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As more commerce has trickled online both out of increasing popularity and necessity this year, security has become an even more pressing concern. Just as cybersecurity encryption technology improves, so do the hacking skills of its sworn enemies. However, there are a few exciting security options gaining traction that you can invest in to protect your website integrity.

For such seemingly similar names, you wouldn’t think that virtual private servers (VPSs) and virtual private networks (VPNs) would be so different. Even though both address online security concerns, the ways they work are entirely different from each other. If you’re curious about what these differences are, keep reading.

What’s a VPS?

VPSs are almost precisely what they sound like. While they are indeed both virtual and private, they are not as singular as the name suggests. In reality, VPS servers are multi-pronged, in a sense, meaning that several individual servers stem from a single host. However, these servers are kept private through a virtualization process, which adds layers to each server to obscure their activity. Since these servers are mostly independent, they can also run their OS and applications. There are plenty of great cheap vps hosting options for companies who have outgrown a shared hosting plan but don’t feel ready to own their server just yet. You will have a fast and reliable multi-pronged server, and you can access a VPS server from anywhere in the world, provided you have an internet connection.

What’s a VPN?

A VPN, on the other hand, connects two networks while keeping user information private. A private virtual connection ensures that mostly everything stays anonymous for the best encryption. The catch with VPNs, though, is that your IP address is still public to see. Even though your IP address will change each time you switch to a new server, it’s still possible for hackers and other cybercriminals to trace you on the web through your VPN IP addresses. With this in mind, don’t think a VPN is an excuse to act recklessly online.

VPNs are also cost-effective security options instead of expensive company intranet servers or private physical networks. They are great for discreetly browsing the web, and more importantly, VPN companies will only retain client logs for the sake of improving their services–not ratting you out to the authorities. Did you know that by using a VPN, you can also save money when purchasing online subscriptions? Because your IP address has changed, companies mistakenly believe you’re in a different physical location that you are in reality. Depending on your location, subscription prices can vary. Don’t forget to switch your VPN on next time you’re shopping for a new streaming service.

As you can see, there’s a world of difference between VPSs and VPNs. Despite them both offering ultra-secure means of browsing the internet, they are fundamentally different in structure and function. VPSs are cost-effective means of making the most use of a single server, whereas VPNs offer ultra-secure. These highly-encrypted server connections allow you to roam the web in near-complete anonymity.