When considering DIY mobile proxies, one of the most important metrics to evaluate is the cost per gigabyte

Mobile proxies differ fundamentally from other proxy types by leveraging live cell towers and physical devices, driving up expenses

Setting up your own mobile proxy network might seem like a way to cut expenses, but the true cost per GB can surprise even experienced users

Before even connecting to a network, you must acquire the right devices

You’ll require several Android or iOS devices, each equipped with an active cellular subscription

5G modems run between $200 and $500 per unit

Scaling to 15 or 20 devices can easily push your capital outlay beyond $10,000

While the hardware cost spreads out across months, the initial outlay remains a substantial barrier

Your monthly bill hinges read more on hackmd.io data pricing

Pricing varies wildly by region, carrier policy, and plan type, making budgeting unpredictable

However, "unlimited" rarely means truly unlimited

However, most unlimited plans have throttling after a certain threshold—often around 20 to 50 GB

These plans offer true high-speed data without degradation but drastically increase monthly overhead

For 10 devices, that’s 1000 to 7000 dollars per month in data alone

Now let’s calculate cost per GB

This is the baseline for any realistic comparison

This is the hidden premium for reliability

International roaming or local SIMs often come with steep markups

A device dying every 6 months or losing signal 20% of the time effectively cuts your usable data by 30–50%

Maintenance is another hidden cost

You need to regularly reboot devices, update firmware, replace batteries, monitor for carrier throttling, and manage IP rotation

These tasks require time or staff, translating into labor costs

Software tools for automation, server hosting for proxy routing, and cybersecurity measures to prevent abuse can add hundreds of dollars per month

They handle everything—from device rotation to IP hygiene

GB

At $0.50

If you’re running 1–2 devices for personal use, DIY might suffice

The math doesn’t add up over time

The illusion of savings collapses under the weight of hardware decay, labor, and throttling

Partnering with a trusted provider maximizes uptime, minimizes risk, and slashes your per-GB cost