VPS and Proxy Server: What's The Difference?

Users researching proxy servers might have encountered the term Virtual Private Server or VPS for short. If you’re wondering what VPSs are, their differences from a proxy server, and which one should you use, then this article is for you.

What Are Virtual Private Servers?

A Virtual Private Server is a powerful physical server divided into multiple virtual servers through virtualization technology. Each virtual server acts as its separate dedicated server, which means that if you use one, you won’t be sharing bandwidth and other resources with additional users.

A VPS, although sharing similar functions as physical servers, is a software server that is just imitating a physical one. Additionally, a VPS is a shared server that’s emulating a dedicated server, which means you’re getting the advantages of both a shared and dedicated server.

What Is A Proxy Server?

A proxy server acts as a gateway between your device and the internet. Any website you visit or web application you utilize will only be able to see the IP address of the proxy server you’re using. Your IP address and location will be completely hidden from websites, applications, and other users. If you want to learn more about proxies and proxy servers, check out our proxy guide for 2023.

What Are The Differences Between VPS and Proxy Server?

Even though VPS and proxy servers seem like they would have a lot of similarities with each other, this simply isn’t the case. Instead, they both have critical differences in the way they’re used. VPS is great for hosting websites in a secure web server, while proxy servers are used for hiding your data and internet activities. A VPS and proxy server can’t be interchanged with each other. A VPS can’t hide your private information, and a proxy server can’t host a website.

Which One Should You Use?

As previously mentioned, both a VPS and a proxy server have different utilizations, so you should use the one based on what you’re trying to do and which best fits your needs. If you want to host your website on a reliable and secure server, then VPS is your choice. If you want to total anonymity and full privacy when browsing the internet, then proxy servers are your best bet.

Conclusion

A VPS is a private server that is used for hosting websites for clients, and a proxy server acts as an intermediary between your device and the internet, and it is used for a variety of use cases. Both have significant differences from each other, and both can’t be compared to one another. Utilize the one based on what you want to accomplish.