This article provides a quick, clear overview of key proxy concepts to help you choose the right solution for your needs.
Proxy vs Gateway
Proxy: An intermediary server that forwards your requests to websites and returns responses, hiding your real IP address and providing privacy, security, or access to restricted content.
Gateway: A broader network node that connects two different networks, often translating protocols or data formats. In proxy services, a gateway may manage and route traffic for multiple users or systems, sometimes offering advanced features like load balancing or protocol conversion.
Summary: All proxies are gateways, but not all gateways are proxies. Proxies focus on privacy and traffic routing, while gateways may handle broader network functions.
Session vs IP
IP: A unique address for a device on a network. With proxies, your requests appear to come from the proxy’s IP address.
Session: A continuous connection or series of requests using the same proxy IP. Some proxies let you keep the same IP for a set period ("sticky session"), while others rotate the IP for each new session or request.
Summary: IP is the address you appear to use; a session is how long you keep using that address before it changes.
Sticky vs Rotating
Sticky Proxy: Assigns you the same IP address for a certain duration or session. Useful for actions that require session persistence, like logging into accounts.
Rotating Proxy: Changes your IP address automatically, either for every request or after a set time. Helps avoid detection and bans when scraping or making many requests.
Summary: Sticky = same IP for a while; Rotating = IP changes frequently.
HTTP vs SOCKS5
HTTP Proxy: Designed for web traffic (HTTP/HTTPS). Can interpret, filter, and cache web content, but only works with web protocols. Ideal for browsing, web scraping, and accessing websites.
SOCKS5 Proxy: A flexible, lower-level proxy that works with any type of traffic (web, email, P2P, etc.). Does not interpret the data, making it suitable for a wider range of applications, including non-web protocols and applications that require anonymity.
Summary: HTTP proxies are for web traffic only; SOCKS5 proxies support all types of internet traffic and offer greater flexibility.
