VPN vs. Apple Private Relay: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve been reading about online privacy tools lately, you might have come across a term called Apple Private Relay. It’s often mentioned alongside VPNs (Virtual Private Networks), which can cause some confusion. Many people wonder: Are they the same thing? Do I need both? Which one offers better privacy protection?

In this post, we’ll break it all down for you. While Apple Private Relay is a privacy feature built specifically for Apple devices, VPNs offer broader, more powerful privacy and security protection across all platforms. Let’s take a closer look at how the two compare, how they work, and why VPNs are generally the better choice for comprehensive online privacy.

What Is Apple Private Relay?

Apple Private Relay is a privacy feature available to users with an iCloud+ subscription. It’s designed to help protect your browsing activity on Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, and Macs—specifically in the Safari browser.

Here’s how it works:

• Your internet traffic is routed through two separate servers.
• The first server (operated by Apple) sees your IP address but not the websites you visit.
• The second server (operated by a third party) sees the website request but not your IP address.

This "double-blind" system helps obscure your identity from both websites and network providers. However, it only works with Safari and doesn’t encrypt your entire internet connection like a VPN does.

How Is a VPN Different from Private Relay?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) creates a secure, encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. It hides your IP address, protects your location, and encrypts all your internet traffic—not just what you do in a specific browser.

Here’s a side-by-side comparison of VPNs and Apple Private Relay:

Feature	VPN	Apple Private Relay
Works on multiple platforms (Android, Windows, etc.)	✅ Yes	❌ Apple devices only
System-wide protection	✅ Yes	❌ Safari only
Encrypts all traffic	✅ Yes	❌ Only Safari and DNS
Choose server location	✅ Yes	❌ No
Bypasses geo-blocks	✅ Yes	❌ No
Protects all apps	✅ Yes	❌ No
Streaming access	✅ Yes	❌ No
Secure public Wi-Fi use	✅ Yes	✅ Partial
Customization & control	✅ High	❌ Very limited

Why Apple Private Relay Isn’t a VPN Replacement

Apple Private Relay offers a layer of privacy, but it’s not a full substitute for a VPN. It has a limited scope and is designed primarily for Safari users within Apple’s ecosystem. If you're looking for robust protection across your entire device and all your online activity, a VPN is still the better option.

Here’s why:

• Limited Coverage: Only protects Safari browsing and DNS lookups—other apps and browsers remain unprotected.
• No Server Selection: You can't choose or change your virtual location.
• No Streaming Access: Doesn’t help unlock geo-restricted content or services.
• No Full Encryption: Traffic from other apps isn’t encrypted.
• Apple-Only Availability: Private Relay only works on Apple devices—there's no support for Android, Windows, or other platforms.

Why a VPN Is the Better Privacy Solution

A VPN offers a more complete and flexible solution for anyone serious about online privacy and security. Whether you’re using a phone, laptop, tablet, or all three, a VPN ensures that your activity is encrypted and your identity is protected across everything you do online.

• Full Encryption: Secures all internet traffic, not just browser activity.
• IP Masking: Hides your real IP address and location.
• Cross-Platform Protection: Works on Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, and more.
• Safe Public Wi-Fi Use: Essential protection when using unsecured networks.
• Customization & Speed: Choose servers, protocols, and features like split tunneling and kill switches.

Final Thoughts: VPN vs. Apple Private Relay

Apple Private Relay is a welcome step toward stronger privacy, but it’s limited in both functionality and reach. For full-device protection, advanced control, and cross-platform compatibility, a VPN is still the best choice.

Whether you want to protect your personal data, unlock global content, or stay safe on public Wi-Fi, a VPN provides the comprehensive privacy solution that Private Relay simply can’t match.