Web scraping is getting tougher every year. Websites are cracking down with bot detection tools, CAPTCHAs, and IP bans faster than ever. If you’ve been scraping with datacenter or even residential proxies, you’ve probably noticed that success rates aren’t what they used to be. That’s where mobile proxies come in.
Mobile proxies offer real, carrier-assigned IPs that are constantly rotating. This makes them nearly impossible to track and block—perfect for web scraping. But not all mobile proxies are created equal. Some are too slow, some have poor rotation, and some just flat-out overcharge.
I’ve spent years in the scraping game, testing different proxy providers, and learning from trial and error. In this guide, I’ll break down what to look at when choosing mobile proxies for web scraping in 2025 and tips for avoiding bans.
Why Use Mobile Proxies for Web Scraping?
If you’re still using datacenter or even residential proxies for scraping, you might be wondering: What makes mobile proxies so special? Here’s why they outperform other proxy types:
✅ Lower Ban Rate
Most websites aggressively block datacenter proxies because they come from known server farms. Residential proxies are better, but they still leave patterns that websites can detect. Mobile proxies, however, are assigned by real cellular carriers (like Verizon, AT&T, or Vodafone), making them virtually undetectable.
✅ Automatic IP Rotation
Mobile IPs rotate naturally due to carrier network changes. This means your scraping requests come from different IPs all the time, reducing the risk of detection. Some providers even offer manual rotation if you need more control.
✅ Bypasses Tough Anti-Scraping Measures
Websites like Google, Amazon, and social media platforms have strict bot detection. Mobile proxies help you blend in with real users, avoiding CAPTCHAs and bans.
✅ Better Success Rate for Large-Scale Scraping
If you’re scraping large datasets—like e-commerce product listings, flight prices, or real estate listings—mobile proxies can drastically improve your success rate.
What to Look for in a Good Mobile Proxy Provider
Not all mobile proxy providers are worth your time (or money). Before you sign up for a service, consider these key factors:
📌 IP Pool Size & Rotation
A larger IP pool means a lower chance of getting flagged. The best providers have thousands of IPs across multiple carriers.
📌 Speed & Latency
Mobile proxies can sometimes be slower than datacenter proxies. Look for providers that offer 4G and 5G connections for the best performance.
📌 Pricing & Bandwidth Limits
Some providers charge per GB of data used, while others have unlimited plans. Make sure the pricing model fits your needs.
📌 Geolocation Options
If you’re scraping geo-restricted content, you’ll need a provider that offers IP addresses from different countries or regions.
📌 API & Automation Support
If you’re running large scraping projects, make sure the provider has an API for easy integration with your scripts.
How to Set Up Mobile Proxies for Web Scraping
Setting up a mobile proxy for scraping is easy. Here’s how:
Step 1: Choose a Proxy Provider & Get Your Credentials
Sign up, pick a plan, and get your proxy IP address, port, username, and password.
Step 2: Configure Your Scraping Tool
If you’re using Scrapy, add your proxy details in settings.py:
If you’re using Selenium, set up the proxy like this:
Step 3: Rotate IPs to Avoid Detection
Most providers allow you to rotate IPs automatically. If not, you can trigger a new session manually in your script.
Step 4: Monitor Performance & Adjust Settings
Test different delays, headers, and request intervals to avoid triggering anti-bot mechanisms.
Best Practices for Scraping with Mobile Proxies
- Don’t spam requests: Keep requests below the detection threshold (e.g., 1 request per second).
- Use proper headers: Spoof user agents and headers to look like a real mobile user.
- Rotate user sessions: Don’t reuse the same IP and session for too long.
- Test before scaling: Start with small batches before scraping thousands of pages.
No matter which provider you choose, mobile proxies are the best tool for staying under the radar while scraping.