If you are reading this article, you might be looking to change your IP address for the purpose of private safe browsing. For that purpose, you need to go for VPN or proxy server as both of them increases the security of your internet connection and avoids saving your search history.
However, before you start using any private network, it is quite important to know the difference between VPN and proxy server. This will help you pick the right tool for your job.
In this article, we are going to discuss VPN and proxy servers in detail and tell you which option is better for you to use.
What Are VPNs and Proxy Servers?
Whether it is VPN or proxy server, both of them are used for the privacy purpose and allow you to hide your IP address.
However, there is a bit difference between them where people get confused and mix-up both these terms.
What is a Proxy Server?
When you browse something on the internet, you get a long list of content that can be helpful for you.
Let’s say you want to eat a pizza and for that purpose, you search the nearby pizza shops.
Search engines will show you a long list and most probably some of them may not be in your town. The web browser just provided you with a list so you can decide your favorite one from here.
However, when you use the proxy server, all the traffic that you browse on the internet will get filtered first and you will get the results that will be most important for you.
Let’s say, you are looking to watch a movie on Netflix that is available in the German region. So, you can use the proxy server of Germany and to access the German content on your Netflix account.
What is VPN?
The term VPN stands for virtual private network and it creates a tunnel for your data while online browsing and secures your identity. That means if you are using a Fast VPN app, your IP address will get changed so you can use the public Wi-Fi quite easily.
As a result, you will make your browsing safe and your internet service provider will not be able to see what you are doing online. This element also keeps you safe from tracking the website, hackers, and government agencies.
That means you can make the browsing secure.
How VPN and Proxies Differ From Each Other
There are a lot of elements that make the VPN different from proxies. It includes IP address, encryption, purpose of use, security and many other factors.
However, we will discuss three most important factors on the basis of which VPN is different from the proxies.
VPNs encrypt information
If you are using VPN, your data will get encrypted and you can do your private tasks securely and avoid any external threat.
However, in the case of proxy you will not get this benefit as it doesn’t provide security to your data. In fact, it will filter the data on a particular search.
VPN covers a wide area
A VPN provides the security at a wider range as compared to the proxy server. The reason is that it encrypts all the web activities on the browser no matter which sites you are opening.
On the other hand, proxy servers hide the information of a particular website that you are opening on the search engine.
Free Vs Paid
Most of the VPN free tools allow you for a limited time to browse the data and secure your search history. After you cross the limit, you will have to get the paid version.
However, proxy on the other hand is free of cost as there is no need to spend money while you use a particular website.
Similarities between Proxy and VPN
Since both VPN and proxy servers are used to hide your identity online. So, there are a lot of similarities that you will get in both of these platforms.
In this section, we are going to talk about the common grounds that you will get in both proxy servers and VPN.
- Both of the methods slow down the speed of browsing. The reason is that they will take time in changing the IP address and filtering the data.
- VPN and proxy browsers both work with streaming devices and gaming consoles
- Both VPN and proxy browsers hide the IP address and make your data secure online
VPN or Proxy: Which One Should I Use?
If you are confused between VPN and proxy usage, we will recommend using VPN as it gives you wider coverage and makes your data secure at a higher level.
As compared to the proxy, it will give you better speed and open the websites for you quickly. Moreover, most VPNs don’t log any of your traffic and avoid saving your information online.
However, the benefit you get in the proxy servers is that they are free of cost as you don’t have to pay for changing your IP address.
In the end, it’s your choice for how long you want to browse the data privately. It will help you pick the best tool.
Bottom Line
Privacy and security matters a lot nowadays therefore people look for the options that can make their browsing secure.
For that purpose, you can use VPN or proxy servers as they can redirect your connection and prevent the internet service provider from connecting to your device.
Often users get confused with the terms proxy servers and VPN applications. We have differentiated these terms in detail so you can choose the right tool while doing your task.
Hope this article was informative for you. If you have any query in your mind relevant to this topic, you can ask it in the comments section.
