# What is the difference between a proxy and a VPN? A proxy operates primarily at the application level, routing only the traffic from specific apps or browsers through a different IP, which is efficient and fast for targeted uses. VPNs, on the other hand, encrypt and route all your device's internet traffic through a secure tunnel, protecting your entire network connection. Proxies tend to offer more flexibility for specific tasks like web scraping or localized content access, while VPNs provide broader privacy and security for all network traffic. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.swiftproxy.net/faqs/product-problem/what-is-the-difference-between-a-proxy-and-a-vpn.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.