Proxy vs VPN
Proxy vs VPN: what’s the difference?
Both send your traffic through another server and change the IP that websites see. The difference is encryption: a basic proxy reroutes, a VPN reroutes and encrypts. Here's the full comparison — and where a proxy-based VPN like Zippa fits.
- Clear table
- Plain English
- No jargon
The core idea
Same goal, different depth
A proxy and a VPN both make sites think you’re somewhere you’re not. What sets them apart is how much they protect along the way. Not sure what a VPN even is? Start here.
A proxy reroutes, a VPN reroutes and encrypts
A plain proxy sends your traffic through another server so sites see its IP instead of yours. A VPN does that too — and wraps the connection in encryption so no one on your network can read it.
Scope: one app vs your whole connection
A proxy is usually set per-app or per-browser. A full VPN typically covers every app on your device. A browser VPN sits in between — VPN-grade rerouting scoped neatly to Chrome.
Both change your apparent location
Proxy or VPN, the outcome sites see is the same: an IP in another country. That's why either can unblock region-locked content or get you past a network filter.
Privacy is where they diverge
Without encryption, a basic proxy hides your IP from websites but not your activity from your network. A VPN's encrypted tunnel closes that gap — which matters most on public Wi-Fi.
Side by side
Proxy vs VPN vs Zippa
Where a basic proxy, a full VPN, and a proxy-based browser VPN each land on the things that matter.
| Feature | Basic proxy | Full VPN | ZippaProxy-based VPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hides your IP address | |||
| Encrypts your traffic | Often not | ||
| Change your virtual location | |||
| Covers whole device | Browser (Chrome) | ||
| Runs as a Chrome extension | Sometimes | Sometimes | |
| Starts in one click | Varies | Often app setup | |
| Free tier available | Varies | Varies | 4 countries free |
The honest bit
Free because Premium pays the bills — never because we sell your data
The usual catch with a free VPN is that it logs and sells your browsing to make money. Zippa doesn’t. Our free tier is funded by people who upgrade to Premium, and we keep a strict no-logs policy — we don’t record the sites you visit, your real IP, or your DNS queries. There’s simply nothing to sell.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
The questions people actually ask before they install — answered plainly.
A proxy reroutes your traffic through another server so websites see its IP instead of yours, but a basic proxy often doesn't encrypt anything. A VPN does the same rerouting and adds encryption, so people on your network — or your ISP — can't read your browsing. In short: a proxy hides your IP; a VPN hides your IP and secures the connection.
Yes, when it encrypts your traffic as well as rerouting it. Zippa works as a proxy-based VPN for Chrome: it routes your browser traffic through a server in another country (hiding your IP and unblocking sites) over a secure connection. You get the practical benefits of a VPN, scoped to your browser and running as a lightweight extension.
If you only need to change your apparent location for browsing and unblocking sites, a browser proxy or proxy-based VPN is light and fast. If you want every app on your device encrypted — not just your browser — a full VPN app is the better fit. For most everyday browser tasks, a Chrome VPN extension covers it.
A basic, unencrypted proxy hides your IP from the sites you visit but not your activity from others on the same network. To be protected on public Wi-Fi you want encryption — which is what a VPN, or a proxy-based VPN like Zippa, adds on top of the rerouting.
It depends who runs it. Plenty of free VPNs pay their bills by logging and selling browsing data — that's the real catch. Zippa is funded by people who upgrade to Premium, not by your data, and we keep a strict no-logs policy, so there's nothing to record or sell in the first place.
Get a proxy-based VPN for Chrome
Zippa gives you VPN-grade rerouting scoped to your browser — one click, no card. See the free VPN for Chrome.
Keep comparing before you decide
Weighing your options is the smart move. Here are the other comparisons and guides worth a look.