Quick Answers

Do Proxies Slow Down Your Internet?

A little, usually. Every proxy adds an extra hop. Good datacenter and ISP proxies add very little delay; rotating residential and mobile proxies add more.

By Team of Monkeys Editorial Updated 1 min read Affiliate disclosure

This guide contains affiliate links to Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Do Proxies Slow Down Your Internet illustration: a little, usually 3jdej38j4

The short answer

Usually a little. Your traffic takes a detour: you to the proxy, the proxy to the website, and back. How much that costs depends on the proxy type and distance:

  • Datacenter and ISP proxies: fast servers on fast networks. Often barely noticeable.
  • Residential proxies: run through real home connections, so slower and more variable.
  • Mobile proxies: carrier networks add the most latency.

How to keep it fast

Pick proxy locations near the target website, not near you; use sticky sessions to avoid repeated handshakes; and test before you buy.

A free proxy loading one page (animated GIF) 3jdej38j4
A free proxy loading one page. GIF via GIPHY

Also known as

Proxy latency, proxy speed, proxy lag.

Learn more

Affiliate disclosure: Team of Monkeys is an affiliate of Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte. Links and banners marked as sponsored, and links to Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte in the text, use our referral links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our explanations and comparisons are written to be useful whichever provider you choose.

Editorial note: Proxy providers change their pools, features and prices often, so treat any figures here as typical ranges at the time of writing and confirm current terms with the provider before you buy.
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