TCP vs UDP: What’s the Difference?

Learn how TCP and UDP protocols work, what makes them different, and which one is best suited for web browsing, online gaming, streaming, or using proxy servers.

How does data transmission on the internet work?

When you’re browsing a website or watching a live stream, it may seem like the data is arriving all at once. But in reality, the internet breaks information into small chunks (packets) to avoid overloading the network.

TCP and UDP protocols determine how these “chunks” of data are transmitted. The choice of protocol affects how fast and reliably you receive information.

TCP — Reliability First

TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) is a protocol that ensures all packets are delivered in the correct order. You can think of it like sending letters by mail: you confirm each one before receiving the next.

How TCP works:

1. The device (e.g., smartphone) initiates a connection with the server (a process known as “handshaking”).
2. The server breaks the data into segments.
3. The first segment is sent.
4. The client confirms receipt (ACK).
5. The server sends the next segment — and so on.

Where TCP is used:

• Web browsing (HTTP/HTTPS)
• Email (SMTP, IMAP, POP3)
• Large file downloads (FTP, SFTP)

Advantages of TCP:

• High reliability
• Detection and retransmission of lost packets

Disadvantages of TCP:

• Slower due to checks
• Can cause delays under heavy network load

UDP — Speed Over Accuracy

UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is a lightweight protocol that doesn’t check whether all packets are received. It sends data as fast as possible without confirmation — like a machine gun firing packets nonstop.

How UDP works:

1. The client sends a request
2. The server instantly sends all packets without verification
3. Packets may arrive out of order or partially — the protocol does not check this

Where UDP is used:

• Online gaming
• Video streams (YouTube, Twitch)
• Video calls / VoIP
• DNS requests

Advantages of UDP:

• Maximum speed
• Minimal latency

Disadvantages of UDP:

• No delivery guarantees
• Possible data loss or reordering

Common Myths

Myth 1: TCP is always slower.
→ Modern technologies like TCP Fast Open significantly speed it up.

Myth 2: UDP is only for streaming and gaming.
→ It’s also used in trading, telemetry, DNS, and more.

Myth 3: You can’t use both protocols at once.
→ Most services combine TCP (metadata) and UDP (streaming data).

Which is better for proxies?

When choosing a proxy server, it’s important to pick the right protocol:

• For stability and security:
  Use HTTP(S) proxies based on TCP — ideal for web scraping, working with APIs, and secure browsing.
• For speed and low latency:
  Choose SOCKS5 proxies with UDP support — perfect for streaming, gaming, and VoIP.

Visit our services and solutions page to find the perfect proxy type for your needs.