VPN vs proxy vs Tor: which one do you actually need?

VPNs, proxies and Tor all do one thing in common: websites see a different IP address instead of yours. Beyond that they’re very different tools. Here’s a plain comparison.

Proxy: a middleman for one app

A proxy server forwards requests for you. You set it up in one app, usually your browser, and that app’s traffic goes through the proxy.

• Encryption: often none. A basic HTTP proxy doesn’t encrypt your traffic (HTTPS sites are still encrypted by the site itself).
• Coverage: only the app you configure.
• Speed: usually fast.
• Trust: free public proxies are often run by unknown people and can inject ads or log everything.

Use it for: quick, low-stakes tasks like checking how a site looks from another country.

VPN: an encrypted tunnel for your whole device

A VPN encrypts all your device’s traffic to a VPN server, which then sends it to the internet.

• Encryption: yes, between your device and the VPN server.
• Coverage: every app on the device.
• Speed: good. There’s one extra hop, so choose a nearby server.
• Trust: the VPN server can see which sites you connect to (but not the content of HTTPS pages). Pick a provider with a clear privacy policy.

Use it for: public Wi-Fi, keeping your IP address private, reaching sites your network blocks, or seeing another country’s version of a site.

Tor: layered anonymity

Tor sends your traffic through three volunteer-run relays, encrypting it in layers so no single relay knows both who you are and where you’re going.

• Encryption: yes, in layers, inside the Tor network.
• Coverage: usually just the Tor Browser.
• Speed: slow. Three hops around the world add up.
• Trust: designed so you don’t need to trust any single relay.

Use it for: situations where anonymity really matters. It’s not practical for streaming, gaming or large downloads.

Side by side

	Proxy	VPN	Tor
Hides your IP from sites	Yes	Yes	Yes
Encrypts your traffic	Usually not	Yes	Yes
Covers all apps	No	Yes	No (usually browser only)
Speed	Fast	Fast to good	Slow
Anonymity	Low	Moderate	High
Ease of use	Fiddly	One tap	Easy (Tor Browser)

Which should you use?

• Everyday privacy and public Wi-Fi: a VPN. It’s the best balance of protection, speed and simplicity.
• Anonymity for sensitive activity: Tor Browser, and follow its guidance carefully.
• A quick country check in one browser: a proxy can do, but a VPN is safer.

One more thing: none of these hide you from services you log into. If you sign into an account, that service knows it’s you, whatever route your traffic takes.

Berry VPN is our own app.