Chances are that you have come across the terms proxy and VPN before. Both help protect your privacy. Some users are even lucky to get a free proxy download! Both can let you unblock geo-restricted content, and even keep you anonymous online. But what is the actual difference between these? When to use one over the other?

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In this article, we’ll cover the core differences between proxies and VPNs, as well as how to choose which to use in different scenarios. Let’s start with the basics, and then move on to direct comparison.  

What is a Proxy?

A proxy server is an intermediary between you and the internet platform you want to connect to. When downloading a proxy for free or paid, provided by experts like iProxy.online, you can use it to route your internet traffic through that server. It basically makes it appear that the server is making the request, not your device. Neat, huh?

Here’s how proxies help in maintaining anonymity. Instead of your actual IP address, the websites would see the IP address of the proxy server. This comes in handy if you’re trying to access content restricted by geolocation or mask your location.

There are a few different types of proxies: HTTP, SOCKS, and mobile proxies. Each has its strengths depending on what you’re trying to do. For example, HTTP proxies are good to use for browsing, while SOCKS proxies are more versatile and work well with many types of traffic like streaming and gaming.  

The Benefits of Using a Proxy

Proxies are excellent for bypassing restrictions on blocked content. They help you mask your IP address which then becomes difficult to track. When it comes to business, you can run multiple social media accounts with the help of a free downloaded proxy without the risk of bans. You can even perform web scraping undetected.

Here are the main benefits you will get by using proxies from companies like iProxy.online:

  • Bypass geo-restrictions. Access to websites that may be restricted in your region.
  • Anonymity. Keeping your actual IP address anonymous while browsing on the internet.
  • Manage several accounts. You will be able to safely run several social media or business profiles without the fear of getting banned for suspicious activity.
  • Web scraping. You will be able to scrape websites for information without getting blacklisted or flagged.

The proxies have their cons, too, of course. Proxies usually operate at an application level. Another thing is that, unlike VPNs, proxies do not encrypt your data, which means information may still be accessed by hackers or tracked by third parties. Speaking of which—what is a VPN exactly anyway?

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a way to protect your online data. Connecting to a VPN establishes a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. This not only masks your real IP address but also encrypts all data that goes through it. That’s a level of security that is considerably higher than that of proxies.

While a proxy only reroutes traffic through a different server, a VPN encrypts all the data going from your device to the server. This ensures that no one can intercept or view your activity—even if you’re on a public network.  

The Benefits of Using a VPN

A VPN is a great option when you need a boost to security and privacy. This would be ideal for shielding sensitive data while browsing online. It encrypts all your traffic so that no hacker or even any third party can spy on what you are doing.

But, like everything in life, VPNs have some downsides. Due to the encryption process, VPNs tend to slow down your internet connection. Some websites or services may block access to users with VPN IPs too. That said, if security is your top priority, a VPN is a good option to try.  

Key Differences Between Proxies and VPNs

So what is the exact difference between proxies and VPNs? Here’s a list that covers basic features and the key differences between them.  

Encryption

One of the biggest differences is encryption. A VPN encrypts your entire connection, meaning all your traffic is hidden and secure from prying eyes. In contrast, a proxy doesn’t offer it. Your data is still sent in plain, which makes it potentially vulnerable. So, if you’re main concern is security, VPNs would be a better choice here. Speaking of which… 

Security

With VPNs, the security is a great deal better than with proxies. With a VPN, internet traffic is encrypted so it goes through a safe server. This helps prevent hackers or anybody else who tries to snoop. On the other hand, with a proxy, only the IP address is hidden, but not the data itself.  

Speed and Performance

When it comes to performance, proxies are usually ahead of the competition. Because they do not encrypt your data, they tend to be faster than VPNs. That makes proxies very well-suited for applications where speed is the main point like web scraping or gaming. But, of course, this comes at the expense of security.  

Use Cases

The proxies are great when you need anonymity or to go over geoblocks. Maybe your main objective is to watch shows that have not been released yet in your country or to run a lot of social media profiles. Maybe it’s to scrape information off websites. VPNs on the other hand are a better fit when it comes to privacy online.  

Device Compatibility

A proxy works on the system level, securing internet traffic to and from your device. A VPN functions per app. So if you want to secure all your activities on a device, then go with a VPN. And if you need to secure specific activities, a proxy could turn out to be a better option.

Conclusions

Both proxies and VPNs are handy tools, but they serve different purposes. A proxy is ideal for tasks that require speed and anonymity. It lacks the encryption and security that a VPN offers, though. On the other hand, a VPN offers better privacy by encrypting your data, but it may slow down your connection.

Knowing the differences will help you make the right choice—-whether it will be proxy services or VPNs, for corporate and personal use. Happy browsing!