In today’s online world, we rely on technology to help us stay safe, keep our data private, and manage internet traffic smoothly. Two popular tools for these needs are reverse proxies and VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). 

While both act as middlemen between networks and the internet, they work differently and are used for different reasons. 

Here, we’ll break down the difference between a proxy and a VPN, explain how each works, and help you decide which one might be right for you.

What is a reverse proxy?

A reverse proxy is a server that sits in front of your web servers and manages the traffic coming to them. 

Instead of users accessing your servers directly, they go through the reverse proxy first. Think of it as a security guard who checks and directs all incoming traffic to make sure only safe, valid requests reach your servers.

How does a reverse proxy work?

Imagine you’re running a busy website. Every time someone wants to access it, their request goes to the reverse proxy, which does a quick check. 

If the request looks good, the proxy sends it to your main server to handle. The server processes it and sends the response back through the proxy, which then sends it back to the user.

This setup has a few key benefits,

Load balancing

When you have lots of traffic, a reverse proxy can spread the workload across several servers, preventing any single server from getting overwhelmed.

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Security

It acts as a protective shield, blocking suspicious or harmful requests before they even reach your main servers.

Hides your servers

Users only see the proxy’s IP address, keeping your servers hidden and making it harder for attackers to target them directly.

What is a VPN?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your connection to the internet. Instead of connecting to websites directly, you connect to the VPN server, which then forwards your requests to the web. 

This makes it look like you’re browsing from the VPN server’s location, not yours and keeps your data private.

There are two main types of VPNs:

Client-based VPNs

Installed on individual devices, allowing people to connect securely to a private network (like a company network) from anywhere.

Site-to-site VPNs

These are used by companies to connect separate office networks over the internet as if they were all in the same building.

Key benefits of using a VPN

VPNs have some big advantages when it comes to online privacy and security,

Data protection

VPNs encrypt everything you send, making it unreadable to anyone else.

Anonymity

They hide your IP address, so your location and activity remain private.

Remote access

With site-to-site VPNs, employees in different locations can share resources securely, as if they’re all connected to the same private network.

Added security

VPNs keep your data safe from hackers and prying eyes, making them ideal for people working remotely or accessing sensitive information.

Difference between proxy and VPN: A thorough comparison

Security and privacy

A big difference between proxy and VPN is how they handle security. 

A reverse proxy focuses on protecting your servers by managing incoming traffic, while a VPN protects the data coming from your device by encrypting it before it leaves. 

Reverse proxies don’t encrypt the data they handle, they simply manage and filter incoming requests.

Reverse proxy

Adds security by screening incoming requests but doesn’t make them private.

VPN

Makes all data private by encrypting it, which keeps both your identity and data secure.

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Traffic management and network performance

Reverse proxies are especially helpful when you’re handling a lot of incoming traffic. They can split up the requests across multiple servers to keep everything running smoothly and reduce the load on any single server. 

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VPNs don’t have this feature, they’re focused on keeping data secure and private, not managing traffic loads.

Reverse proxy

Great for handling high-traffic loads and balancing requests.

VPN

Keeps your data private and secure but doesn’t manage traffic.

Common uses

Reverse Proxies are best for businesses with websites or applications that need to handle a lot of visitors or want extra protection for their servers. 

Explore more about the role of CMS systems in managing content and traffic in our guide on headless CMS vs traditional CMS to find the right fit for your needs.

For example, if you’re running an online store, a reverse proxy can balance traffic across multiple servers to keep everything fast and reliable. 

Companies like Amazon Web Services (AWS) offer AWS proxy services, such as Amazon RDS Proxy, which helps manage connections to cloud databases efficiently and securely.

VPNs are ideal for companies or individuals who need private, secure connections, especially when working remotely. They’re widely used by businesses that need their employees to access internal networks safely from anywhere. 

A VPN is also a great option for anyone wanting extra privacy when browsing online.

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Choosing between reverse proxy and VPN

When deciding between a reverse proxy and a VPN, think about your primary needs,

• Need website performance and protection for servers? 

A reverse proxy is a good fit. It handles a lot of incoming traffic, manages loads, and keeps your backend servers safe.

• Need privacy for individual users or secure remote access? 

VPNs are the way to go. They’re great for keeping all your data private and secure, which is especially useful for remote work.

Using reverse proxy and VPN services with AWS

If you’re looking for powerful cloud options, AWS has you covered with solutions for both proxies and VPNs,

AWS proxy services

Amazon RDS Proxy is a fully managed tool that securely connects applications to Amazon RDS databases, managing multiple connections and helping applications run more smoothly.

AWS VPN services

AWS offers two VPN options. AWS Client VPN lets remote employees connect securely to company networks, while AWS Site-to-Site VPN links different office locations, making it feel like everyone’s connected to the same private network.

Quick summary: Reverse Proxies vs. VPNs

Frequently asked questions

Q. Can I use both a reverse proxy and a VPN together?

Yes, combining both is possible and sometimes ideal. A reverse proxy can handle traffic management and security for incoming requests, while a VPN ensures that all outgoing data is private and encrypted.

Q. Which is more secure, a reverse proxy or a VPN?

A VPN generally offers more security for data privacy since it encrypts everything that leaves your device. A reverse proxy mainly protects the servers by screening incoming requests.

Q. Does a reverse proxy make my data private?

No, reverse proxies don’t encrypt data. They act as a shield for your servers but don’t protect the privacy of the data itself.

Q. What’s the advantage of VPN site-to-site connections?

Site-to-site VPNs let different offices share resources and communicate as if they’re on the same local network, which keeps data private and helps employees stay connected.

Q. Can a reverse proxy replace a VPN?

Not completely. While a reverse proxy adds some security and handles traffic, it doesn’t encrypt data like a VPN does, so it’s not as private.

Both reverse proxies and VPNs are valuable for different reasons. If you’re looking to keep your servers safe and handle lots of incoming web traffic, a reverse proxy is a solid choice. But if you need to secure data for individual users or enable remote access, a VPN is the better option. 

By understanding the difference between a proxy and a VPN, you can choose the right tool to meet your privacy, security, and performance needs.

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