What Is a SOCKS5 Proxy and How Is It Different From a VPN?

SOCKS5 is the latest in SOCKS technology and provides a secure sign-in to your proxy server. Only people with the credentials for the SOCKS5 proxy can access the server, making it more secure than using a standard proxy.

That doesn’t mean it provides adequate protection from tracking and data theft, though, so what exactly are its use cases? 

In this article, we take a deep dive into SOCKS5 and cover everything from what SOCKS5 is, how much security it offers, and how you can set it up on your devices. 

SOCKS5 – How It’s an Improvement Over SOCKS4

Unlike its predecessor, SOCKS4, the latest SOCKS version is compatible with the User Datagram Protocol (UDP). It still supports Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), but UDP is commonly used for fast, real-time activities like streaming IPTV and online gaming. While this matters on any device, it’s especially important for apps on smart TVs, consoles, and mobile devices, which rely more heavily on UDP and don’t always perform well over TCP.

That makes UDP a popular protocol for proxies. You can also configure SOCKS5 to use Secure Shell (SSH) for tunneling. SSH increases connection security when you use your devices on unsecured networks because it requires a password or a secure key for access.

What Is a SOCKS5 Proxy and How Does It Work?

A SOCKS5 proxy routes your internet traffic through an intermediary server before it reaches its destination. Instead of connecting to a website directly, your requests are sent via the proxy, which forwards them on your behalf.

As a result, websites and online services see the proxy server’s IP address instead of your own. This helps mask your real location and adds a layer of privacy, much like a VPN.

What About a Free SOCKS5 Proxy?

Many sites all around the world offer free SOCKS5 proxy servers, along with their IP addresses and port numbers (a port is a bit like a door number used to identify and connect to a specific service on a server).

However, using a free proxy of any kind can put your privacy at risk. Without encryption, proxy providers may be able to see some of your browsing activity. Some less reputable providers may even actively collect your browsing data and sell it to advertisers for profit. If a service stores your data on its servers, it could be exposed in the event of a data breach.

Additionally, many free services lack the resources to compete with premium providers, meaning they can only offer slow speeds and unreliable connections. 

How to Set Up SOCKS5 On Your Computer

Set up a SOCKS5 Proxy on Windows

Step 1: Get the IP address and port number for your SOCKS5 proxy from your provider, then click Settings.

Step 2: Click on Network & Internet, then select Proxy.

Step 3: Turn off Automatically detect settings under Automatic proxy setup.

Step 4: Scroll down to Manual proxy setup, then click Set up next to Use a proxy server.

Step 5: Turn on Use a proxy server. Enter your SOCKS5 IP address and port number in the appropriate fields, then click the Save button.

Step 6: Run an IP address check online to verify that the changes are in effect.

When to Use SOCKS5 vs. a VPN

While both services mask your IP address and require login credentials to access, they each offer distinct benefits and drawbacks. Let’s take a look at each service and its use cases.

SOCKS5

The speeds obtainable with SOCKS5 make it well-suited for any activity that requires transferring data in real-time, including using VOIP services, gaming, streaming, and file sharing. The key drawback is that SOCKS5 doesn’t encrypt your data. That means it’s less safe for private access to sensitive accounts, and doesn’t protect your information from spying or theft as it travels across your network.

Pros	Cons
✅ Faster than most VPNs	❌ Doesn’t encrypt traffic
✅ Changes your IP address	❌ Known to have stability issues
✅ Requires user authentication for secure access	❌ May require complicated manual setup
✅ Only people with the credentials have access to an authenticated connection	❌ May store user data or share it with third parties
✅ Compatible with P2P traffic	❌ Doesn’t work well on restricted networks

VPNs

The enhanced online privacy and security a reputable VPN provides makes it ideal for accessing sensitive information over any network connection, including unsecured public Wi-Fi. A VPN makes accessing healthcare, banking, and other accounts safer. 

When you connect to a VPN, it reroutes your traffic through one of its secure servers, encrypting it in the process. Encryption scrambles your traffic, making it extremely difficult to read if intercepted. 

While this is great for protecting your online privacy and data, it can slow your connection speeds a little. 

Pros	Cons
Encrypts all your network traffic	Encryption can decrease speeds
Masks your IP address	Some may store your data or share it with third parties
Easy to set up with dedicated apps	Some networks block VPNs
Helps secure your sensitive data	Not natively supported on some devices
Good compatibility with restricted networks

Avoid the Hassle of Manual Setup with a SOCKS5 VPN

Simply put, a SOCKS5 VPN is a VPN that offers the option to use a SOCKS5 proxy via one or more of its servers. While not all VPNs offer SOCKS5 proxy servers, the option is useful for speed-critical tasks where security isn’t the main priority.

A SOCKS5 VPN usually provides you with a specific proxy address and login credentials that you can use to connect via its dedicated app. It’s usually very easy to configure and connect.

How to Set Up a SOCKS5 VPN

Before you start, make sure you’re using a VPN that offers SOCKS5 connections. A small minority of VPN providers offer this, so it’s important to check before you subscribe. PIA makes it easy:

1. Open the PIA app on your computer and click the three dots in the upper right-hand corner of the app, then choose Settings from the dropdown menu.

2. In the Settings window, select Multi-Hop from the menu on the left.

3. Check the box next to Multi-hop and Obfuscation.

4. Under Proxy, click on SOCKS5 Proxy. (Note: If you want to use Shadowsocks, simply omit this step and stop here.)

5. Enter the proxy server IP address and your SOCKS5 user credentials.

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