A secure alternative to free proxy server lists and web browsers

Unlike free web proxies, a VPN secures your entire data traffic and protects your data with strong encryption.

Enjoy more online freedom and digital security

A web proxy hides your IP address, allowing you to experience more online freedom. However, it doesn’t provide digital protection as a VPN does. Connecting to a VPN server secures all your online traffic with encryption — shielding your online activity from snoopers, hackers, ISPs, and governments.

All you need to know about web proxies

Your IP address limits your online experience

By default, what you can do and access online is limited by your IP address, which is tied to your virtual location. By hiding your real IP address and replacing it with that of a web proxy or a VPN server, you gain more internet freedom.

Proxy sites provide safe access to the web

What is a proxy site?

Proxy sites (or proxy servers) act as gateways between you and the internet. When you try to access something on the web, your request goes through the proxy site first, changing your IP address and virtual location. With your real IP address hidden, the websites you visit can’t tell your real location — so you can experience a more private and less restrictive internet.

Are proxy sites safe?

While proxy sites offer privacy advantages, free proxy servers come with serious risks. They may be riddled with spyware and malicious ads or collect and sell your data to third parties. The truth is, even the best online proxies are not a security tool. While they mask your IP address for more privacy — they don’t protect your data with encryption, leaving it vulnerable to cyber threats.

VPN: a safer alternative to proxy sites

For all-round daily digital protection, use a VPN. NordVPN does everything proxy services do — and much more. By protecting your data traffic with bulletproof AES-256 encryption and hiding your IP address, NordVPN offers internet freedom and advanced digital security. And, with thousands of servers worldwide and the NordLynx protocol, NordVPN also delivers blazing speeds without limiting your bandwidth.

VPN vs. Free proxy

	VPN	Free proxy
Protects all data you send and receive
Encrypts data for security
Hides IP address
Offers fast browsing speeds
Protects all websites and apps on the device
Doesn’t sell your data to third parties
Offers advanced features
	Get NordVPN

Frequently asked questions

Why do people use proxies?

Proxies are typically easy to set up and use. Some internet users, especially those from countries with strong censorship laws, choose free web proxies to hide their IP address and access websites that are unavailable in their region.

What is a free proxy list?

Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Safari, and other web browsers support Internet access via web proxies. Many websites claim to offer free web proxy IP addresses, which you can use to replace your actual IP.

However, free proxy servers can’t protect your identity and security online in a way that a reliable VPN can. It’s always better to get a trustworthy, highly-rated VPN service to protect your IP address and encrypt your online activity.

What is a web proxy server and what does it do?

A web proxy server sits between your device and the internet and handles your requests for accessing websites and services.

When you are browsing with a proxy, your internet traffic is routed through that server, making it look as if it came from the server’s IP address rather than yours. This setup allows you to access more online content.

However, most sites today use complex blocking techniques, and simple web proxies can’t bypass them.

Why shouldn’t you use free proxy services?

Proxies don’t protect your data. Even though browsing with a proxy makes it more difficult for snoopers to obtain your IP address, it still leaves your data vulnerable to hacking. Free proxy services are also known for injecting spyware or advertisement into devices.

Why is a VPN better than a proxy?

VPN is a cybersecurity tool, while a web proxy simply changes your IP address.

When you use a VPN, all your data traffic is protected with encryption, keeping you safe from snoopers and hackers. Unlike web proxies, VPN secures not only your browser but also the traffic of all your applications that use the internet connection. Find more about how a VPN can keep you safe.

Can I use a VPN and a proxy together?

While VPNs and proxy servers aren’t quite the same, you don’t need to run them both to enjoy privacy and security online. In most cases, your IP address will be changed twice without any additional benefits — and you’ll suffer from a slower connection.

The easiest way to run a VPN alongside proxy servers is by using split tunneling. By excluding an app from VPN encryption, you can then tweak its proxy settings manually.

Does proxy slow down your internet connection?

Free web proxies attract many users, putting a heavy load on the server, which may slow down your connection. For more internet freedom and privacy without sacrificing connection speeds, choose a reliable VPN service instead.

NordVPN’s 6800 ultra-fast servers worldwide and the revolutionary NordLynx protocol make it the fastest VPN on the planet. You don’t need to worry about bandwidth limits either — NordVPN lets you surf the internet without interruptions.

What are other options for protecting my IP address?

If you’re looking for a simpler way to protect your IP address, NordVPN offers VPN proxy extensions for Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. These extensions are a great option if you’re looking to protect your IP address for casual browsing.

Improve your online experience with NordVPN

Fastest VPN on the planet

Enjoy a stable connection to 6800+ VPN servers worldwide.

Advanced cybersecurity

Get more than a VPN with features like Threat Protection Pro and Meshnet.

Double VPN connection

Encrypt your traffic twice to add an extra layer of online privacy.

Enjoy a hassle-free online experience with NordVPN

Hide your location, get a new IP, access the internet without restrictions, and enjoy your favorite content with a risk-free VPN. If you are not 100% satisfied, tell us within 30 days of the purchase date and get a full refund.

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