My team and I tested over 50 SOCKS5 VPNs to see which ones are reliable. I looked for services that include all the things a regular SOCKS5 proxy doesn’t, like military-grade encryption and fast speeds for browsing, torrenting, and streaming. My top SOCKS5 VPN is Private Internet Access. It offers you 30 SOCKS5 IP addresses to choose from and protects your sensitive data with AES 256-bit encryption. Plus, you get a dedicated ad-blocker and fast speeds for easy torrenting. You can try PIA with no risk, as it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a full refund is simple if you’re not fully satisfied with the service. Get the Best SOCKS5 VPN Now
Best SOCKS5 VPNs — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)
1. Private Internet Access — Vast Server Network With Multiple SOCKS5 IP Addresses
PIA offers an Amsterdam SOCKS5 location with 30 IP addresses. The service also supports Shadowsocks — an obfuscation technique using SOCKS5 plus open-source encryption — which can be used to bypass censorship in restrictive countries (including China). While testing PIA, the service let me use both the VPN tunnel and SOCKS5 simultaneously. This multi-hop technique gave me an extra layer of privacy, making my online activity harder to track. You also get many customization options for advanced security. The app lets you choose from AES 256-bit encryption for better security or AES 128-bit encryption for faster speeds. IP/DNS leak protection keeps your location data safe from online exposure. The abundance of settings can be a little overwhelming if you’re new to VPNs, but I found the default setup good enough for speed and security. Plus, SOCKS5 is easy to toggle on or off with one switch. An ad-blocking tool — MACE — protects you from malicious websites and blocks annoying ads. This means you can use PIA’s SOCKS5 proxy to unblock content without running into dangerous sites that are infected with malware, spyware, or trackers. Plus, you can also use the OpenVPN protocol (the golden standard for security) to keep yourself safe while browsing online. The VPN also offers the WireGuard protocol, known for its faster speeds. I got average speeds of 93.8Mbps during my tests — just a 9.8% drop from my base 105Mbps connection. This is great if you want to safely use the SOCKS5 proxy to torrent, make VoIP calls, and game online. Plus, 4K streaming on platforms like BBC iPlayer is interruption-free. I recommend getting the 3-year plan to get the best value. You can pick up a subscription for only $2.03/month — well worth the money.
Useful Features
Automatic kill switch — The automatically enabled kill switch cuts your traffic if the VPN goes down. This prevents your identity and location from leaking in case of a disconnect. Split tunneling — PIA lets you choose which of your apps go through the VPN and which don’t. This is great if you want to use SOCKS5 with your torrent client but use your regular IP for browsing. Multiple device connections — You can connect up to Unlimited devices to PIA simultaneously and the VPN supports all major platforms (including macOS and Linux). This means you can use SOCKS5 to torrent on your PC while browsing privately on your smartphone and bypassing geo-restrictions on your smart TV. 24/7 live chat support — You can get help from PIA’s team round-the-clock. This is great if you’re new to VPNs and have questions about the complex security settings. 30-day money-back guarantee — Getting a refund is straightforward if you’re not happy with the VPN. I tested the process and got my money back in 2 days.
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2. NordVPN — Fast NordLynx Protocol for Streaming and Gaming Using the SOCKS5 proxy
You get 10 SOCKS5 locations to choose from — across Europe and the US. There are also three types of SOCKS5 servers: maximum speed, maximum security, and hybrid and they all come with personalized authentication. In total, the VPN has 5,563 servers around the world, with some locations optimized for torrenting and unblocking streaming sites. One issue I faced was that a few of the more remote locations took too long to connect. One server took almost 30 seconds to establish a connection. However, this wasn’t much of a problem as switching to NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy servers was easy, and they connected much faster. The VPN also follows a strict no-log policy and is based in privacy-friendly Panama, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes information-sharing Alliances. This means your data isn’t stored or shared with third parties. Your location data is also kept safe thanks to the RAM-only servers and IP/DNS leak protection. Plus, AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch let you use SOCKS5 without the loss of online protection. Plans are available from $3.29/month, which works out to be good value for what you get. I recommend the 2-year subscription for the most cost-effective option.
Useful Features
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3. Surfshark — AES 256-Bit Encryption to Protect You Online While Using a SOCKS5 Connection
Surfshark offers robust AES 256-bit encryption to keep your network protected. You also get a kill switch and DNS leak protection to safeguard you from accidental data exposure. Along with this, Surfshark protected me from annoying ads and malware-infected websites during my tests. The service is based outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, in the British Virgin Islands. Plus, the app has an audited no-logs policy, meaning your SOCKS5 browsing data isn’t stored or shared. So, your information is kept private and safe from snoops or trackers online. The service also includes a multi-hop option and a proprietary Nexus Technology feature that regularly rotates your IP for improved security. I got fast speeds of 81.3Mbps to stream my favorite TV shows and movies with Surfshark. When I tested the VPN with WireGuard, I watched content in UHD while downloading a 2GB torrent file at the same time. Plus, it allows me to game online without any noticeable lag. You can get Surfshark for only $2.30/month, which is a reasonable price for its SOCKS5 support, along with everything else it offers.
Useful Features
Unlimited device connections — You can connect as many devices to Surfshark as you like (it’s compatible with most major platforms, so no limitations there either). I connected 12 devices at the same time and didn’t see any slowdowns in my connection. Android GPS spoofing — This feature lets you hide your real GPS location, as well as your IP address. However, it’s only available on Android. Split tunneling — Like NordVPN and PIA, Surfshark’s split tunneling support lets you configure the VPN tunnel for specific apps. That means you can use a SOCKS5 proxy with your torrent client while using a standard connection for browsing or streaming online. 24/7 live chat support — If you need help with any of the features, the support team is available on live chat all day. Reliable refund process — I found it easy to get my money back thanks to the 30-day guarantee.
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4. IPVanish — Unlimited Connections to Simultaneously Use a SOCKS5 Proxy on All Your Devices
IPVanish offers an unlimited number of simultaneous connections. This means you can use the SOCKS5 proxy with as many devices as you like. While testing IPVanish, I connected my smartphone and laptop to the same server and didn’t face any network drops. Plus, the app is compatible with all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Android. Setup is easy too, my SOCKS5 credentials were clearly signposted in my dashboard on the website. There are 30+ SOCKS5 proxy locations and you get fast speeds with unlimited bandwidth to torrent or browse without limits. You can also torrent or stream without being data-capped thanks to the unlimited bandwidth. I connected to the SOCKS5 proxy with port forwarding and got average speeds of 74.8Mbps (much more than you need for 4K streaming). Like PIA, the app has OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols for improved security and performance. Along with that, you get AES 256-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch to keep yourself secure while using SOCKS5. Plus, a no-logs policy (audited by the Leviathan Security Group) keeps your data private.
Useful Features
Split tunneling — This VPN also offers split tunneling, so you can choose which apps use SOCKS5 and which don’t. Scramble mode — Alongside SOCKS5, IPVanish also supports a Scramble feature (XOR obfuscation) to make your VPN traffic look like regular traffic. Robust torrent client support — The app works smoothly with BitTorrent clients such as Deluge, qBittorrent, Vuze, and uTorrent. Phone support — As well as 24/7 live chat, IPVanish offers phone support 7 days a week in the US, the UK, Mexico, Spain, Brazil, and Australia. 30-day money-back guarantee — I tested the refund process and got my money back within one week.
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5. PrivateVPN — P2P-Friendly SOCKS5 VPN For Torrenting Without Issues
PrivateVPN provides a P2P-capable SOCKS5 proxy for fast torrenting and streaming. The app is also fast enough for gaming online without lag. During my PrivateVPN tests, port forwarding on specific servers helped make transfers way faster than the standard connection. With unrestricted bandwidth, slowdowns aren’t an issue, even with large file downloads. The network is a little smaller than other VPNs I tested — it has 200 servers worldwide. But all of the servers on the network support torrenting. I also didn’t encounter any issues when I tried to unblock my streaming accounts. While traveling outside the US, I watched The Flight Attendant on my HBO Max account without being geo-blocked. A kill switch is on offer, as well as DNS leak protection, and robust encryption to keep your connection safe. Plus, it has a no-log policy, which means you don’t have to worry about your SOCKS5 session data being sold, as no data is kept. The PrivateVPN app has a simple interface for VPN beginners too. It’s available for iOS, Android, and desktops with set-up guides for devices like routers. You can also contact customer support (actual developers) via 24/7 live chat if you get stuck while installing the SOCKS5 service. Subscriptions can be had for $2/month, which is well worth the money given the support for P2P and SOCKS5.
Useful Features
Remote installation — If you haven’t used a VPN before and you’re finding the setup tricky, PrivateVPN’s support team can remotely install the app on your device for you. Obfuscation — Like my other recommendations, PrivateVPN also supports obfuscation for hiding your VPN traffic. 30-day money-back guarantee. This policy is tried-and-tested, making it easy to try out the VPN and get your money back if needed.
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Quick Comparison Table: SOCKS5 VPN Features
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Tips on Choosing the Best SOCKS5 VPNs
To find the best VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy servers, I used the criteria listed below. If you want to do your own research, then follow this checklist to choose the right VPN for your needs:
P2P support — SOCKS5 is great for torrenting, but you need to make sure your VPN actually supports P2P traffic first. Global server network — A worldwide network of servers lets you access geo-blocked services. So, get a VPN with ample servers to unblock your favorite platforms, even from restrictive locations. Strong security and privacy features — Get a VPN with robust security features such as AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy to keep your information protected while using SOCKS5. Make sure your choice also has secure SOCKS5 authentication. Fast speeds — Pick a VPN with fast data transfer speeds for smooth streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Make sure the VPN you choose doesn’t drop your base speed by over 50%. Trustworthy money-back guarantee — Check if your chosen VPN makes it easy to get a refund if you’re not impressed with the service. Also, ensure you get live chat support for fast assistance.
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What is SOCKS5?
SOCKS5 (Socket Secure 5) is an open-source proxy that helps you mask your location. While this can help you get around geo-blocks, SOCKS5 doesn’t provide encryption, can’t hide your DNS requests, and includes your identifiable metadata in the header. So, it’s recommended to also use a VPN to keep your sensitive information safe. VPNs are also faster, which is better for activities like streaming and gaming. The proxy can use two modes of connection: Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It also comes with authentication methods that make it safer than other proxy alternatives (usually username and password authentication or GSS-API authentication). Because it’s a little faster than other proxies (smaller data packets), SOCKS5 is popular for use with VoIP and P2P connections (torrenting). It’s also compatible with HTTP, HTTPS, POP3, SMTP, and FTP and can be configured to provide remote access to private networks.
What is the difference between a SOCKS5 proxy and a VPN?
A VPN encrypts your data while masking your connection, whereas a SOCKS5 proxy just conceals your IP address. This allows SOCKS5 to be slightly faster than traditional VPNs. However, the security loss means you aren’t safe while torrenting or browsing online. Instead, a VPN service that offers SOCKS5 gives you safe unblocking without slowdowns.
Can I use SOCKS5 at the same time as a VPN?
Yes, some VPNs support VPN + SOCKS5 connections (PIA’s multi-hop feature is an example of pairing a VPN tunnel with a SOCKS5 proxy). The best SOCKS5 VPNs also support Shadowsocks, which combines SOCKS5 with encryption for an additional layer of safety.While it is possible to use SOCKS5 at the same time as a VPN, it’s worth bearing in mind that pairing the two technologies will probably slow down your connection though. That’s why it’s more efficient to use a VPN on its own — VPNS offer better speeds and security, with all the same unblocking/IP masking abilities of SOCKS5.
Is SOCKS5 better than previous SOCKS versions?
Yes, SOCKS protocol version 5 is faster and a bit safer compared to previous SOCKS versions. SOCKS5 uses smaller data packets for quickly transferring information. The SOCKS5 proxy also has an added authentication service and UDP support, which the previous SOCKS versions didn’t have. However, if you need the best protection, install a VPN with AES 256-bit encryption and multiple security protocols as well.
Should I use a SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting?
Some torrent clients have a built-in SOCKS5 proxy that can be configured to mask your IP from seeders and leechers. These proxies are better than nothing while torrenting, but a VPN is much more secure. A reliable VPN protects your data with robust encryption, which can’t be broken. You also get added benefits of easy unblocking and fast speeds.
Are there any free SOCKS5 proxies?
There are free SOCKS5 proxies, but they’re not recommended. Most free proxies don’t work at all or offer any protection to keep you safe online. It’s better to get a SOCKS5 VPN, that way you get online protection with an added SOCKS5 proxy for free.
Can I use a free VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy?
Using a free VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy can put you at risk. Most free services don’t provide decent security/privacy features. Some free VPNs also sell your personal data to make a profit. It’s much safer to use a trustworthy VPN with a reliable money-back guarantee. Even if you find a safe free VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy, you’ll probably face plenty of other restrictions. Issues range from bandwidth limits to small server networks. So, you can’t reliably use free VPNs for streaming, browsing, or downloading. Plus, free services constantly pressure you to upgrade to a paid plan. Get a Low-Cost SOCKS5 VPN
Get the Best SOCKS5 VPN Today
A standard SOCKS5 proxy isn’t as safe as a dedicated VPN. Your online information can easily be leaked online if you’re not protected. A VPN lets you safeguard yourself online against hackers and snoops while using SOCKS5. Reliable SOCKS5 VPNs also offer robust security features and a P2P-capable network, plus global servers that you can use to unblock your favorite content. My top SOCKS5 VPN is Private Internet Access. It offers strong encryption and a proprietary MACE tool to keep you safe online. Plus, the service has fast speeds and an extensive server network to access your favorite platforms without slowdowns. You can try PIA without risks since it’s backed by a trustworthy 30-day money-back guarantee. Getting a refund is convenient if you’re not 100% happy with the service.
To summarize, here are the best SOCKS5 VPNs…
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