When it comes to internet freedom and performance, you’ve got to know the protocol that’s best suited for getting the job done. Socks proxies have been tested and proven to be suitable for accessing the web safely and privately.
If you want to protect your personal data and browsing history from hackers, trackers, and online snoops, Socks proxies will be of great help. In this review, we’ve highlighted some of the best socks proxies for different uses. Check them out and find which ones suit you best.
- Residential Socks5 Proxies: Soax, and Bright Data
- Private Socks5 Proxies: Blazingseollc, Proxy-Seller, Webshare
- Best SOCKS5 VPNs: TorGuard, NordVPN, Privateinternetaccess
What’s a Socks5 Proxy?
The acronym SOCKS actually stands for Socket Secure. By definition Socks is basically an internet protocol that protects user data by routing network packets to the client and the server through a dedicated proxy server.
By doing so, the SOCKS5 Proxy is the proxy server set up based on SOCKS5 protocol that is low-level protocol, not designed for a specific protocol, It's compatible with HTTP, Also support NNTP newsgroup access, FTP, and Internet Relay Chat application. Socks5 Proxy guarantees the user high-level anonymity, privacy, and safety while surfing the internet.
Premium Residential Socks5 Proxies for Scraping
1. Soax
If you’re looking for clean and regularly updated residential Socks5 proxies, Soax is a great pick. With a pool of 8.5M+ proxy IPs, geo-targeting by country has never been easier. Their elite IPs are 100% whitelisted meaning you can browse without worrying about IP blocks.
Soax residential Socks5 proxies also guarantee users ISP level targeting. That prevents your ISP from limiting your bandwidth and connection speed when visiting gaming and streaming sites.
They have a very stable network with a 99.99% uptime guarantee. Furthermore, users get access to unlimited concurrent sessions. Meaning, you can work with multiple IPs simultaneously without rotation. Automatic proxy rotation saves you the strain and hassle of having to do it by yourself.
You can focus on other more important tasks like data scraping. Soax has three premium packages including micro Wi-Fi (sold at $75/month), starter Wi-Fi (sold at $150/month), and regular Wi-Fi (sold at $700/month). Choose a plan that matches your budget.
The Feature
- Fully compatible with SEO tools
- 99.99% network uptime
- Beautiful proxy dashboard complete with all necessary stats
- 24/7 customer support
- Unlimited concurrent sessions support
- Affordable premium plans
- Stable and fast network speeds
- No free plan
2. Bright Data
Bright Data is one massive residential proxy network with a proxy pool of 72M+ IPs spread out in major countries worldwide. The platform provides the most advanced rotating residential Socks5 proxy services with the largest real-peer IP network. Bright Data network provides extremely stable connections for long sessions.
They have 4 premium corporate level plans (starter, production, plus, and enterprise). The platform’s pricing is bandwidth-based. That’s to say, all the packages have different bandwidth allocation.
You can access Bright Data across all major devices including iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, etc. Subscribers also get to enjoy unlimited concurrent sessions working with multiple proxies. Because the Bright Data proxy pool consists of legit proxies of real devices, you can access geo-restricted content without worrying about being blacklisted.
The Feature
- Stable and fast connection with 99.99% uptime
- A massive pool of 72M+ rotating residential Socks5 proxies
- 4 affordable premium plans
- Proxy manager interface for monitoring usage stats
- Unlimited concurrent sessions
- Available on multiple devices and platforms: Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, etc
- No free plan
3. Shifter
Shifter residential proxies support Socks5 and HTTP(s) protocols for superior security and safety. Users get access to an advanced control panel that features all the relevant usage stats. Shifter supports unlimited concurrent sessions. Meaning, you can work with multiple IPs to access different sites at the same time. The platform features many SEO tools for managing posts and comments on websites.
They have proxy servers spread out in most major cities in the world. This accounts for their superior network speeds and 99.99% uptime guarantee. In addition, users get to enjoy unlimited access to geo-restricted sites. Also noteworthy is that their premium packages come with a 3-day money-back guarantee.
They have 3 residential Socks5 proxy packages and all are affordably priced. The packages include Backconnect Socks5 proxies (25 ports billed at $249.98), Dedicated HTTP(s) Socks5 proxies (5 ports billed at $25), and Shared HTTP(s) Socks5 proxies (10 ports billed at $30).
The Feature
- Supports unlimited sessions
- Advanced control panel
- Supports Socks5 protocol
- 99.99% uptime guarantee
- Affordable premium packages
- 3 day money-back guarantee
- 24/7 customer support
- Instant access upon buying
- No free plan
4. Proxy-cheap
For the reliable and routinely upgraded residential Socks5 proxies, you may want to check out Proxy-Cheap. They also boast a broad network coverage spanning 127 countries and an IP pool of 6M+ IPs.
They have 2 main types of residential Socks5 proxies; Rotating and Session proxies. The latter type has a preset duration of 30 minutes. For rotating proxies, the user has the option of choosing the cycle duration. Upon subscribing to one of their premium packages, you’ll gain access to a user-friendly proxy dashboard.
From the dashboard, it’s easy to inspect bandwidth usage, manage proxies, and even generate new proxy IPs. Proxy-Cheap makes it a lot easier for users to experience the practical solutions they prefer. From checking out sneaker sites, web scraping, creating accounts in turbo mode, to researching markets, there’s no end to the possibilities with Proxy cheap.
Lastly, Proxy cheap residential Socks5 proxies allow you to dodge web restrictions and blocks like a cyber ninja. With blazing-fast network speeds and proven privacy features, you’ll be unstoppable online.
The Feature
- Available proxy types: Rotating & Session proxies
- 6M+ IPs in 127+ countries
- Authentication: User/ Password
- Supports Socks5 protocol
- Personal proxy dashboard for convenient management
- 3 premium packages each with a limited bandwidth
- Country-level targeting
- No free package
5. ProxyEmpire
- IP Pool Size: Over 9,7 million
- Locations: 170 locations across the globe
- Concurrency Allowed: Unlimited
- Bandwidth Allowed: Starts at 3GB
- Cost: Starts at $45 monthly for 3GB
ProxyEmpires supports Socks5 protocols, allowing for seamless integration with a variety of software applications. ProxyEmpire offers advanced targeting, giving the user the opportunity to target by country, region, city, and even ISPs. ProxyEmpire’s IP Pool of 9,750,000 IPs is smaller than most of its competitors, but their IPs are quality tested and suitable for every task.
ProxyEmpire’s lowest plan starts at $45 for 3GB and is ideal for companies seeking more affordable options. Their robust rotating proxy network boasts a 99.86% uptime, and each IP address is tested for quality to ensure you are receiving only the best rotating proxies.
ProxyEmpire’s platform is designed to be accessible and easy to use, making the user experience even better.
6. NetNut
Using a NetNut SOCKS5 proxy is a way to ensure security and privacy while browsing the web. This proxy type offers an extra layer of anonymity and security, characteristic of NetNut proxies. This proxy type allows for a secure connection between the server and the client.
The NetNut SOCKS5 proxy helps keep your IP address anonymous. It lets you bypass censorship on particular websites or geographic restrictions, as the server can be used from any global location.
Furthermore, it's worth highlighting that the NetNut SOCKS5 proxy boasts superior speed in the market, ensuring stable browsing. Also, this proxy type can be used for applications requiring frequent IP changes.
The connections achievable with NetNut proxies are genuinely stable. Moreover, speed and stability are guaranteed regardless of location for extended sessions.
NetNut maintains affordable plans, allowing you to choose the suitable proxy for your needs, starting from 20 GB of bandwidth for static residential proxies at $350 monthly. You can adjust your plan according to your requirements if you need greater bandwidth.
The Feature
- IP pool Size: Over 1+ million IPs
- Geo-Targeting: Global Coverage
- Allowed Concurrent Connections: Unlimited
- Allowed Bandwidth: Starting from 20 GB
- Cost: Starting from $350/month
Pros of NetNut
- There are no geographic restrictions and enhanced anonymity in browsing.
- Available 24/7.
- 7-day free trial with no limitations.
- Stable and fast network speed.
Cons of NetNut
- Inadequate API integration documentation.
7. Proxyrack
Proxyrack is another big residential Socks5 proxy network with a huge pool of real IPs. So far, their coverage spans 30 countries. Among other features, the platform supports unlimited server switches and open VPN protocol.
All ProxyRack residential socks5 proxies support IP whitelisting and the authentication method is username/ password. Unlike most residential proxy providers, they implement long proxy sessions between rotations. This makes it easy to accomplish multiple requests during one scraping session. Besides that, the platform has a very professional technical support team.
For all your questions and concerns, you can count on their knowledgeable customer support team. Their premium packages come with a geolocation API function for a convenient selection of your preferred IP locations.
Besides Socks5, Proxyrack also supports other protocols; socks4, socks4A, and HTTP(s).
The Feature
- All proxies have private exit nodes. None is a public proxy
- Supports proxy whitelisting
- Supported authentication: username + password
- Proxy dashboard for tracking your usage
- Unmetered bandwidth
- Residential socks5 proxy pool: 5M+
- Geo-location API support
Private Socks5 Proxies for Account Management
1. Blazingseollc
Blazingseollc has a reputation for super-fast network speeds of up to 1 Gbps. Also, their proxy packages come with unmetered bandwidth. Their proxies are spread over 7 unique ASNs located in 13 regions. Besides their IPv4 proxies, they also offer IPv6 proxies.
Upon subscription, users get instant access to their proxy pool of clean IPs. If for some reason, some IPs in your package aren’t working, Blazing Proxies provide instantaneous replacements at no extra cost.
If you want to create and manage multiple accounts on different social media platforms, then you definitely need these proxies. If you have issues with your proxies, be sure to contact the customer support team. They are knowledgeable, professional, and always ready to offer assistance.
The Feature
- 2-day free trial on all premium socks5 private proxies
- Proxy IPs spread over 7 unique ASNs in 13 regions
- Best socks5 proxies for managing multiple accounts
- Instant replacement of all faulty proxies
- Blazing fast network speeds of up to 1Gbps
- 24/7 knowledgeable and professional customer support
- No free plan
2. Proxy-Seller
Proxy-Seller has some of the best elite Socks5 proxies, perfect for managing multiple accounts. You’re guaranteed high-level anonymity considering that the proxies are only used by you throughout the rental period. Like most industry top brands, Proxy-Seller has a network spanning many countries and major cities in the world. USA, UK, France, Canada, Germany, and Netherlands, just to name but a few.
With a network speed of 1Gbps, users get to enjoy high-speed network access when surfing. Also, Proxy-Seller has up to 150 networks and 450 subnet options to choose from. Their pricing is based on a number of factors including the rental period and package size. If you want bigger discounts, then it's advisable to choose a rental period of at least one year.
Upon subscribing successfully, you’ll get access to a user dashboard from where you can control and monitor all usage statistics.
The Feature
- Multifunctional user control panel
- Fast Socks5 proxies with network speeds of 1Gbps
- Dedicated IP addresses with a selection of 150 Networks and 450 subnets
- 99% uptime guarantee
- Available proxies for most countries and cities
- 24/7 technical support
- Elite Socks5 proxies provide high anonymity and privacy
3. Webshare
Webshare is in-house built to optimize the latest hardware features for enhanced online privacy and anonymity. They have a sizable network spread across 20+ countries. Users can choose proxies from all the major countries including the US, UK, Canada, Germany, France, Netherlands, etc.
Unlike most socks5 proxy platforms which mostly offer paid plans only, Webshare has an awesome free plan which comes with up to 10 proxies. That aside, the platform claims an aggregate network of 100 Gbps with 24/7 monitoring, not to mention their 99.9% network uptime.
All subscribers get access to a proxy dashboard with all the latest control features. Monitoring usage stats don’t get any easier.
For even faster setup and protection on the go, you can leverage Webshare RESTful proxy APIs. It saves you time and money.
The Feature
- 24/7 professional technical support
- 99.9% network uptime
- 100 Gbps aggregate network speed
- Up to 1GB monthly bandwidth on the free plan
- Proxy servers in 20+ countries
- Optimized servers prevent DNS leaks, header leaks, and open port scans
- Permanent free pan with up to 10 proxies
- Supported protocols: socks5 and HTTP(s)
4. ProxyBonanza
ProxyBonanza is one of the pioneers in the industry with more than 12 years in operation. The platform supports both Socks5 and HTTP protocols. From the official site, it’s indicated that they have proxy servers in 113 locations worldwide. That gives users a massive list of viable proxies to choose from.
They have a fairly stable network with above-par speeds. Proxybonanza is very easy to install and use. In fact, there are dedicated browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome for quick setup.
They have three premium packages. These include shared proxy, exclusive proxy, and international proxy. Apart from the dedicated proxy package which has exclusive proxies, the other two plans have shared proxies.
App premium plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee for when you change your mind.
The Feature
- Instant proxy activation
- 113+ proxy server locations
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Fast and reliable network speeds
- Available browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
- Shared proxies for both International and Shared proxy plans
- 24/7 dedicated customer support
5. Proxy6
Proxy Seller has some of the best elite Socks5 proxies, perfect for managing multiple accounts. You’re guaranteed high-level anonymity considering that the proxies are only used by you throughout the rental period. Like most industry top brands, Proxy6 has a network spanning many countries and major cities in the world. USA, UK, France, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, and Russia, just to name but a few.
With a network speed of 1Gbps, users get to enjoy high-speed network access when surfing. Also, Proxy Seller has up to 150 networks and 450 subnets options to choose from. Their pricing is based on a number of factors including the rental period and package size. If you want bigger discounts, then it's advisable to choose a rental period of at least one year.
Upon subscribing successfully, you’ll get access to a user dashboard from where you can control and monitor all usage statistics.
The Feature
- Multifunctional user control panel
- Fast Socks5 proxies with network speeds of 1Gbps
- Dedicated IP addresses with a selection of 150 Networks and 450 subnets
- 99% uptime guarantee
- Available proxies for most countries and cities
- 24/7 technical support
- Elite Socks5 proxies provide high anonymity and privacy
Where Can You Find Free Socks5 Proxy list?
There are many sites that provide free Socks5 proxies. That’s but expected. Now, here’s what’s not expected; finding sites with reliable socks5 proxies. Lucky for you though, because we’ve done the hard work of research and have put together a list of some reliable free Socks proxy providers. Check them out.
1. Spys.one
This is by far one of the most elaborate Socks proxy databases available on the web. What you’ll like most about it, apart from the massive list of proxies, is the clear proxy rating by latency, speed, uptime, and check date.
From the official site, it seems like most of their proxies have high latency and low speed. The average uptime for all the addresses is around 75% which is not bad for free Socks proxies. Close to 25% of all the proxies have been checked within the last 24 hours.
Another 25% percent of the proxies have been checked within the past week. The remaining 50% have been checked more than a week ago. Proxies for some rather obscure countries haven’t been checked in months. With that said, if you’re looking for the free Socks proxies, Spys.one is a great place to get started. I personally use this database more often than not and I can tell you that it's worth giving a try.
2. ProxyScan
Another great site for Socks5 Proxies. ProxyScan’s database is equally big, featuring 3 other proxy types besides Socks 5. These include Socks4, HTTPS, and HTTP proxies. All their Socks proxies are classified by country& city, maximum ping, proxy type, port number, and level of anonymity.
All their proxies are checked every 10 minutes, or so they claim. From the official site, they have up to 4049 verified Socks4/5 proxies. A closer look at the list of proxies and you notice that most of them are Socks4 and a few Socks5 proxies.
Where to Buy SOCKs5 Proxies?
List of Top-Rated Socks5 VPN Proxy Providers You can buy!
Best SOCKS5 VPNs for Anonymous Surfing
1. TorGuard
TorGuard has some very impressive SOCKs5 VPN packages for encrypting user data while accessing the internet. With 3000+ servers in 50+ countries, their stealth proxies have one of the best network speeds. Users get to enjoy unparalleled surfing speeds, unlimited bandwidth, and zero throttling from wherever they are in the world.
Apart from the speed, they have native apps for all popular platforms and devices including Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Routers. Getting started with TorGuard Socks5 VPN is fairly simple. Just install the app on your device, and there that’s it. Because TorGuard conceals your IP, you can stream, download, and access geo-restricted content without worries.
Apart from IP masking, they also have a host of other high-end professional security features for enhanced user online safety. Some of these include 256-bit AES encryption, DNS/IPV6/WebRTC leak-proofing, and kill switch.
Together with the safety features, TorGuard also offers stealth VPN protocols. Some of these include OpenVPN obfuscation, Split tunneling, OpenConnect, and Shadowsocks. All these features add to user anonymity while surfing the internet.
If you’re looking for the best socks5 proxies for anonymous surfing, TorGuard Socks5 VPN is worth checking out, You can check the Torguard SOCK5 IP address List Here.
The Feature
- Unlimited speeds
- Anonymous proxy access
- 3000+ IPs in 50+ countries guarantee access from anywhere
- Support OpenVPN, WG, SSTP, and IPSec features
- 100% privacy guaranteed: no logs recorded
- Supported devices: Windows, iOS, Android, smart TV, Linux, etc
2. NordVPN
NordVPN combines military-grade encryption standards with the latest security features to guarantee users utmost online privacy and anonymity. Noteworthy is the CyberSec function that protects against malware, ads, and botnets.
The VPN comes with dedicated Chrome and Firefox browser extensions for on-the-go protection. By changing user IP twice NordVPN Socks5 adds an impenetrable layer around user traffic thus adding to anonymity, privacy, and security.
With 5400+ servers in more than 59 countries, NordVPN lives true to its vision of the internet without limits. If you want to stream content from geo-restricted sites like Netflix, you can count on NordVPN to make it smooth and uninterrupted.
You won’t have to worry about IP blacklisting or other access restrictions. For not-stop protection, they have a VPN kill switch that ensures all your data remains protected even when the VPN connection is interrupted during network downtimes. For the anonymous and private browsing experience, NordVPN Socks5 proxies are all that you need.
The Feature
- Kill switch protection for when the network fluctuates
- A single subscription protects up to 6 devices
- Best VPN Socks5 for streaming, downloading, and gaming
- Fast and stable network speeds
- No browsing logs recorded
- Hundreds of P2P servers for sharing large files
- Security features: CyberSec, ad blocker, malware blocker, etc
- Readily pairs with Onion Router for enhanced security
- Affordable premium plans
3. Privateinternetaccess
Enjoy unbeatable network speeds and Socks5 proxy support with Private Internet Access VPN. Like most top VPN providers, the platform is loaded with many security features to protect user data and guarantee privacy. Some of these include WireGuard, PPTP, OpenVPN and L2TP, and IPSec features.
The platform blocks ads, malware, and phishing sites so you enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted surfing experience. Connections routed via Wi-Fi are also encrypted for safety. A single subscription can protect up to 10 devices. The VPN has dedicated apps for all the major platforms and devices. Meaning you can install it on windows, android, iOS, Linux, etc.
They have 3 premium packages; a 3-year plan, an annual plan, and a monthly plan. All the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can buy with peace of mind. If you’re seeking socks5 proxies with a stable speed and 99.99% network uptime guarantee, Private Internet Access VPN is a good pick.
The Feature
- A single subscription supports up to 10 devices
- Integrated malware and ad blocker
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Includes Socks5 proxy
- Strict no-logs policy
- Supported devices: Android, iOS, Linux, Windows, smart TV, etc
- No free package
4. Hide.me
Freedom and liberty on the web have never felt better. Hide.me is not only packed with some of the best security features in the industry but also comes with integrated Socks5 proxies. In addition, all user data is protected by a 256-bit encryption standard so you can browse without worries. It's very easy to use. Simply download and install Hide.me on your device and that’s it.
The VPN is available on close to 10 devices and operating systems. Some of these include windows, android, iOS, Linux, and macOS.
Hide.me has a strict no-logs policy, meaning they do not track or record user online activity. The platform also has a host of other features. While some of these enhance network efficiency, others improve user anonymity and privacy.
For instance, the Stealth Guard feature protects against snoop attacks. The Advanced IP Leak Protection protects against theft of browsing data. Other features include IPv6 support and WireGuard.
Their highly optimized network features some 1800+ servers in 72+ countries making it one of the fastest VPN networks around. Its awesome speed makes it ideally suited for downloading, streaming, and gaming.
The Feature
- Premium packages are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee
- 1800 servers in 72 countries for the fast connection speeds
- IP leak proofing
- Split tunneling to route only sensitive traffic via the VPN
- Strict no-logs policy
- Native apps for windows, android, iOS, Linux, and macOS
- No free package
5. Windscribe
Windscribe boasts a massive network spanning 63+ countries and 110+ cities worldwide. Their VPN comes with an integrated privacy enhancement system called ROBERT which makes it easy for users to block ads, IPs, and domains across devices. Apart from that, they also have a strict no-logs policy, meaning Windscribe does not and will never record or track your online activity.
The platform is compatible with Socks5, WireGuard, and OpenVPN for enhanced online privacy and anonymity. Windscribe has one of the best encryption technologies around. They use AES-256 cipher with SGA512 auth. and a 4096-bit RSA to protect all user data from hackers and trackers.
The VPN works on all popular devices and operating systems. That’s to say, you can use it on Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS devices.
Windscribe VPN has an option for static IPs. This is important especially for those visiting geo-restricted sites like sneaker websites, streaming sites, etc.
The Feature
- High-level online anonymity and privacy
- Supports port forwarding
- Supports split tunneling
- Connects via IKEv2, OpenVPN UDP, TCP, or Stealth
- Time Warp function for time zone selection
- Split personality to hinder fingerprinting
- Location warp function
- Best free package
How to Use Socks Proxy
For Chrome,
If you’re on Firefox, the process is as follows:
- Head over to Options>Networks> Settings. On the new window check the radio option for “manual configuration”& uncheck the option for “use this proxy server for all protocols”.
- Next input your socks proxy.
- Click OK. That’s all.
- You may want to confirm your new IP on here
- Menu> Settings> “Browser” tab> click on “Change Proxy Settings”
- From the next window choose the “connections” tab>Settings
- For connections via a router or local network click on LAN settings
- Check the “use proxy server” option.
- Click on “Advanced”
- Enter your Socks proxy. When done, “OK” then “OK”. That’s all.
- You may want to confirm your new IP here
That’s it for our roundup of the best Socks proxies. We’ve highlighted some of the socks for anonymous surfing and proxies for anonymous scraping. We hope you find this review useful, especially when choosing Socks proxies for particular tasks.
1. What are the benefits of SOCKS5 proxy over other proxies?
Socks5 proxies have a number of notable advantages over other proxies. They have fewer errors and guarantee improved overall performance. They provide much faster connection speeds. They are better at circumnavigating geo-restrictions. They perform much better on P2P platforms.
2. Should I use a socks5 proxy for torrenting?
Yes, you should use Socks5 for torrenting. In fact, Socks5 supports UDP & TCP for a convenient connection of multiple peers for speedy torrent downloads. So clearly, Socks5 is optimized for torrents.
3. What’s the difference between socks proxy and HTTP proxy?
In terms of functionality, Socks proxy is a general-purpose proxy while HTTP proxy is used for specific tasks especially for retrieving information via a browser.
In terms of security, Socks have high-level anonymity and privacy. Data sent via Socks can’t be easily intercepted. On the other hand, the HTTP proxy isn’t so secure on its own. Info sent via this protocol can be intercepted.
4. Why you shouldn’t use a free socks proxy?
Free socks have limited features and functions. Meaning, users won’t enjoy full protection, anonymity, and privacy on the web while using free socks proxies.
Furthermore, free socks proxies predispose users’ information to an increased risk of spoofing since headers may contain some sensitive personal data.
5. Socks5 vs VPN- what’s the difference?
VPN masks real user IP and encrypts all internet traffic to and from a device. SOCKS5 on the other hand is application-specific. Meaning, the user has to configure all relevant device software with the right socks server in order to enjoy any meaningful online privacy and anonymity.
The very core of your writing while sounding reasonable originally, did not really work very well with me personally after some time. Somewhere within the sentences you managed to make me a believer unfortunately just for a short while. I nevertheless have got a problem with your jumps in logic and one would do well to help fill in those gaps. In the event you actually can accomplish that, I would definitely end up being impressed.
Thank you for your opinion. I will pay attention to it in the following writing.