A VPN operates on the network layer (3) meanwhile a proxy works on the application layer (4) that sits on top of first.

This means that using a vpn will send all network traffic from all apps over it (if configured accordingly) meanwhile a proxy will only work for the http(s) traffic in a browser configured with it.

For most applications, you won’t be able to tell the difference.

Photoshop lets you draw a circle

Username checks out

I think it just sounds like southern USA

Everybody knew what both China and therefore also VW were doing in Xinjiang years ago

Well you still need consent

Actually no, a VPN does not protect your computer at all.

Edit: Neither your privacy. You’re mostly tracked though cookies and other identifiers on the application level. A VPN only helps to hide your IP address on the network layer, but you don’t really need that.