๐ฏ Quick Answer
For most proxy use cases, 4G proxies are the better choice in 2026. They offer excellent speeds (10-50 Mbps), global availability, lower costs, and the same trust scores as 5G. Choose 5G only if you need ultra-low latency or very high bandwidth for specific tasks like video streaming.
โ Choose 4G for:
- โข Web scraping
- โข Social media automation
- โข Account management
- โข General browsing
๐ Choose 5G for:
- โข Video streaming
- โข Large file downloads
- โข Real-time gaming
- โข Low-latency trading
Full Comparison
| Feature | 4G LTE | 5G | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Download Speed | 10-100 Mbps | 50-500 Mbps | 5G |
| Upload Speed | 5-30 Mbps | 20-100 Mbps | 5G |
| Latency | 30-50ms | 10-30ms | 5G |
| Global Availability | 95%+ coverage | 50-70% coverage | 4G |
| Cost at PROXIES.SX | $4-6/GB | $4-6/GB | Tie |
| Stability | Excellent | Very Good | 4G |
| Trust Level | Highest | Highest | Tie |
| IP Pool Size | Massive | Growing | 4G |
Speed Comparison
๐ถ 4G LTE Speeds
4G speeds often match 5G in real-world conditions. Many of our 4G connections hit 80-100 Mbpsโmore than enough for any proxy task.
๐ 5G Speeds
5G can deliver faster peak speeds, but real-world performance depends on network conditions. In many areas, the difference from 4G is minimal.
Latency Comparison
Latency (ping) measures how quickly data travels from your device to the server and back. Lower latency means faster response times.
4G LTE: 30-50ms
30-50ms latency is imperceptible for most tasks. Web scraping, API calls, and automation work perfectly fine with this latency.
Reality check: A 50ms delay adds only 0.05 seconds to each request. For 1,000 requests, that's only 50 extra seconds total.
5G: 1-10ms
Ultra-low latency makes 5G ideal for real-time applications like gaming, video calls, and high-frequency trading.
When it matters: If you're doing time-sensitive operations like cryptocurrency trading or competitive gaming, every ms counts.
Global Availability
โ ๏ธ 5G Coverage is Still Limited
As of 2026, 5G is primarily available in urban areas of developed countries. 4G LTE has near-universal coverage globally.
4G Coverage
- โข 95%+ population coverage globally
- โข Available in 190+ countries
- โข Rural and urban areas
5G Coverage
- โข 30-50% population coverage
- โข Available in 80+ countries
- โข Primarily urban/suburban
If you need proxies in specific countries or regions, 4G gives you much better geographic options. 5G availability is growing rapidly but still lags behind.
Cost Analysis
Same Price at PROXIES.SX
Unlike many providers who charge premium prices for 5G, we charge the same rate for both 4G and 5G proxies. Our devices use the same hardwareโjust different SIM cards and network settings. You get whichever connection is fastest at the moment, at no extra cost.
PROXIES.SX Pricing
$4-6/GB
Same price for 4G and 5G. Volume discounts available.
Reality Check: 4G Can Be Just as Fast
In practice, many of our 4G connections deliver speeds comparable to 5G. Network congestion, signal strength, and carrier infrastructure matter more than the generation label. You might get 100+ Mbps on 4G in optimal conditions.
Use Case Recommendations
โ Use 4G Proxies For:
- โข Web scraping and data collection
- โข Social media automation
- โข Multi-account management
- โข E-commerce monitoring
- โข SEO and SERP tracking
- โข Ad verification
- โข General browsing
- โข API requests
๐ Use 5G Proxies For:
- โข Streaming video content
- โข Large file transfers
- โข Real-time gaming
- โข High-frequency trading
- โข Video conferencing
- โข AR/VR applications
- โข Latency-critical apps
- โข Premium use cases
Conclusion
The 4G vs 5G debate matters less than you think. Both deliver excellent performance for proxy use cases. Our 4G connections often match 5G speeds, and we've seen 4G proxies hit 100+ Mbps in good conditions.
At PROXIES.SX, you pay the same price for both. We don't charge a premium for 5G because our devices simply connect to whatever network is fastest. Same hardware, same priceโyou automatically get the best available connection.
Don't overpay for 5G elsewhere. Get mobile proxies that just work, at one fair price.