If you’re really into buying limited-edition sneakers, having a sneaker server can greatly help your sneaker bot perform better.
However, it’s not always necessary to use one, and in some cases, it might even reduce your chances of successfully buying sneakers.
If this sounds a bit complicated, don’t worry – this guide has covered everything you need to know about what a sneaker proxy server is, including where to find them and whether you actually need one.
Now that you’ve got the information, you’re ready to make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
Do You Really Need a Sneaker Proxy?
Whether you need a sneaker server depends on how you’re trying to buy sneakers and what kind of computer and internet connection you have.
- Manual Buying: When you’re entering raffles or waiting in digital lines (queues), being quick doesn’t really matter. Good luck!
- First-Come-First-Serve Sites: On websites where it’s all about being the fastest (like Yeezy Supply, Shopify, Supreme), having a fast internet connection helps. If your internet is slow, a sneaker server can speed things up for you.
- Sneaker Bots
- Using Mac or Linux: Most sneaker bots work best on Windows. So, if you’re on a Mac or Linux, a sneaker server with Windows can let you use any bot you want.
- Serious About Sneakers: If your computer isn’t very powerful or you want to run many bots at once, a sneaker server can handle the heavy lifting.
- Need for Speed: Some stores still sell sneakers to the first person who can buy them. Here, every millisecond counts, so the faster your setup, the better.
- Unreliable Internet: If you’ve had trouble with your internet during sneaker drops, a server can keep your bots running smoothly, even if your home computer crashes or loses connection.
It makes sense to use a sneaker server if you’re interested in using bots for buying sneakers on websites where speed is crucial, especially if you’re using Macs or Linux or have a shaky internet connection.
| Situation | Need for Sneaker Server? | Reason |
| Manual Cop in Raffles/Queues | No | Speed isn’t crucial |
| Manual Cop on FCFS Sites | Maybe | If the internet is slow |
| Using Bots on Mac/Linux | Yes | Compatibility issues |
| Heavy Bot Use | Yes | Need more power |
| Seeking Maximum Speed | Yes | Crucial for FCFS sites |
| Unreliable Internet | Yes | For stability |
If these situations don’t apply to you, a sneaker server might not be necessary, but you’re still welcome to learn more about how they work!
What is a sneaker server?
A sneaker server is like a powerful computer that you use through the internet. It’s called a “sneaker server” because it’s set up in a way that’s really good for buying sneakers online.
- Placed Near Sneaker Stores Online: These servers are usually in big computer storage places (data centers) that are close to where the big sneaker websites are based. This closeness helps things run faster.
- Uses Windows: This means they work well with most programs designed to help you buy sneakers (sneaker bots).
- Super Fast: They’re much faster than most home computers, so they can do things quicker.
- Low Ping: “Ping” is the reaction time between you clicking something and the internet responding. If the server is close to the sneaker website, this reaction time is really short, which is great for buying limited sneakers.
- Customizable: You can change their settings and power to make sure your sneaker-buying bot runs at its best.
When looking for the best sneaker server for your needs, it’s important to understand the different types available. The choice often comes down to how often you plan to buy sneakers because some servers charge by the hour while others have monthly fees.
1. Google Cloud Servers (GCS)
- Pay-As-You-Go: Good for buying just a few pairs a month since you pay by the hour.
- Free Credits: You get $300 in credits to start, which can last a while if you’re careful with your usage.
- Speed: They claim speeds up to 10GBps, but realistically, you won’t get anywhere near that. It’s not the best if speed is your top priority.
- Location Limits: There aren’t a ton of Google Cloud locations, which might put you further away from the sneaker site servers than you’d like.
2. Amazon Web Service (AWS)
- Hourly Payment: Similar to GCS, this is great for occasional use.
- b Offers a free usage tier, but it’s pretty basic.
- Variable Speeds: While AWS might offer speeds up to 10GBps, the actual speed can vary a lot from day to day. However, it’s generally faster than what most people have at home.
- Location Constraints: Like GCS, the server locations might not be ideal for where your sneaker sites are hosted.
3. Dedicated Servers
- Monthly Payment: More cost-effective if you’re buying sneakers often or aiming for restocks.
- Wide Location Choice: You can find servers close to almost any sneaker site because there are thousands of locations available.
- Consistent High Speed: With a reputable provider, you can expect speeds just below 10GBps most of the time.
- Unlimited Bandwidth: Ideal for heavy users, allowing you to run many tasks, manage multiple accounts, and more for a fixed monthly price.
To help you understand, I have made a comparison table, which will give you a glance at each and help you decide easily.
| Feature | Google Cloud Servers (GCS) | Amazon Web Service (AWS) | Dedicated Servers |
| Payment Model | Pay by the hour | Pay by the hour | Pay by the month |
| Initial Offers | $300 free credits | Free limited tier | No free tier, but unlimited usage within the monthly fee |
| Speed | Up to 10GBps (theoretical) | Up to 10GBps (variable in reality) | Consistently high, close to 10GBps |
| Location Availability | Limited | Limited | Thousands of locations, easy to find near sneaker sites |
| Best for | Occasional use (1-2 drops a month) | Occasional but slightly more frequent use than GCS | Serious sneaker buying, multiple releases a month |
| Pros | Good for a few uses with free credits; Suitable for low-frequency buyers | Better average speed than GCS; Suitable for casual to moderate use | Best for heavy use, restocks; High speed and location proximity; Fixed monthly cost covers extensive use |
| Cons | Speed is not guaranteed; Limited server locations | Speed can be unpredictable; Limited server locations too | Higher upfront cost than pay-as-you-go services; Not cost-effective for very occasional use |
The best location for a sneaker server
The best place to set up a sneaker server is very close to the online store you’re buying sneakers from. This makes everything faster.
- For Shopify stores: The quickest servers are found in Virginia and Chicago.
- For stores like Supreme and Yeezy Supply: Pick servers in New York, Brooklyn, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.
If you’re buying from Europe, many sneaker stores are based in cities like Paris, Milan, and London, so having a server there is a good idea.
What Are The Best Proxies For Sneaker Servers?
When you’re using a bot to buy sneakers, it’s important also to use proxies. Proxies hide your computer’s real internet address, which helps you buy lots of sneakers without the website stopping you.
It would be best if you chose proxies that are in the same place as your sneaker server, and both should be close to the online store you’re buying from.
The best kind of proxies to use are called rotating residential proxies. These are great because they give you lots of different locations to choose from, and they’re good at keeping your sneaker bot from being noticed by the stores.
Sooner or later, you might want to use a sneaker server, especially for big sneaker sales, where you need to do a lot of things quickly to have a chance at buying anything.
When that time comes, it’s also smart to have advice from a group that knows a lot about buying sneakers, use a mix of really good ISP proxies and rotating residential proxies, and have the right bot for buying the sneakers you want.
Quick Links:
- Best Rotating Proxy Providers
- Best Static Proxy Providers
- Best Mobile Proxy Providers
- Best Shopify Proxies
Conclusion: What is a Sneaker Proxy in 2024
In summary, whether you need a sneaker server and the best type for you depends on how often you buy sneakers and your setup at home.
Sneaker servers are powerful online computers that help you buy sneakers faster, especially when speed is key on certain websites.
If you’re really into getting sneakers and using bots, having a sneaker server close to the store’s website, along with the right proxies to hide your internet address, can make a big difference.
This setup helps you buy sneakers without getting blocked and increases your chances of getting the pairs you want during big sales.
Plus, if you’re serious about sneaker shopping, joining a group that shares tips and using the best mix of proxies can really up your game.