VPN vs Proxy: What's the Difference and Which One to Choose?
Author
Kevin Wong | Technical specialistVPNs and Proxies: A Complete Guide to Choices and Differences
Both VPNs and proxy servers protect users’ personal data and provide secure access to content. Due to their similar functions, these services are often used interchangeably. However, there is a significant difference between them: one protects personal data, while the other does not. So, proxy or VPN - what’s the difference?
VPNs protect all network traffic, while proxies operate at the application level. Both services hide the IP address, but only VPNs redirect data through an encrypted tunnel.
Proxy is suitable for browsing content on the Internet, but it is not as secure as VPNs. VPNs provide greater protection and have several advantages. While both allow you to hide your IP address and provide anonymity, they have significant differences in functionality, level of security, and areas of application.
Let’s take a closer look at the differences between VPNs and proxies.
What is a Proxy Server?
This way, proxy servers mask IP addresses and allow users to bypass content restrictions and monitoring.
Types of Proxies
Which proxy server to choose for efficient work? There are the following types of proxies: transparent, anonymous, distorting, private. Let's consider them in more detail:
A transparent type electronic system does not hide from the resource who exactly its visitor is. It says: "I am a proxy server," then transmits the real user IP address. It is used in educational and scientific institutions (schools, universities, libraries).
The anonymous proxy does the same but hides personal data. Now, the resource is aware that a real person is contacting it not directly but through an additional link. Its behavior can be unpredictable.
A distorting server also reports that it is a proxy but replaces the user's personal data. The resource behaves accordingly: it provides content for a specific location. A private option "covers up" the user's tracks on the network best of all. It regularly replaces IP addresses and transmits fake data. It is impossible to track traffic or identify the client.
Proxies are distinguished by the type of protocols they work on: HTTP (the most common version, but not secure), HTTPS (encrypted version), SOCKS (works with different types of traffic, more flexible and secure than other protocols).
Advantages and Disadvantages of Proxy Servers
Pros
- Anonymity: Hide your real IP address lookup, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions and blockages.
- Caching: Can save copies of frequently requested web pages, speeding up access.
- Content Filtering: This can block access to certain websites or types of content, which is useful on corporate or educational networks.
Cons
- Lack of encryption: Most proxy servers do not encrypt the transmitted data, making them vulnerable to interception and attacks.
- Limited protection: Proxy servers typically operate on an application-by-application basis and do not protect all of your device's Internet traffic.
- Unreliable: Free or public proxy servers can be unstable, slow, or even dangerous because you don't know who is running the server or how your data is handled.
What is VPN?
A VPN is a virtual private network (Virtual Private Network). A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for data transfer, protects your online identity by hiding your IP address, and allows you to use public Wi-Fi hotspots securely.
A VPN works at the operating system level, redirecting traffic from a browser or app and encrypting traffic between the internet and the user's device. As a result, the Internet provider can't track the user's online activities; it only sees the connection to the VPN server. This type of encryption protects against tracking of websites visited, government monitoring, and intruders who may try to spy on the device.
How Does VPN Work?
When you connect to a VPN service, the following happens:
- Authentication: Your device authenticates to the VPN server using credentials or certificates
- Establishing a tunnel: An encrypted tunnel is created between your device and the VPN server.
- Data encryption: All your internet traffic is encrypted before being sent through the tunnel, protecting the data from interception.
- Data transmission: Encrypted data is transmitted to the VPN server, which then sends it to the target Internet resource. The response from the resource is returned to the VPN server, encrypted, and sent back to your device.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Best VPN
Pros & Cons
Pros
- High level of security: Data encryption protects your information from interception and cyberattacks.
- Complete anonymity: Hides your real IP address and location, allowing you to bypass censorship and geographical restrictions.
- Protect all traffic: VPN protects all internet traffic on your device, regardless of the apps you use.
Cons
- Reduced speed: Due to encryption and redirecting traffic through a remote server, there may be a slight decrease in internet connection speed.
- Cost: Quality VPN services usually require payment, although many offer trial periods or money-back guarantees.
- Trust in the provider: You trust your internet traffic to the VPN provider, so choosing a reliable and trusted service with a no-logging policy is important.
Comparing VPNs and Proxy Servers
If you've ever wondered, ‘What is my IP?’ you know that my IP address can reveal your location and other information. VPNs and proxies help hide that address and protect your privacy.
While both VPNs and proxy servers can hide your IP address and provide anonymity, they have key differences in functionality and level of protection.
| Function | VPN | Proxy Server |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Yes, all traffic | None (except HTTPS) |
| Anonymity | High | Medium |
| Speed | Slower due to encryption | Faster but no encryption |
| Traffic Protection | All device traffic | Only applications using proxies |
| Geo-blocking | Efficient | Limited |
| Cost | Paid (with trials) | Free or paid |
| Usability | Requires client | Customizable in browser or app |
Basic VPN and Proxy Protocols
Different VPN and proxy protocols offer different levels of security, speed, and compatibility. Here are the main ones:
VPN Protocols
OpenVPN
- Open source, high encryption (256-bit AES).
- Supports most operating systems.
- Slower, but more secure.
WireGuard
- A new, lightweight protocol with high speed and security.
- Ideal for mobile devices.
Outline VPN
- Uses AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption. Available on MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android platforms via corresponding client applications.
Vmess/Vless
- Use REALITY encryption and disguise themselves as HTTPS traffic. Compatible with various client applications on all major platforms.
Trojan
- A protocol that disguises traffic as HTTPS bypassing blocking and DPI filtering. Uses REALITY encryption, completely simulating HTTPS traffic. Supported on MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android platforms via corresponding client applications.
MTProto
- Uses AES-256-CBC and RSA encryption. Supported directly in the Telegram app on all platforms.
IKEv2/IPSec
- Fast and stable, especially on mobile devices.
- Supports automatic connection recovery.
L2TP/IPSec
- An older, but still popular protocol.
- Less secure than OpenVPN.
PPTP
- Least secure, but fast.
- Good for unblocking content, but not for data protection.
Proxy Protocols
HTTP Proxy
- Suitable for working with websites only.
- Does not encrypt data.
HTTPS Proxy
- An extended version of HTTP with encryption.
- Ensures secure data transfer.
SOCKS5
- A universal protocol that works with any type of traffic.
- Slower, but supports authentication.
Why is NoProx the Best Choice?
NoProx is a modern VPN service that provides access to VPN and proxy servers with many advantages. Unique advantages of NoProx:
Flexibility
Flexibility of configurations: One server has many protocols and compatibility with any device.
High Performance
High performance: Powerful and fast servers all over the world.
Privacy
Privacy: No-logging policy guarantees your anonymity.
Affordable
Affordable price: 30-day trial for only $0.95.
Which is better: a VPN or a proxy server?
Both a proxy server and a VPN can be used to hide your IP address. If you care about browsing speed and need to hide the IP address of only one site or application, a free proxy server will do the job.
On the other hand, for hiding online activities, it is better to connect to it via a VPN, as VPNs encrypt data while browsing the internet, while proxy servers do not. As a result, a VPN provides more security when doing things like online banking or shopping online.
The major VPN providers charge for their services, but their security ensures that sensitive, personal, and financial information is protected from intruders.
Do I need both a VPN and a proxy server at the same time?
In general, no. You don't need a proxy server if you already use a VPN. A VPN performs the same function as a proxy server but offers more advanced features. However, if there is a transparent proxy server that blocks certain websites, you can use a VPN to bypass these restrictions.
Conclusion
The difference between VPN and Proxy is that the first technology encrypts information, and the second filters it. They have a fundamental difference in the level and type of security. VPN server can encrypt data: only the client and server can see the tunnel's contents. Proxy, on the contrary, transmits information in the open but checks the received data for malicious code. And this depends on the settings. In addition, proxy and VPN differ in the width of coverage. If the first captures traffic only from an open window, the second redirects all Internet data, even from background programs.
Try NoProx today and get access to secure and fast VPNs and proxy servers for only $0.95. Protect your data and bypass any restrictions with our convenient and reliable service!