iCloud Private Relay vs VPN: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to online privacy, iCloud Private Relay and VPNs are great options that promise to protect your sensitive data. But do they work the same way? 

If you’re using Apple devices, you might have encountered the Private Relay feature in iCloud+. Meanwhile, VPNs are widely used across operating systems for everything from securing public Wi-Fi to bypassing censorship. 

In this Mysterium VPN blog post, we’ll compare iCloud Private Relay and VPN, explain how each works to protect you, and help you decide which is right for your privacy needs.

Whether you're a casual Safari user or someone who frequently handles sensitive information, understanding the scope and limits of each tool is crucial for making informed privacy decisions.

What is iCloud Private Relay?

iCloud Private Relay is Apple’s privacy feature, available to users subscribed to iCloud+. It’s designed to make it harder for third parties, including Apple, to see both who you are and what websites you're visiting. The goal? Increased privacy while browsing through Safari, especially on unsecured networks.

Private Relay automatically encrypts and reroutes Safari web traffic to conceal your IP address and DNS records, helping hide your activity from network administrators and ISPs. However, it only works within the Apple ecosystem, with Safari, Mail, and a few other Apple apps.

It’s a great “set-it-and-forget-it” solution for basic privacy, but it doesn’t cover everything you do online.

How Does Private Relay Work?

Private Relay uses a dual-hop architecture, which means it relies on two separate relays to protect your identity. Here's a simplified breakdown of how it works when you visit a website using Safari:

The first relay, operated by Apple, encrypts your DNS requests (which tell the internet what site you're visiting) and removes personal information like your IP address. 

This means Apple knows who you are (since you're signed in with your Apple ID), but not what website you’re trying to reach.

The second relay, managed by a trusted third-party provider, takes your encrypted request and assigns a temporary IP address that’s still in your general location (such as your country and time zone). It then sends your request to the website.

Because no single party sees both your identity and browsing destination, your browsing history stays private. Think of it like passing a sealed letter through two different couriers; one knows who you are, the other knows where the letter’s going, but neither can read it. 

This setup helps maintain online privacy by hiding your real IP address and ensuring both your IP address and your web activity aren’t linked together. However, because it doesn’t give users control over relay servers or cover all app traffic, it’s not a one-size-fits-all privacy solution.

How to Turn On iCloud Private Relay

Want to start using iCloud Private Relay? It only takes a few steps to activate on your Apple device. Just make sure you have an iCloud+ subscription, as Private Relay isn’t available on the free iCloud tier.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Tap your Apple ID at the top.
3. Go to iCloud > Private Relay.
4. Toggle Private Relay to the On position.

Your Safari browsing is now protected with Private Relay.

On a Mac or a MacBook

1. Click the Apple menu and go to System Settings (or System Preferences, depending on your version).
2. Select Apple ID > iCloud.
3. Click Private Relay, then toggle it on.

Once enabled, Safari will begin routing your web traffic through Private Relay’s dual-hop system for added privacy.

What is a VPN?

A virtual private network (almost exclusively shortened to a VPN) is a tool that encrypts all your internet traffic and routes it through a VPN server located elsewhere in the world. 

This masks your IP address, giving you a new IP address and a secure, encrypted connection.

VPNs are used for many purposes, from protecting sensitive data on public Wi-Fi to accessing services restricted to certain regions to shielding online activity from advertisers and surveillance.

Unlike Private Relay, VPNs are not limited to Safari or Apple apps. They work across all apps and browsers and are available on virtually all operating systems, including iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, and Linux.

How Does a VPN Work?

When you activate a VPN, your device first establishes a secure tunnel to a VPN server. This tunnel acts like an encrypted pipeline between you and the internet.

Inside this tunnel, all your outgoing data is encrypted, which means it’s turned into unreadable code. This ensures that hackers, your Internet Service Provider (ISP), or even government agencies can’t monitor what you're doing online.

Because your data exits the tunnel through the VPN server, you appear to be browsing from that server’s IP address rather than your own. This masks your real IP address, enhancing your anonymity.

To put it simply, it’s like sending all your web traffic through a private, secure post office in a different city. Anyone watching sees only that post office, not where your letters are coming from or going to.

Many VPN providers also offer advanced security features, such as:

• Kill switches that instantly block your internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing any data leaks.
• DNS leak protection ensures your device doesn’t accidentally use your regular ISP to resolve websites.
• Minimal logging policies limit or eliminate data collection about your browsing activity and browsing history, ensuring your privacy is respected.

VPNs are particularly useful when you need full anonymity, want to avoid surveillance, or access the internet from a different virtual location.

How to Set Up Mysterium VPN on Apple Devices

Setting up Mysterium VPN on your Apple device is fast and beginner-friendly. Just follow these three key steps to protect your entire internet connection, not just Safari.

On iPhone or iPad

1. Go to the Mysterium VPN website and choose a subscription plan that fits your needs.
2. Open the App Store on your device.
3. Search for Mysterium VPN and tap Download.
4. Once installed, open the app and log in with your Mysterium account.
5. Allow VPN permissions when prompted by iOS.
6. Select a server location and tap Connect to start encrypting your internet traffic.

Now your iPhone or iPad is safe, and you can browse with peace of mind!

On a Mac or a MacBook

1. Visit the Mysterium VPN and pick a VPN plan.
2. Open the Mac App Store and search for Mysterium VPN.
3. Download and install the app.
4. Launch the app and sign in with your account credentials.
5. Grant VPN configuration access when prompted.
6. Choose a server and click Connect to activate the VPN.

You’re all set! Start surfing the internet waves!

Is iCloud Private Relay a VPN?

No, the iCloud Private Relay isn’t quite the same as a VPN. While both tools hide your IP address and encrypt web traffic, the similarities end there. Think of Private Relay vs VPN as a mix between a privacy feature and a comprehensive privacy tool.

iCloud Private Relay vs VPN: Comparison

Here’s a quick overview of both the iCloud Private Relay and a VPN. Let’s compare them, examining the benefits and limitations of using each to protect yourself online.

Benefits of Using iCloud Private Relay

• Seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.
• No need for manual configuration.
• Helps prevent websites from building detailed profiles.
• Encrypts Safari traffic to hide activity from internet service providers and network administrators.
• Low learning curve for users who want privacy without extra steps.

Limitations of iCloud Private Relay

• It only works with the Safari browser and has limited Apple services.
• Can’t choose your server location.
• Doesn’t encrypt all your traffic.
• Doesn’t support non-Apple operating systems.
• Can cause performance issues or site incompatibility.
• Limited use cases; doesn't support torrenting, gaming, or location-specific streaming.

Benefits of Using a VPN

• Encrypts all internet traffic, not just Safari.
• Works across all devices, apps, and operating systems.
• Allows you to choose your IP address location from many available server locations.
• Offers comprehensive protection with robust security features.
• Often includes privacy tools like ad-blocking and malware protection.
• Great for high-risk use cases like public Wi-Fi, travel, or censorship.
• Enables safer usage of peer-to-peer services and open networks.

Limitations of VPN

• Requires manual setup or app installation.
• Free VPNs often lack security and privacy protection.
• Premium VPNs are subscription-based.
• It may reduce speed depending on encryption protocols and server distance.
• Some websites may block known VPN IP addresses, requiring occasional switching.

iCloud Private Relay vs VPN: Key Takeaways

Here’s a quick comparison of iCloud Private Relay vs VPN to help you understand their differences in privacy, coverage, and control:

Apple Private Relay vs. VPN: Which Is Better?

If you’re an Apple user and want basic online privacy while using Safari, Private Relay is a helpful feature, especially since it’s easy to enable in iCloud settings. 

But if you’re looking for broader protection, across multiple devices, browsers, and apps, a VPN service like Mysterium VPN is a better choice. And with 82% off, you’ll hardly find a better deal than that!

With Mysterium, you get:

• End-to-end encryption protocols.
• A censorship-resistant network.
• More control over server locations.
• Compatibility with all major operating systems.

A traditional VPN is still the gold standard for enhancing privacy, protecting your data, and maintaining anonymity online.