Worried about your privacy while browsing the internet? Ever thoughtthat government agencies, companies, or hackers can track what sites you visit, links you click, and files you download while staying online?

You might wonder if you need to buyVPN or get a proxy server to protect your IP address from hackers and hide your location.

While both may seem similar, there are significant differences between a proxy and a VPN. We’ve compiled a summary of key differences between a proxy and a VPN in this post to helpmake the rightchoice for your needs.

Keep reading to learn more.

How do VPNs Differ from Proxies?

VPNs and proxies are two different tools to protect your identity from hackers, snoopers, and government agencies, but these tools work differently.

When you connect to the internet, a proxy server lies between you and the server, functioning as a gateway. You can connect to a proxy before connecting to a website, video-streaming software, or file-sharing application from your laptop, tablet, smartphone, or other devices. After that, you’ll connect to the site or app via an external host server.

A VPN works similarly, but instead of working with single websites or apps, it works with every app or site you visit or access. When you access a website after connecting to a VPN, your IP address is concealed and masked by your VPN provider’s IP address. Thisprocess protects your identity, but unlike a proxy, this protection will remain in place as you visit online streaming sites, surf new websites, download files or send emails.

Below we have mentioned some of the crucial differences between a VPN and a proxy server:

1. Security

When it comes to security, VPNs are more secure than proxies. How?

Unencrypted public proxy servers conceal your identity from the website you’re viewing, but they don’t encrypt your connection to the proxy server.

Using a public proxy server may result in a less secure connection than connecting directly to a web server through your browser.

However, VPNs are safe since they load data on the server end and encrypt it before transmitting it to the client on your computer.

But remember that with a VPN, you will be giving your chosen VPN service provider company full access to your internet traffic, so buyVPN with a good reputation and exceptional privacy practices.

2. Privacy

VPNs offer complete data encryption right from when data leaves your computer until its final destination, making it a lot tougher for hackers to snoop on your data.

A VPN can protect you from malicious hackers even if you’re on an open Wi-Fi network, and its end-to-end encryption will protect your data from router, ISP, government, or employer.

The Chinese government has outlawed VPNs because there is no mechanism to regulate access to blocked websites, even if the ISP cannot eavesdrop on the data.

On the other hand, proxy servers act as a tunnel and hide your IP address from the websites you access.

3. Cookies

Cookies are saved and stored on your computer’s hard drive. They can easily be downloaded to your computer via VPN or proxy server.However, the cookie will mistake the VPN’s IP address for your own, offering little protection against various digital tracking techniques like fingerprinting.

On the other hand, a proxy server can also trick the website into storing a cookie with a different IP address.

So, clearing all the cookies on your computer before using a VPN or a proxy server is recommended. If you do not do this, existing cookies on your computer will interfere with your additional layer of privacy, and the site will connect to your original IP address and location.

4. Cost

Considering the cost, most available proxies are free and public, while VPNs range from $5 to $12 a month.

If you want to use proxy safely, you will also have to get a premium and reliable service. A premium proxy server costs around $5 per month, which makes it less expensive than most VPNs.

If you’re serious about security, a VPN still offers the best value for your money.

5. Connection Speed

Another significant distinction between a proxy and a VPN is the connection speed.

A public proxy server may struggle to provide even a single megabit per second, but other VPNs offer speeds of 50 Mbps or more.

While if you buyVPN, its encryption may add a few milliseconds of delay, it isn’t evident unless you’re a top-tier professional gamer or broadcaster.

You can even improve your connection speed in rare circumstances by utilizing a VPN. Most large carriers employ a global network of data centers.

Final Thoughts

In terms of security and privacy, a public proxy server cannot compete with a premium, encrypted VPN. A VPN is not inexpensive, but it compensates for dependability, security, privacy, and connection speed.

Accessing geo-blocked streaming video isn’t the only way to secure your online traffic. It may also affect the right to receive or exchange information unavailable in a person’s country.

Do you use a VPN to increase your privacy and security when browsing the web? What has been your experience?