There is a wealth of information online about encryption and traffic protection, but most of it focuses on VPNs. This is partly due to VPN providers marketing their services as the ultimate solution for online security and anonymity. However, the reality is not so straightforward. Many solutions promoted as VPNs are technically just proxy servers. This raises the question: why, in many cases, is it better to buy a proxy server than use a VPN?
What’s the Difference Between VPN and Proxy?
To understand the distinction, it helps to look at how each technology works.
VPNs are technologies that connect networks at a lower level of data transmission. They take all the traffic from your computer or device, encapsulate it in an encrypted “tunnel,” and route it through a remote server. In technical terms, VPNs operate at the network (IP, L3) or data link (frames, L2) levels of the OSI model.
Proxies are applications or servers that handle requests on behalf of a client, using their own network address. They forward payloads at higher levels—from the transport layer (TCP, L4) to the application layer (HTTP, L7) of the OSI model.
In simpler terms:
- VPN affects the entire system—all traffic goes through the tunnel.
- Proxy can be applied selectively—just for a browser, a specific app, or particular websites.
Both VPNs and proxies can encrypt traffic. However, VPNs always add extra packet encapsulation and modify the system routing table, which can create overhead. Proxies handle this more directly, without unnecessary complexity.
Why Proxies Are Often Faster
The difference in speed comes down to how data is transmitted.
With a VPN, any packet loss (e.g., due to network delays) requires retransmission along the entire tunnel—from client to destination server. This can slow down overall performance.
Proxies are more flexible. They have their own TCP buffers, and retransmissions occur independently on each segment: “client → proxy” and “proxy → destination server.” Temporary delays or losses on one segment do not affect the other. As a result, proxies often deliver better performance in real-world network conditions.
Additional Advantages of Proxies
- Flexibility. Proxies can be configured for specific tasks. You can route only a browser, a single app, or even particular domains. You can also use multiple proxies simultaneously for different purposes—for example, one for work and another for social media.
- DPI Stealth. Modern deep packet inspection (DPI) systems can detect VPNs, even encrypted ones like WireGuard. TLS proxies can be disguised as regular HTTPS traffic, making them almost invisible to DPI.
- Reliability on Disconnection. If a VPN connection drops, your traffic may unintentionally revert to your home IP, compromising privacy. With proxies, the connection simply stops, without revealing your real address.
- Protection Against “Tunnel Bypass” Attacks. VPNs are susceptible to attacks where traffic can bypass the tunnel. Proxies do not have this problem.
- Low System Requirements. VPNs often require admin privileges to set up. Proxies can be used even in restricted environments, which is useful on shared or corporate devices.
Conclusion
VPNs remain a valuable tool when you need to encrypt all device traffic and maintain a persistent tunnel between networks. However, if speed, flexibility, and invisibility are more important, proxies are often the better choice in real-world scenarios.
For those seeking a reliable and ready-to-use solution, services like Proxy-Man provide a wide range of proxies suitable for everyday browsing as well as professional tasks.
