VPNs and proxies both change your IP address, but they work in fundamentally different ways. One encrypts your entire connection and protects all your traffic. The other only reroutes specific requests and offers no real security. Here is a clear breakdown of the differences.
What Is a Proxy Server?
A proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet. When you use a proxy, your web request goes to the proxy server first, which then forwards it to the website. The website sees the proxy's IP address, not yours.
However, proxies have significant limitations:
- They typically only work with web browsers, not your entire device
- Most proxies do not encrypt your traffic
- Your ISP can still see everything you do
- Many free proxies log your activity and sell your data
What Is a VPN?
A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates an encrypted tunnel that covers all traffic from your device — not just your browser. Every app, every connection, every DNS request is encrypted and routed through the VPN server.
Learn more in our complete guide to VPNs.
VPN vs Proxy: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | VPN | Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| Encrypts traffic | Yes (AES-256) | Usually no |
| Covers all apps | Yes (system-wide) | No (browser only) |
| Hides IP from websites | Yes | Yes |
| Hides activity from ISP | Yes | No |
| Protects on public Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| DNS leak protection | Yes (with good VPNs) | No |
| Kill switch | Yes | No |
| Speed impact | Minimal | Varies widely |
When to Use a Proxy
Proxies are useful for simple, low-stakes tasks:
- Quickly checking if a website is available from another location
- Bypassing a simple content filter
- Web scraping where privacy is not a concern
When to Use a VPN
A VPN is the right choice whenever privacy or security matters:
- Browsing on public Wi-Fi
- Preventing ISP tracking
- Accessing geo-restricted content
- Protecting all apps on your device
- Any situation where data security is important
The Bottom Line
A proxy changes your IP address. A VPN changes your IP address AND encrypts all your traffic. If you care about privacy and security, a VPN is the only real option.
See what SecureVPN offers — including High level Encryption, kill switch, and DNS leak protection that no proxy can match.