VPNs, proxies, and Tor are the three main ways to hide your IP address, and they are often confused. They share a goal but differ sharply in encryption, speed, scope, and anonymity. Here is a clear comparison to help you choose.
VPN: privacy with speed
A VPN encrypts all your device's traffic and routes it through a server, so sites see the server's IP.
- Encryption: yes, for your entire connection.
- Scope: the whole device.
- Speed: fast with a good provider.
- Cost: usually a modest subscription.
Choose a VPN if you want strong everyday privacy, protection on public Wi-Fi, and good speed — the best all-round option for most people.
Proxy: a quick reroute
A proxy forwards traffic for a single app or browser, swapping your IP for its own. Most proxies do not encrypt your traffic.
- Encryption: often none.
- Scope: per app or per browser.
- Speed: fast.
- Cost: free or cheap.
Choose a proxy if you just need to reroute one app quickly and privacy is not critical.
Tor: maximum anonymity
Tor (The Onion Router) sends your traffic through at least three volunteer relays, each peeling back one layer of encryption. No single relay knows both who you are and where you are going.
- Encryption: layered across multiple relays.
- Scope: typically the Tor Browser.
- Speed: noticeably slower.
- Cost: free and open source.
Choose Tor if anonymity matters more than speed.
Side-by-side summary
| VPN | Proxy | Tor | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encryption | Whole device | Usually none | Layered |
| Scope | Device-wide | Single app | Browser |
| Speed | Fast | Fast | Slow |
| Cost | Paid | Free/cheap | Free |
| Best for | Privacy + speed | Simple reroute | Anonymity |
Can you combine them?
Yes. Some privacy-focused users run Tor over a VPN for extra separation, though it compounds the speed cost. For most people, one tool is plenty.
The practical choice
- Everyday privacy and speed → VPN.
- Reroute one app, fast → proxy.
- Strongest anonymity → Tor.
Whichever you pick, verify it worked by checking your address on the FindMyIP home page. For the broader set of options — including simply switching networks — see How to Hide Your IP Address.