VPN vs. Proxy

VPN and Proxy both offer the best solution when it comes to ensuring your data security against online threats. VPN and Proxy server allows its users to browse the web anonymously. Not only that but we also use VPN and proxy servers to access geo-restricted content. Both helping the users to create a safe space while using the internet from public wifi network users often get confused and tend to think these are the same. But VPN and Proxy servers are two different tools. 

Please have a look at our VPN vs. Proxy article. Here, we will discuss how a VPN differs from a proxy and which is better to use.  Check out to know more.

What is VPN? 

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and as the name suggests, it helps the user create a private network that is not traceable. With a VPN network, a person can establish a protected network connection while using a public network. 

The VPN keeps the user's identity anonymous and encrypts real-time online activity. This means no one will access the user's online activity or steal the user's details if the user falls prey to any malicious links. 

What are the Advantages Of Using a VPN? 

VPN users tend to have a much safer environment when it comes to using the internet these days. However, apart from keeping up with your anonymity a VPN service has many more advantages to look for. Here is a list you may like to check out.

1.   Overcomes Geo-restrictions Comfortably

Content creators very commonly use Geo-blocks to restrict their content within a particular country or region. Sometimes, the government restricts its citizens from using certain websites or apps. 

These restrictions can be overcome using a VPN network by changing the country's server where the content is allowed to be watched. Sometimes, we travel to different countries, where the contents of our nation aren't available. 

In these cases, too, VPNs help us to watch the content easily. Moreover, watching restricted content on some OTT platforms gets easier with a VPN network.  

2.   Keeps Our Privacy Safe

VPN is the safest way to use the internet without leaking any personal data to hackers or the government. It helps to keep the online activity anonymous, no matter where we are browsing. Moreover, it is the best way to use public WiFi networks without leaking any personal data. 

Moreover, it hides our devices' location and IP address, making the task difficult for snoopers to identify. This is why VPN use is widely accepted worldwide, except in a few countries. 

3.   Cost-Effective for Online Security

As we connect to the VPN server, our device's IP address gets changed, allowing browsing into unlimited content available on the internet for free. Moreover, a few e-commerce websites show different prices of the same product in different regions. 

Hence, by switching on the VPN network, we can get the product at a lower price. This feature of price variation isn't limited to e-commerce sites but also flight and hotel bookings too. With the VPN, the overall budget of a trip can be lowered.  

4.   Secure Data Transfer

This is another perk with VPN, in which sharing or obtaining data can be done fearlessly. For example, when employees need to access crucial files in the company's network, they need a secure environment to avoid data leakage. In these cases, VPN plays the role of a perfect partner. 

What are the Disadvantages Of VPN?

With a lot of advantages on its side, VPN has some disadvantages that can bother the users. 

1.   Slow Connection Speed

VPN reduces the connection speed, not drastically but comparatively lower than the speed without VPN. But, some VPNs come with no speed compromise and offer good connection speed and high-quality security together. 

2.   Conflict with Anti-VPN Software

Anti-VPN software is the software that deals with VPN services and blocks them. Streaming service providers like Netflix use this software to block VPNs to access their content. 

3.   Sudden Connection Lost

Connection drops are common with local VPN providers or free VPN providers. But, with reputed providers, these drops are rare. The issue with the connection drop is that it instantly exposes the IP address. This connection drop can be dealt with using a feature called the kill switch feature, which immediately disconnects the device from the server. 

4.   Terms And Conditions

A few VPN providers share the data with the government due to the law and orders. This is why it is necessary to read all the terms and conditions thoroughly before signing in to the network. But, opting for a good VPN service provider will keep the user's data safe and secured. 

What is a Proxy server? 

Proxy is an intermediate server between the client seeking online resources and those who will provide the resources. In short, a proxy server acts as a mediator between the user and the web page. As the proxy server asks for the resources on behalf of the user, the user's real identity gets masked, and the IP address of the proxy server is detected. 

What are the Advantages Of A Proxy Server? 

This data masking gives many advantages to the people using it, which are listed below. 

1.   Hiding IP Address

As the proxy servers work on behalf of the user, it lets the websites use their IP address in place of the user's IP address. This means with a proxy server. The website will not be able to identify the physical location of the real user. 

Moreover, this also allows accessing some banned or blocked websites without revealing the user's IP address. So, using a proxy server helps to access the data by confusing the internet. 

2.   Restricting Access

We have learned so far that the proxy server lets users surf unreachable websites easily. But, it is also possible to restrict the access of using certain web pages within a network. Business owners mostly use this feature to restrict the staff from visiting web pages that can disturb the company's network and overall productivity. 

3.   Security

Enhanced security during online activities to users is another major advantage of using proxy servers. While on proxy servers, the chances of data leakage or hacking are negligible as the external servers won't recognize the real IP address of the user. So, this is a perfect way to deal with sensitive files without leaking the data. 

4.   Faster Performance

Proxy servers on the majority bring the data using the cached data. This means, if two persons are searching for the same web page, then the proxy server will get the data from the cached data received without visiting the target web page. This increases the overall performance while doing online activities on proxy servers. 

Disadvantages Of A Proxy Server

Everything full of advantages has some disadvantages on its side too. Below we have listed a few disadvantages of using a proxy server. 

1.   Cache Memory

The proxy server has a cache memory that stores or retains a few personal information like username and password. The proxy server never leaks the data nor allows any external server to go through the data stored. 

But, whoever is associated with the proxy server will be able to get through the data. So, if the person has some malicious intent, they can obtain personal data to disturb the user's online identity. 

2.   Incompatibility

In a few cases, the proxy servers are found to be incompatible with the local server network. So, using a proxy network won't be possible in these situations. Hence, choosing a compatible proxy server with the local server network is always advised for using it smoothly. 

Differences Between a VPN & a Proxy Server:

As we can see, proxy servers and VPNs offer almost similar facilities to users, but still, they differ in some features. The differences between these two types of servers are listed below, which can help us determine which is better.

Parameters	VPN	Proxy
Security	VPNs encrypt the user data on its side first before sending it. This means the user's online activity is untraceable for websites, Internet service providers, and the network while using the VPN	The proxy servers hide the user's identity but don't encrypt the connection. Mostly, the free proxy servers do not offer much security online, but some paid proxy servers with HTTPS connections are still safe to use. But, even paid proxies do not offer end-to-end encryption.
Privacy	With end-to-end encryption, the VPN server keeps the user anonymous, and no one will be able to keep track of the data or any online activity. Also, VPNs keep privacy intact during public WiFi networks and prevent the user from malicious activities.	In the case of proxy servers, there is no encryption, and it only helps to hide the user's IP address by being intermediate. Other privacy facilities are not available with proxy servers.
Cookies	With VPN, the cookies will be stored in the hard drive with the VPN's IP address in place of the user's address. This adds an extra layer of protection against the fingerprint and other techniques.	While using a proxy server, the website is tricked into storing the cookies with a different IP address than the original address.
Connection drops	While connecting to a VPN, there are zero-no chances of getting the connection lost notification and suddenly revealing your IP address to the sites you’re visiting.	A proxy server drops connection frequently which raises a question on the security.
Cost	The VPN service is also available in both free and paid forms. In this case, even the free VPNs encrypt the user data, but the paid VPNs offer higher security and privacy. Moreover, the paid VPN has more options to change locations than the free VPNs.	Most of the proxy servers are public and free, but these free servers do not guarantee the user the full safety of their data and online activities. Hence, a user can add security to their online activities by opting for a paid proxy server at the cost of a few bucks monthly.

Which One Is Better? VPN vs. Proxy

If we look at the benefits and differences that these two have in offer, it can be concluded that the VPNs are better than any proxy served. The reason behind this conclusion is that the VPN adds more layers of security by passing the data through a secured server and by encrypting the coming data. 

But, in proxy servers, the data is transferred from one end to the other through a channel or medium, i.e., the proxy server. There is no more extra security to the data being transferred. Moreover, the VPN operates at the OS level while the proxies don't operate.

So, if a user has a VPN service, especially the paid VPN, they do not require any proxy server. Premium VPNs have features similar to proxy servers, and hence they can easily replace proxy servers. But, if the user only wants a quick IP address change, they can go for a proxy server. 

Is It Good To Use Free Proxy And VPN?

Free tools don't give many more benefits than paid ones, and in free tools, the user has to compromise with a few extra features. Hence, opting for a free proxy or VPN is not recommended as they do not guarantee users about data security. 

There is a high chance that the free VPN and proxy server providers can share the user data with others to generate revenue. So, it is recommended not to use a free proxy or VPN while dealing with sensitive data or networks. 

Conclusion

VPN and proxy are two different things while having quite similar usability. This article has mentioned some important points that state how different VPN is from a proxy server. However, if you want to use a VPN to protect your online privacy at a much more cost-effective price, you may consider checking out the features of VPN Surf.