What Are Rotating Proxies? Types, Comparison & Quick Setup

Maintaining online privacy has become a common demand. Proxy servers serve as intermediaries between users and the internet, offering more than anonymity, for example, bypassing restrictions. Among the various types of proxies, rotating proxies stand out for their effectiveness in safeguarding users and enhancing performance.

In this article, we will explore:

• What are rotating proxies
• Types of rotating proxies
• Compare them with static and sticky proxies
• Quick guide to use them

What Are Rotating Proxies?

A rotating proxy is a proxy server that automatically changes the IP address at set intervals or after each request. Instead of using a single static IP, rotating proxies assign a new IP from a large pool, making it harder for websites to detect automated activity.

Features and Benefits

• Prevents bans by frequently changing IPs.
• Mimics real user behavior for web scraping.
• Enhances anonymity by rotating locations dynamically.

How Do Rotating Proxies Work?

1. A request is sent through the proxy server.

2. The proxy assigns a new IP address from its pool.

3. The request reaches the target website from a different IP.

4. The next request repeats the process with a fresh IP.

Three Types of Rotation Mechanisms

Rotation Type	Description	Best Use Cases
Time-Based Rotation	IP changes after a fixed time (e.g., every 5 minutes)	Session-based scraping, social media automation
Request-Based Rotation	IP changes after each request or after a predefined number of requests	Large-scale data extraction, ad verification
Session-Based Rotation (Sticky Proxies)	Keeps the same IP for a longer session before rotating	E-commerce monitoring, login-based tasks

Editor’s Tip: We will do a detailed comparison between sticky and fully rotating proxies later in this blog.

Common Use Cases

1. Web Scraping & Data Mining: Prevents IP bans when extracting large amounts of data from websites.

2. SEO Monitoring: Enables tracking keyword rankings across different locations without triggering CAPTCHA challenges.

3. Ad Verification: Helps verify ads across different regions by constantly changing IPs.

4. Cybersecurity Testing: Simulates attacks from multiple locations to test website defenses.

Why Use Rotating Proxies?

Optimizing Web Scraping & Automation

This is the top reason for using rotating proxies. Large-scale data extraction requires multiple IPs to avoid detection. Rotating proxies ensure continuous access to data-heavy sites.

Avoiding IP Bans & Rate Limits & CAPTCHAs

Websites block scrapers and bots making too many requests from the same IP. Rotating proxies distribute requests across multiple IPs, reducing detection.

Enhancing Anonymity & Security

Frequent IP changes make it difficult for websites to track your activity. Protects against IP-based fingerprinting and tracking.

Types of Rotating Proxies

1. Rotating Residential Proxies

Rotating residential proxies use real residential IPs assigned by ISPs. Harder to detect compared to datacenter proxies. Best for bypassing strict anti-bot systems (e.g., Amazon, Google). More expensive but provides high anonymity.

Top Providers: Bright Data, Oxylabs, Smartproxy, GoProxy

2. Rotating Datacenter Proxies

Uses cloud-based or datacenter IPs (not linked to real users). Faster and more affordable than residential proxies. Best for bulk data collection and SEO monitoring. Easier to detect than residential proxies.

Top Providers: GoProxy, BlazingSEO, StormProxies

3. Rotating ISP Proxies

Combines residential trust with datacenter speed. Best for managing social media accounts without bans. Faster than traditional residential proxies but more expensive than datacenter proxies.

Top Providers: Bright Data, Soax

4. Rotating Mobile Proxies (3G/4G/5G)

Uses mobile carrier networks (high anonymity). Best for managing multiple social media accounts (Instagram, TikTok). Harder to detect due to carrier-grade NAT (CGNAT). Expensive due to limited availability.

Top Providers: AirProxy, ProxyGuys, Bright Data

Static vs. Rotating Proxies

What Are Static Proxies?

Static proxies provide a single dedicated IP address that remains unchanged for an extended period. Useful for activities requiring a consistent online identity.

Key Differences Between Static & Rotating Proxies

Feature	Static Proxies	Rotating Proxies
IP Consistency	Fixed IP	Changes frequently
Anonymity & Security	Low	High
Detection Risk	Higher	Lower
Performance & Speed	Faster	May have slight delays
Best Use Cases	Social media management, secure browsing	Web scraping, automation

If you need a stable connection for logging into accounts, choose static proxies.

If you need high anonymity for scraping, choose rotating proxies.

Sticky vs Rotating Proxies

What Are Sticky Proxies?

Sticky proxies allow users to maintain the same IP for a longer session while still using a rotating proxy network. They offer a balance between stability and anonymity.

Key Differences Between Sticky & Rotating Proxies

Feature	Sticky Proxies	Full Rotating Proxies
Session Persistence	Keeps the same IP for a session	Changes IP frequently
Anonymity	Moderate	High
Reliability & Compatibility	More stable for login-based tasks	Better for large-scale scraping
Best Use Cases	E-commerce monitoring, ad verification	Data extraction from strict sites

If you need session-based browsing, use sticky proxies.

If you need rapid IP changes, use fully rotating proxies.

How to Use Rotating Proxies? - Quick Setup Examples in Python & Scrapy

1. Choose a Rotating Proxy Provider

To get started, you need a reliable proxy provider that offers rotating proxies. You can consider the top providers we list above in the Types section. Look for a provider with a large IP pool, fast speeds, and flexible rotation settings.

2. Confirm Rotation Settings Based on Your Use Case

Most proxy providers allow you to configure how often your IPs rotate. Choose request or time-based rotation as you need.

Editor's Tip: If you need persistent sessions for logging into accounts, use sticky proxies instead of fully rotating proxies.

3. Get the Proxy Information

Once you’ve set up your rotation preferences, your provider will give you the proxy IP & port.

Example format: http://username:[email protected]:8080

4. Configure Rotating Proxies in Your Application

Next, you need to configure it in your preferred tool or application. Below are two simple examples:

Example 1. Using Rotating Proxies in Python (requests module)

For Copy:

import requests

from itertools import cycle

 

proxies = [

    "http://proxy1:port",

    "http://proxy2:port",

    "http://proxy3:port"

]

 

proxy_pool = cycle(proxies)

 

url = "https://example.com"

 

for _ in range(5):  

    proxy = next(proxy_pool)

    response = requests.get(url, proxies={"http": proxy, "https": proxy})

    print(response.text)

Example 2. Setting Up Rotating Proxies in Scrapy

Automatically rotates proxies for web scraping.

For Copy:

# settings.py configuration

DOWNLOADER_MIDDLEWARES = {

    'scrapy.downloadermiddlewares.httpproxy.HttpProxyMiddleware': 1,

    'my_project.middlewares.RotateProxyMiddleware': 100,

}

 

PROXY_LIST = [

    "http://proxy1:port",

    "http://proxy2:port",

    "http://proxy3:port"

]

Interested in a detailed example? Check our blog “A Beginner’s Guide to Web Scraping in R”. 

5. Monitor Performance & Optimize

Regularly check proxy performance to prevent issues like slow speeds, failed connections, or blocked IPs. Key points include success rates, speed & latency, and bans/CAPTCHAs.

Best Practices & Common Mistakes When Using Rotating Proxies

To maximize efficiency and avoid bans, follow these key do’s and don’ts:

Do:

1. Use Residential or Mobile Rotating Proxies for High Anonymity

2. Adjust Rotation Frequency Based on Your Use Case

3. Implement User-Agent Rotation & Headers Spoofing

4. Slow Down Requests to Mimic Human Behavior

5. Handle CAPTCHAs with Anti-CAPTCHA Services

Don’t:

1. Using Free Proxies: These are often slow, unreliable, and insecure. Always use a reputable provider.

2. Not Using Session Persistence When Needed: Some tasks require sticky proxies instead of fully rotating ones (e.g., logging into accounts).

3. Sending Too Many Requests Too Quickly: This can trigger bans even with rotating proxies—always throttle request speed.

4. Ignoring Website-Specific Anti-Bot Measures: Some sites use advanced fingerprinting techniques—consider using browser automation tools like Puppeteer or Playwright if needed.

Final Thoughts

Choose rotating proxies when performing large-scale data extraction or automation tasks requiring high anonymity. Need high-quality rotating proxies? Check GoProxy flexible plans, covering rotating residential & datacenter & 4g proxies, pay as you go. Support both fully automatic and sticky rotation. We also provide unlimited rotating residential proxies for maximum efficiency. Start a free trial today!