A Proxy Vs. A VPN: Differences and Use Cases
Contrary to popular belief, a proxy server and a VPN aren’t similar. In fact, one of them is better for bypassing geo-blocking, while the other anonymizes your network traffic and encrypts data.
This article will help you work out which of them is more suitable for your online privacy needs. After reading it, you’ll be able to answer the following questions.
Table of contents
- VPN vs. Proxy: how do they work?
- Differences between proxy and VPN
- VPNs generally provide a quicker browsing experience
- Unlike proxy servers, VPNs actually encrypt your data
- A VPN’s operations are not limited to the application level
- What should I use, a proxy server or a VPN?
Let’s start with the basics.
VPN vs. Proxy: how do they work?
When you try to open a web page, your device sends a request to your Internet Service Provider (ISP). The ISP sees the request and shares your IP address with the website you are trying to access. The website then receives your IP and grants you access. Boom, you’re in.
Your IP address is associated with who you are, where you live, and what you do online. A proxy will mask this information from other parties online.
A proxy server acts as a middleman between you and the internet. When using a proxy, the exchange between your ISP and the website you are trying to access is remodeled. Your ISP sends the IP of your proxy server to the website instead of your device’s IP. Hence, it looks like your proxy, not you, has visited the website.
Similarly to a proxy server, a VPN (Virtual Private Network) hides your IP address. But alongside this, a VPN encrypts all the data flowing between you and the web.
This is the main difference between a proxy server and a VPN. But there is more to help you differentiate a proxy from a VPN. Let’s look at the key factors.
Differences between proxy and VPN
Let’s see how proxies and VPNs differ in terms of speed, data encryption, and operation level.
VPNs generally provide a quicker browsing experience
Since a proxy is just a single server designed to cater for multiple users simultaneously, delays in the connection speed are common. You might have difficulties watching video streams, downloading files, or accessing certain websites.
Paid proxy servers are somewhat faster for a couple of reasons:
- First, since they’re not free, fewer people use them. This means the loading speed is better as there is less strain on the provider’s resources.
- Secondly, private proxies cache data. This means when you surf the web, your proxy saves details of all your visited sites. When you access them for a second time, you don’t visit them directly - your proxy shows you the saved versions. Thus, everything appears straight away.
A VPN can also slow down the connection speed if its servers are too far away from your location. But you will hardly notice a delay with the top VPN providers as they invest heavily in technology and maintenance.
So, go for a VPN if you need to watch streamed content without a glitch.
Unlike proxy servers, VPNs actually encrypt your data
Though both a proxy and VPN hide your IP address, they handle your data differently. A proxy server is just a ‘man-in-the-middle’ between you and the web. It doesn’t secure any data you send and receive when using the internet. Its sole purpose is to manipulate and mask your device’s IP address from the sites you visit.
For example, if you decide to check your credit card balance using public Wi-Fi, a skilled hacker could intercept your credit card details. How do you prevent this? First, of course, avoid doing anything with sensitive data via public Wi-Fi. And if you have to, opt-in for a VPN service.
VPNs go beyond just hiding your IP. They encrypt all the data you send and receive, creating a secure “tunnel”. This means neither the websites you visit nor hackers looking to steal your sensitive details can seize your data. Even your ISP will never know what you’re doing while you’re securely browsing online.
However, remember to avoid free VPN and web proxy providers. More often than not, they collect and sell your data, making all their privacy and security services just part of their marketing campaigns.
A VPN is your best bet if you want your data to be secured and surf the net, knowing you are protected.
A VPN’s operations are not limited to the application level
The fundamental difference between a VPN and a proxy server is how they operate differently. While a proxy server works on the app level, a VPN covers the entirety of your operating system. Confusing? Let us explain.
A proxy could be configured in your network settings so that each application can leverage proxy settings. For example, you can set up one proxy for Google Chrome and another for Safari. However, a proxy will only mask the real IP of your browser; it doesn’t stop other background applications from broadcasting your data.
Meanwhile, a VPN will save you from the headache of infinite configuration. It protects your identity at every interaction your system has with the world wide web. You can either install a VPN directly on your computer or on your router and enjoy encrypted browsing on all devices connected to the network. For instance, using a VPN is the only way to encrypt the data that comes from your smart TV.
That’s why, if you’re serious about protecting your entire system, opt for a VPN.
What should I use, a proxy server or a VPN?
While an average proxy is cheaper than an average VPN, it’s critical to know if paying more is worth it. So, if the only thing you want is to hide your ID from onlookers, a basic proxy server will do. Besides, a proxy will grant you access to a website unavailable in your location.
But when it comes to performing tasks beyond bypassing geo-blocking, using a proxy won’t be enough, and here’s why you need a VPN. While hiding your IP address, a VPN prevents anyone from seeing, selling, or even stealing your data, be it your ISP, a malicious proxy server owner, the government, or a hacker lurking on the same network.
* * *
We hope our guide helped you understand why you need a VPN to browse the web safely.
If you’re looking for one, then why not give Clario VPN a try? It ticks all the boxes for your digital privacy and security needs, promising full network security, genuine data privacy, safe shopping, and banking, among other perks.
Try our VPN today, and finally put an end to unsafe browsing.
Read more:
