Tor, proxies, and VPNs are completely different types of software, but their uses do sometimes overlap. Let’s take a closer look. Tor (short for The Onion Router) utilizes a volunteer-operated network that bounces your connection through several different servers, or “nodes.” While this process makes you (and your data) much harder to track, it also slows down your connection significantly. Tor is a very complex topic, so check out our ultimate guide to Tor if you want more info and tips. Compared to VPNs, Tor has its drawbacks. Although it’s free to use, it provides weaker encryption and slower connections. The best solution is to use Tor and a VPN together, and reap all the benefits of both. A good VPN can address Tor’s security vulnerabilities, while Tor adds extra layers of privacy and anonymity. Note that not all VPNs are compatible with Tor. To make it work, you need a VPN like ExpressVPN. Proxy services have one advantage over VPNs: they offer faster speeds (while hiding your IP address). However, they don’t have any other security features, they don’t encrypt your data, and they don’t even offer a user interface. This means proxies are not very secure or user-friendly. However, they can be a good choice if you only care about speed and not security. There are hundreds of proxies out there, so it’s important to choose the right one. Better yet, invest in a fast, affordable VPN and benefit from extra protection and privacy on top of great speeds.