If you are debating whether a proxy server or a VPN connection is better for you, we will try to clarify it here. How do they differ from each other and which one suits you best? depending on what you plan to use them for.
what is a proxy
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between our device and the Internet, so that we connect to it and it is the one that connects to the web servers and sends us the information back. As a consequence, it helps us hide our IP address and be able to bypass geographic blocksas censored pages.
There are several types of proxy servers, from those that can be configured on the Internet connection to those that work from a web pageso they generally have a more limited scope than VPN connections, which affect all Internet traffic.
A fundamental difference is that proxy servers they are not serially encrypted, so they don’t have the added advantage of privacy over VPN connections. In fact, since most proxy servers are free, you risk having your data captured by the proxy server.
What is a VPN
A VPN connection is somewhat more complex than a proxy server, and they have many more uses. In a way it is also a server that acts as an intermediary between you and the data, although in this case data goes through an encrypted tunnelwhich prevents them from being intercepted even though someone is spying on the Internet connection.
VPNs are more robust than a proxy server, especially if they are paid, and they also tend to offer faster and -in the case of commercial services- let you choose between servers from various countrieswhich allows you to use them to access streaming content that is not available in your country.
VPN connections are configured with a VPN client that affects all the data and allows us, among other things, to connect to the work network or add a security layer in our connections to public Wi-Fi.
What is the difference between them
With all this, we have the following table with the various differences and similarities between a proxy server and a VPN connection. Basically, a proxy can do some of the things you can do with a VPN (open a censored website and hide your IP address), but without encryption and probably at a slower speed.
VPN |
proxy |
|
---|---|---|
Ambit |
Affects the entire system |
Typically an app |
encryption |
Yes |
Nope |
Price |
Paid (monthly fee) and free |
They are usually free |
Speed |
Usually good in paid ones |
It is usually bad |
Stability |
normally stable |
Public servants fall frequently |
Hide the IP |
Yes |
Yes |
for all traffic |
Usually yes |
Some only work for HTTP traffic and not HTTPS |
Taking into account all of the above, this is the summary of when should you use a VPN connectionwhether free or paid, and when you can simply use a free proxy server:
-
A proxy is convenient for you: if you are simply going to open a web page that does not load because it is blocked, censored or due to a specific error with your web page, or if you need to hide your IP in a very specific way.
-
A VPN is better for you: for any other case that requires a more intensive use, with higher download speed, more control over the IP address or the country or to connect to the work network.