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Head to head

InstantProxies vs Shifter.

Shifter wins on 4 of 7 core metrics, 1 tied based on independent ProxyLook benchmarks. Last tested May 26, 2026.

Compared
InstantProxies logo
InstantProxies
3.9 ★ · Provider of private dedicated datacenter HTTP proxies sold per-proxy with unlimited bandwidth and no lock-in contract.
Shifter logo
Shifter
3.9 ★ · Shifter (formerly Microleaves) is a veteran rotating residential and back-connect proxy provider with a 50M+ IP pool and unlimited-bandwidth special proxies priced per port.
Rating
3.9 / 5
3.9 / 5
Trust score
6.8 / 10
8.0 / 10
Starts at
$10.00/GB
$99.98/GB
IP pool
Over 100,000 datacenter IPs
50M+ IPs
Locations
0+ countries
195+ countries
Success rate
97.8%
Avg response
1,200 ms
Founded
2,012
HQ
New York, United States
Has API
— No
✓ Yes
Crypto payments
✓ Yes
— No
Browser ext.
— No
— No
24/7 support
— No
— No
Verified
✓ Yes
✓ Yes

The verdict

Shifter wins on 4 of 7 core metrics, 1 tied. We'd pick Shifter for most teams that need shifter (formerly microleaves) is a veteran rotating residential and back-connect proxy provider with a 50m+ ip pool and unlimited-bandwidth special proxies priced per port., but the right answer depends on your workload — read the full review of each below.

Read full InstantProxies review → 🏆 Read full Shifter review →

InstantProxies vs Shifter — frequently asked

Which is cheaper, InstantProxies or Shifter?

On the entry tier, InstantProxies is the lower-cost option per gigabyte. InstantProxies starts at $10.00/GB and Shifter starts at $99.98/GB on residential. Both providers offer volume discounts, so the absolute cheapest tier depends on your monthly commit.

Which has a bigger IP pool, InstantProxies or Shifter?

Shifter has the larger advertised residential pool. InstantProxies reports Over 100,000 datacenter IPs across multiple+ countries; Shifter reports 50M+ IPs across 195+ countries. Pool size is one signal — actual exit-node freshness and rotation logic matter more in production.

Which is better for web scraping, InstantProxies or Shifter?

Shifter edges ahead on overall success rate against our nightly Cloudflare/Amazon/Google SERP test rig. That said, the right choice depends on your target site mix — InstantProxies is typically picked for Private dedicated datacenter HTTP proxies workloads, while Shifter is often chosen for datacenter use cases.

Which has better support and SLA, InstantProxies or Shifter?

Shifter carries the higher trust score in our directory based on documented compliance, support responsiveness, and customer-base feedback. Both offer 24/7 channels at upper plans; only InstantProxies gates dedicated account managers and Shifter gates them on enterprise tiers.

Should I pick InstantProxies or Shifter in 2026?

Pick InstantProxies when Provider of private dedicated datacenter HTTP proxies sold per-proxy with unlimited bandwidth and no lock-in c. Pick Shifter when Shifter (formerly Microleaves) is a veteran rotating residential and back-connect proxy provider with a 50M+ I. Most teams that consider both end up with Shifter.

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