A proxy and a VPN can both change the public IP address a website sees, but they are not the same thing. The main distinction is where traffic is routed and what is encrypted. A proxy commonly handles requests from a specific app or protocol; a device-level VPN generally routes supported network traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a VPN server.
What a proxy does
A proxy acts as an intermediary between a client and a destination. An HTTP or SOCKS proxy may be configured in one browser, application, or operating system. The destination often sees the proxy’s IP address rather than the original public address. However, a proxy does not necessarily encrypt all traffic, and applications that are not configured to use it may connect directly.
HTTPS still matters when using a proxy. The proxy’s role and ability to observe traffic depend on the protocol, configuration, and whether end-to-end TLS is used. A proxy is not inherently anonymous or safe just because it changes the visible IP.
What a VPN does
A VPN creates a tunnel between your device and a VPN server. Supported traffic travels through that tunnel, which helps protect the path from the device to the VPN server and often changes the public IP seen by websites. The scope depends on the app: split tunneling, excluded apps, DNS routing, and IPv6 handling can affect which traffic goes through it. The VPN provider becomes a party you must trust.
Which should you choose?
Choose a proxy when a specific application needs to use an intermediary and you understand its security properties. Choose a trusted VPN when you want a more general device- or network-level tunnel, such as for a network you do not control or a remote-access scenario. For secure access to a work network, use the employer’s approved VPN rather than an unknown public service.
Avoid selecting a service solely because it is free or advertises “100% anonymous” browsing. Check who operates it, what logs are collected, whether the connection is encrypted, what data is routed through it, and how the provider funds the service.
Compare the results carefully
- Check your public IP at the KiwiVPN checker before changing settings.
- Configure the proxy or VPN in the app or device you intend to use.
- Check the IP again from that same app or browser.
- Confirm DNS behavior if that is part of your privacy goal.
- Test any application that should be excluded or included, and review the provider’s documentation.
A changed IP in one browser only proves that browser’s request used a different public route. It does not prove all device traffic is routed or protected.
Common questions
Is a proxy more anonymous than a VPN?
Not automatically. Either service can observe some connection information, and accounts, cookies, fingerprints, and other identifiers remain relevant.
Does every VPN encrypt traffic?
A VPN is designed to create a tunnel, but the actual protection depends on the software, protocol, configuration, and whether the application uses it correctly.
Can I use both together?
Some configurations allow it, but stacking tools can add complexity, latency, and troubleshooting issues. Do so only when you understand the routing and trust implications.
Related KiwiVPN guides
Read What a VPN changes, Tor vs. VPN, and DNS leaks.
Further reading
Browse all KiwiVPN guides or return to the public IP checker.