It depends on why you need these tools and what you intend to use them for. VPN is better when it comes to the security of your data. It encrypts your traffic before you go online. Most VPNs also have sophisticated features to hide your location and all online activities.
On the other hand, proxies are a better tool for data extraction, competitive research, and brand protection. Although proxy servers are considered less anonymous, the risk of your identity being compromised is minimum if you use modern solutions.
Sometimes, VPNs also offer more servers and settings, but they tend to slow down performance speed.