How to Hide Your IP: VPN vs Proxy vs Tor
If you want to hide your IP address, you have three main options: a VPN, a proxy, or the Tor network. Here is how each works, how they compare, and how to verify your IP is actually hidden.
To hide your IP, the best all-round choice for most people is a VPN: it encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a server, so websites see the server's IP instead of yours. A proxy hides your IP from sites but does not encrypt your traffic. Tor gives the strongest anonymity by routing through three encrypted relays, but is noticeably slower.
VPN vs proxy vs Tor at a glance
| Feature | VPN | Proxy | Tor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hides your IP | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Encrypts traffic | Yes | No | Yes |
| Speed | Fast | Fast | Slow |
| Anonymity level | High | Low | Very high |
| Ease of use | Very easy | Easy | Moderate |
| Best for | Most people | Simple geo-bypass | Maximum privacy |
VPN: the best balance for most people
A Virtual Private Network creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and a VPN server. All your traffic travels through that tunnel, so websites see the VPN server's IP address, not yours. Your ISP also cannot see what you are doing, because the traffic is encrypted.
VPNs are the most practical option: they are fast, easy to set up, work for all your apps (not just the browser), and protect you on public Wi-Fi. The main trade-off is that you are trusting the VPN provider with your traffic.
Proxy: simple, but not private
A proxy sits between you and the internet and forwards your web requests on your behalf. The website sees the proxy's IP instead of yours. However, a proxy does not encrypt your traffic — your ISP can still see what you do, and the proxy operator can too.
Proxies are fine for quick tasks like accessing a site that is blocked in your region, but they are not a privacy tool. For real privacy, a VPN is the better choice.
Tor: maximum anonymity, at a cost
Tor (The Onion Router) routes your traffic through three encrypted relays before it reaches its destination. Each relay only knows the previous and next hop, so no single point sees both you and the site you visit. This layered design gives the strongest anonymity of the three.
The cost is speed: every hop adds latency, so Tor browsing is noticeably slower. It is the right choice when anonymity matters more than convenience — for example, for journalists, activists or anyone in a sensitive situation.
Why a VPN can still leak your IP
Even with a VPN, your real IP can leak in two common ways:
- WebRTC leaks — your browser's WebRTC can reveal your local IP even while the VPN is on.
- DNS leaks — if your DNS requests bypass the VPN tunnel, your ISP can see which sites you visit.
That is why it is worth testing after you connect. The IPChecks WebRTC & DNS leaks guide explains both in detail.
Is your IP really hidden? Verify it
Run the IPChecks VPN Check — one combined verdict that tests your public IP, WebRTC and DNS for leaks.
Run VPN Check →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a VPN, a proxy and Tor?
A VPN encrypts all your traffic and routes it through a server, hiding your IP from every site you visit. A proxy only forwards your web traffic through a middleman and does not encrypt it. Tor routes your traffic through three encrypted relays for the strongest anonymity, but is slower. VPNs are the best balance of privacy, speed and ease for most people.
Does a VPN hide my IP from websites?
Yes. When you connect to a VPN, websites see the VPN server's IP address instead of yours. However, WebRTC and DNS leaks can still expose your real IP if the VPN is not configured correctly — so it is worth testing for leaks.
Is a proxy as private as a VPN?
No. A proxy hides your IP from the sites you visit, but it does not encrypt your traffic, so your ISP can still see what you do. A VPN encrypts everything. Proxies are useful for simple tasks like bypassing a geo-block, not for strong privacy.
Why is Tor slower than a VPN?
Tor routes your traffic through three encrypted relays, each adding a hop and latency. This layered design provides strong anonymity but makes browsing noticeably slower. A VPN uses a single server, so it is much faster.
How do I check if my IP is really hidden?
Use the IPChecks VPN Check, which combines a public-IP check, a WebRTC leak test and a DNS leak test into one verdict. If all three are clean, your IP is hidden.