{"id":"comparisons.is-bridge-a-vpn","url":"/faq/comparisons/is-bridge-a-vpn","category":{"id":"comparisons","title":"Comparisons & alternatives"},"subcategory":{"id":"devices-and-sharing","title":"Devices, syncing and sharing"},"question":"Is Bridge a VPN?","alt_questions":["bridge vpn","does bridge route my internet traffic","bridge like a private network","is storage studio bridge a vpn service","bridge vs vpn"],"short_answer":"Not in the usual sense. A VPN routes your internet traffic through a provider. Bridge is a private, end-to-end encrypted link between your own two devices for files and clipboard, and doesn't carry your web browsing.","answer_markdown":"Not in the usual sense. A VPN service routes your internet traffic through someone else's servers. **Bridge** is a private, direct link between **your own two devices** only — you can think of it as a small private network that exists just between them.\n\nWhat crosses it — files and, if you turn it on, clipboard scraps — is **end-to-end encrypted**: scrambled on the sending device and only unscrambled on the receiving one. Nothing is stored on a server, and it works whether the devices are on the same Wi-Fi or far apart. A six-digit **Tunnel Code** shown on both screens lets you confirm you're linked to the right device.\n\nYour normal web browsing isn't sent through it, and Bridge doesn't change your internet connection. See [Bridge & your devices](/faq/bridge-devices/).","answer_html":"

Not in the usual sense. A VPN service routes your internet traffic through someone else's servers. Bridge is a private, direct link between your own two devices only — you can think of it as a small private network that exists just between them.

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What crosses it — files and, if you turn it on, clipboard scraps — is end-to-end encrypted: scrambled on the sending device and only unscrambled on the receiving one. Nothing is stored on a server, and it works whether the devices are on the same Wi-Fi or far apart. A six-digit Tunnel Code shown on both screens lets you confirm you're linked to the right device.

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Your normal web browsing isn't sent through it, and Bridge doesn't change your internet connection. See Bridge & your devices.

","answer_text":"Not in the usual sense. A VPN service routes your internet traffic through someone else's servers. Bridge is a private, direct link between your own two devices only — you can think of it as a small private network that exists just between them.\n\nWhat crosses it — files and, if you turn it on, clipboard scraps — is end-to-end encrypted: scrambled on the sending device and only unscrambled on the receiving one. Nothing is stored on a server, and it works whether the devices are on the same Wi-Fi or far apart. A six-digit Tunnel Code shown on both screens lets you confirm you're linked to the right device.\n\nYour normal web browsing isn't sent through it, and Bridge doesn't change your internet connection. See Bridge & your devices.","tags":["bridge","vpn","privacy"],"related":[{"id":"comparisons.bridge-vs-emailing-files-to-yourself","question":"Is Bridge better than emailing or messaging files to myself?","url":"/faq/comparisons/bridge-vs-emailing-files-to-yourself"},{"id":"comparisons.bridge-vs-remote-desktop-apps","question":"Is Bridge like a remote desktop or screen-sharing app?","url":"/faq/comparisons/bridge-vs-remote-desktop-apps"}],"applies_to":"all","last_reviewed":"2026-10-01","title":"Is Bridge a VPN? — Storage Studio FAQ","description":"Not in the usual sense. A VPN routes your internet traffic through a provider. Bridge is a private, end-to-end encrypted link between your own two devices for files and clipboard, and doesn't carry your web browsing.","crumbs":[{"name":"Home","path":"/"},{"name":"FAQ","path":"/faq/"},{"name":"Comparisons & alternatives","path":"/faq/comparisons/"},{"name":"Is Bridge a VPN?","path":"/faq/comparisons/is-bridge-a-vpn"}],"jsonld":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"FAQPage","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/is-bridge-a-vpn","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-10-01","mainEntity":[{"@type":"Question","name":"Is Bridge a VPN?","alternateName":["bridge vpn","does bridge route my internet traffic","bridge like a private network","is storage studio bridge a vpn service","bridge vs vpn"],"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Not in the usual sense. A VPN service routes your internet traffic through someone else's servers. Bridge is a private, direct link between your own two devices only — you can think of it as a small private network that exists just between them.\n\nWhat crosses it — files and, if you turn it on, clipboard scraps — is end-to-end encrypted: scrambled on the sending device and only unscrambled on the receiving one. Nothing is stored on a server, and it works whether the devices are on the same Wi-Fi or far apart. A six-digit Tunnel Code shown on both screens lets you confirm you're linked to the right device.\n\nYour normal web browsing isn't sent through it, and Bridge doesn't change your internet connection. See Bridge & your devices.","url":"https://storagestudio.us/faq/comparisons/is-bridge-a-vpn"}}]},"fragment":"
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Comparisons & alternatives · Devices, syncing and sharing

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Is Bridge a VPN?

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Short answer: Not in the usual sense. A VPN routes your internet traffic through a provider. Bridge is a private, end-to-end encrypted link between your own two devices for files and clipboard, and doesn't carry your web browsing.

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Not in the usual sense. A VPN service routes your internet traffic through someone else's servers. Bridge is a private, direct link between your own two devices only — you can think of it as a small private network that exists just between them.

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What crosses it — files and, if you turn it on, clipboard scraps — is end-to-end encrypted: scrambled on the sending device and only unscrambled on the receiving one. Nothing is stored on a server, and it works whether the devices are on the same Wi-Fi or far apart. A six-digit Tunnel Code shown on both screens lets you confirm you're linked to the right device.

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Your normal web browsing isn't sent through it, and Bridge doesn't change your internet connection. See Bridge & your devices.

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