Mobile vs Residential Proxies

✓ last verified 2026-08-07 · every figure read from the provider’s live pricing page on that date · how we verify

Mobile proxies exit through carrier networks (4G/5G); residential proxies exit through home broadband. Mobile IPs get the gentlest treatment from platforms because carriers put thousands of real users behind each IP (CGNAT) — blocking one mobile IP risks blocking them all. You pay for that immunity.

The practical differences

MobileResidential
Trust level at targetsHighest (CGNAT herd immunity)High
Verified price range$0.50–$2.00/GB pooled; $6–$10+/IP dedicated$1.00–$7.00/GB
Speed/stabilityCarrier-dependent, jitterySteadier
Best forSocial platforms, app APIs, account workGeneral scraping, geo-testing, e-commerce

Verified mobile pricing

ProviderBest verified ratePlanNotes
DataImpulse$2/GBIntro/Basic1TB tier $1.60/GB

Verified residential pricing

ProviderBest verified ratePlanNotes
ProxyEmpire$0.75/GBrotating fromstatic resi from $0.75/GB + $2/IP; rotating mobile from $1.25/GB; DC from $0.35/GB; unlimited resi from $1500/
Proxy-Cheap$0.78/GBrotating fromshown discounted from $2.60 — promo pricing; static resi (ISP) $2.71/mo; rotating mobile $5.99/GB; DC IPv4 fro
DataImpulse$1/GBIntro/BasicPAYG, traffic never expires; 1TB tier $0.80/GB; premium resi $5/GB
Proxy-Seller$1.3/GBfromSTARTING PRICE ONLY; mobile from $10/IP, IPv4 from $0.49/IP, ISP from $0.98/IP, IPv6 from $0.02/IP
SOAX$1.5/GBScale $1500/moTier1 geo; 3000 credits; +VAT; Enterprise from $0.85 T1
Webshare$1.5/GB1000GB3TB tier at $1.40/GB
Rayobyte$1.5/GBProfessional 250-999GBCorporate 1-5TB $0.70/GB; Enterprise 5TB+ $0.50/GB
IPRoyal$1.75/GBCustom 10TB+subscription variant $1.84
NodeMaven$2.2/GBmonthly fromPAYG $4.50/GB (20% off from $5.63); $3.50 trial w/ 750MB; ISP from $2.99/IP
Bright Data$2.5/GB798GB50% off promo pricing
Decodo (ex-Smartproxy)$2.75/GB100GB+VAT
Oxylabs$6/GBfromSTARTING PRICE ONLY — full tier table not visible; mobile from $7.5, ISP from $16, SOCKS5 from $8

FAQ

Are mobile proxies worth the premium over residential?

Only when the target treats mobile IPs differently — principally social platforms and mobile-app endpoints. For ordinary scraping, verified residential at $1–$4/GB does the job; paying mobile rates there is waste.

Why are mobile proxies more expensive?

Scarcer supply (real SIM/carrier capacity) and higher demand from account-management use cases. Dedicated mobile IPs run a verified $6–$10+ per IP monthly.

Can I use residential proxies for Instagram or TikTok accounts?

People do at small scale, but platform tolerance is materially higher for carrier IPs; serious multi-account operations default to mobile. That’s a use-pattern observation, not an endorsement — follow platform terms.