APN vs. VPN? – What’s the Difference?

What is a VPN?

A VPN is a technology that provides an encrypted connection over the public internet. It does this by securely tunneling your connection through a VPN server – maybe a company server or a private server.

The secure tunnel encrypts your data in transit. This ensures that it is safe from prying eyes such as hackers.

The VPN server also assigns you a virtual IP address that masks your actual IP address. This enhances your privacy as internet entities will only see the dynamic IP address.

Besides security and privacy, you can use a VPN to access geo-restricted content, bypass censorship, unblock online content, and avoid price segmentation.

Check out our best VPNs guide if you need to choose a VPN.

What is an APN?

An APN allows you to connect to the internet through your carrier network. Concisely, it is a gateway between your carrier network and the internet.

An APN consists of configurations/settings (APN settings) that dictate how your device will connect to the internet. In most cases, your mobile device automatically configures them when connecting to the mobile network.

APNs can be public or private. A public APN is the default one provided by your carrier network. Private APNs are usually associated with corporates. They connect you to the corporate network.

APNs are also essential for Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), Firmware Over the Air updates (FOTA), Internet of Things (IoT) connections, and secure connections.

Differences Between APN and VPN

Here is a brief overview:

Let’s take an in-depth look.

Functionality and compatibility.

As mentioned earlier, an APN allows your device to connect to the internet through your carrier network. Smartphones, modems, IoT, and carrier-enabled use APNs. PCs and laptops don’t necessarily need an APN.

VPNs rely on the internet connection to work. They help keep your internet traffic secure and private over the public internet. VPNs are compatible with most computing devices. These include PCs, laptops, smartphones, consoles, routers, and IoT devices.

Set up and providence.

Your carrier network or private corporation provides APN configuration settings. In smartphones, you do not need to configure them. The process is automatic, and you won’t notice it.

In some cases, especially when you need to use other APNs, such as a private APN, you will need to enter them manually. This is the same case with an IoT device.

Each carrier network has a unique APN associated with it. The APN consists of a network identifier and an operator identifier. Hence, the APN must match with the carrier network to allow a connection to the internet.

On the other hand, to use a VPN, you need to download it and install it. You can get it from app market places such as AppStore, Play Store, Microsoft Store, or its official website. You will also need an account associated with the VPN.

You can get one from your company or via a subscription to a commercial VPN.

After installation, you must log in to access various VPN functionality. These include choosing your encryption level, selecting a server, and other settings. Some devices, such as smartphones, have inbuilt VPN functionality.

To configure this VPN, you will need a server address/name, a username, and a password.

Account management.

As aforementioned, APNs are network carrier-specific. Hence, the carrier assigns the same APN to anyone connecting via the network. However, they are given a different IP address when connecting to the internet.

For VPNs, things are other. Users have their accounts. Sharing is allowed for devices owned by the user.

Security.

APNs offer a level of protection when transmitting data over your carrier network. By default, this security depends on your carrier network.

Custom and private APNs offer you the ability to customize their security. However, an APN won’t necessarily protect your data on the open internet.

With a VPN, your internet traffic is always safe from prying eyes. VPNs are built to offer impeccable security and privacy through encryptions. It is recommended to use protocols with high encryption settings.

You can also adjust the level of encryption by choosing a security protocol to use.

Important: Despite what some VPN companies claim, a VPN does not offer full anonymity. If you use a VPN together with any service where your identity is shared (Gmail, Facebook), then your VPN IP and browsing activity can be tied to your identity.

Scalability and switching.

Carrier network APNs allow multiple connections from millions of users. During peak hours, users can overload the carrier, leading to network balancing issues.

This can lead to slow and increased connection times. Additionally, carriers don’t offer optional APNs you can switch to, except for private APNs.

VPNs allow you to switch to better options during overloads. If you find one server is slow due to congestion, you can disconnect and connect to another server. This applies to reputable commercial VPNs.

Similarities Between an APN and VPN

Both APNs and VPNs offer a mean you can use to exchange information over a network. They are also compatible with devices such as smartphones and IoT. Despite offering security, each technology offers it at a different level.

Use Cases for APNs and VPNs

A VPN doesn’t provide internet connectivity. APNs are used by applications and devices that require internet connectivity over a carrier network. On the other hand, a VPN is designed to offer privacy and security over the internet.

With an APN, you can connect smartphones, modems, and IoT devices to the internet via a carrier network. Devices can also use APNs to determine their geo-location.

In smartphones, APNs facilitate the sending and receiving of multimedia messages through the Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS). They also allow Firmware Over the Air updates (FOTA).

You can use a commercial VPN for purposes other than security and privacy. Thanks to the encryption and IP address masking, a VPN can unblock online content and bypass geo-restrictions/censorships.

You can also beat price segmentation and buy goods at a lower price, such as airline tickets.

Additionally, you can use a VPN to improve your internet connectivity. This is applicable when your ISP is throttling it during heavy downloads or when it is during peak hours.

Wrap Up

APN and VPN are essential technologies we use daily for exchanging information. Despite having nearly the same acronym, APN and VPN are very different, with unique functions.

APNs establish internet connectivity via carrier networks, while VPNs provide security and privacy over the internet.