VPN and APN - what's the difference?

A network can be accessed via both VPN and APN. This practical tip shows you what is behind the two abbreviations and what the differences are.

VPN: what is it?

• The abbreviation VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" (in English "virtual private network").
• Through this network it is possible to remotely connect a computer to a private network.
• The actual network of the computer acts as a kind of "connection cable". For example, employees of a company can access the company network from home.

APN: explanation and definition

• APN stands for "Access Point Name" (in English "Name of a connection point", often called "access point").
• Mobile devices use this access point to log into the mobile data network. Every mobile operator has different access points for its mobile network, which are recognized automatically by most devices.

APN and VPN - what's the difference?

VPN refers to a secure connection through which it is possible to access a private network, for example that of a company. APN, on the other hand, denotes the access point to a mobile network. For example, a smartphone logs into the provider's mobile data network.

In the next article, you will read how to set up a VPN on iPhone. To set up a VPN with Android, follow this practical tip.