Sentrly
VPN vs Proxy
Two tools commonly confused — picking the right one starts with knowing what each guarantees.
Use a VPN when you want device-wide encryption and IP change on untrusted networks. Use a proxy when you need to route a single application through a specific IP — typically for scraping, geo-testing or development work — and don't need encryption.
If you only need a single app to reach a service through a different IP, a proxy is enough. If you need every app on your device to ride through an encrypted tunnel, only a VPN delivers that.
| VPN | Proxy | |
|---|---|---|
| Encrypts traffic | Yes | Usually no |
| Covers all apps | Yes | No (per-app) |
| Hides IP from destination | Yes | Yes |
| Hides domains from your ISP | Yes | Partial |
| Best for untrusted Wi-Fi | Yes | No |
| Best for scraping / geo-test | Possible | Yes |
| Cost | Paid (recommended) | Free or paid |
Frequently asked questions
Can I run both?
Yes — for example, a VPN at the device level and a proxy inside a specific app. The configurations are independent.
Do free VPNs work like a proxy?
Functionally similar in some cases. The risk is the same: a free service has to monetize, often through your data.
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