Vpn Vs Socks5
SOCKS5 vs VPN (2021): What Makes Them Different From …
We are reader supported. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn there really a difference between a SOCKS5 proxy and a virtual private network or VPN? After all, both connect you to a remote machine. They then forward your traffic as if you were connecting to the internet from another location. But despite the similarities, they aren’t necessarily the same simply, both will mask your IP address, giving you a degree of anonymity online. However, SOCKS5, which is the latest version of the SOCKS protocol, is faster but doesn’t encrypt your connection. Meanwhile, a VPN is generally slower but encrypts your the most popular VPNs around are ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and CyberGhost VPN. All three provide decent speeds and use major security protocols such as 256-bit AES encryption and is, only NordVPN and CyberGhost VPN support SOCKS5. In short, you’ll have to go with either of the two out of the three mentioned here if you want to use the proxy too. That doesn’t mean ExpressVPN is worse, though. Speaking of which, is SOCKS5 even worth using? Without getting too much into the details, we compare these methods of connecting to the internet. That way you can figure out whether a SOCKS5 proxy, VPN, or maybe even both will suit you best. Deal Finder NordVPN Best security-focused VPNBoasting more than 5200 servers in 59 countries, NordVPN is among the fastest and most reliable VPN services in the market today. Check Price at We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. ContentsSOCKS5 vs VPN Comparison ChartSOCKS5 or VPNSOCKS5 and VPN TogetherSOCKS5 vs VPN RedditVerdictSOCKS5 vs VPN Comparison ChartNameExpressVPNNordVPNCyberGhost VPNSOCKS5 ProxyPriceCheck Priceon ExpressVPNCheck Priceon NordVPNCheck Priceon CyberGhostn/aMasks IP AddressYesYesYesYesEncrypts ConnectionYesYesYesNoUnblocks Geolocked ContentYesYesYesYesServer Numbers3, 000+5, 200+6, 400+n/aServer Locations94 Countries59 Countries90 Countriesn/aSimultaneous Devices567n/aSOCKS5 Proxy SupportNoYesYesn/aSOCKS5 or VPNThere are benefits to using a SOCKS5 services such as NordVPN encrypt your traffic, while a SOCKS5 proxy doesn’ usually use VPNs for privacy to stay safe online, as well as unblock streaming services such as Netflix’s U. S. library. Commercial VPNs have pretty much streamlined the whole process too, so just about anyone can set things up without a the other hand, SOCKS5 proxies are used to get past certain blocks, such as a website that’s blacklisted your IP address. Others also turn to SOCKS5 because of how it performs better in peer-to-peer or P2P reiterate, VPNs encrypt your connection. Proxies don’t, and that means your internet service provider or ISP can still snoop on your traffic, for instance. If online privacy is your first priority, then it would make sense to go with a VPN. Deal Finder ExpressVPN With over 3, 000 servers in 94 countries, ExpressVPN is a solid VPN service that can keep your data protected and help you bypass strict geo-blocks. Check Price on ExpressVPN We earn a commission if you click this link and make a purchase at no additional cost to you. SOCKS5 and VPN TogetherUsing SOCKS5 and VPN may be a bit of an CKS5 may not be all that useful, especially on NordVPN when it already has features like Double because we’re comparing SOCKS5 proxies to VPNs here doesn’t mean you should choose only one. At that, you can use both to somewhat get the best of both ever, that might be more complicated than necessary. Usually, a VPN will be more than enough to give you some anonymity online and bypass blocks, besides encrypting your traffic, of course. That goes double for NordVPN with its Double VPN feature. As its name suggests, it passes your connection through two servers rather than just one, encrypting it twice. At any rate, you can think of including a SOCKS5 proxy in the mix as adding an extra layer of mentioned earlier, NordVPN and CyberGhost VPN have SOCKS5 support. If you’re going to use a SOCKS5 proxy together with a VPN, these two have got you CKS5 vs VPN RedditWhat does Reddit have to say? This Reddit user explains the potential advantage of having a VPN and SOCKS5 proxy running at the same time:Meanwhile, another Redditor outlines the pros and cons of the two:Last but not least, one user points out that a proxy isn’t exactly necessary when using a VPN:The takeaway here is that a VPN is the common denominator when it comes to online privacy. In short, the consensus is to always use a VPN, regardless of whether you’re going to use a proxy or rdictGoing with a VPN is the more secure route. The bottom line is a SOCKS5 proxy can’t provide you with the security to stay safe online. Sure, it can mask your IP, but it’s not enough. On the other hand, a VPN doesn’t just mask your IP but also encrypts your, if you want to use a SOCKS5 proxy, you should go with a VPN that supports it, for good measure. Again, NordVPN and CyberGhost VPN are two viable choices here. However, that doesn’t mean ExpressVPN is out of the race. It’s still a decent pick if you’re planning to use only a drawback of VPNs is their cost, but hey, that’s the price to pay for a bit of peace of mind online.
Learn what a SOCKS5 proxy is! – Surfshark
2021, July 28 · 7 min read
SOCKS5 (Socket Secure) proxies are often mistaken as an alternative or equivalent to virtual private networks (VPN). This often leads to confusion for computer users and can provide a false sense of security. To untangle this issue, I prepared this post, which will explain just what sort of animal a SOCKS proxy is and what you can do with it.
In short: what is a SOCKS proxy?
A SOCKS proxy is a server that uses the SOCKS protocol to route your data – unlike a VPN, it does so without encryption. SOCKS5 is just the latest, fastest version of SOCKS protocol.
What is SOCKS?
SOCKS is an internet protocol that offers users a greater degree of anonymity than they set out with initially. When you connect to a SOCKS proxy, your internet traffic is routed through a third-party server via Transmission Control Protocol (TCP). Over the course of this process, you’re assigned a brand new IP (Internet Protocol) address; changing your IP address means that web hosts (read: websites and services) can’t pin down your exact physical location.
What is SOCKS5?
SOCKS5 is the most up-to-date version of the SOCKS protocol. SOCKS5 proxies are no longer plagued by issues present in SOCKS4, the original widely adopted version. It offers three methods of authentication and supports the UDP protocol (which is faster but less reliable than TCP).
How does a SOCKS proxy work?
SOCKS5 proxies are more wide-reaching than traditional HTTP proxies. According to the OSI model, which allows a unified understanding of telecommunication systems without caring about what specific system is in use, SOCKS works on the fifth (of seven) layers.
SOCKS sits above TCP and UDP (the protocols that handle basically all of your data transfers) on the transport layer. This means that it can form physical connections with the client and the server in an attempt to ensure that all packets arrive at their intended destinations in the same way they were sent.
While SOCKS offers a few methods of authentication (so that your device can be sure it’s connecting to what you want it to be connecting), it does not offer encryption, which means that anyone sitting between you and the proxy server (so, your ISP or a hacker that compromised your favorite public Wi-Fi hotspot) can read your data.
Do I need a SOCKS proxy?
SOCKS5 proxies are ideal for scenarios that require bypassing regional filters or firewalls… and that’s it. If you want to encrypt your data so that it couldn’t be read between you and the server it’s routed to, you may need to look elsewhere. Implementing a SOCKS protocol alone does not guarantee privacy and will not keep you safe from government surveillance or attacks that occur on public WiFi.
Surfshark does not encourage using a VPN in any way that would potentially violate the Terms of Service of other service providers.
How safe are SOCKS proxies?
SOCKS proxies are safe if you use the premium version – just like VPNs! Certain proxy companies have been known to log user data. If you use a premium SOCKS proxy provider, this will not be an issue. Your information will remain safe and secure– which means that you can go about your business worry-free.
What are the most common uses of SOCK proxies?
SOCKS5 proxies are excellent for everyday users for a few reasons:
Overcoming network firewalls (read: blocking by work or school)
Hiding your IP address online
Changing your geographic location online
Hiding the websites you go to from the internet service provider (ISP)
What is the difference between a SOCKS proxy and an HTTP proxy?
In short, HTTP proxies only handle HTTP requests – so they only work when accessing websites. A SOCKS proxy routes data from any website or app, making it a more universal choice.
SOCKS5 proxies connect to the internet utilizing a process known as tunneling; tunneling is widely accepted as one of the most secure ways to connect to and access the internet. It’s undoubtedly more secure than traditional, standard HTTP proxies. HTTP proxies use an open port to connect with the internet. Because tunnels aren’t used to form connections, these proxies are easily broken down and penetrated. SOCKS5 proxies do not have this issue.
SOCKS vs. VPNs – What’s the difference?
As previously mentioned, it’s not uncommon for the average computer user to confuse SOCKS proxies and VPNs. Both mask your IP address from prying eyes; to the layman, this can seem like the one and only thing to concern yourself with when you’re looking to up your security. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when selecting between a SOCKS proxy or a VPN:
SOCKS ProxyVPNConcealing your IPYesYesEncrypting trafficNoYesHiding download activity from ISPNoYes
Get the right tool for the right task
SOCKS proxies are an excellent choice for those looking to add a layer of safety to their browsing habits. But overall, VPNs are the clear choice when it comes to keeping your dealings online private as well as providing access to the content you crave. And while nothing is stopping you from using both technologies at the same time, the benefits are largely marginal. So why not just go with a VPN?
Written by
Martynas Klimas
Knows as much about VPN as it is healthy for someone who isn’t a VPN developer
6 Best VPNs with SOCKS5 – CyberWaters
With different types of Internet protocols available for public use, hiding your IP and bypassing website blocks have become increasingly easier such option is SOCKS5, an Internet protocol with authentication support. In the online anonymity world, SOCKS5 is not just easier to implement but also an economical way to hide your IP address for unobstructed online browsing and torrenting. Almost all major VPN providers offer SOCKS5 proxy servers. If you already use a VPN, consider buying SOCKS5 from the same provider. In most cases, you will be eligible for complementary SOCKS5 servers. In case you are looking for more options and better reliability, here’s a quick guide on the best VPNs with SOCKS5 on time? Here are the best VPNs with SOCKS5:Surfshark – supports Shadowsocks and very easy to usePrivate Internet Access – with many SOCKS5 Proxies availableIPVanish – great for P2P and torrentingTorGuard – suitable for advanced usersNordVPN – the best VPN with SOCKS5 serversWhat is SOCKS5? Best VPNs with SOCKS5SurfsharkPrivate Internet AccessIPVanishTorGuardNordVPNWindscribeHow Does Socks5 in VPN Help? Applications of SOCKS5 With an ExampleHow to Set Up SOCKS5? Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SOCKS5What is SOCKS5? SOCKS Protocol Version 5, or SOCKS5, is the latest version of the SOCKS internet protocol that uses a proxy server to communicate over the Internet. The remote proxy server reroutes your traffic and hides your IP address in the process. It was developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) the data goes from one device (your smartphone) to another, i. e., the destination address (a website), the proxy server successfully covers your IP address with its own IP address. This shows a different IP address to the website you are visiting, thereby making you anonymous. In other words, SOCKS5 proxy does two things:Makes you anonymous by hiding your IP addressHelps you unblock regional restrictions by changing your locationThe biggest feature of SOCKS5 proxy is that it can be set up for individual applications like a BitTorrent client, Telegram, and your favorite web browser. This ensures that only that application communicates via the SOCKS5 proxy and all other communication is via your original network. Visualize your torrent client connected to SOCKS5 and your Windows system through your original though SOCKS5 proxy has been around for decades (since the late 1990s), it has only recently emerged as a friendly option for netizens. This is because of its ease of use, one-time setup, affordability, and reliable offerings from different providers like Surfshark, IPVanish, and Private Internet Access (PIA) VPNs with SOCKS5That brings us to the main aim of this guide: help you choose the best VPN with SOCKS5 before we pick the best options, you should know that there is no such thing as a “SOCKS5 VPN”. SOCKS5 and VPN are two different things; one is an Internet protocol used for proxying, the other a system that allows encryption and private communication. It is possible that the confusion arises from the similarity in their applications. For example, both SOCKS5 proxy and VPN can be used to stay safe while torrenting. The similarity ends there for general rfsharkAlthough Surfshark recommends its Shadowsocks servers mainly to bypass the Great Firewall of China, it’s an excellent tool for general unblocking and torrenting purposes too. It is widely used in other parts of the world including in countries such as Iran. For the uninitiated, Shadowsocks combines the powers of SOCKS5 and open-source encryption infrastructure, giving you better anonymity, reliability, and recommend Shadowsocks by Surfshark because it’s extremely easy to set up and use. You don’t need any technical knowledge to get this done; just fire open your Surfshark VPN client, choose Shadowsocks as the proxy protocol, and you are done. It will automatically choose the best server location (you can choose too) for better speed and rdict – Surfshark works great on Windows and Android phones, is easy to set up, and provides the fastest connectivity among providers in this list. 3200+ global servers in 60+ countriesCleanWeb ad-blocking featureSecure and strong encryption with OpenVPNWhitelister, Multi-hop VPN and kill switchNo-logs policyWorks with Netflix and good for streamingGreat speeds30-day money-back guarantee Private Internet AccessPIA SOCKS5 is the second-best offering right now. Like most other providers on this list, the SOCKS5 feature is included in the PIA VPN highlight of PIA SOCKS5 is that there is a function to set up the proxy directly from the application/client. This means that you can use a SOCKS5 proxy to connect to PIA’s VPN servers. The advantage of this setup is that you can route your device’s entire traffic via the SOCKS5 proxy server as opposed to an application-bound also like that PIA offers Shadowsocks, a stronger alternative to using a VPN. As mentioned in our Surfshark review above, it’s widely used to circumvent censorship in only drawback with PIA SOCKS5 is that you will need to generate an extra set of credentials for your proxy connection. This can be an additional step for some users but still not a rdict – If you are looking for the best SOCKS5 proxy servers with minimal setup time, choose Private Internet pports WireGuard on all platformsCurrently WG is in Beta testing phaseNo Traffic or Request logsCan be used with 10 devices simultaneouslyUnlimited Bandwidth and good speeds3200+ Servers in 29 Countries30-day money-back guarantee IPVanishThe plus point of IPVanish’s SOCKS5 servers is that they are specially made for torrenting activities. It has seamless integration with BitTorrent clients like uTorrent and Deluge. There’s also a lot of flexibility with IPVanish’s SOCKS5 servers as you can choose from across locations without the fear of compromising your privacy. Moreover, IPVanish clearly states that you’ll be losing out on advanced security (encryption) and speed when you use its SOCKS5 servers. That kind of honesty is rare these rdict – In our tests, IPVanish’s SOCKS5 servers provided the best speed while torrenting and surfing. If speed and anonymity form your criteria when choosing a SOCKS server, opt for IPVanish. Apps for all plarforms and OS1600+ servers in 75 cities around the worldAccess to SugarSync StorageZero traffic logsUnmetered device connectionsP2P and torrenting support30-day money-back guarantee TorGuardTorGuard names its proxy servers as Stunnel and Stealth; we’ll discuss the latter. Much like the in-VPN feature of PIA, TorGuard’s VPN client also allows you to directly connect to its Shadowsocks proxy. You can choose from a variety of servers spread over 50 countries without having to go through an additional setup for specific advantage of TorGuard over other providers is that you can use your main credentials to get access to its kitty of SOCKS5 servers. No extra cost or no additional setup is – You may follow TorGuard’s official tutorial to get rdict – If you are looking for a no-nonsense, simple setup of SOCKS5, consider TorGuard. 3000+ servers and 50+ countriesModern protocol support (WireGuard)Blocks malwareDouble AES and SHA encryptionNo-logs policyThe most customizable VPNOffers wide range of Dedicated IP locations7-day money-back guarantee NordVPNNordVPN SOCKS5 servers used to be our top choice for a long time, thanks to the powerful infrastructure. But after it reworked some of its global SOCKS servers in 2020, we have brought down its ratings by a, in its prime, the best feature about NordVPN premium SOCKS servers was that you didn’t have to purchase them separately. If you owned a NordVPN license, you could simply choose a SOCKS5 server of a desired country and set it up on your system. It offered SOCKS5 servers of three types that you can switch across: maximum speed, maximum security, and hybrid. In our experience, the first one allowed for seamless downloads and uploads on torrent clients and web browsers. Considering that low speed is the biggest drawback with SOCKS, NordVPN’s SOCKS5 fared best in speed, especially when compared to its competitors. As of April 2021, you can instead use its P2P servers for torrenting. They are equally good and optimized for torrenting #1 – In July 2020, NordVPN began updating its SOCKS5 servers. This has led to unavailability of SOCKS5 proxy servers in certain locations. You may access the NordVPN Server Selection page for more #2 – NordVPN has a nifty tutorial on setting up SOCKS5 proxy on are quick reviews of SOCKS5 servers offered by six of the best VPN providers today. 5200+ global servers in 59+ countriesCyberSec malware and ad-blocking protectionNext-generation encryption with double VPN serversObfuscation technology that masks VPN trafficStrict no-logs policyWorks with Netflix and good for streamingLightning fast with P2P support30-day money-back guarantee WindscribeWindscribe is another great VPN provider that is slowly revolutionizing the way we surf the web. Its VPN client is one of the simplest and most charming pieces of software we have seen recently. And the same also applies to its SOCKS5 CKS5 servers can be generated through its website by choosing the server location of your choice. There is no need for additional credentials, and you can set it up directly from the Windscribe application. We tested it on a Windows desktop to check its speed and reliability. While the setup was breezy and error-free, we did find that its US servers (from India) throttled our Internet speed. We are talking roughly a 20% reduction in speed, which may not always be ideal. However, our IP was hidden at all rdict – If you are already a Windscribe Pro user, utilize the SOCKS5 offering for free. Setting it up is really a child’s Does Socks5 in VPN Help? Having a SOCKS5 setup within a VPN client gives you the freedom to choose from a large number of proxy servers to unblock the sites of your choice. Most providers like Surfshark, PIA, and TorGuard have this option. This helps make the process a lot easier and faster. Another advantage is that the hybrid SOCKS5-VPN connection will give you extra cover should one of them switch off due to some error. However, we recommend connecting your application (a BitTorrent client or a browser) directly to a reliable SOCKS5 proxy server for hygiene purposes. The problem with using a combination of VPN and proxy server is that it can destabilize your connection as the setups will be competing with each other. You want to avoid such a scenario to make things safer for major difference between a SOCKS5 proxy server and a virtual private network (VPN) is that SOCKS5 does not encrypt your traffic and VPN does. This means that your communication will still be out in the open for interception. It also means that your internet service provider (ISP) will know that you are engaging in a certain activity like torrenting or accessing a blocked website. In countries with strict censorship rules, like China and Iran, this can still be a risky setup. In those cases, it is wise to use a VPN that will also encrypt your traffic for much stronger lications of SOCKS5 With an ExampleSOCKS5 can be used for the following activities:Bypassing sites like Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Wikipedia, Reddit, Twitter, your IP address while torrenting (peer-to-peer sharing)Private file sharing across protocols like HTTP and FTPHere’s an example:Let’s assume Clara from London wants to anonymize her torrent connections. She uses uTorrent for P2P communication, through which she downloads movies and music. Her residential IP address is 192. 186. 9. How can SOCKS5 help her? In a basic sense, setting up a SOCKS5 proxy on her uTorrent client will help her mask her IP address. The moment she completes the SOCKS5 setup – either directly or via a VPN client – all her torrent traffic will be routed via the proxy server. All her P2P connections will show the random SOCKS5 server IP, say 143. 143. 1. 9, as her main IP will allow Clara to hide her original IP address and still enjoy torrenting without the fear of a potential subpoena. The same process applies if Clara wants to unblock Netflix US from her London apartment. She can use SOCKS5 to unblock Netflix, use her subscription, and enjoy content restricted to North American to Set Up SOCKS5? Setting up SOCKS5 proxy on any application is easy and takes less than a minute. Here we have outlined the process of setting it up on uTorrent and access its PreferencesUnder Connection, go to Proxy Server and choose SOCKS5 as the typeEnter the proxy URL (e. g. 🙂 and port number (e. : 1080)Choose Authentication and input your credentials (this is provided to you by your VPN provider)Click on ApplyFigure 1 – Screenshot of uTorrent PreferencesOnce this is set up, you should check if the proxy is working or not. You can go to and follow the on-screen instructions. We have detailed the test process in one of our previous guides may avoid this entire setup by opting for SOCKS5 from PIA or TorGuard providers. They have VPN clients with built-in SOCKS5 proxy equently Asked Questions (FAQs) About SOCKS5Here you will find answers to some of the most common questions related to SOCKS5 provide 100% anonymity? No. No proxy server or software will give you 100% anonymity as all of them have some loopholes. SOCKS5 is a good option to hide your IP address but it doesn’t offer complete anonymity due to the lack of are the advantages of SOCKS5? SOCKS5 offers easy unblocking, unlimited traffic, fast and reliable connections, and better P2P integration and is SOCKS5 better than previous SOCKS versions? SOCKS5 uses authentication methods (one-way or two-way (GSS-API)) to improve security, which is not available in previous versions like SOCKS5 a paid feature? Yes. You have to buy SOCKS5 proxy servers to use them. However, most providers offer it for free along with their primary VPN I use SOCKS5 and VPN? Yes, you may use SOCKS5 and VPN together. However, we don’t recommend it as it can destabilize your connection and compromise your privacy if it’s not set up properly. You are better off using either. How to use SOCKS5 with VPN? You can choose VPN providers like Surfshark, Private Internet Access, and TorGuard to use SOCKS5 with one is better: SOCKS5 or VPN? It depends on the application. If you are only looking to hide your IP address for unblocking websites, you may use SOCKS5. VPNs, on the other hand, give you more security through encryption without compromising on speed. They can be used for torrenting, private data sharing, and other Internet I use free proxies? No. Free proxies are not reliable and may not give you the desired privacy.
Frequently Asked Questions about vpn vs socks5
Are SOCKS VPN?
A SOCKS proxy is a server that uses the SOCKS protocol to route your data – unlike a VPN, it does so without encryption. SOCKS5 is just the latest, fastest version of SOCKS protocol.Jul 28, 2021
Can you use SOCKS5 with VPN?
Almost all major VPN providers offer SOCKS5 proxy servers. If you already use a VPN, consider buying SOCKS5 from the same provider. In most cases, you will be eligible for complementary SOCKS5 servers.May 20, 2021
Can SOCKS5 be detected?
Because SOCKS5 proxy servers use an SSH (secure socket shell) protocol, they can only be accessed through verification.Oct 10, 2016
