Proxy vs. Surrogate — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 25, 2024
A proxy acts on behalf of another person, especially in voting or decision-making scenarios, whereas a surrogate stands in for someone else, often in medical or familial contexts like surrogacy.
Difference Between Proxy and Surrogate
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
proxy is someone authorized to represent another person in specific contexts, such as at a shareholder meeting or in digital settings like servers, whereas a surrogate is a substitute, particularly for carrying a pregnancy in place of another woman.
Proxies are often used in legal and corporate environments to allow one person to make decisions on behalf of another, while surrogates are primarily used in medical or health-related situations, emphasizing their role in gestational services.
The concept of a proxy revolves around delegated authority for specific decisions or actions, which can be revoked or altered according to the principal's wishes; on the other hand, a surrogate's role is based on an agreement to fulfill a physical or emotional role, like pregnancy or acting on someone's behalf in a therapeutic setting.
Proxy relationships typically involve formal, legal agreements that specify the extent of the proxy's power, whereas surrogate agreements, especially in the case of gestational surrogacy, involve detailed medical, ethical, and emotional considerations and agreements.
In technology, a proxy refers to a server that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers, contrasting with the human-centered role of a surrogate in personal or familial scenarios.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Voting, decisions, technology
Medical, familial (e.g., surrogacy)
Nature
Representative authority
Substitute, often physical
Usage
Legal, corporate, IT
Health, personal
Agreement Type
Legal documents specifying authority
Medical and ethical agreements
Example
Proxy server, proxy voter
Surrogate mother, therapeutic surrogate
Compare with Definitions
Proxy
Used in contexts of indirect measurements.
Scientists used tree rings as a proxy to measure historical climate conditions.
Surrogate
Applied in legal terms for someone acting in a judicial capacity.
The surrogate court handles matters of wills and estates.
Proxy
A server that acts as an intermediary between a client and the internet.
We use a proxy server to improve security and control over internet access.
Surrogate
A person who carries a pregnancy for someone else.
The couple found a surrogate to carry their child.
Proxy
A document authorizing a person to vote on another's behalf.
He sent his proxy to the board with specific voting instructions.
Surrogate
Someone who acts in place of another in a role or office.
He acted as a surrogate father to her children.
Proxy
An agent legally authorized to act on behalf of another person.
She appointed her lawyer as her proxy to vote at the meeting.
Surrogate
Used in therapeutic contexts to represent another person.
In therapy, the counselor used a surrogate to help the client process feelings.
Proxy
Used figuratively to indicate something that acts as a substitute.
The survey uses income as a proxy for economic status.
Surrogate
Refers to a substitute not involving pregnancy.
She was a surrogate in the negotiation, representing the interests of the absent CEO.
Proxy
One appointed or authorized to act for another, especially a person appointed to vote as one wishes at a meeting.
Surrogate
One that takes the place of another; a substitute.
Proxy
The authority to act for another.
Surrogate
A person or animal that functions as a substitute for another, as in a social or family role.
Proxy
The written authorization to act in place of another.
Surrogate
A surrogate mother.
Proxy
An entity or variable used to model or generate data assumed to resemble the data associated with another entity or variable that is typically more difficult to research.
Surrogate
In Freudian psychology, a figure of authority who takes the place of the father or mother in a person's unconscious or emotional life.
Proxy
(Computers) A server that processes requests and forwards information between a client and another server.
Surrogate
(Law) A judge in New York and some other states having jurisdiction over the probate of wills and the settlement of estates.
Proxy
Used as a proxy or acting as a proxy.
A proxy indicator
A proxy measurement
Surrogate
Substitute.
Proxy
An agent or substitute authorized to act for another person.
Surrogate
To put in the place of another, especially as a successor; replace.
Proxy
The authority to act for another, especially when written.
Surrogate
To appoint (another) as a replacement for oneself.
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts
Surrogate
A substitute (usually of a person, position or role).
A mixture of horseradish and mustard often serves as a surrogate for wasabi.
Proxy
(sciences) A measurement of one physical quantity that is used as an indicator of the value of another
Surrogate
A person or animal that acts as a substitute for the social or pastoral role of another, such as a surrogate parent.
Proxy
(software) An interface for a service, especially for one that is remote, resource-intensive, or otherwise difficult to use directly.
Surrogate
A deputy for a bishop in granting licences for marriage.
Proxy
A proximity mine; a mine that explodes when something approaches within a certain distance.
Surrogate
A politician or person of influence campaigning for a presidential candidate.
Proxy
To serve as a proxy for.
Surrogate
A judicial officer of limited jurisdiction, who administers matters of probate and intestate succession and, in some cases, adoptions.
Proxy
(networking) To function as a server for a client device, but pass on the requests to another server for service.
Surrogate
(computing) Any of a range of Unicode codepoints which are used in pairs in UTF-16 to represent characters beyond the Basic Multilingual Plane.
Proxy
The agency for another who acts through the agent; authority to act for another, esp. to vote in a legislative or corporate capacity.
I have no man's proxy: I speak only for myself.
Surrogate
(economics) An ersatz good.
Proxy
The person who is substituted or deputed to act or vote for another.
Every peer . . . may make another lord of parliament his proxy, to vote for him in his absence.
Surrogate
(databases) surrogate key
Proxy
A writing by which one person authorizes another to vote in his stead, as in a corporation meeting.
Surrogate
Of, concerning, relating to or acting as a substitute.
Proxy
The written appointment of a proctor in suits in the ecclesiastical courts.
Surrogate
(transitive) To replace or substitute something with something else; to appoint a successor.
Proxy
See Procuration.
Surrogate
A deputy; a delegate; a substitute.
Proxy
To act or vote by proxy; to do anything by the agency of another.
Surrogate
The deputy of an ecclesiastical judge, most commonly of a bishop or his chancellor, especially a deputy who grants marriage licenses.
Proxy
A person authorized to act for another
Surrogate
In some States of the United States, an officer who presides over the probate of wills and testaments and yield the settlement of estates.
Proxy
A power of attorney document given by shareholders of a corporation authorizing a specific vote on their behalf at a corporate meeting
Surrogate
A surrogate mother.
Surrogate
To put in the place of another; to substitute.
Surrogate
Someone who takes the place of another person
Surrogate
A person appointed to represent or act on behalf of others
Surrogate
Providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties;
Foster parent
Foster child
Foster home
Surrogate father
Common Curiosities
What are the legal implications of using a surrogate?
Using a surrogate involves legal contracts to ensure the rights and responsibilities of all parties are clear and protected.
How does a surrogate mother work?
A surrogate mother carries and delivers a baby for another person or couple, typically under a legal agreement.
Can a proxy be used in technology?
Yes, in technology, a proxy refers to a server that acts on behalf of clients to send and receive data.
How is surrogacy regulated?
Surrogacy is regulated by state and national laws, which can vary widely, involving contracts and ethical guidelines.
Can anyone be a surrogate?
Being a surrogate typically requires meeting certain health criteria and agreeing to legal and ethical guidelines.
What responsibilities does a proxy have?
A proxy has the responsibility to act according to the authority and directions given by the principal.
Are there different types of proxies?
Yes, there are several types, including medical proxies, voting proxies, and internet proxies.
What is a proxy in corporate governance?
In corporate governance, a proxy is someone authorized to vote on behalf of a shareholder at a company meeting.
What is the difference between a proxy vote and a direct vote?
A proxy vote is cast by one person on behalf of another, while a direct vote is cast personally by the voter.
Is a proxy always a person?
No, a proxy can also refer to mechanisms like proxy servers in technology.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
