Best Socks5 Proxy of 2024: Top #10 Picks

Are you looking for reliable Socks5 proxy providers to enhance your online security and privacy? With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for your needs.

In an increasingly digital world, the need for online security and anonymity is more important than ever. Socks5 proxies provide a level of encryption and protection for your internet connection, making it a popular choice for those looking to surf the web anonymously.

Choosing the right Socks5 proxy provider is crucial in ensuring your online safety and privacy. With hundreds of options available, it can be difficult to sift through the noise and find a reputable provider. In this article, we will highlight the top 10 Socks5 proxy providers that you need to know about to make an informed decision for your online protection.


What Is a SOCKS5 Proxy?

A SOCKS5 proxy is a network protocol that routes internet traffic between a client and a server through an intermediary server, enhancing privacy and security. Unlike traditional HTTP proxies, SOCKS5 proxies operate at a lower level, handling a broader range of traffic types, including web browsing, email, and file transfers.

This flexibility allows SOCKS5 proxies to manage various protocols, making them suitable for bypassing geographic restrictions and improving connection speeds by reducing latency. Additionally, SOCKS5 supports authentication, ensuring only authorized users can access the proxy server, further bolstering security.


How Does a SOCKS5 Proxy Work?

A SOCKS5 proxy works by acting as an intermediary between a user's device and the internet, handling requests and routing traffic to its intended destination. When a user connects to a SOCKS5 proxy server, the proxy server assigns a new IP address to the user's internet traffic. This process masks the user's original IP address, enhancing anonymity and privacy.

The SOCKS5 protocol operates at a lower level than HTTP proxies, making it capable of handling various types of traffic, including web browsing, email, file transfers, and peer-to-peer connections. It supports both TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) traffic, offering versatility for different applications. Additionally, SOCKS5 proxies can provide authentication, ensuring only authorized users can access the server, which enhances security.

When data is sent from the user's device, it first goes to the SOCKS5 proxy server. The server then forwards this data to the destination server on behalf of the user. The response from the destination server is sent back to the SOCKS5 proxy server, which then forwards it to the user's device. This process effectively hides the user's IP address and can help bypass geographic restrictions, access blocked content, and improve connection speeds by reducing latency.

Bright Data   Bright Data

Bright Data is a premium proxy provider offering SOCKS5 across residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile proxy categories. They manage the industry’s second-largest proxy pool and provide versatile targeting and filtering options.

Their proxy network is well-maintained, delivering consistent performance with high success rates and rapid response times. Bright Data stands out for its extensive feature set, customizable options, and advanced proxy management tools like the open-source Proxy Manager, catering to diverse user needs not typically met by other providers.

While their pricing offers flexibility with monthly plans or pay-as-you-go options, costs are higher compared to market standards. Monthly plans start at elevated rates, and users should be prepared for a rigorous Know Your Customer (KYC) procedure. Support is available around the clock via live chat and ticketing, with a 7-day free trial for businesses and a 3-day refund policy for individuals allowing prospective users to evaluate their services risk-free.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
Residential $5.04/GB
ISP Proxies $9/GB
Datacenter $0.066/GB
Mobile Proxy $5.04/GB

Smartproxy   Smartproxy

Smartproxy offers SOCKS5 support across residential, dedicated datacenter, and mobile IPs, catering to both novice users and experts. They boast extensive proxy pools worldwide, including 40 million residential and 10 million mobile IPs that rotate with each request, though users can opt for sticky sessions lasting up to 30 minutes. Dedicated US addresses are available exclusively.

Performance-wise, Smartproxy delivers nearly flawless success rates and rapid response times, supported by a robust infrastructure at competitive pricing of $8.50 per GB compared to premium providers charging around $15 per GB. Despite strong features in residential and mobile proxies, their datacenter offerings lack location and targeting options.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
Static Residential Proxies $2/proxy/month
Residential proxy $2.2/GB
Mobile Proxies $6/GB
Datacenter Proxies $0.09/IP
Site Unblocker $6/GB

SOAX   SOAX

SOAX offers SOCKS5 support across rotating residential, mobile, and ISP proxies, managing a medium-sized pool available in over 100 countries for residential and mobile addresses, while ISP proxies are restricted to the US.

The provider shows annual improvement, with recent tests revealing residential proxies now operate three times faster than they did two years ago. Overall, both mobile and residential proxies are competitive enough to rival industry leaders. SOAX's proxies stand out for their flexibility, offering a range of rotation settings (from 90s to 600s, including custom options) and precise targeting capabilities up to ASN level. These features are standard across all packages, potentially offering cost savings compared to competitors like Bright Data.

On the other hand, SOAX is considered costly, and their services include mandatory IP whitelisting, restrictions on port numbers, and no pay-as-you-go option. Support is available 24/7 through live chat and ticketing.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
Residential Proxy IP (Rotating) $6.6/GB
Mobile Proxy IP $6.6/GB
US ISP Proxies $6.6/GB
Datacenters Proxies $0.65/GB
Web Unblocker $10/GB

IPRoyal   IPRoyal

IPRoyal offers the most economical SOCKS5 proxies available, with options including datacenter, ISP, and residential types. The provider prides itself on prompt customer service and provides adaptable filtering and rotation features.

Geared towards small-scale users, IPRoyal offers cost-effective solutions with a limited IP pool but extensive geographic coverage. Notably, their residential proxies do not require monthly commitments, allowing for flexible usage patterns.

However, there are concerns regarding the IP reputation of IPRoyal's addresses, which exhibit lower success rates and longer response times compared to competitors listed here. Despite this, the service is sufficient for less demanding tasks. IPRoyal also includes additional features such as a proxy tester, comprehensive documentation, and a browser extension, and offers 24/7 support through live chat, although they do not provide a free trial option.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
Residential Proxy $1.75/GB
Datacenter Proxy $1.39/Proxy
ISP Proxy $2.40/Proxy
Mobile Proxy $117/Month

Proxy IPv4   Proxy IPv4

Proxy IPv4 is a specialized proxy service provider that focuses on offering high-quality SOCKS5 proxies. Their SOCKS5 proxy pool consists of Proxy IPv4 addresses sourced from both residential and datacenter networks, ensuring a diverse and reliable proxy solution. Proxy IPv4's SOCKS5 proxies are known for their speed, stability, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions and online security measures effectively.

One of the key advantages of Proxy IPv4's SOCKS5 proxies is their advanced proxy management tools. Users can easily configure proxy rotation, IP authorization, and whitelisting, ensuring maximum anonymity and uninterrupted scraping operations. Additionally, Proxy IPv4 offers dedicated customer support, providing prompt assistance with proxy setup, troubleshooting, and any other inquiries, ensuring a seamless experience for users.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5
Proxy IPV4 $0.45 for 3 days
Proxy IPV6 $0.81 for 3 days
Proxy ISP $0.53 for 3 days
Mobile Proxy $27 for 3 days

Webshare   Webshare

Webshare offers a range of proxies including residential, ISP, and datacenter types that support the SOCKS5 protocol. Despite being a newcomer in the market, it stands out with robust infrastructure and fast, stable connections. Their proxy IPs cover between 20 to 195 countries and can be static or rotated with each connection request, with an option to refresh as frequently as every five minutes. This flexibility extends to user control, allowing subscribers to customize their proxy subscription by choosing number of proxies, locations, and adding features like traffic management and network priority, albeit with corresponding costs.

Webshare’s service features a powerful API and promises a great user experience with prices that are competitive. Their proxies are categorized into datacenter (both shared and dedicated), ISP (shared and dedicated), and residential types. Support is available Monday to Friday via email during PST hours, and they offer a free trial plan that includes 10 shared addresses. However, users should be mindful that additional features come at an extra cost, which requires careful consideration based on project needs and budget.

Type Value
Support HTTP and SOCKS
Static Residential Proxy $0.22/Proxy
Residential Proxy $4.5/GB
Datacenter Proxy $0.05/GB

Nimbleway   Nimbleway

Nimbleway is a renowned proxy service provider that offers a wide range of proxy solutions, including SOCKS5 proxies. Their SOCKS5 proxy pool consists of high-quality residential and mobile IPs sourced from various locations worldwide. Nimbleway's SOCKS5 proxies are known for their reliability, speed, and ability to bypass even the most stringent geo-restrictions and online security measures.

One of the standout features of Nimbleway's SOCKS5 proxies is their advanced proxy management tools. Users can take advantage of features such as proxy rotation, session management, and IP whitelisting, ensuring maximum anonymity and uninterrupted scraping operations. Additionally, Nimbleway's SOCKS5 proxies are compatible with a wide range of software and applications, making them a versatile choice for various use cases, including web scraping, data mining, and online privacy protection.

Type Value
Support HTTP/S, SOCKS5, Whitelist
Essential $600/month
Advanced $1600/month
Professional $3600/month

ProxyEmpire   ProxyEmpire

ProxyEmpire is a well-established proxy service provider that offers a dedicated pool of SOCKS5 proxies. Their SOCKS5 proxy pool is sourced from both residential and datacenter IPs, providing users with a diverse range of options tailored to their specific needs. ProxyEmpire's SOCKS5 proxies are known for their high level of anonymity and are particularly useful for bypassing complex anti-scraping measures implemented by websites.

In addition to their reliable SOCKS5 proxy pool, ProxyEmpire offers advanced features such as proxy rotation, IP authorization, and dedicated customer support. These features ensure that users can seamlessly integrate ProxyEmpire's SOCKS5 proxies into their scraping tools and workflows, maximizing efficiency and minimizing downtime. Whether for web scraping, online privacy, or secure browsing, ProxyEmpire's SOCKS5 proxies provide a robust solution that prioritizes anonymity and reliable performance.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
Static residential proxy IP $2.00/proxy/month + $15/GB
Dynamic data center proxy IP $0.625/GB
Dynamic Mobile Proxy IP $30.00/GB
Dynamic Residential Proxy IP $15/GB

Infatica   Infatica

Infatica specializes in residential and datacenter proxies primarily aimed at businesses, offering robust customer support and competitive pricing for bulk purchases. They manage a substantial residential IP pool exceeding 10 million addresses across more than 100 locations worldwide. Users can target specific locations down to country, city, or ASN levels. In contrast, their datacenter proxies are more limited, consisting of 5,000 US addresses available in lists.

Infatica's residential proxies are noted for their speed, although they exhibit more connection errors compared to leading providers. They allow unlimited threads and feature rotating IPs, with the option to maintain sticky sessions lasting between 5 to 60 minutes.

Despite these strengths, Infatica lacks a pay-as-you-go option and their dashboard can be cumbersome, lacking clarity in displaying essential information like traffic usage prominently.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS5, whitelist
Residential Proxies $1/GB
Mobile Proxies $4/GB
Datacenter Proxies $15/GB

Oxylabs   Oxylabs

Oxylabs is highly recommended for those seeking premium SOCKS5 proxies, offering a choice between private datacenter and ISP addresses. Their proxy pool, managed by an experienced team, is extensive with over 2 million private proxies, ensuring scalability for large-scale projects. They provide options across more than 188 locations globally, with ISP proxies specifically offering 100,000 addresses in the US and Western Europe.

Unlike some providers, Oxylabs proxies do not rotate by default, but users can implement rotation using Oxylabs’ specialized tool. The proxies are known for their scalability and speed, consistently demonstrating high success rates and quick response times in various tests.

However, Oxylabs primarily targets business clients, which reflects in potentially higher pricing for smaller-scale IP needs. Additionally, their service lacks a self-service option, emphasizing personalized support instead. They provide enterprise-grade 24/7 support through chat or email, including a dedicated account manager for each client. For those interested, Oxylabs offers a 7-day free trial tailored for businesses and a 3-day refund policy for individual users.

Type Value
Support HTTP(S), SOCKS, Whitelist
Residential Proxies $4/GB
Mobile Proxies $5/GB
Rotating ISP Proxies $11/GB
Shared Datacenter Proxies $0.44/GB


Main Applications of SOCKS5 Proxy

SOCKS5 proxies are a popular choice for users who want to enhance their online privacy and security. These proxies offer several benefits, making them valuable tools for various purposes. Below are some of the main uses of SOCKS5 proxies:

  • Hide your IP address:
  • A primary use for SOCKS5 proxies due to their efficient functionality.
  • Chat and make video calls:
  • Compatible with apps like Skype, Telegram, and similar services.
  • Use streaming websites:
  • Applicable to platforms like Twitch and other streaming sites.
  • Download torrents:
  • Works well with peer-to-peer software like Bittorrent and uTorrent.
  • Access forbidden content:
  • Commonly used to bypass firewalls or access areas where TCP connections are restricted, and to avoid geographical limitations.
  • Perform illegal activities:
  • Some people use SOCKS5 proxies for carding to hide their IP and mimic the cardholder’s location. This activity is illegal, and we do not support it.

    Comparison between SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 Proxies

    SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 proxies are both used to route internet traffic through an intermediary server, but they have key differences. SOCKS4 proxies support only TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) traffic, which limits them to specific types of data transfer, primarily web browsing. They also lack advanced features like authentication and UDP (User Datagram Protocol) support.

    In contrast, SOCKS5 proxies offer more versatility and security. They support both TCP and UDP traffic, making them suitable for a wider range of applications, including online gaming, video streaming, and VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. SOCKS5 proxies also include authentication features, ensuring that only authorized users can access the proxy server, enhancing security. Additionally, SOCKS5 can handle more complex traffic and can offer better performance and reliability due to its support for modern networking protocols.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, choosing the right Socks5 proxy provider can significantly enhance your online privacy, security, and browsing experience. Each of the top 10 providers we reviewed offers unique features and benefits, catering to different needs and budgets.

    Whether you prioritize speed, reliability, or affordability, there is a Socks5 proxy service on our list that will meet your requirements. Take the time to assess your specific needs and choose a provider that aligns with your goals. With the right proxy, you can enjoy a safer and more anonymous online experience.