[b]"What's the difference between a reverse proxy vs proxy server? Which one should I use?"[/b] Alternatively: [b]

Reverse proxy vs proxy server is all about direction.

Forward proxy: outbound (you → internet).
Reverse proxy: inbound (internet → your server).

For tools, NGINX (reverse) and Shadowsocks (forward) are great.

And yeah, the names could’ve been better.