When you’re trying to unblock geo-restricted content online or preserve your online anonymity, there are three main options to use:
- Proxy servers can hide your IP address. However, they don’t encrypt your activity and can be challenging to set up.
- Smart DNS lets you unblock streaming sites like Netflix. This option is fast but doesn’t encrypt your data and won’t hide your online activity.
- VPNs hide your IP address and can unblock streaming sites. It also encrypts your online activity and is user-friendly.
For everyday use, we recommend VPNs, as they provide reliable unblocking and the highest level of anonymity, privacy protection, user-friendliness, and security.
If you’re wondering which VPN to pick, look no further than NordVPN. It’s our top ranked VPN, as it consistently tops our tests on safety, speed, and user-friendliness.
NordVPN
Ready to take a deep dive into the differences between VPNs, proxies, and Smart DNS? Read our full article to find out.
Multiple security tools exist to help you unblock your favorite streaming platform or keep you anonymous while browsing the web. The question is: which one is right for you?
We’ve made the choice easy. If you only need to hide your IP address, choose a proxy server. If you only need to unblock restricted content, Smart DNS is your best bet. If you want to do both and more, then you need a VPN.
A VPN not only hides your IP address and enables you to access geo-restricted content, but it also encrypts your browsing activity. This provides a holistic approach to online safety that neither a proxy server nor Smart DNS can provide. We recommend NordVPN, which combines the advanced features of a VPN with a built-in Smart DNS for no-fail Netflix unblocking.
VPN vs. Smart DNS vs. Proxy: Which One Should You Use?
Want a quick comparison of which does what? Here’s a handy table:
| Features | VPN | Proxy | Smart DNS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unblocks geo-restricted content | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Provides anonymous browsing | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Encrypts and protects your online data | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Easy to use and offers customer support | ✔ | ✖ | ✔ |
| Can change servers on the spot | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Protects you from third parties (Hackers, ISP, snoops) | ✔ | ✖ | ✖ |
The choice comes down to what you’re trying to achieve. If you’re simply looking to unblock a streaming website, then a Smart Proxy DNS may be sufficient. If you only want to hide your identity, then a proxy server should be enough.
However, a VPN offers both unblocking and anonymity at reasonable costs. We recommend using a VPN for most tasks, including sharing sensitive information and unblocking websites. With NordVPN, you not only get reliable Netflix unblocking but also an easy-to-use and super-fast DNS. All that and more for only $ 3.39 per month, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee!
Read our article to learn how to change your Netflix region using all three options!
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network (VPN) is a privacy tool that encrypts your internet traffic and sends your traffic to a VPN server. This tool achieves several things:
- Hides your browsing and download history: Anyone who tries to intercept your traffic — be it your internet service provider (ISP), government, or a hacker — will only see a jumble of letters and words.
- Keeps you anonymous on the internet: A VPN replaces your real IP address with the IP address of whichever VPN server you’re connected to. The websites you visit and the apps you use can, therefore, no longer see your real IP address, which is tied to your real-time location.
- Lets you access restricted international content: Connecting to a server abroad means you use an IP address from that country. This lets you access websites and content exclusive to that country. As a result, VPNs allow users to unblock Netflix and avoid government-imposed censorship.
- Share confidential information across the internet: A VPN connection allows employees to connect to a private network accessible only to people within the company.
Overall, a VPN client is the best tool for browsing the internet securely and anonymously, especially in countries with heavy censorship, like China and Russia. It also excels at unblocking geo-restricted content, though it slows down speeds, which can lead to a less-than-ideal streaming experience.
Pros and cons of using a VPN
The following table explains the benefits and drawbacks of using a VPN provider:
What We Like:
- Encrypts user trafffic and allows for anonymous browsing
- Helps circumvent even complex geo-blocking mechanisms
- Assists in avoiding censorship by the Government or ISP
- Typically does not collect user data
- Easy to configure and set up
- Protects traffic from all applications on a device
What We Don't Like:
- Can sometimes slow down your internet speeds
- Reliable VPNs typically require a paid subscription
- May result in increased CAPTCHAs and bot checks
When should you use a VPN?
- Connecting to public Wi-Fi: Cybercriminals often hack into unsecured networks and can access any data you transmit over the network. A VPN keeps your private data secure from these cyber crooks.
- Accessing region-restricted content: Many streaming sites like Netflix have software to block proxies and VPNs. Between the two, only VPNs can get around streaming blocks, thanks to technology like obfuscated servers.
- Bypassing government censorship: If you live in a country with widespread censorship and online surveillance, only a premium VPN will allow you to safely bypass censorship and hide your online activity from the government.
- Sending sensitive information: VPNs encrypt sensitive information, ensuring no one besides the intended recipient can access it.
We regularly test more than 80 VPN providers on speed, security, and unblocking. NordVPN constantly tops our tests, offering ultra-fast speeds, bullet-proof security, and reliable unblocking at a low price of $ 3.39 per month. Get an additional 72% off on your NordVPN subscription by using our exclusive link:
What is a Proxy?
Like a VPN, a proxy also redirects your traffic through another server, changing your IP address in the process. Any website you visit will see the proxy server’s IP address and not your own, which remains masked.
Proxies add a layer of anonymity, or a middleman, between you and the application or website you’re visiting. Moreover, proxies also help unblock geo-restricted content by making it seem like you’re based in the country where the proxy server is located.
However, unlike a VPN, a proxy does not encrypt your internet traffic. Third parties, such as your ISP or a hacker, will be able to see the content and websites you’re accessing without too much difficulty.
Pros and cons of using a proxy
Let’s understand the advantages and disadvantages of using a proxy in more detail using the following table:
What We Like:
- Simple solution to access websites anonymously
- Unblocks websites with basic geo-blocking
- Internet speeds are largely unaffected
What We Don't Like:
- Does not encrypt user traffic, leaving it vulnerable to prying eyes
- Can be challenging to set up and configure
- Premium proxies are expensive
- Unable to unblock websites with strong geo-blocking
When should you use a proxy?
- Bypassing simple firewalls or geo-blocks: When attempting to access a restricted video on YouTube, a proxy server may be sufficient. However, streaming sites typically have advanced technology for blocking proxies.
- When using an outdated operating system: Proxies don’t require you to install software for them to function. This can work in your favor if you have a slow or out-of-date operating system.
- Concealing your identity from a specific website: Proxies will trick a website into believing you are using a different IP address than the one you really have.
Proxies are useful if you want basic anonymity when browsing the internet. They can also help unblock sites with rudimentary geo-blocking measures. However, proxies will not be of much use if you’re trying to access sites with complex geo-blocking mechanisms, such as Netflix. For that, we recommend an affordable premium VPN like NordVPN.
What is Smart DNS?
Before moving to Smart DNS, let’s understand what a domain name system (DNS) is. DNS converts simple, easy-to-remember URLs into the relevant IP address, allowing devices and sites to communicate with each other. These IP addresses are usually long strings of letters that are difficult to remember.
A Smart DNS service performs the same function, but it doesn’t simply forward your device’s DNS requests to the website you’re visiting. Instead, it first redirects your requests to an alternate DNS address, typically located in another country. This makes them ideal for unblocking international content.
Smart DNS services redirect only a certain part of your internet traffic, unlike VPNs and proxies, which typically redirect the entirety of your traffic.
However, like a proxy, a Smart DNS provider does not encrypt your information. This means third parties can inspect your internet traffic and packet data and understand your browsing and streaming habits.
Custom DNS vs Smart DNS:
A custom DNS refers to using a different DNS instead of the one provided by your ISP. Popular options include Public DNS by Google and OpenDNS. Switching to a custom DNS is useful for increasing speed, though it doesn’t really help with unblocking.
A smart DNS, on the other hand, redirects your DNS queries through a server located in a different jurisidiction. This lets you unblock geo-restricted content, thought it does not encrypt or secure your internet traffic.
Pros and cons of using Smart DNS
The table below summarizes the pros and cons of using Smart DNS servers:
What We Like:
- Minimal impact on internet speeds
- Easy to use and set up
- Great for unblocking live sports and streaming websites
- Fewer CAPTCHAs and bot checks
What We Don't Like:
- Does not mask your IP address
- Does not encrypt your internet connection, allowing third parties to see your activity
When should you use a SmartDNS?
- Unblocking reliable streaming services at high speeds: Smart DNS is the best option for unblocking streaming services you trust, such as Amazon Prime Video or Hulu. It hardly impacts your speeds, allowing you to stream in 4K HD without any lag.
- Unblocking content from multiple countries simultaneously: Smart DNS is configured to identify if the content you’re trying to block is geo-blocked. It then redirects your internet connection to a proxy server that will unblock it.
A Smart DNS proxy server has little to no impact on your speeds, making it an excellent choice for unblocking streaming or other geo-restricted content. Moreover, leading VPN services like NordVPN offer built-in Smart DNS functionality, making it easy to set one up.
However, a Smart DNS does very little to protect your information online. It does not mask your IP address or encrypt your internet traffic, allowing your activity to be viewed by prying eyes online. We recommend getting a VPN service with built-in Smart DNS.
NordVPN is the best choice for this, and it’s running a limited 72% sale if you use our link below:
Why We Recommend Using a VPN
As a VPN-oriented website, we’re probably biased toward the technology vis-à-vis a proxy or Smart DNS. However, we believe we have strong and cogent reasons for recommending a VPN over the other two. These are:
- Encryption and security: A VPN encrypts your internet traffic, ensuring that prying eyes like hackers or your ISP cannot view your browsing or streaming history. Neither a proxy nor SmartDNS encrypts your traffic, leaving it vulnerable to being accessed by such third parties.
- Protection for all your services and applications: Once you install a VPN on your device, all data flowing through it is protected by a VPN. This includes different applications and websites. However, a Smart DNS only redirects certain parts of your internet traffic.
- Bypassing government censorship: VPNs are effective in circumventing firewalls and internet censorship imposed by governments or organizations.
Even the most premium VPNs can be affordable if you get long-term plans. NordVPN, for example, can cost as low as $ 3.39 per month. This subscription gives you access to over 6441 servers in 111 countries.
NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service risk-free before committing. With our link below, you can also enjoy an exclusive 72% discount:
Save big with up to 72% off a two-year subscription!
- Fast and large worldwide network of VPN servers
- Perfect for privacy and streaming
- Trusted by many, with over 14 million users
Final Thoughts: VPN, DNS, or Proxy?
VPNs, proxies, and Smart DNS are all tools that expand your horizons. However, in terms of privacy and security, VPNs far surpass proxies and Smart DNS.
While proxies hide your IP, they don’t offer much else in terms of protection. A Smart DNS neither masks your IP nor encrypts your connection. Though slightly slower than proxies and Smart DNS, VPNs are the best-of-both-worlds solution and are ideal for streaming and torrenting.
If you pick a premium VPN provider like NordVPN, you get secure, fast, and reliable VPN protection along with a SmartDNS’s unblocking. Sign up today to get a limited deal on your NordVPN subscription!
For more information on VPNs and browsing anonymously, check out the following articles:
- VPN vs. Antivirus: Do You Need Both? What’s the Difference?
- How to Choose the Best VPN Server Locations and IPs
- How to Browse the Internet Anonymously: Tips to Stay Private
Do you have some questions about the differences between VPNs, proxies, and Smart DNS? Click one of our frequently asked questions below and find out the answer.
Both a VPN and Smart DNS help unblock online content. While a VPN does this by changing your IP address, a Smart DNS achieves the same goal by redirecting your DNS requests to an alternate DNS server.
Moreover, a VPN encrypts your internet connection — adding a layer of security to it. A Smart DNS does not do this, leaving your internet traffic vulnerable to being intercepted and spied on. Hence, a VPN is better than a DNS for securely streaming content online.
While both VPNs and proxy servers provide you with an anonymous IP address, only a VPN will encrypt your data traffic for extra security and privacy. A premium VPN also offers many different servers spread throughout different countries, which lets you access more online content.
No, using a Smart DNS service does not hide your IP. It only redirects your DNS requests to an alternate server, allowing you to unblock geo-restricted content. Conversely, a VPN changes your IP address to one that belongs to the VPN server you’re connected to.
Smart DNS tricks websites and streaming platforms into thinking your DNS queries are coming from eligible countries by using DNS proxy servers. But, it does not provide anonymity by masking your IP address, nor does it encrypt any of your data.
