Side by side
| Level | Rayobyte Premium Residential | Webshare rotating residential |
|---|---|---|
| Countries | 190+ | 195 |
| State | Yes | Yes |
| City | Yes | Yes |
| ZIP | Yes | Yes |
| ASN | Yes | Yes |
| Device OS | Yes | No |
| Static IP locations | ISP: 6 countries; datacenter: 29 | Datacenter and static residential in many countries; chosen at checkout |
At the time of writing. See Rayobyte geo-targeting and Webshare geo-targeting.
A near tie on residential
Both Rayobyte and Webshare offer the full set of country, state, city, ZIP and ASN targeting, which few providers match. Rayobyte adds device OS targeting, which helps for platform-specific content and ad checks. Webshare lists slightly more countries.
Static IP locations
For static datacenter and ISP IPs, location is chosen when you buy. Rayobyte lists six static ISP countries and 29 datacenter countries; Webshare lets you choose locations on its lists at checkout. Check both for the countries you need.
Narrow targeting on either
ZIP and ASN targets shrink the pool. Expect slower connections, more drops and more IP reuse. Use the broadest level that gives correct results and verify exit locations. See geo-targeted proxies.
Residential tip: Both sides of this comparison can be tested at no cost: Rayobyte has a free trial with no card, and Webshare has a permanent free plan with 10 datacenter proxies. See Rayobyte geo-targeting.
Which to choose
| Need | Better fit |
|---|---|
| ZIP or ASN targeting | Either |
| Device OS targeting | Rayobyte |
| Rare countries | Check both lists |
| Static ISP IPs in many countries | Compare at checkout |
With Geonode: geo-targeting across all three.
A real-world example
A grocery delivery analytics firm tracks prices and delivery slots for 5,000 products in 300 US ZIP codes. Both Rayobyte and Webshare offer ZIP targeting on residential, so it tests both in its 20 busiest ZIP codes. In dense metros both pools are deep; in a few small towns, ZIP-level sessions connect slowly on both, so the firm falls back to city targeting there and sets the store location through the site's own selector. The decision ends up resting on price at volume, where Rayobyte's tiers are cheaper.
Decision checklist
- Do results actually differ at ZIP level for your targets?
- How deep is each pool in your smallest locations?
- Do you need device OS targeting (Rayobyte only)?
- Can you fall back to city targeting where ZIP pools are thin?
Pros and cons for targeting
Rayobyte
- Country, state, city, ZIP, ASN and device OS.
- 190+ residential countries.
- No targeting on Scale Residential.
Webshare
- Country, state, city, ZIP and ASN.
- 195 residential countries.
- No device OS targeting.
Budget tip: If the job only needs a fixed list of IPs, Webshare sells datacenter and static residential proxies by the IP, often for less than a per-GB plan would cost. More in Webshare geo-targeting.
Bottom line
For location targeting the two are close. Choose Rayobyte if device OS matters or your residential volume is large; otherwise choose on price and convenience.
Before you commit to any provider, it helps to see the wider market: our guide to the best proxies in 2026 compares proxy types by job, and cheap proxies explains how to keep costs down without buying IPs that get blocked. To understand the IP type behind this, read our residential proxies guide.
Proxy tip: For a second opinion on hard targets, run the same test through Geonode residential proxies, which support sticky sessions up to 24 hours and ASN targeting. We compare the two in Rayobyte vs Geonode vs Webshare.
Key takeaways
- Both offer country, state, city, ZIP and ASN targeting on residential.
- Rayobyte adds device OS targeting; Webshare lists slightly more countries.
- Static IP locations are chosen at purchase on both.
- Use the broadest target that works.
FAQ
Does Webshare support ZIP targeting?
Yes, on rotating residential at the time of writing.
Which offers device OS targeting?
Rayobyte.
Which covers more countries?
Webshare lists 195 and Rayobyte 190+ for residential.
How do I check a proxy's real location?
Request an IP geolocation service through the proxy and compare two databases; then confirm the target shows local content.
Does narrow targeting cost more?
No, billing is per GB either way, but narrow pools can be slower and less stable.
Can I target a US state on both?
Yes, both offer state targeting on residential.
Sources and further reading
Independent references that back up the points above, from standards bodies, governments, universities and non-profits. They open in a new tab.
- Number Resources (IANA): How IANA hands IP address blocks to the regional internet registries.
- Regional Internet Registries (Number Resource Organization): The five regional registries that allocate IP addresses around the world.
- Proxy server (Wikipedia): A broad encyclopedia overview of proxy servers and their history.
- IPv4 Depletion and Transfers (ARIN): Background on IPv4 run-out, which is why IPv4 proxies cost more than IPv6.
- RFC 6265: HTTP State Management Mechanism (Cookies) (IETF / RFC Editor): The cookie standard, which ties a session together regardless of IP.
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.