If you found this article, it most likely means you’re looking for information about proxies. You may have questions like, what are the differences between rotating, sticky sessions, and static proxies? Which should I use? Where can I buy them?
This and more are what we will cover in the rest of this guide. We’ve gathered the answers to these questions and explained everything you need to know. Yes, both the good and the bad sides.
Knowing the difference between these types of proxies is crucial. If you don’t know how they work, you won’t know which to pick.
Alright, then, shall we begin?
| Proxy type | Use it when |
|---|---|
| Rotating proxies (per-request) | Large-scale scraping, lots of pages/URLs, higher block risk, and you don’t need to keep the same IP between steps. |
| Sticky session proxies (time-based) | Logins, carts, multi-step flows, anything where you must look like one user for 5–30 minutes. |
| Static proxies (single IP) | Allowlists, stable API access, banking/merchant dashboards, long-lived accounts where IP consistency matters. |
General Proxy Info
With a proxy, your requests are not sent to the destination directly. Instead, the proxy serves as a front. The proxy network decides which IP within its pool to use and routes your data through it. This makes it look like the source is at your normal IP address.
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Rotating proxies | The IP changes per request (or on a configurable interval). Best when you don’t need the same IP across steps. |
| Sticky session proxies | A rotating pool where the same IP is held for a session window (commonly 5–30 minutes), then may change. |
| Static proxies | One dedicated IP that stays the same long-term. Often sold as dedicated or ISP static. |
Proxy servers are helpful because they enable users to hide their IP address and access restricted content without being detected. Additionally, as long as they have a residential IP address, they are capable of accessing geolocation-specific services.
Also read: Why Do You Need a Residential IP Address?
Rotating Proxies
Over 70% of scraping tasks face restrictions due to IP identification, which is exactly why rotating proxy servers have become essential for successful data collection. A rotating proxy server automatically changes IP addresses as required, making the host server consider each access as a unique visitor upon each IP address change.
Instead of manually switching IPs yourself, which is a tedious and time-consuming process, having your provider rotate IP addresses through their IP pool is far more efficient and reliable. This automated rotation is what separates successful large-scale data collection from projects that get blocked within minutes.
The pattern of IP rotation varies. The two main styles are: rotating with each new request or rotating after a certain amount of time, known as a sticky session.
Also read: Top 5 Best Rotating Residential Proxies
How Do Rotating Proxies Function, and When Should I Use Them?
Let’s focus on rotating per-request proxies for a moment. If you immediately follow up on a request with another one, the central proxy server won’t utilize the existing request’s exit node. Instead, the main proxy server will randomly choose a new IP address from the pool and reset the connection each time.
If you have a limited proxy pool, rotating proxies won’t do you as much good. Instead, you’ll repeatedly end up with the same IP addresses.
Rotating proxies are ideal for most web scraping data collection. Cycling IPs regularly will convince the target site that all of your requests are from different sources. Instead of, you know, noticing that it’s a bot.
Also read: Geo-targeted Residential Proxy
Sticky Session Proxies
Simply put, sticky sessions and static proxies allow users to maintain a constant IP address for as long as they require. Without the need for end-user devices, data centers or ISPs allocate sticky session proxy servers directly. This ensures reliable connections at high speeds with around-the-clock accessibility.
Also read: When to Use Sticky Rotating Sessions
How Do Sticky Session Proxies Function, and When Should I Use Them?
A sticky session proxy and its operation are very similar to those of a rotating one.
Sticky session proxies keep the same session open for a longer period than rotating sessions, which start a new connection for each demand. Instead, it will hold each IP address for a predetermined length of time before rotating to the next one. For example, the session duration could be ten or fifteen minutes long, depending on the provider.
Additionally, if the exit node your request is routed through goes down, the system will choose a new device and IP address for the session, thereby ending it prematurely.
Sticky session proxies are particularly useful for people who use many social media accounts. They allow users to perform online activities requiring a persistent login in rapid succession, such as online shopping or posting continuously on classified sites, while still wanting to conceal their identity.
Also read: Why Social Media Is Important for Businesses?
Static Proxies
A point of confusion regarding static proxies is the fact that the name is used interchangeably for two different types of proxies. Sometimes, sticky session proxies are referred to as static. For the sake of this article, though, we will focus on the second type: proxies with a single persistent static IP address.
Is there a difference between a static proxy and a sticky proxy? The terms are often used interchangeably, but there is a key difference. A static proxy can be used for several days (or even more). In contrast, a sticky proxy is only usable for a shorter period, typically up to an hour.
Source: Data Journal on Medium
A persistent static proxy is simply one that never changes. When you give a static IP address to a device, that number remains until the device is removed or your core network changes.
Also read: Rotating or Static Proxies for Twitter
How Do Static Proxies Function, and When Should I Use Them?
Persistent static proxies still reroute your requests to mask your identity, just like other proxies. However, a key difference is that they will keep that one IP as long as your contract lasts, even when you change devices.
Static IP addresses have two notable advantages. One, they are very stable. Because they don’t change IPs, they avoid the constant interruptions to the user’s connection that rotating proxies can create. Two, they’re very simple to use. You only have to configure them once, and then you’re all set.
These persistent IPs are good for things like filling out forms or making online transactions in instances where a rotating IP address might elicit a ban. Also, closed-network servers and other critical equipment often use static IP addresses. They greatly ease communications and operations in closed networks.
Also read: SOCKS5 Rotating or Static Proxies
IP Alone Isn’t the Whole Disguise
It’s tempting to think proxies are only about changing IPs, but modern anti-bot systems often evaluate multiple consistency signals at once. For automation and access workflows, the goal is reliability and fewer false positives, not tricking a site.
- Behavior signals matter: request patterns, navigation flow, retry storms, and sudden traffic spikes can trigger blocks even with good IPs.
- Fingerprints and client consistency matter: sites may look at browser/device fingerprint signals and whether they match the client you’re actually using.
- TLS + header consistency matters: many systems evaluate whether your connection characteristics and headers look stable and coherent across requests.
- Over-rotating can backfire: rotating too aggressively can look abnormal and increase friction (extra verification, soft blocks, throttling).
- Session consistency matters for logins: if a workflow depends on continuity (login → multi-step action → checkout), a stable session is often more reliable than constant rotation.
Always follow the target site’s Terms of Service and applicable laws. Your proxy strategy should reduce errors, avoid overloading servers, and keep access workflows stable.
Use Cases: Pick the Right Proxy Type by Workflow
Use this cheat sheet when you’re deciding between rotating, sticky sessions, and static IPs. Match IP persistence to the workflow, not the other way around.
- Price monitoring / ecommerce catalog scraping: Recommended: Rotating (per-request) for scale and high block risk. Switch to Sticky session if the target flow relies on session cookies (filters, carts, pagination state).
- Travel/hospitality availability checks: Recommended: Geo-targeted rotating residential for localized inventory and pricing. Keep rotation moderate to avoid teleporting users across regions mid-run.
- Ad verification / brand protection: Recommended: Geo-targeted rotating (residential or datacenter depending on strictness) to validate placements across regions and reduce bias from one IP footprint.
- Account login flows (support teams, multi-step workflows): Recommended: Sticky session (5–30 min) so logins, 2FA, and multi-step actions stay consistent and don’t break mid-flow.
- Marketplace posting workflows: Recommended: Sticky session for each working session, or Static/dedicated IP per account when platforms expect long-lived consistency. Pair with consistent browser profiles to reduce false positives.
- API allowlisting + partner integrations: Recommended: Static/dedicated IP when the partner requires an allowlist. Avoid rotation unless your partner explicitly supports rotating source IPs.
- SEO monitoring (local SERPs, rank checks): Recommended: Rotating + geo targeting. Don’t rotate too aggressively or you’ll create noisy, inconsistent location signals.
- Social media multi-account ops: Recommended: Sticky session or static per account, with slow, consistent patterns. Aggressive rotation can look abnormal even with good” IPs.
Static Proxies vs. Sticky Session Proxies vs. Rotating Proxies: A Comparison
| Comparison factor | Rotating proxies | Sticky session proxies | Static proxies |
|---|---|---|---|
| IP persistence | Changes per request (or by interval, depending on setup). | Same IP held for a session window (commonly 5–30 min), then rotates. | One dedicated IP that stays the same long-term. |
| Best for | Large-scale scraping, many URLs, broad coverage, high volume crawling. | Logins, carts, multi-step flows, actions that must look like one user. | Allowlists, stable API access, dashboards, long-lived accounts. |
| Weakest point | Can break workflows that expect the same IP across steps. | Session can end early if the exit node changes or drops. | If the IP is flagged, you lose the whole lane until it’s replaced. |
| Typical block risk | Low–medium (spreads requests across many IPs, but aggressive rotation can look unnatural). | Medium (more consistent than rotating, but still tied to pool/session stability). | Medium–high (reputation concentrates on one IP). |
| Cost range (relative) | Medium (often pay per GB or plan tier; varies by proxy source). | Medium (similar to rotating; session features may affect pricing). | Higher (you’re paying for a dedicated, persistent IP). |
| Pool dependency | High: pool size strongly affects uniqueness and success rate. | Medium: still pool-based, but less sensitive than per-request rotation. | Low: not pool-driven (it’s your single IP). |
| Geo targeting | Strong (often supports country/region/city options). | Strong (same as rotating, but held for the session). | Limited to the IP’s fixed location (you usually pick it once). |
| Session break behavior | “Session” is not the default. IP may change mid-workflow unless you force consistency. | Stable until the timer ends or the node drops, then IP changes. | Doesn’t rotate, so session continuity is steady unless the target blocks the IP. |
If your workflow needs a login or multi-step actions, start with sticky sessions. For scale scraping, use rotating. For allowlists and stability, choose static.
Also read: Should I Use Rotating or Static Proxies for Instagram?
Finishing Touches
In conclusion, both static and rotating proxies have their benefits and drawbacks. When you understand the differences between rotating, sticky sessions, and static proxies, you can better decide which is best for you.
Rotating proxies are excellent for people who want to frequently change their IP address so they can hide their identity online or prevent websites from tracking them.
When IP rotation is not a practical solution, static proxies can be the answer. You should use a static IP service when changing addresses can result in blocks or bans.
Lastly, a sticky session proxy is the answer when you need a balance between the two.
And that’s it! We hope you’ve enjoyed this blog post on the differences between static and rotating proxies and we hope you’ve learned something new.
KocerRoxy is an excellent provider option for rotating, sticky sessions, and static proxies. Their easy-to-use dashboard and affordable pricing make them an obvious choice for anyone looking to get started.
FAQs About Rotating, Sticky Sessions, and Static Proxies
Q1. What are rotating proxies and when should I use them?
Rotating proxies automatically change IP addresses with each request or at set intervals. They’re ideal for large-scale web scraping, price monitoring, and data collection where you need to access many URLs without appearing as a single user. They work best when you don’t need IP consistency between steps and want to distribute requests across multiple IPs.
Q2. What’s the difference between rotating and sticky session proxies?
Rotating proxies change IP with each request, spreading traffic across many IPs for large-scale operations. Sticky session proxies hold the same IP for 5-30 minutes before rotating, maintaining consistency for logins and multi-step workflows. Rotating suits high-volume scraping, while sticky sessions suit authenticated flows requiring temporary user continuity.
Q3. Which proxy type is best for web scraping?
Rotating proxies are best for large-scale web scraping because they distribute requests across multiple IPs, making your activity appear as different visitors. However, use sticky session proxies if the target site requires session cookies, maintains pagination state, or uses shopping cart functionality that needs IP consistency throughout the workflow.
Q4. What are sticky session proxies?
Sticky session proxies maintain the same IP address for a predetermined session window, typically 5-30 minutes, before rotating to a new IP. They’re perfect for workflows requiring temporary consistency like logins, shopping carts, multi-step forms, and social media account management where you need to appear as one user throughout the session.
Q5. What are static proxies used for?
Static proxies provide one dedicated IP address that remains constant long-term. They’re essential for IP allowlists, stable API access, banking dashboards, merchant platforms, and long-lived accounts where IP consistency is required. Unlike rotating proxies, they never change unless your contract ends or you manually switch IPs.
