Proxy vs VPN vs Tor — which one do I actually need
These three are often lumped together, but they solve different problems.
Proxy
Routes chosen traffic through a chosen IP, with thousands of addresses and precise location control available. Built for scale and for automation.
Best for: data collection, price monitoring, ad verification, SEO tracking, managing many accounts, geo-testing.
VPN
Encrypts everything leaving your device and sends it through one server. Simple, private on hostile networks, but one IP for the whole machine and no per-request control.
Best for: personal privacy, public Wi-Fi, reaching an internal corporate network.
Tor
Bounces traffic through three volunteer relays chosen at random. Strong anonymity, very slow, and its exit nodes are published — most commercial sites block them outright.
Best for: anonymity where speed does not matter. Not suitable for business workloads.
Choosing
Need many IPs, specific countries, or automation? Proxy. Need to encrypt one device's whole connection? VPN. Need to be unlinkable and can accept the speed? Tor.