VPN vs proxy vs Tor: what is the difference?
All three put another address between you and the websites you visit. They differ in what else they protect, how much they slow you down and who you have to trust. A VPN covers the whole device, a proxy usually covers one app, and Tor routes through volunteer servers for stronger anonymity.
VPN
A VPN encrypts everything leaving your device and sends it through the VPN company’s server.
- Hides: your address from websites, and your traffic from your provider and from people on the same Wi-Fi.
- Trust: the VPN company, which can see what your provider otherwise would.
- Speed: usually good, with a small slowdown.
Proxy
A proxy forwards requests for a single app or browser.
- Hides: your address from the website you visit through it.
- Trust: the proxy operator, who can see your requests, particularly if they are not encrypted.
- Speed: usually fast, but quality varies widely.
Tor
Tor passes traffic through three volunteer relays, each knowing only the one before and the one after.
- Hides: your address, and no single relay knows both you and your destination.
- Trust: no single company, though the last relay can see unencrypted traffic.
- Speed: noticeably slower, and some sites block it.
Which to choose
Use a reputable VPN for everyday privacy on public Wi-Fi or to stop your provider seeing every site you visit. Use Tor when anonymity matters more than speed. A proxy suits quick, low-stakes tasks. None of them protects you if you log in to an account that names you.
Common questions
Is a free VPN safe?
Often not. Running a VPN costs money, so free services may log or sell data, show adverts or limit you heavily. Check who runs it and how it is paid for.
Can I use a VPN and Tor together?
You can, but for most people it adds complexity without much benefit. Tor on its own is designed to protect you.
Will a VPN stop websites tracking me?
It hides your address, but cookies, logins and browser fingerprinting still work.