What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy?

Both VPNs and proxies can help hide your IP address and improve your online privacy, but they work in different ways.

Proxy:

A proxy routes traffic from a specific app, browser, or connection through a proxy server. It can hide your original IP address and is often used for tasks such as browsing with a different IP address or accessing region-specific content.

However, a proxy usually does not encrypt all traffic on your device. Its protection depends on the proxy type and how it is configured.

VPN:

A VPN creates an encrypted connection between your device and a VPN server. Traffic routed through the VPN is protected from being easily viewed by your local network or internet service provider, and websites will usually see the VPN server’s IP address instead of your original IP address.

Compared with a proxy, a VPN generally provides broader protection because it can cover traffic from multiple apps and services, not just a single browser or connection.