VPN or Proxy service for Accessing IG Accounts?

Right now, I am using PIA, which is a VPN service that can direct my IP to many many many different locations. It has both UDP and TPP functionality, so I can be "anyplace in the world".

However, I heard that most people on this site use proxies when they want to access their accounts / change settings and bios around.

I was just wondering, what is the best practice in this case? I don't want to overspend, especially when I'm starting out, on something that is not even needed. Right now PIA is doing pretty well for me for other things - I just want to know what a proxy does different.

Thanks!