At a glance
| VPN | Tor | Proxy | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | All apps on the device | Tor Browser (or configured apps) | Usually one app or browser |
| Encryption | Yes, to the VPN server | Yes, in layers across the Tor network | Often none by default |
| Who you trust | The VPN provider | No single relay sees both who you are and what you visit | The proxy operator |
| Speed | Usually fast | Slower | Varies |
| Cost | Mostly paid | Free | Free or paid |
VPN
A VPN encrypts all your device’s traffic to a server run by the provider, which then forwards it to the internet. It’s fast and easy, suits everyday privacy, public Wi‑Fi, travel and streaming, but you have to trust the provider. See no-logs VPNs.
Tor
Tor, run by the non-profit Tor Project and volunteers, sends your traffic through three relays, encrypted in layers (“onion routing”), so no single relay knows both who you are and what you’re visiting. It’s free and much stronger for anonymity, but slower, and some sites block or challenge Tor users. The Tor Browser also resists fingerprinting, which a VPN alone doesn’t.
Proxy
A proxy forwards traffic from a single app, often a browser, through another server so websites see the proxy’s IP address. Common HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies don’t encrypt your traffic by themselves, so the network you’re on can still see it. Proxies are fine for simple tasks but are not a privacy tool. Free proxies in particular may log or alter traffic.
Which should you use?
- Everyday privacy, public Wi‑Fi, travel, streaming: a reputable VPN.
- Strong anonymity: Tor Browser, with care about what you log in to.
- Quick IP change for one app, no sensitive data: a proxy can do the job.
Last updated: 13 October 2026
