VPN vs. Proxy: What's the Difference?
VPNs and proxies can both change the public IP address seen by a destination, but they do not necessarily protect the same traffic or provide the same security properties.
The short answer
A proxy relays traffic for one application or protocol, and usually does not encrypt it. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for most or all of your device's traffic. Both change the IP address that websites see, but a VPN generally protects much more of your traffic and protects it better. A proxy is a narrower tool for specific jobs.
How each one works
A proxy is a server that makes requests on your behalf. You configure it in a particular app, such as a browser, or the app has it built in. The destination sees the proxy's address instead of yours. Only traffic from apps configured to use it goes through it, and unless the connection to the proxy is itself encrypted, your local network and ISP can still read what passes between you and the proxy.
A VPN app creates a virtual network interface on your device and routes traffic through an encrypted tunnel to the VPN server. Most apps on the device use it automatically, without separate configuration, apart from anything you exclude with split tunnelling.
Side-by-side comparison
| Proxy | VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic covered | Only apps configured to use it | Most or all device traffic |
| Encryption | Not by default; depends on the proxy type | Yes, between your device and the VPN server |
| DNS lookups | Depends on the app and proxy type | Usually handled through the tunnel |
| Setup | Per application | One app for the whole device |
| Speed | Often fast, with little overhead | Some overhead from encryption and routing |
| Typical uses | Single-app routing, testing, workplace filtering | Public Wi-Fi, privacy from your ISP, travel |
Common types of proxy
- HTTP proxies handle web requests. Ordinary HTTP traffic through them is readable by the proxy operator.
- HTTPS-capable proxies pass encrypted HTTPS connections through. The operator can see which site you connect to, but not the page contents.
- SOCKS5 proxies forward many kinds of traffic and are supported by some browsers and apps. SOCKS5 does not encrypt traffic itself.
- Web proxies are websites that load other sites for you. The operator sits in the middle of everything you do through them.
The risk with free proxies and free VPNs
Whoever runs a proxy or VPN can see the traffic that is not protected by HTTPS, and can see which services you use. Unknown free services have been found logging traffic, injecting advertising or selling usage data. Before using any service, find out who operates it and read its privacy policy. If you cannot tell who runs it, do not send anything sensitive through it.
Which should you use?
Choose a VPN when you want broad protection: on public Wi-Fi, for privacy from your ISP, or when you want every app covered without configuring each one. Choose a proxy when you need one specific app to use a different route, when a workplace requires it, or for testing how a site responds from another address. Tor is a third option with a different design and much stronger anonymity goals, at the cost of speed and site compatibility.
How to check either one
Run the VPN and proxy test in the browser you configured. The public IP should be the proxy's or VPN's address. Then run the DNS leak test, because a browser proxy may still send DNS lookups to your normal resolver. Remember that a result in your browser says nothing about apps that were not configured to use a proxy.
Reviewed October 8, 2026 · Methods and limitations · Report a problem