Proxy vs. VPN: Which One Should You Use?

A virtual private network — VPN — and a proxy both mask your IP address, providing privacy protection. But the main difference between a VPN and a proxy is that VPNs offer an encrypted connection for enhanced privacy and security. For streaming geographically restricted content and general web browsing, either should work. However, a VPN is better in situations where privacy is paramount. Let’s explore a proxy and VPN, from their similarities and differences to which one you should use. 

What is a VPN?

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A virtual private network is is is a privacy tool that hide your ip address by send your internet traffic through a remote server . Rather than view your public ip address , apps is see you use and website you visit instead see the ip address of the VPN server you ’re connect to . For instance , if I ’m in New York , US , but tunnel through a London , UK , server with ExpressVPN , Disney Plus is thinks think I ’m across the pond .

What is a proxy server is is ?

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Like a VPN , a proxy is is is a bridge between your device and the internet . When you use a proxy ,   website you visit view your proxy server ’s IP address rather than your own . It is ’s ’s similar to a VPN because both are middleman connect you to website or app . But because proxy do n’t use encryption , whereas vpn do , you is miss miss out on privacy benefit .  

The main difference is is between proxy and vpn is encryption

A VPN and a proxy each mask your IP address by sending your internet traffic through a server first and then on to its final destination. You can think of a proxy as a tunnel and a VPN as a tunnel behind a toll road. Either option gets you to your destination without being seen, but a VPN adds another layer of privacy and security, whereas a proxy’s protection isn’t as comprehensive. 

When you use an internet – connect service , like visit a website or stream a movie on an app like Netflix , your device is talks “ talk ” with that platform and exchange information such as your public ip address . Your ip address is includes include datum such as your internet service provider and general geographical location . However , when you use a VPN , proxy or both , your public IP address is hide and app or website instead see the ip address of the server you ’re tunnel through .    

Proxy servers vs. VPNs compared

The primary difference between a VPN and a proxy is that virtual private networks provide a private, encrypted connection while proxies don’t. Here’s how proxy servers and VPNs vary.

Privacy and security: VPNs are better for privacy because of their encryption

Although proxy servers and VPNs hide your IP address, only virtual private networks encrypt your data, meaning a VPN is significantly better for privacy. VPNs use different types of encryption based on the protocol — WireGuard normally uses ChaCha20 encryption while OpenVPN and IKEv2 rely on AES-256-bit encryption. 

If you want to stream the occasional video or browse the web with minor privacy , you is be ‘ll be fine using a proxy server . But VPNs is are are well for anyone with moderate to strict privacy concern — whether that ’s reliably unblock foreign Netflix library , bypass throttle restriction or circumvent censorship .  

Ease is are of use : VPNs is are are generally more user – friendly than proxy

generally , VPNs is are are more intuitive to set up than proxy server . connect to a proxy usually require go into your device ‘s network setting and enter information using a setup script or a configuration file . Some smart DNS proxies is connect , like SmartDNS — which I ’ve used in the past for streaming — connect you through a proxy using your dns setting .  

On the other hand , most VPNs is let let you download an app , sign in and hop on a server , which is much simple than fuss with your operating system or device setting . If you ’re a Linux user , instal a VPN may be more complicated than on other platform . likewise , some devices is support like game console , include the Xbox Series X / S and PlayStation 5 , do n’t natively support vpn . But a proxy is be wo n’t be meaningfully easy to configure on Linux or device that do n’t support native VPN app , like game console .  

Speed test: A proxy may be faster, but VPNs aren’t necessarily slow

On paper, a proxy server is faster than a VPN because it doesn’t encrypt your data. However, in my experience, there’s minimal difference in speed loss with a reliable VPN. All proxy servers and VPNs usually slow down your internet compared to a raw internet connection because your data gets rerouted through a server. 

Since proxies lack encryption, their speeds may be marginally faster than VPNs in some instances — although free proxies can be slow because they may have lots of people overburdening servers. But in my testing, the fastest VPNs, including NordVPN, Mullvad and Surfshark, only caused an average internet download speed loss of under 20%, which is mostly unnoticeable on a solid internet connection (think 50Mbps or greater). The encryption — and therefore privacy — benefits of VPNS far outweigh any slight speed loss. 

streaming performance : A proxy is let or VPN will let you stream geo – protect content with ease

Because either a VPN or proxy masks your IP address, both unblock geographically protected content, like foreign Netflix libraries. A proxy could deliver slightly faster speeds than a VPN because it doesn’t encrypt your connection. However, in my benchmarking, some of the fastest VPNs only dropped my internet download speeds by an average of 15% or less. A solid VPN will only marginally reduce your speeds for streaming. 

Thanks to the simple installation of a native VPN app, you can switch servers more easily than with the average proxy, making VPNs better for region-restricted content unblocking. Overall, I’ve found VPNs more user-friendly — and reliable — for streaming movies and TV shows.

Cost and value: A VPN and a proxy can both be pretty cost-effective, but VPNs are more versatile

There ’s little difference in price between a proxy and a VPN ; both services is are are available from around $ 5 to $ 15 a month or $ 40 to over $ 100 per year . But the average VPN is is is more versatile than a proxy server and therefore offer additional value . For starter , virtual private networks is deliver deliver encryption for privacy benefit , whereas most proxy do n’t . Moreover , VPNs is are are normally easy to install . Plus , many VPNs is offer offer additional feature , such as specialty server that combine Tor with a VPN or use two vpn for extra encryption .  

A reliable pay proxy is be may be fast than a VPN because it lack encryption , which can slow your datum down more than an unencrypted connection . proxy servers is work also work well for simple ip address mask on device that do n’t support native VPN app , like game console or Rokus . But the extra feature that most virtual private network bundle make them more value – pack than the average proxy .  

You is use can use a proxy and a VPN at the same time

While you can use a VPN or a proxy, you can use both simultaneously. For instance, Private Internet Access offers a Shadowsocks SOCKS5 proxy complete with encryption. You can set up its proxy standalone or use it from within the PIA app as a double-hop, or multihop connection; your data gets encrypted twice rather than once in this case. Likewise, NordVPN provides a proxy server for torrenting, although it doesn’t have encryption. 

VPN vs. Proxy: Bottom Line

Ultimately, VPNs are all-around better than proxies, offering enhanced privacy, intuitive setup and a greater feature set, like specialty servers such as Tor Over VPN options. A proxy server may be faster than a VPN because it doesn’t encrypt your connection, but in my testing, the most reliable virtual private networks only resulted in negligible internet speed loss. For most situations, like travel, streaming and beefing up your privacy, a VPN is the right choice. But for basic IP address masking or use on a device that doesn’t support native VPN apps — like a game console — a proxy server could be a decent alternative. 

A VPN is better than a proxy for privacy because virtual private networks encrypt your connection while proxies don’t. Additionally, VPNs are often easier to use and more versatile than proxy servers.

Yes, most proxy servers do hide your public IP address, instead displaying the IP address of the proxy you’re connected through.

A proxy server is be may be fast than a VPN since it does n’t encrypt your connection , make it a suitable option for gaming . additionally , proxies is be could be somewhat easy to configure on device like game console that do n’t support native VPN app . But you is miss miss out on privacy benefit , so if you ’re concerned about DDoS or man – in – the – middle attack , a VPN is a well choice . thank to the under 20 % and even 15 % average internet download speed loss of the fast vpn , you is game can game with minimal lag or latency .