A web proxy is a website that allows you to open other sites through its domain. Web proxies have several disadvantages, so it’s more rational to use a VPN instead. Vpn vs proxy is not an easy choice, but this article helps you make an informed decision.
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All web proxies share a common trait: a special field where you type the URL you want to open anonymously. For example, to open google.com anonymously, first visit a web proxy site, type your target site’s address into the form, and click the “Go” button.
Why use web proxies?
- Because the receiving domain logs not your real IP address, but a web proxy’s one. You can visit websites you want through this medium, keeping the proxy tab open for all browsing.
- Because all web proxies are free. Running such a service is not expensive, though it comes with many drawbacks.
- A wide selection of web proxies exists in all national domains, with varying speed, ad presence, and reliability.
Disadvantages of web proxies
The majority of users report negative experiences with web proxies due to multiple reasons:
- Proxies are very slow: a ping averages 250 ms, while a VPN can provide 25 ms.
- Web proxies often force you to watch ads twice: on the proxy site itself and on the target site, sometimes including sensitive or adult ads.
- Proxy owners are usually unknown, so your data security cannot be guaranteed.
- Proxies are unstable; connections can drop, and sites may disappear overnight.
- Many proxies limit data transfer, e.g., 1 Mb per file, making uploads or video streaming impractical.
- Web proxies do not provide data encryption.
- Proxies enforce their IP address on you rather than letting you choose.
- Some safe web proxies are blocked in certain countries.
Comparing VPN and proxies
VPN encrypts your traffic, which proxy servers do not. A VPN hides your surfing data from your ISP and hackers, especially when using public Wi-Fi. Proxies should never be used to transfer confidential data. Free proxies cannot be trusted with sensitive information, as you have no control over how they use collected data.
Good VPNs are often paid, but free trials are available if you want to test them first.
| Feature | VPN | Web Proxy |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Yes | No |
| Speed | Fast, minimal latency | Slow, high latency |
| Ads | None | Often present |
| Stability | High | Low |
| IP selection | Multiple countries | Limited |
| Data logging | No-logs options available | Unknown |
| Confidential data | Safe to use | Not safe |
Browser extension option
You can also use proxy-like functionality via browser extensions. For Firefox, WhoX acts as a proxy, redirecting web requests through different servers while providing easy location switching and privacy. This can be combined with a VPN for enhanced anonymity.
Using VPN and proxy together
To maximize privacy, you can use a VPN and a proxy together:
- Connect to a VPN to encrypt all traffic.
- Open a web proxy or WhoX browser extension to route requests through a secondary IP.
- Browse normally; your traffic is protected by VPN encryption and the proxy adds an extra layer of anonymity.
This setup allows access to additional IPs from proxies while maintaining strong encryption and security from the VPN.
Conclusion
Use a VPN instead of Web proxies for speed, security, and reliability. In the vpn vs proxy server comparison, VPN is the clear winner. The WhoX VPN addresses all major proxy drawbacks: it works fast, is stable, ad-free, offers multiple IP addresses, encrypts traffic, and keeps no logs. Using VPN and proxy together is possible for even more flexible IP options.