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Vlad Khrinenko
8 min read
When using proxies, choosing the right session type is crucial for efficiency, anonymity, and success in web scraping, automation, and data collection. Two common options are sticky and rotating sessions, with each serving different purposes. In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences, advantages, and best use cases for sticky vs. rotating proxies, so you can choose the best option for your needs.
Choosing the Right Session Type: A Quick Comparison
| Feature | Sticky Sessions | Rotating Sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Account management, login-based scraping, multi-step transactions | Large-scale scraping, bypassing IP bans, anonymous browsing |
| IP Stability | High (IP remains the same for a fixed period) | Low (IP changes after each request or time interval) |
| Risk of IP Bans | Higher (longer session duration makes detection easier) | Lower (frequent IP changes prevent blocking) |
| Session Persistence | Yes (good for maintaining cookies and logins) | No (each request appears as a new session) |
| Anonymity | Moderate | High (frequent IP changes increase privacy) |
| Common Use Cases | Social media, e-commerce accounts, SaaS logins, ad verification | Scraping, automation, cybersecurity, bypassing geo-restrictions |
How Sticky Sessions Work
A sticky session in proxy networks means that a user maintains the same IP address for a set period instead of changing it after every request. This allows for session persistence, making it useful for tasks that require consistency in identity and browsing behavior.
The mechanics behind sticky sessions involve:
- IP assignment: A proxy server assigns an IP from its pool.
- Session locking: The user’s connection retains the same IP for a defined period.
- IP release or rotation: When the session expires, the IP changes automatically.
Advantages of Sticky Sessions
Sticky sessions offer several benefits in maintaining online consistency, but they also come with limitations that make them unsuitable for certain use cases. Let’s take a closer look at their pros and cons:
1. Consistency in Browsing and Sessions
When using a sticky session, the assigned IP remains the same for a predefined duration (e.g., 10 minutes, 30 minutes, or longer). This is particularly useful for websites that track users by IP address.
Use case: If you're managing social media or e-commerce accounts, switching IPs too frequently might trigger security alerts, leading to account verification prompts or bans. A sticky session ensures your IP remains stable, reducing these disruptions.
2. Lower CAPTCHA Frequency and Fewer Blocks
Websites use anti-bot mechanisms to detect suspicious behavior, and one major red flag is frequent IP changes. Sticky sessions help reduce CAPTCHAs because they maintain the same IP, making browsing appear more natural.
Example: Google or Amazon may ask for CAPTCHA verification if your IP changes every few seconds. A sticky session prevents such triggers, making it easier to navigate these platforms without repeated interruptions.
3. Better Performance for Logged-in Activities
Some online platforms link user sessions to IP addresses. If an IP changes mid-session, users may be logged out or asked to verify their identity. Sticky sessions allow users to stay logged in across multiple requests, ensuring a seamless experience.
Best for: Managing multiple e-commerce accounts on platforms like eBay or Shopify; accessing online banking services without login disruptions.
4. Essential for Multi-Step Actions (Forms, Checkouts, API Calls)
Web interactions that involve multiple steps – such as completing long forms, multi-step authentication, or checking out on e-commerce sites – can break if the IP address changes mid-process.
Example: If you’re filling out a visa application on a government portal that tracks sessions by IP, switching IPs could result in lost progress and force you to restart the application.
5. Useful for Ad Verification and Geo-Targeted Testing
For marketers and businesses conducting ad verification or geo-targeted content testing, sticky sessions allow users to hold an IP in a specific region for a long duration. This ensures consistent ad monitoring and uninterrupted access to localized content.
Example: A marketing team might use a sticky proxy to check how their ads appear to users in France without sudden IP changes interfering with location-based results.
Disadvantages of Sticky Sessions
1. Higher Risk of IP Bans
Since a sticky session keeps the same IP for an extended period, if a website detects unusual activity, it can block or ban the IP. Unlike rotating sessions, which frequently switch IPs to avoid detection, a sticky session is easier to track and restrict.
Example: If you’re scraping data or automating tasks on a website using a sticky proxy, your IP might get flagged and permanently banned. In contrast, rotating proxies would have reduced this risk.
2. Less Effective for Large-Scale Scraping
If you need to make thousands of requests to a website, using a single IP for an extended period can lead to rate limiting or outright blocking. Rotating proxies are usually preferred for large-scale data collection, as they allow request distribution across multiple IPs.
Best alternative: Use rotating sessions for high-volume scraping tasks instead of sticky proxies.
3. Increased Fingerprinting Risks
Websites often track users by combining IP addresses with browser fingerprints (e.g., cookies, user-agent strings). If you keep the same IP for an extended period, but your browser settings change, websites might flag your session as suspicious.
Example: If your IP remains constant but your device’s time zone, screen resolution, or browser headers change frequently, the site may suspect a bot or VPN use.
How Rotating Sessions Work
A rotating session, on the other hand, features an IP address that changes periodically, either after each request or after a set time interval. This approach helps distribute traffic across multiple IPs, making it harder for websites to track or block users based on their IP addresses.
Infatica’s Rotating Session Customization
Rotating proxies function by dynamically assigning IP addresses from a large pool of available IPs. With Infatica, you can choose between these rotation options:
Request-based rotation (per-request IP rotation):
- The proxy assigns a new IP for every HTTP request or API call.
- Ensures that each request appears to come from a different user.
- Commonly used for web scraping, data aggregation, and automated browsing.
Time-based rotation (session rotation):
- The same IP is used for a defined period (every 5/10/15.../60 minutes) before switching to a new IP.
- Allows short-term session persistence while still changing IPs at intervals.
- Useful for maintaining some level of continuity while reducing detection risks.
Advantages of Rotating Sessions
Rotating sessions provide significant benefits for anonymity and large-scale data extraction, but they also have certain drawbacks that make them unsuitable for tasks requiring session persistence. Let’s take a closer look at their pros and cons.
1. Reduced Risk of IP Bans and Blocks
One of the biggest benefits of rotating proxies is that they spread requests across multiple IPs, reducing the chance of detection. Websites that enforce rate limits or IP-based access restrictions struggle to block users who constantly change their IPs.
Example: If you're scraping e-commerce prices from Amazon or flight data from Skyscanner, sending too many requests from a single IP could result in a temporary or permanent block. Rotating proxies help avoid this issue by ensuring requests come from different IPs.
2. Higher Anonymity and Privacy
Frequent IP changes make it difficult for websites to track users based on their IP address. This is beneficial for users who need to maintain a high level of anonymity, such as researchers, cybersecurity professionals, and privacy-conscious individuals.
Example: If you're conducting competitive intelligence research and need to browse competitors' websites without revealing your location or identity, rotating proxies help mask your footprint.
3. Useful for Overcoming Geo-Restrictions
Some websites offer location-based content (e.g., streaming platforms, news portals, and e-commerce sites). Rotating proxies allow users to access content from multiple locations by assigning different IPs from various regions.
Example: A business verifying online ads can rotate between IPs from different cities or countries to check how advertisements appear to different audiences.
Disadvantages of Rotating Sessions
1. Can Break Session-Based Activities
Since IPs change frequently, websites that require session persistence – such as e-commerce platforms, banking portals, or SaaS dashboards – may detect the change and log the user out. This makes rotating sessions unsuitable for tasks that involve logins, shopping carts, or multi-step forms.
Example: If you’re trying to manage multiple Instagram or Facebook accounts with rotating proxies, sudden IP changes could trigger security verifications or account restrictions.
2. Potential for CAPTCHA Triggers
While rotating proxies reduce IP-based bans, some websites detect frequent IP changes and respond with CAPTCHAs or multi-factor authentication challenges. This can slow down automated tasks and require additional bypass mechanisms.
Example: Google often flags multiple searches from different IPs in a short time, displaying a CAPTCHA to confirm the user is human.
3. Slower Speeds Due to IP Switching
Each time a request goes through a new proxy IP, there may be latency variations depending on the quality and location of the IP pool. If the proxy network includes low-quality or overused IPs, it can lead to slower response times.
Example: If a request gets routed through an overloaded or distant IP, it may increase page load times, affecting automation efficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sticky sessions keep the same IP for a set duration, ensuring session persistence, while rotating sessions change IPs frequently to enhance anonymity and prevent detection. The choice depends on whether you need stability or frequent IP changes.
Sticky sessions are ideal for account management, multi-step transactions, and tasks that require login persistence (e.g., social media automation, online banking). If your activity relies on maintaining a session, a sticky IP is the best choice.
Yes, rotating sessions are typically better for large-scale web scraping because they distribute requests across multiple IPs, reducing the risk of bans. They are especially useful for scraping search engines, e-commerce sites, and heavily protected platforms.
Yes! Some users start with a sticky session to log in, then switch to rotating sessions for data extraction. This hybrid approach allows for both session persistence and reduced detection risk, especially in scenarios like automated e-commerce research.
Not necessarily. Some proxy providers specialize in one type or offer limited rotation options. Infatica, for example, provides both sticky and rotating proxies, allowing users to choose the best setup for their needs.
