How Is a Proxy Different Than a VPN?
If you're unfamiliar with the technology, proxies are like first cousins to VPNs. They work by sending web traffic from your home or work computer through a proxy server on the way to its destination. This makes your traffic look like it's coming from somewhere else and hides your real IP address at the same time.
The bad news? Each application requires its own proxy connection. That means the proxy you use to route your browser traffic won't work with another app on your device, leaving you open to advertiser tracking or snoops when using other apps.
A VPN performs a similar function, but adds layers of encryption to web traffic routing. Also, since VPN connections are usually handled at the operating system level, a VPN can route all of the traffic coming from your device. "With the VPN server, it's a tunnel that will stay there," said Laurent Fasnacht, who leads research and development at Proton VPN. "Whenever your computer wants to send some traffic, it goes through the [VPN] tunnel."
If you search for "best proxy," you'll find a whole category of products that aren't what we're talking about in this article. Many of those companies advertise access to their proxy networks and huge pools of available IP addresses, far more than what an everyday consumer would need. They advertise their utility in data scraping and running numerous social media accounts. Most people who need a proxy are developing tools they need to test from multiple locations around the globe, or they're looking for ways to access information that may be different or blocked entirely where they're located. We are confident that they are not a good choice for consumers looking to improve their privacy online (or even spoofing their location).
When to Use a Proxy Instead of a VPN (and Vice Versa)
If you want to watch region-locked movies or shows on Netflix or another streaming service, or if you want an easy way to obfuscate your IP address and traffic while you're away from home, a VPN is your best bet. That's because, as mentioned above, a VPN encrypts all of your web traffic by default. However, there are some uses for proxies, depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
If you only want to unblock websites, change your public IP address, or make your traffic appear as if it were coming from somewhere else, you can do this quickly and easily with a proxy. The services are a little less expensive than VPNs, though there are plenty of free VPN services that offer several server locations and additional privacy and security tools, such as ad blocking, phishing detection, or malicious website warnings.
We don't recommend using a proxy and VPN simultaneously. Routing web traffic through a VPN alone will always reduce speed and performance, and adding the additional layer of complexity from a proxy makes it a recipe for a slow browsing session.
Which Has a Better Privacy Policy?
If it seems like companies are constantly trying to sell you privacy solutions, you're not alone. While testing security and privacy products, we've noticed that marketing language can make it difficult, even for experts, to determine the necessity of an app or service.
"It's a bit annoying when I see people making the wrong choices because of ads," said Fasnacht. He suggested that consumers research the products before buying, even if it takes a little more time.
We'll take that suggestion a step further and recommend that everyone investigate how a company makes money before downloading new apps. Remember, if an app is free, you're the product for sale.
VPN services and proxies can monitor your online activity for advertising or other nefarious purposes. You should read the company's privacy policy and terms of service documents to find out how the company protects your traffic data and what kinds of data it collects about you. Proxy services can be similar, promising you access to their service if you share your device's bandwidth with them for other users, thus adding you to their network of proxies. We break these policies down in our reviews to help you understand which services are the most trustworthy.
Chris Stobing contributed to this article.