
They can be downloaded and set up in minutes. You can choose from desktop clients, mobile apps, and browser extensions. VPNs usually have a more straightforward installation procedure. Read your prospective vendor’s Privacy Policy page to find out the types of data it claims to collect and not collect. They claim that they won’t store any information that may personally identify consumers. In the event of a data breach, the sensitive user information that they save could end up on the black market.Ī no-log policy is common among trusted VPN providers, though. Not so reputable proxy and VPN vendors may keep a log of their users and their traffic data. The latter, however, tends to deliver a more robust defense against advanced checks.įurthermore, neither of the two can deliver absolute online anonymity. So, proxy vs VPN - how are they similar and where are the differences? Privacyīoth proxy and VPN vendors can defeat basic detection techniques. We have an in-depth piece on VPNs if you’re interested to learn about their common tunneling protocols and standard features. This means a VPN can obscure the entire stream of internet data coming from your device. It can do so at the operating system level. In addition, a VPN establishes a secure tunnel that encrypts the traffic data passing through it.

It can conceal the actual IP address assigned to your device, enabling you to browse the Web as if you’re in a different city or country. What Is VPN?Ī VPN is a network of remote servers. Proxies use different protocols, but the most common ones are HTTP and SOCKS. This way, you don’t have to broadcast yours, can circumvent any geo-restrictions, and get to keep your privacy intact. Then, the proxy server will connect to a site or an app on your behalf using its own IP (Internet Protocol) address. You send your internet traffic through it. It keeps your traffic looking normal all the while to avoid raising suspicion. What Is Proxy?Ī proxy is a remote computer that acts as an intermediary between an app residing on your device and the open Web. Keep reading to understand the merits of proxy vs VPN solutions. So, are they the same? What should you use them for?

Proxy servers and virtual private networks (VPNs) are popular privacy tools for connecting to the internet.
