VPN vs Proxies vs Tor

VPN vs Proxies vs Tor? If you are reading this comparison, you are probably looking for a way to hide your online identity or bypass geographic restrictions. Each of the these methods has its pros and cons. In this guide, I will compare VPN, Tor, and proxies and hopefully make it easier for you to decide which of tool suits your needs the most.

VPN

When it comes to online privacy, nothing protects you better than VPN. A virtual private network, abbreviated VPN, allows you to encrypt all of your traffic. This prevents potential hackers, and even your ISP, from spying on your online activity. No wonder that all major accounting and law firms use VPN. Beware that some free VPN services like Hola might put your privacy at risk. Only use trusted VPN providers such as ExpressVPN.

VPN Pros:

• Hides your IP address.
• Bypasses regional restrictions.
• Adds an extra layer of privacy to browsing.
• VPN apps available on PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, and Android.
• Allows you to download torrents anonymously.

VPN Cons:

• Can decrease your Internet speed, especially if you use a low-quality VPN service.
• Reliable VPN providers cost around 10$ a month.

Verdict

If you are ready to splash out some real money each month, a VPN provider such as ExpressVPN is well worth it. The extra security, 24/7 support, VPN apps, and access to geo-restricted websites make VPN the best method you can use.

Proxies

Although proxies have been around for quite a while now, many people do not know how they actually work. First of all, free proxies cannot be trusted. In some cases, a proxy can redirect you to a website that seems legitimate, You enter your private info only to find out later that you have been scammed. If you want to use proxies, make sure that they come from a trusted source.

Proxy Pros:

• Compatible with almost all streaming devices.
• Do not affect your Internet speed.
• Give you access to geoblocked channels like American Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer or HBO Go.

Proxy Cons:

• Might be a little bit difficult to setup for someone who is not that tech-savvy.
• Do not provide you with an extra privacy online.

Verdict

If you are mainly looking for a way to unblock streaming channels that are not available in your region and do not care much about extra privacy, proxies are perfect fit. Unlocator is a proxy service that supports around 219 channels from around the world. You can try them out for free thanks to a 7-day trial.

Tor

The Onion Browser, shortened as Tor, is a web browser that allows you to visit sites you would normally not be able to access using an ordinary browser like Chrome or Firefox. Tor has a notorious reputation due to the fact it allows you to access the ‘Dark Web’. The Dark Web is a group of websites not publicly listed by Google.

Tor Pros:

• It is free.
• Grants you a certain level of online anonymity.

Tor Cons:

• Using Tor is frowned upon by NSA and other government agencies.
• Some websites accessible by Tor are full of malware.
• Many sites on the Dark Web are used for criminal activities.

Verdict

There is a steep learning curve involved when using Tor. It certainly is not for everybody. If you do not tread in a gray area, avoid Tor.

VPN vs Proxies vs Tor Conclusion

I would never recommend using Tor on a daily basis. Proxies, on the other hand, are handy if you want to watch geoblocked content from around the world. VPN is the clear winner between VPN vs Proxies vs Tor. Extra privacy, online anonymity, as well as no geo-restrictions mean that you do not have to make any compromises to get what you want.