When it comes to online security and IP changing, people will think about VPN and proxy servers. Many are confused, what’s the difference between them, and which one should they choose? They have many features in common, but also a lot of differences. They both have pros and cons. It depends on your needs to decide which one is better.

In this article, we will go through what VPNs and proxies are and list the similarities and differences between them. It’ll help you make a decision afterward.

What is VPN?

VPN, short for Virtual Private Networks, uses virtual connections between computer devices and the Internet to encrypt all data passing through the encrypted tunnel. Your data will be hidden with 128-bit encryption. A VPN tool may be in the form of an app or a browser extension.

What are proxies?

A proxy server acts as a middleman between the user and the website he or she is visiting, sending and receiving data on behalf of the user. Usually, you need to generate proxies on the site or a tool and configure them in proxy software.

Key similarities between proxies and VPN

Hide your IP address

IP is a unique address you use to visit the Internet, with which the server will know which device to forward the data to. It’s also important private information of yours. In case of online malicious attacks, you can use VPN or proxies to hide it so that your real IP won’t be tracked.

Get through geographical restrictions

Many sites have restrictions over geo-location. Some series are only released in some regions. Some shopping sites and payment sites allow IPs from certain regions to visit to reduce the burden of the server. With a VPN or proxies, you can bypass this restriction to visit any site you want.

Key differences between proxies and VPN

Confidentiality

Both proxies and VPNs hide your IP address from the website you’re visiting. Your IP address and online activities are completely hidden with a VPN, even your Internet service provider can’t track your activities, they can only know that you’re online with a VPN service. While with proxies, your IP address will be known by the proxy server.

Integration

VPN usually comes in the form of an app or a browser extension, which is very easy to use with a few clicks. But it’ll be more complicated to configure proxies, as the use of proxies is much more than just hiding an IP address.

Purpose

VPN is always used by individuals who are seeking online security. When you are browsing the web on a public WiFi connection, like in a coffee house or restaurant, it’ll be safer to use a VPN to surf online to protect your online activities and private information. 

Proxy service is usually used on a business level. Companies use proxies to protect their brands, do market research and web scraping, etc. 

Conclusion

Both proxies and VPNs can protect your online security. If you just want to hide your IP address, you can choose either VPNs or proxies. If you want to do market research or web scraping, proxies will be your better choice.