What is an HTTP Proxy?

What is an HTTP proxy? What about HTTPS? How are they different and which one do I need? Here's your complete guide on deciding.

In this post, we will explore in a semi-technical, but, hopefully easy to understand way what is an http proxy and what are the differences between HTTP and HTTPS. At the end you will know whether to choose HTTP or HTTPS proxies for your project.

What is an HTTP Proxy?

The terms HTTP proxy and HTTPS proxy are often used interchangeably, but there are very important differences you need to understand to choose the best proxy for your project.

Both of these protocols have the same basic job: they both help you access websites while giving you a different IP address from your actual IP address, which can make it seem like you’re browsing from a different location or locations. HTTP and HTTPS proxies are versatile and can be used for nearly any kind of proxy project.

HTTP proxies are generally cheaper and faster, so use them when you can, but remember: because HTTP proxies don’t encrypt data, they can expose more information about the connection, making it easier for websites to detect that a proxy is in use. If you need to escape detection, HTTP might not be right for you.

Additionally, HTTP proxies often lack the advanced features (such as encryption and certain authentication methods) that help disguise the proxy connection, and that’s why they are more transparent to detection systems used by many websites.

So if HTTP connections are not working – don’t blame your provider. Try HTTPS instead.

HTTP vs HTTPS: A Comparison

Let’s take a more specific look at the differences between the protocols so you can choose whether you need HTTP or HTTPS proxies. The chart below lays out a basic side-by-side comparison of the features where the two protocols differ and will give you a basic understanding of how it relates to proxy usage.

HTTP vs. HTTPS Proxies: Comparison Chart

FeatureHTTP ProxyHTTPS Proxy
EncryptionNo encryption (plain text communication)Encrypts data using SSL/TLS
SecurityLow securityHigh security, ideal for confidential data
AnonymityMasks your IP address but does not hide what you’re doing, allowing ISPs and others to track your activitiesMasks your IP address and encrypts data, making it very difficult for anyone (like ISPs or hackers) to track your browsing activities
AuthenticationDoes not support secure logins, may not work for websites that require passwordsOften supports secure authentication
Application FlexibilityLimited to HTTP trafficHandles both HTTP and HTTPS traffic
Use CaseAccessing non-sensitive websitesAccessing secure websites (e.g., banking)
SpeedGenerally faster (no encryption overhead)Slightly slower due to encryption overhead
CostOften cheaper due to simplicityTypically more expensive for extra security
Real-World ScenariosSuitable for basic web browsing or scrapingIdeal for secure transactions and confidential communications

Now that you understand what an http proxy is and the general characteristic difference between the two flavors of http protocols, let’s get down to deciding what you, specifically, need.

Your Strategy: Do You Need HTTPS or HTTP?

You can scroll down to see our TLDR cheat sheet, but for those who want a general strategy or a better general understanding, the option to choose HTTP or HTTPS boils down to this: save money and get faster connections with HTTP unless you can’t. 

The factors that might determine that you can’t include: 

  • Websites with secure information like:
    • Login pages requiring usernames and passwords
    • Transactions involving credit card information
    • Viewing or transferring confidential documents
  • Whether the website has anti-bot or detection measures like:
    • CAPTCHA challenges
    • Proxy detection systems
    • IP reputation checks
  • The type of information you’re accessing, such as:
    • Private data
    • Personal messages
    • Account details

But let’s get more specific about specific target sites. This table shows, generally, which protocol is going to work with various sites.

Website/Use CaseHTTP ProxyHTTPS Proxy
Google
Twitter
LinkedIn
Job Posting Websites (e.g., Indeed)
Amazon
Facebook
YouTube
eBay
Walmart
Etsy
Public News Websites
Gaming
Public Blogs or Forums
Smaller E-commerce Sites
Non-sensitive Public Databases
Weather or Event Sites
Recipe Websites
Educational Resources

Other Things to Consider

In addition to deciding HTTP or HTTPs you should also understand there are other protocols too such as Socks4 and Socks5. You can find links discussing this topic in our Step by Step Guide on How to Choose a Proxy.

Finding a Proxy Provider

Now that we’ve answered ‘What is an HTTP Proxy’ for you, its decision time. Once you’ve decided whether to use HTTP or HTTPS proxies, the next step is to find a provider that offers the type of proxy you need.

Some proxy providers will give you the option to choose between HTTP and HTTPS proxies directly through their dashboard. Others may obscure the choice by offering proxies based on specific use cases, such as ‘proxies that work for LinkedIn’ or ‘proxies for Amazon.’ Be sure to understand what type of proxy you’re getting and confirm that it meets your specific needs for security, speed, and compatibility.

And to jumpstart your search, use ProxyMatch, our free tool that helps you filter through the many options that are out there. 

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