:
- Your app (browser, scraper, sneaker bot) sends a request to the proxy instead of directly to the site.
- The proxy forwards the request to the target site using its IP address.
- The site responds to the proxy, which passes the data back to you.
To the destination server, the traffic looks like it originated from the proxy. Your real IP, and often your real location, stays hidden.
Types of proxies
Proxies differ by the kind of IP address they use. This is the single most important choice — it decides how "real" you look to websites and how much you pay.
| Type | IP source | Detection risk | Best for | Price (GProxy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residential | Real home ISP devices | Very low | Sneakers, social media, ad verification, scraping protected sites | from $0.90/GB (→ $0.66/GB at scale) |
| ISP (static residential) | Datacenter-hosted, ISP-registered | Low | Long sessions, account management | $1.50/IP |
| Datacenter | Cloud servers | Higher | Speed-heavy tasks, cheap bulk requests | from $0.50/GB |
| Mobile | 4G/5G carrier IPs | Lowest | Instagram/TikTok automation, hardest targets | in $25/mo unlimited |
| IPv6 | Huge IPv6 ranges | Varies | Cheap high-volume where IPv6 is accepted | $0.03/proxy / 3 days |
Rule of thumb: the closer the IP is to a real consumer device, the harder it is to detect — and the more it costs. Residential and mobile look like genuine users; datacenter is fast and cheap but easier to flag.
Proxy protocols: HTTP(S) vs SOCKS5
Beyond IP type, proxies speak a protocol:
- HTTP/HTTPS proxies understand web traffic and can read/modify headers. Ideal for browsing and scraping.
- SOCKS5 proxies are lower-level and protocol-agnostic — they forward any TCP (and UDP) traffic: web, torrents, gaming, email. GProxy's SOCKS5 even supports UDP ASSOCIATE, so DNS and QUIC/HTTP-3 work through the tunnel.
If you only browse or scrape, HTTP is fine. If you need torrents, gaming, or non-web apps, choose SOCKS5. See SOCKS5 vs HTTP proxy for the full breakdown.
What people use proxies for
- Web scraping & data collection — rotate IPs to gather public data without getting blocked.
- Sneaker & ticket bots — residential IPs to avoid per-IP purchase limits.
- Social media management — one clean IP per account to avoid bans.
- Ad verification — check how ads render in different countries.
- Price & SEO monitoring — see localized prices and search results.
- Accessing geo-restricted content — appear to browse from another country.
Proxy vs VPN — what's the difference?
A VPN encrypts all your device's traffic through one server, mainly for privacy. A proxy works per-app and gives you a pool of IPs you can rotate — which is what you need for scraping, automation, and multi-account work. A VPN protects one connection; a proxy network scales to thousands of IPs across countries. For automation, proxies win.
Common myths
- "Proxies make you 100% anonymous." No — they hide your IP, but browser fingerprints, cookies, and logins can still identify you. Pair proxies with an antidetect browser for real isolation.
- "Free proxies are good enough." Free/public proxies are slow, shared by thousands, often already blocked, and can log your traffic. For anything serious, use paid proxies.
- "A proxy encrypts my data." Only HTTPS traffic is encrypted (by TLS, not the proxy). A proxy changes your IP; it isn't an encryption tool like a VPN.
How to choose a proxy
- Need to look like a real user (sneakers, social, protected sites)? → Residential or mobile.
- Need a stable IP for long sessions or one account? → ISP proxies.
- Need raw speed and low cost for tolerant targets? → Datacenter.
- Running non-web apps (torrents, games)? → SOCKS5.
- Testing before you commit? → GProxy offers pay-per-day access from $3/day and a free Telegram trial, with no monthly minimums.
FAQ
Is using a proxy legal?
Yes. Proxies are legal in most countries and widely used by businesses for data collection, ad verification, and security testing. What matters is what you do with them — follow each site's terms and local law.
Does a proxy hide my identity completely?
It hides your IP address, but not browser fingerprints, cookies, or accounts you log into. For full separation, combine proxies with an antidetect browser.
What's the difference between a proxy and a VPN?
A VPN routes all traffic through one encrypted tunnel for privacy. A proxy works per-app and gives you many rotating IPs — better for automation and multi-account use.
Which proxy type is hardest to detect?
Mobile and residential proxies, because they use IPs from real carriers and home ISPs. Datacenter IPs are easier for sites to flag.
Do I need SOCKS5 or HTTP?
HTTP is enough for browsing and scraping. Choose SOCKS5 for torrents, gaming, or any non-web app — GProxy's SOCKS5 also supports UDP.
How much does a proxy cost?
It depends on type: residential from $0.90/GB (dropping to $0.66/GB at volume), datacenter from $0.50/GB, or unlimited plans from $3/day. Telegram MTProto proxies start at $1/month.
Ready to try one? Get residential proxies with 10M+ IPs across 150+ countries, or start with SOCKS5. Pay with card, crypto, or SBP — instant activation, no KYC for small plans.