What Is the Difference Between Incognito Mode and a VPN?

Whichever browser you’re on right now, you most likely have access to an Incognito Mode of sorts. That’s what Chrome calls its privacy feature. Safari and Firefox both call it Private Browsing, while Edge calls it InPrivate. For the purpose of this guide, let’s call it incognito.

A lot of us use incognito when we want to browse something that’s ‘for our eyes only.’ In short, it’s a feature built for privacy. But how is incognito any different from a VPN, a tool we recommend using for online privacy? And is one better than the other? We’ll answer all that in this guide, so stay tuned.

What Is the Difference Between Incognito Mode and a VPN?

The bottom line is that incognito mode and VPNs are not the same. While both are used for privacy, they are used for different applications. Before we delve deeper into any of that, here’s a quick overview of the differences of VPNs and incognito mode.

Differences

• What it hides: Incognito mode hides your browsing history, while a VPN hides your browsing activity. In other words, if you use incognito mode, your browser will not remember the websites you visited. However, your internet provider, router, and anyone watching your network traffic will see your browsing activity in real time. In contrast, a VPN will hide your activity from external monitoring by your internet provider, but a VPN will not erase your browsing history. If someone uses your laptop after you and they viewed your search history, it will still be there.
• Pricing: Incognito mode is a free feature of all browsers, while VPNs typically cost money (although there are free VPNs as well as VPNs with free trials available).
• Limitations: Aside from general privacy reasons, people use VPNs to bypass government, school, or work internet censorship; to stream on other countries’ servers; and to torrent files without getting in trouble. As incognito mode only hides your history on the device itself, you can’t change your region on Netflix, go on restricted websites, or torrent off the record. Read more reasons why people use VPNs in our research on VPN usage.

What Is Incognito Mode / Private Browsing?

Let’s take a step back and talk about what incognito mode (otherwise known as private browsing) is and does.

Definition

Incognito mode is a method of browsing online that hides browsing history on the physical device itself and other devices where your account is logged in. When you surf the web in incognito mode, your history and cache will be deleted whenever you end your session.

How It Works

By default, all browsers save a history of your search and website visits. That way, you can conveniently access previously visited websites. If you go incognito, however, that functionality is paused for that session. Once you close the browser, there won’t be a trace on it that you visited the websites that you did.

What It Protects

Incognito mode hides your browsing history and cache from the next user of your device, but not from ISPs or any hackers looking to steal your PII (personally identifiable information).

What Is a VPN?

Now, let’s talk about how a VPN works.

Definition

A VPN is a virtual private network that creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the internet. It hides your browsing activity in real-time from external actors such as your internet provider and hackers. That virtual tunnel also hides your real IP address from the websites you visit.

How It Works

First, a VPN establishes a connection to a VPN server. That server becomes your middleman to the internet, so when you visit a website, it will see the VPN server’s IP address; not yours. That’s the first function of a VPN.

Now, once that connection to a server is established, the VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device and the server. That means any traffic that passes through becomes inaccessible to anyone else. With that tunnel established, your device no longer sends traffic straight to the internet. Everything passrd through the tunnel, effectively hiding your browsing activity.

What It Protects

Since your web activity and IP address will be encrypted, using a VPN hides your browsing history.

How To Use VPNs

The easiest way to set up a VPN is through an app. While each VPN has its own setup process, it will generally adhere to the following steps:

1. Download the app either from the official app store or from the company’s website.
2. Create an account on the app or the website.
3. Sign in to the VPN app.
4. Choose a server.
5. Click Connect.

How To Use Incognito Mode

If incognito mode suits your needs more than a VPN, here’s how to get it started.

Chrome (Mac/Windows)

1. Chrome
2. More
3. New Incognito Window

Chrome (Android)

1. Chrome
2. More
3. New Incognito Tab

Chrome (iOS)

1. Chrome
2. More
3. New Incognito Tab1

Firefox

1. Menu
2. New Private Window2

Safari

1. File
2. New Private Window3

Edge

1. Settings And More
2. New InPrivate Window4

Opera

1. File
2. New Private Window5

How To Use VPNs and Incognito Mode Together

Here’s the thing: Incognito mode and VPNs actually complement each other. Incognito mode hides what VPNs can’t – your browsing history – while VPNs protect what incognito mode doesn’t, which is your browsing activity. We strongly recommend using both if you don’t want to be tracked.

To use a VPN and incognito mode, simply follow the above steps for each; there’s nothing special you have to do when you set up a VPN and incognito mode at the same time.

How To Stay Private Online

Aside from using VPNs and incognito mode, here are a few other ways you can stay as private as possible online.

Delete History on Windows?

If you want your history deleted before your Windows session ends, follow this sequence of clicks:

1. Microsoft Edge / Internet Explorer
2. Settings And More
3. Settings
4. Privacy, Search and Services
5. Clear Browsing Data For Internet Explorer
6. Choose What To Clear
7. Choose the types of data you want to delete.
8. Delete6

Delete History on Android

The same goes for Androids, macOS and iOS devices.

1. Chrome
2. More
3. History
4. Clear Browsing Data
5. Choose a time range.
6. Check Browsing History
7. Clear Data7

Delete History on Mac

1. Safari
2. History
3. Clear History
4. Choose a time length8

Delete History on iOS

1. Settings
2. Safari
3. Clear History And Website Data </citation]

Use an Encrypted Browser

Browsers like Tor and Vivaldi will encrypt your web activity automatically; however, they won’t encrypt other web apps aside from the browser itself, so a VPN is a more comprehensive option.

Use a Proxy Server

Comparing VPNs to proxy servers, VPNs come out on top again, as proxies only encrypt web activity on a single application versus the entire operating system. However, in the never-ending battle of proxy vs. VPN, proxy servers have the advantage of being free (although they might sell your data in exchange for this freeware).

Read Privacy Policies

Given the GDPR, which affects any websites that European Union residents use, most company websites need to include clear and easily accessible privacy policies that state the following:

• What data they collect
• How they collect this data
• How they share or sell this data
• How they protect this data to prevent data breaches

Although it may be tedious, read the privacy policy before you download an app and make an account so you can maintain control of your PII.

Limit Data

Have you ever heard the expression “give them an inch and they’ll take a mile”? This definitely applies to app permissions. Many apps will try to get you to share as much data as possible, including cookies, which track you online. Opt out whenever you can, unless it’s necessary to use the app or website.

Use Fake Information on Forms

Government or medical forms aside, don’t be afraid to use throwaway names or email addresses on forms. Those marketing emails have to go somewhere, and it might as well not be your inbox.

Block Trackers

These are some of the many browser extensions that block ads and trackers:

• HTTPS Everywhere
• uBlock Origin
• Privacy Badger
• Ghostery

Learn more about how to remove adware from your devices for a smoother browsing experience.

Opt Out of Data Sharing

Once websites and apps collect your data, they share it with and sell it to each other to create (you guessed it) even more targeted advertising. Unfortunately, there’s no way to stop this practice completely, barring federal legislation. However, the website Simple Opt Out can greatly reduce the sharing that goes on, opting you out of sharing from 50 companies, including Amazon and 10Mastercard9.

Limit iOS Mobile Device Identifiers

Aside from information like your email and name, apps can collect your device identifiers like your model, make, operating system, and browser type. If you have an iOS device, you can block device identifiers by clicking:

1. Settings
2. Privacy
3. Advertising
4. Limit Ad Tracking

Limit Android Mobile Device Identifiers

Similarly, on an Android, head over to:

1. Google Settings
2. Ads
3. Toggle on Opt Out Of Our Internet-Based Ads.

Turn Location Off on iOS

Only apps like Uber need to know your location. Otherwise, turn off location on your iOS device by clicking:

1. Settings
2. Privacy
3. Location Services
4. Toggle on Don’t Allow.

Turn Location Off on Android

Pull out your Android phone and hit:

1. Settings
2. Location
3. Turn off User Location.

Recap

You should take advantage of both Incognito mode and VPNs to enjoy a more private browsing experience. Incognito mode is great for privacy from the other users of your devices, while VPNs provide more comprehensive protection. But which VPN is right for you? Read our guide to the best VPN services to learn more.