BEST VPN SERVICES
In a hurry?
The best SOCKS5 VPN in 2023, as found in our independent testing, is NordVPN!
SOCKS5 is actually an alternative for a VPN to imitate your location. If you are looking for a quick solution to hide your location from ISP and websites, you can use SOCKS5.
It will provide different IP addresses to overcome the geo-restrictions, and you can enjoy location-blocked content online.
However, SOCKS5 cannot protect your DNS requests which will be noticed by the ISP if needed.
So you will never achieve perfect security and privacy by using SOCKS5 alone. The best method is to use a VPN that comes with SOCKS5 as a security feature.
We tried finding some of the best VPNs that support SOCKS5 and offer great privacy and have shared its details here for you.
We shortlisted the best SOCKS5 VPNs based on certain key features like fast online streaming, military-grade encryption, advanced security facilities, 24/7 customer support, availability on all platforms, value for money, and credibility.
Based on your exact requirement, you can easily find the best SOCKS5 VPN from the six VPNs we have listed in this article.
Best SOCKS5 VPN in 2023
We have added the six best VPNs that support SOCKS5.
The details added in this article are based on well-known blogs, personal experience, and user reviews.
1. NordVPN
We have NordVPN as the first choice for the best SOCKS5 VPN. It is famous for unblocking most of the well-known streaming services in the world.
We were amazed at checking the list. With NordVPN, you can easily watch Netflix, Hulu, DAZN, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and many more.
Notably, NordVPN headquarters is in Panama, a Central American country free from the surveillance and control of five, nine, and fourteen eyes.
Hence you can believe their promise of a strict no-log policy. NordVPN has added SOCKS5 as one of its features without any additional charges.
You can use NordVPN on all your devices, whether it is Android, Windows, iOS, Linux, or macOS.
- NordVPN is the industry leader (by a long way)
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Superfast speeds
- 5,442+ servers in 60+ countries
- Strict no-logs policy
- Next-generation military-grade encryption
- DoubleVPN, double privacy
- 6 simultaneous device connections
- Great for: Safety, security, anonymity & peace of mind
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, iPad & iOS, Linux, routers, Apple TV, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
NordVPN is also good for torrenting. We were able to utilize Vuze, Deluge, qBittorrent, etc., without any speed limits.
NordVPN allows 6 connections simultaneously and has 24/7 live chat support for its users. If you want a VPN that supports unlimited devices with a single subscription, we shall discuss a few in this article.
Being part of 60 countries with thousands of servers, NordVPN is lightning fast and never allows to differentiate between network speed before and after connecting with the VPN.
It has incorporated advanced features to optimize internet speed and stability.
The Double-hop feature enables double encryption by redirecting your traffic through double serves instead of one. It will double the security against backtracking.
NordVPN comes with a protocol called NordLynx developed for optimized VPN performance. It is a derivative of the WireGuard protocol, which is the best in the market.
We found the VPN compatible with the Tor browser and include obfuscated servers with the help of military-grade AES 256-bit encryption.
Other notable features include an automatic kill switch to avoid ISP backtracking and identity reveal, SmartDNS, DNS leak protection, Malware and phishing protection, multi-factor authentication, and many more.
If you have six devices or fewer, undoubtedly, NordVPN is the best SOCKS5 VPN for you.
2. Surfshark
Surfshark is an amazing VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support and offers protection to all your devices with a single subscription.
It can easily unblock location-based restrictions with the help of 3200+ servers placed in 65+ countries worldwide.
You can purchase the Surfshark subscription using debit cards, credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay, Google Pay, Cryptocurrency, etc.
We used Surfshark and unblocked Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, Disney Prime, YouTube, DAZN, iPlayer, etc.
According to various online reviews, it can unblock plenty of other streaming sites too.
- Surfshark is the best budget VPN
- 30-day risk-free trial
- Strict no-logs policy
- 3200+ servers in 95 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: private browsing on a budget
- Compatible with: Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone & iOS, Linux, FireFox, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and more
So what makes Surfshark the best SOCKS5 VPN? A single Surfshark subscription can connect all your devices and your family’s devices without affecting internet browsing speed or compromising device performance.
It supports macOS, Windows, Android, iOS, Android TV, Linux, Amazon FireTV, and many more. Surfshark is a powerhouse of security features.
It is built with 256-bit AES encryption that can prevent DNS leaks and block malware, ads, hacking attacks, etc.
The automatic kill switch is a great security option to disconnect you from the internet while VPN accidentally fails to connect.
It will reconnect the internet when the VPN is back to a stable connection.
Since Surfhsark has RAM-only servers and depends on the Netherlands’ cyber laws, we can trust its no-log policy.
Additionally, the VPN has undergone multiple audits, and the results are publicly available.
The split tunneling feature can route your internet traffic through your ISP as well as through the VPN. It gives you the option to choose which app must be connected to the VPN.
The split tunneling is currently unavailable to apple users. It also has a multihop feature that allows two servers based traffic simultaneously.
It increases security by blocking any sort of backtracking on your device. We are also happy with the fast response and assistance of Surfshark customer support.
3. Atlas VPN
Atlas VPN has relatively few servers (750) in a small number of locations worldwide. But what surprised us was its performance and uniqueness.
It is one of the few world-class VPNs with a trusted free and a premium version.
According to experts, the VPN has the potential to grow at a fast rate and may cover most locations shortly.
Nord Security, the mother company of NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, and many other potential VPNs, bought Atlas VPN in 2021.
Atlas VPN supports macOS, Windows, Android, Android TV, iOS, etc., and unblocked most Netflix regions without losing streaming quality.
- Atlas VPN is the best free VPN
- Privacy Pro servers
- 750 servers in 40+ locations
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Great for: people seeking a freemium VPN
- Compatible with: Windows, MacOS, Android, iPhone & iOS, Android TV, Fire TV Stick
Atlas VPN is best for you if you are a beginner.
Since the VPN offers a free service with limited features, you can utilize it to learn about how a VPN works. This makes it the best free SOCKS5 VPN, in our opinion.
It is easy to use and even works in China.
You can download high-speed torrent files using a free Atlas VPN in China.
Since the VPN uses the WireGuard protocol, its performance is unmatched compared to VPNs with a similar low server count.
Based on a live test, Atlas VPN achieved 97 Mbps speed on a 100Mbps internet connection.
You can undoubtedly use Atlas VPN for watching Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, etc.
However, we found out that Atlas VPN’s free version is limiting its performance with a 5GB monthly data cap instead of the previous 10GB cap.
Atlas VPN reads your Operating system, device model, email address, etc., based on their privacy agreement. Since these details never point out the actual user, privacy is guaranteed.
Atlas VPN doesn’t offer many advanced features but has solid basic features like DNS leak blocking, WebRTc leak blocking, IPv6 leak blocking, VPN kill switch, split tunneling, etc.
4. IPVanish
IPVanish doesn’t depend on third parties for the majority of its server ownership. It gives better credibility to user privacy.
Even though the VPN is US-based, the privacy agreement follows a strict no-log policy. It provides a SOCKS5 proxy for all users.
Since the VPN is available in more than 50 countries with 3000 servers, you will never have to worry about internet speed or connection stability.
We checked the device connectivity and found that IPVanish is friendly with platforms like Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Firestick devices, etc.
The fast WireGuard protocol is extremely helpful for gaming, torrenting, online streaming, and browsing.
Similar to Surfshark, you can install the VPN on unlimited devices and still enjoy the advanced security features like DNS leak protection, SOCKS5 proxy, XOR obfuscation, military grade AES 256-bit encryption, automatic kill switch, split tunneling, etc.
5. Hide.me
Hide.me is a Malaysian-based VPN available in 40+ countries with servers deployed in 75 locations. It has a distributed network worldwide on 6 continents.
It was easy to connect the UK and US Hide.me servers to watch streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, etc.
It offers a variety of protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec, IKEv2, SSTP, and SoftEther. Hide.me allows SOCKS5 proxy without asking an extra price.
You can use the VPN on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android without any complexities. So Hide.me can also be considered as the best SOCKS5 VPN in 2023.
However, its user interface is confusing for beginners to understand various security features.
Hide.me has several security features that protect your privacy. Torrenting is easy on the VPN with split tunneling and port forwarding feature.
We also checked the DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks and found none. The encryption is based on an advanced AES 256-bit algorithm used by many top agencies worldwide.
6. PrivateVPN
There are only 200 servers in 63 countries for PrivateVPN. But this Sweden-based VPN service includes a SOCKS5 proxy.
Even though it has few servers, we find it ok with gaming, online streaming, torrenting, video calling, etc.
It has a port forwarding feature and performs well in downloading large torrent files. PrivateVPN allows unlimited device support simultaneously.
So it is easy to handle all your devices in a single VPN connection.
PrivateVPN can unblock around 20 regions of Netflix and other streaming media like Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO, Disney Plus, etc.
There are distinct applications for Android, Windows, iOs, Firestick,macOS, etc. PrivateVPN has top AES encryption and follows a no-log policy.
We also found that the VPN offers a kill switch, DNS leak protection, obfuscation, etc.
PrivateVPN provides you with a 30-day money-back offer to understand the VPN qualities. You can apply for a refund in case you are not happy with the performance.
How to Install and Use a SOCKS5 Proxy?
Now that you have chosen the best SOCKS5 VPN, the next step is to activate it. You can use SOCKS5 in windows, macOS, your browsers, etc.
Please note that the SOCKS5 will imitate your location only when it is activated, and it is limited to the browser or specific application bound to it.
However, a VPN offers complete protection to all applications on a device while connected to the internet.
For SOCKS5 activation, you can contact live chat support for assistance or follow the guidelines available in the setup guide.
For the browser, we have opted for Firefox since it has the FoxyProxy extension.
How to Set up SOCKS5 on MacOs?
- Open System Preferences, then Network, and choose Advanced.
- Select Proxies and then SOCKS proxy.
- Add port number and proxy server address based on the subscribed VPN
- Save the changes and exit.
How to Set up SOCKS5 on Windows?
- Open Settings, then choose Network and Internet.
- Open the Proxy and turn on the Manual proxy setup.
- Please add the Address and Port related details in the forms.
- Save the changes made.
How to Set up SOCKS5 in The Browser?
Here we are using the Firefox browser since it has a FoxyProxy extension.
Please follow the steps added below for installing the SOCKS5 to your firefox browser:
- Open the Firefox add-ons page. Click download and install FoxyProxy.
- Go to Browser toolbar and you will see the FoxProxy icon.
- Click on Options in the drop-down menu.
- Choose Use proxy Default for all URL options from the drop-down menu.
- Choose the Add button on the top left position. Click edit and input the SOCKS5 proxy details based on your VPN.
- Click Save and check What’s My IP in the menu. You will see changes to the IP address based on the proxy server.
FAQs
What Is the Difference Between SOCKS5 and A VPN?
SOCKS5 proxy conceals your IP while using a specific app or browser by providing a different address to your ISP.
A VPN also does the same, but this applies to all applications and internet activities associated with that particular device.
Apart from that, a VPN comes with a bundle of advanced security features to protect your privacy.
If you only want a proxy set up to spoof your location, SOCKS5 is enough. Also, it won’t affect your network speed.
But if you want a complete security package, choose the best SOCKS5 VPN from this article.
Does Free VPN Come with SOCKS5?
Based on our detailed research, we haven’t found any free VPNs that offer a SOCKS5 proxy setup. Since the SOCKS5 proxy is an added feature, you will be asked to subscribe to the VPN before trying to use it.
Now the main issue with free VPNs is their credibility. We are not sure about the source of income for free VPNs.
Also, we have found several cases where free VPNs collect private user data and sell it to third parties without user permission.
We cannot trust the security features provided by a free VPN. It can be fake and unreliable.
Also, the lack of proper servers may cause huge traffic, which can affect your internet speed. Hence we recommend choosing the best SOCKS5 VPN from this article.
Is SOCKS5 Better for Torrenting than A VPN?
Both SOCKS5 and VPN hide your IP with alternative ones based on the servers. Hence your torrenting roots cannot be backtracked by the ISP or other agencies.
Unlike SOCKS5, a good VPN encrypts user data along with IP spoofing. If you are using the best SOCKS5 VPN, the data privacy is guaranteed, and the download speed will remain uncompromised.
In Summary, the best VPNs in 2023 are;
| Rating | VPN Service | Get Offer |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Top Rated#1 | NordVPN - #1 VPN in the industry | FREE Trial |
| #2 Top Rated#2 | Surfshark - top budget VPN | Start Now |
| #3 Top Rated#3 | Atlas VPN - best free VPN | Start Now |
Conclusion
A SOCKS5 proxy comes in handy on POP3, HTTP, VoIP, HTTPS, FTP, and SMTP requests. It can speed up the connection and authentication requirements.
So, using a SOCKS5 is ok for regular purposes. But things change when you want more privacy on the internet.
SOCKS5 cannot protect you from various online threats like DNS leaks, and the metadata stored in SOCKS5 headers during your session can be traced without much effort.
Such details can help others to identify you and misuse your private data.
If you want privacy and security while trying to use torrent download, you need a premium VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support as an added benefit.
Our experiments proved that a high-quality VPN like NordVPN is the best choice for you when torrenting or browsing the internet.
It has SOCKS5 without any extra cost and also provides you with plenty of other cool security features to protect your identity and safeguard your devices.
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Written by Trevor Cooke
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