Proxy guides
VPN vs Proxy: What’s the Difference?
Compare VPN and proxy traffic coverage, exit addresses, and configuration, then verify the result with IP, DNS, WebRTC, and fingerprint tests.
Start with traffic coverage
A VPN typically establishes a system-level tunnel but can use split tunneling. A proxy is often selected by an application or browser, with HTTP, SOCKS, or other protocol coverage depending on configuration. A product’s name does not establish where every request goes; inspect the application and protocol you actually use.
A changed exit does not establish complete coverage
A webpage’s IP lookup verifies that HTTP connection. WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 may use different paths. HTTPS protects content between the browser and website independently of whether a proxy is used. One observed IP cannot reveal the tunnel’s encryption configuration.
A repeatable comparison workflow
Record the baseline exit, then enable the VPN or proxy in the target browser. Run VPN, proxy, DNS, and WebRTC tests and record each address and status. Check each browser environment separately when using several profiles. The fingerprint tool adds local device context but does not measure whether a tunnel is working.
Choose the result that answers your question
To know which IP a website sees, inspect the public exit. To learn how databases classify it, read the VPN and proxy signals. To inspect the resolver path, run the DNS test. Keeping these questions separate prevents “not recognized” from being mistaken for “configured correctly.”