A VPN and a proxy both send your traffic through another server, so websites see that server’s IP address instead of yours. That is where the similarity ends. They are built for different jobs.
The short answer
- Choose a VPN when you want to protect everything on your phone or computer: every app, every browser tab, on any network.
- Choose a proxy when you need a specific IP address for a specific task: one account, one browser profile, one country or one scraping job.
- Use both when you run several accounts and also work on networks you don’t trust.
How a VPN works
A VPN app creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the VPN server. All traffic from the device goes through it.
- Whole-device protection. You don’t configure each app; everything is covered.
- Encryption. People on the same Wi-Fi network can’t read what you send.
- One IP at a time. All your apps share the VPN server’s IP address.
That last point is why a VPN is the wrong tool for running several accounts: they would all appear to come from the same address.
How a proxy works
A proxy is set per app or per browser profile. You enter its address, port and login in the place where you need it.
- Many IPs, one per task. Give every account or browser profile its own address.
- Pick the IP type. Datacenter, IPv6, residential or mobile, depending on how strict the website is.
- Pick the location. Choose the country — and with some providers, the city — you need.
- No encryption by itself. A proxy changes your IP but does not add encryption the way a VPN does.
Side by side
| VPN | Proxy | |
|---|---|---|
| Covers | The whole device | One app or profile |
| Encryption | Yes | Not by itself |
| Different IP per account | No | Yes |
| Choose IP type (mobile, residential…) | Rarely | Yes |
| Setup | Install an app | Enter address in each app |
Which one do you need?
You need a VPN if your connection keeps dropping, you often use public Wi-Fi, or you simply want your whole device protected. Our pick is Amnezia: it has its own protocols designed to keep the connection stable, a free plan to try, and Premium plans for up to 7 devices.
You need a proxy if you manage several accounts you own and each one needs its own IP, or you need an address in a particular country. For individual IPv4 and IPv6 proxies, our pick is Proxy6. When you need residential, mobile or ISP IPs, rotation, or city-level targeting, our pick is Proxy-Seller.
You need both if you run multiple accounts and work from cafés, airports or other open networks. Use the VPN on the device and a separate proxy inside each browser profile.
Whatever you choose, use these tools only for lawful purposes, on accounts you own, and within each website’s terms.