Shared Proxy

A shared proxy is a type of proxy server where multiple users access the same IP address at the same time. It’s a popular choice for basic privacy protection, budget-conscious users, and general-purpose tasks online. 

Because it’s used simultaneously by different people, the identity behind the IP gets blurred—making individual users harder to track.

However, while shared proxies are useful in many scenarios, they also come with trade-offs in performance and reliability. Let’s unpack how they work and when they’re worth using.

What Is a Shared Proxy?

A shared proxy is an internet gateway where the same IP address is shared between multiple users. When a request is sent through the proxy, the server masks each user’s original IP and replaces it with the shared one. Websites that receive these requests see the same IP for all users behind the proxy.

This shared approach provides a level of anonymity and makes it harder to pinpoint or profile individual users—since dozens or even hundreds of users may appear to be coming from the same source.

How Shared Proxies Work

Whenever you send a request online—like visiting a website or loading an app—your device sends that request along with your IP address. A shared proxy steps in and reroutes that request, stripping your real IP and replacing it with the proxy’s shared address.

The website you visit responds to the proxy IP, not your own. The proxy then relays that response back to you. Because other users are doing the same thing using that same proxy server, your traffic blends in.

Key Benefits of Shared Proxies

1. Cost Efficiency

One of the main reasons people opt for shared proxies is the lower price. Because the cost of the IP and server resources is distributed among many users, shared proxies are often much more affordable than private or dedicated proxies.

2. Basic Anonymity

Using a shared proxy makes it harder for websites to build a profile around your IP. Your activity gets buried in a crowd of other users, which can serve as a basic layer of privacy.

3. Easy Setup

Shared proxies are usually plug-and-play. You get the IP address and port, enter them into your browser or proxy configuration tool, and you’re good to go.

Limitations of Shared Proxies

Performance Variability

Since multiple users are sending requests through the same IP, the bandwidth gets split. This can lead to slower browsing, timeouts, or inconsistent speeds—especially if others are using the proxy heavily.

Higher Risk of IP Blocks

If someone sharing the proxy misuses it—for example, spams a platform or scrapes too aggressively—the shared IP might get flagged or blacklisted. This affects everyone using that proxy.

Not Ideal for Sensitive Tasks

Because you’re not in full control of the IP’s reputation, shared proxies are less suited for critical tasks like managing business accounts, automation, or scraping sensitive targets.

Shared Proxy vs Private Proxy

Use Cases for Shared Proxies

General Browsing

Perfect for people who want a simple way to hide their IP without any advanced configurations.

Accessing Geo-Restricted Content

Sometimes a shared proxy with an IP from another country can be enough to unlock region-specific content or bypass basic filters.

Light Scraping or Automation

For small-scale scraping or automation where high trust isn’t required, shared proxies can still work.

Shared Proxies in Antidetect Environments

When used inside an antidetect browser, shared proxies still provide some value. Although they lack the trust level of residential or private proxies, they can work for low-risk profiles or burner sessions. Just be mindful of pairing them with consistent browser fingerprints and geo settings, or you risk detection.

For more persistent or large-scale operations—like managing multiple accounts or long-term automation—shared proxies may fall short, and dedicated solutions would be better.