Enter an IP
Enter the address you want to inspect, or choose “Check my IP” to use the current public address seen by Net Utils.
VPN and proxy detection tool
Check whether your connection or any IP address uses a proxy or VPN. A free VPN detector and proxy checker with a risk score, proxy-type classification, and confidence level. No registration.
Check an IP address for a VPN or proxy connection
Enter an IP address to check or inspect your own connection.
How to check whether your connection uses a VPN or proxy
Use this free tool to inspect any IP address or choose “Check my IP” for your current connection.
Run detection
The address is checked against live IP intelligence, local GeoIP/ASN data, and hosting-network heuristics.
Review the result
Review VPN/proxy status, risk score, proxy type, and confidence, then run the browser leak tests.
What is a VPN checker?
A VPN checker determines whether an IP address appears to belong to a VPN service, proxy server, Tor exit node, or data-center network rather than a typical residential connection. Net Utils returns a clear verdict with a risk score, proxy type, and confidence level.
How VPN detection works
Detection combines live VPN/proxy/Tor flags with network ownership, ASN, organization, and hosting-range signals. The result is a risk indicator, not proof of a person’s behavior.
What does the detector check?
Each IP is evaluated across several network signals to estimate connection type and risk.
VPN detection
Uses live provider signals and known network metadata to identify likely VPN endpoints.
Proxy detection
Identifies public, open, and anonymous proxy signals returned for the inspected address.
Data center / hosting
Flags ASN and organization patterns commonly associated with cloud and hosting networks.
Risk score
Calculates a 0-100 score from explicit security flags and hosting-network heuristics.
Proxy classification
Separates VPN, public proxy, Tor, and data-center/hosting classifications when signals are available.
Combined detection
Combines GeoIP, ASN ownership, live API security flags, and conservative local heuristics.
VPN vs proxy: what is the difference?
Both can hide your original IP, but they work differently and leave different detection signals.
| VPN | Proxy | |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | All device traffic | One app or browser |
| Encryption | Yes, full tunnel | Usually none |
| Detection difficulty | Moderate; endpoint ranges may be known | Low for data centers, higher for mobile/residential |
| Typical use | Privacy, security, remote access | App routing and geo access |
Free VPN check, no registration
The VPN and proxy checker is free and requires no account. You can inspect any public IPv4 or IPv6 address, with results generated from the data available at request time.
Trust, quality, and data transparency
Expertise and experience
Network-security and troubleshooting practice shapes how VPN, proxy, Tor, hosting signals, and risk scores are interpreted.
Data sources
Net Utils combines local GeoIP/ASN databases, a live IP-intelligence response, network ownership, and conservative hosting heuristics.
Update frequency and quality
Live data is requested for each check when available; local datasets and heuristics are updated as network ownership and provider behavior change.
Privacy and ethics
Checked IPs and the client IP are retained in a protected operational log for approximately 30 days for diagnostics and abuse prevention. No cross-user profiling is performed. See the Privacy Policy.
Accountability
Questions or accuracy concerns? Use the Contact page or learn more About Net Utils.
Frequently asked questions
Can a VPN be detected?
Often yes, by combining known endpoint ranges, ASN ownership, hosting metadata, and live security flags. Detection is probabilistic and can produce false positives or negatives.
How do I check whether an IP is a VPN?
Enter the public IP above and run the check. Review the status, classification, risk score, and confidence together.
What is the difference between a VPN and a proxy?
A VPN typically encrypts and tunnels all device traffic. A proxy usually routes one application or protocol and may not encrypt it.
Can websites detect my VPN?
They may recognize the visible IP as a known VPN or hosting endpoint and compare it with browser signals, but no method is perfect.
How do I know whether my VPN works?
Connect to the VPN, choose “Check my IP,” and confirm that the visible IP and location differ from your normal connection. Then run the leak tests.
What is a risk score?
It is a 0-100 indicator derived from explicit VPN/proxy/Tor flags and hosting-network signals. It is context, not a fraud verdict.
What does proxy detected mean?
The address is associated with a proxy signal or intermediary network. It does not identify the user or prove malicious activity.
Is this VPN checker free?
Yes. No account or registration is required.
What are WebRTC, DNS, and time-zone leak tests?
They inspect browser-visible signals that may disagree with the VPN IP. Browsers restrict DNS resolver visibility, so the DNS test reports that limitation instead of inventing a resolver address.
Detect VPN and proxy signals with context
Inspect any public IP for VPN, proxy, Tor, or data-center signals quickly and without registration.
Check an IP now