A dedicated proxy assigns an IP address exclusively to you — no other user can access or route traffic through that IP. A shared proxy splits the same IP address among multiple users, typically 2-5 people, reducing the cost per user while still providing proxy functionality.
The fundamental trade-off is exclusivity versus affordability. With a dedicated proxy, you have complete control over the IP's reputation and usage patterns. Nobody else's activity can affect your IP's trust score. With a shared proxy, you benefit from lower costs, but the IP's behavior is influenced by all users sharing it.
Both dedicated and shared proxies can use the same underlying infrastructure. Baltic Proxy offers both options on its 5G mobile carrier network in Riga, Latvia, so regardless of which you choose, you get genuine mobile carrier IPs with speeds over 80 Mbit/s and support for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 protocols.
How It Works
With a dedicated proxy, the proxy provider assigns a specific SIM card connection (and its associated IP) solely to your account. All bandwidth, rotation capabilities, and connection slots are reserved for you. When you connect, you are the only person using that mobile carrier IP. This means your traffic patterns are the only factor affecting the IP's trust score with platforms.
Dedicated proxies are particularly valuable for sensitive tasks. If you manage high-value social media accounts, run e-commerce operations, or perform tasks where any IP reputation damage would be costly, a dedicated proxy ensures that nobody else's risky behavior can compromise your IP.
Shared proxies work by allowing multiple users to connect through the same proxy endpoint. The proxy infrastructure balances traffic from all users across the available connections. On a mobile proxy, this means multiple users share the same carrier IP — which, interestingly, is exactly how mobile internet works naturally through CGNAT, where thousands of real users share IPs anyway.
This natural sharing pattern is what makes shared mobile proxies viable. Since mobile carrier IPs are already designed to handle multi-user traffic through CGNAT, adding a few proxy users to that mix does not fundamentally change the IP's trust profile. However, dedicated proxies still provide the advantage of predictable bandwidth and guaranteed control over usage patterns.
Why It Matters
Your choice between dedicated and shared should align with your risk tolerance and budget. For high-stakes account management — managing client social media profiles, running ad campaigns with significant budgets, or operating accounts that took months to build — the peace of mind from a dedicated proxy is worth the premium. You control the IP completely.
For lighter tasks — general browsing through a mobile IP, testing geo-restricted content, or occasional social media use — a shared proxy from Baltic Proxy offers the same 5G mobile carrier trust at a lower price point. Either way, you get genuine Latvian carrier IPs, flexible rotation options, and no contracts.
How to Decide: A Practical Checklist
Choose a dedicated proxy if: you manage more than 3 accounts on a single platform, your accounts generate revenue, you need guaranteed bandwidth for scraping or automation, or you want zero risk from other users' activity. Dedicated proxies give you full control and the best possible performance.
Choose a shared proxy if: you are starting out and want to test mobile proxies affordably, you run 1-2 accounts with moderate activity, your tasks are not time-sensitive, or your budget is limited. Shared mobile proxies still provide the carrier trust advantage that makes mobile IPs superior to other proxy types.
Many Baltic Proxy users start with a shared proxy to experience the 5G mobile advantage, then upgrade to dedicated when their operations grow. Since there are no contracts, you can switch between plans at any time based on your evolving needs.
Baltic Proxy operates dedicated 5G mobile proxy infrastructure in Riga, Latvia, delivering carrier-grade mobile IPs with speeds exceeding 80 Mbit/s.