Access tiers compared
| Tier | Webshare | Rayobyte |
|---|---|---|
| Widely shared | Shared: many users per IP, from $2.99 per 100 IPs | No equivalent |
| Lightly shared | Private: a very small number of users | Semi-dedicated: up to 3 users, from $1/IP |
| Yours alone | Dedicated | Static datacenter (dedicated), per-country pricing |
At the time of writing. See Webshare shared vs private vs dedicated and Rayobyte semi-dedicated proxies.
Reputation risk
The more users per IP, the more likely someone else's behavior affects you. Webshare's shared tier is the cheapest and riskiest; its private tier and Rayobyte's semi-dedicated tier sit in the middle; dedicated IPs on either carry only your own history. Rayobyte's three-user cap is a clear, published rule.
Price
Webshare's shared IPs at about 3 cents each are in a different price class. Compare like with like: Webshare private against Rayobyte semi-dedicated, and Webshare dedicated against Rayobyte static datacenter, using current checkout prices.
Bandwidth
Rayobyte's static IPs are unmetered under fair use. Webshare plans include a chosen allowance, up to unlimited.
Residential tip: A common split is Webshare for cheap per-IP lists and Rayobyte for residential traffic, mobile IPs or managed scraping. Our dedicated vs semi-dedicated Rayobyte proxies covers each Rayobyte product.
Which tier for which job
| Job | Suitable tier |
|---|---|
| Testing and development | Webshare shared |
| Light SEO tools and monitors | Webshare shared or private, Rayobyte semi-dedicated |
| Spreading load on lenient sites | Webshare shared |
| Sneaker or ticketing sites | Dedicated on either |
| Accounts or whitelists | Dedicated, or better, static ISP |
A real-world example
A rank tracking SaaS spreads queries over 3,000 IPs. On Webshare's shared tier, that list costs under $80 a month, and occasional slowdowns caused by other users are handled by retries. For its enterprise customers it wants more predictable IPs, so it adds 300 Rayobyte semi-dedicated US IPs at $0.85 each (about $255 a month), where no more than three customers share any IP. It routes enterprise queries to the semi-dedicated pool and everything else to the shared list.
Signs you need less sharing
- Success rates vary for reasons your own traffic doesn't explain.
- Specific targets slow down or block intermittently.
- You need consistent identities or whitelisting.
- A block on one target costs you real money.
Signs shared is fine
- Targets are lenient and forgetful.
- Retries are cheap.
- Traffic per IP is light.
Budget tip: To test the Webshare side of this comparison, start with Webshare's free plan: 10 datacenter proxies and 1 GB a month with no card. See Webshare datacenter proxies.
Pros and cons by tier
Rayobyte semi-dedicated
- A published cap of three users per IP.
- Unmetered bandwidth.
- From $1 per IP in the US and Canada.
Webshare shared and private
- Shared IPs at about 3 cents each.
- A private tier with very few users.
- Configurable bandwidth and threads.
Bottom line
For lenient bulk work, Webshare shared is unbeatable on price. When reputation matters more, compare Rayobyte semi-dedicated with Webshare private.
Rayobyte, Geonode and Webshare are three options among many. Our best proxies in 2026 guide explains how to match a proxy type to each task, and cheap proxies that work shows where budget providers fit.
Proxy tip: If your residential usage goes up and down, compare Geonode: its per-GB residential bandwidth doesn't expire, so you only pay for what you use. See Rayobyte vs Geonode vs Webshare.
Key takeaways
- Webshare offers shared, private and dedicated tiers; Rayobyte offers semi-dedicated (3 users max) and dedicated.
- Webshare shared is far cheaper but shared more widely.
- Compare private with semi-dedicated, and dedicated with dedicated.
- Use dedicated or ISP IPs for anything identity-related.
FAQ
Is Rayobyte semi-dedicated like Webshare private?
Similar idea: a small number of users per IP. Rayobyte caps it at three.
Which is cheapest?
Webshare shared.
Should I share IPs for sneakers?
No. Use dedicated or ISP IPs.
Can I upgrade from shared to private on Webshare?
Yes, by choosing a different access level on your plan; check current options at checkout.
Does Rayobyte offer shared ISP IPs?
Semi-dedicated ISP IPs are available on request in the US, UK, Canada and Germany.
Will shared IPs get me blocked?
On lenient sites rarely; on sites that remember IPs, sharing raises the risk.
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.
- Bandwidth (computing) (Wikipedia): What bandwidth means, the unit most residential proxies are priced by.
- Wireshark (Wireshark Foundation): The open-source packet analyser for checking what traffic leaves your machine.
- Computer Misuse Act 1990 (legislation.gov.uk): The UK's anti-hacking law.
- Cybersecurity Framework (NIST): The NIST framework many companies use to manage cyber risk, including outbound traffic.
- IPv4 Depletion and Transfers (ARIN): Background on IPv4 run-out, which is why IPv4 proxies cost more than IPv6.
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.