5 Best VPNs with SOCKS5 Proxy in 2024

These days, Internet users often need to mask their real IP address, spoof their location online, and keep their digital activities hidden. This is important when circumventing censorship, bypassing geo-restrictions, and downloading torrents. Concealing your true location is also necessary for remotely accessing home, office, or school networks.

Moreover, maintaining your privacy while performing these activities is crucial. Luckily, using a VPN with SOCKS5 solves all these issues. It will reroute your data through a remote proxy server and assign it a new IP address. This adds a layer of privacy while allowing you to hide your real IP and location, so you can safely unblock any content.

In this post, we will review the top 5 SOCKS5 VPNs and explain how to use a VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy. We’ll also discuss what SOCKS5 is and share the difference between a proxy and a VPN. We’ll also tell you why you need a VPN and how to choose the best provider for your needs. Finally, we'll finish with a round of helpful FAQs.

Best SOCKS5 VPNs - Our Shortlist

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN with SOCKS5 Proxy
2. PIA – Most Customizable SOCKS5 VPN
3. IPVanish – Budget-Friendly Option with Plenty of Servers
4. Hide.Me - Bulletproof VPN Security on Any Device
5. PrivateVPN - Easy-to-Use and Torrenting-Friendly VPN

How to Set Up a SOCKS5 VPN?

To set up a SOCKS5 VPN, you must subscribe to and download a VPN app that offers SOCKS5 support before you can set up your SOCKS5 proxy on your device. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Sign up for a VPN that offers a SOCKS5 proxy (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the VPN provider’s app on your device(s).
3. Log in to your account on your VPN's site and reach your dashboard.
4. Navigate to your VPN's SOCKS5-related settings.
5. Follow the VPN’s unique instructions to set up the SOCKS5 proxy.
6. That’s it! Now, your activities will be safe with your traffic routed through the proxy. 

Keep in mind that VPNs offer SOCKS5 proxies in various forms - through tier software, through manual setup, or via browser extensions. That said, it's best to check your VPN's support documentation, where you'll find detailed instructions on how to get started.

The Best VPNs with SOCKS5 Proxies in 2024

When choosing the best VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support, several factors should be considered. First, the best VPN should offer a SOCKS5 proxy on multiple platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS. It should also have a huge network of servers across as many locations as possible. 

A suitable VPN should follow a strict no-logs policy and have strong VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2, as well as AES 256-bit encryption. Besides that, the presence of obfuscated servers will hide that you’re using a VPN, and a kill switch will prevent data leaks. Furthermore, look for a VPN with fast speeds and reliable performance.

The VPN you choose should allow several simultaneous connections on multiple devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, routers, and gaming consoles. It should also offer a fair price and plenty of value overall. Lastly, it should offer a generous money-back guarantee and 24/7 customer support. 

Based on the above criteria, here are our top 5 picks for the best SOCKS5 VPNs:

1. NordVPN – Our #1-Rated Best VPN with SOCKS5 Proxy

NordVPN is the best SOCKS5 VPN as it offers the largest SOCKS5 proxy network. In total, it employs 6,000+ servers in 60+ countries with numerous SOCKS5 proxy servers to choose from. Its SOCKS5 proxy is available on Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS. This feature is especially useful for torrenting clients like BitTorrent.

The SOCKS5 proxy cannot be activated or accessed through NordVPN’s apps. Instead, it can be set up manually through your account on their website. 

NordVPN follows a strict no-logs policy and offers strong VPN protocols, including its proprietary NordLynx, along with IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN. Besides that, other security features include a kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, a Double VPN, and AES 256-bit encryption. Furthermore, it has obfuscated servers on most of its servers that hide your VPN usage. 

Overall, this VPN offers ultra-fast speeds and consistent performance. NordVPN has a user-friendly interface and, compared to other VPNs on our list, it provides better content unblocking and stronger media streaming capabilities. NordVPN also offers 6 simultaneous connections for multiple devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, routers, gaming consoles, and more.

Everything mentioned above is available at $3.39/month if you go with NordVPN's 2-year plan. The VPN also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a refund within your first month of subscribing if you aren’t satisfied. There's also round-the-clock customer support.

2. PIA – Most Customizable SOCKS5 VPN

Private Internet Access is a secure VPN that offers its SOCKS5 proxy on all the platforms it supports, including Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and macOS. It has thousands of servers in 90+ countries, including SOCKS5 proxy servers via the Multi-Hop feature. You can also choose to use the Shadowsocks proxy, which is its obfuscation feature. 

PIA follows a stringent no-logs policy and offers strong security and privacy features, including a kill switch, split tunneling, private DNS, anti-tracking, and more. Its high-end protocols include WireGuard and OpenVPN. Moreover, it allows you to choose between 128-bit and 256-bit AES encryption ciphers.

This VPN has average speeds, but you can optimize it to achieve faster performance. Luckily, it delivers stable performance overall. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections. You can use it on as many devices as you want, including phones, tablets, laptops, routers, and gaming consoles.

PIA is available for $2.19/month if you pick its 2-year plan. Furthermore, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t happy with the service. Lastly, PIA offers excellent customer support via live chat and email. They also provide setup guides and a handy knowledge base for their customers.

3. IPVanish – Budget-Friendly Option with Plenty of Servers

IPVanish supports SOCKS5 proxy on all its platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux. It has more than 2,200 servers in 50+ countries, which include several SOCKS5 proxies to facilitate P2P file sharing. Its SOCKS5 proxy is accessed through your account on its website.

The VPN uses AES-256-bit encryption and other high-end security features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection. It also offers strong VPN protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. Besides that, IPVanish follows a strict no-logs policy and allows you to use obfuscation to secure your connection.

IPVanish is not as fast as its competitors, but it delivers reliable overall performance. It also allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it easy to use on multiple devices like phones, tablets, laptops, routers, and more.

This VPN is priced at $3.25/month for its 2-year subscription plan, which seems fair enough. You can make use of the 30-day money-back guarantee if you aren’t satisfied with the service. Lastly, IPVanish provides excellent customer support that features 24/7 live chat, setup guides, and extensive FAQs.

4. Hide.Me - Bulletproof VPN Security on Any Device

Hide.Me is a user-friendly VPN that offers full support for SOCKS5 on all of its supported platforms. That includes Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android. It allows you to set up a SOCKS5 proxy manually, but you can also use its Web browser extension for easy access to Hide.Me's proxies.

This VPN brings 2,100+ servers in 50+ countries. That's not the biggest server network you'll find, but it should get the job done for the average home user. What's important to mention is that Hide.Me comes backed by a strict no-logs policy. It also features protocols such as OpenVPN and WireGuard, as well as SoftEther and IKEv2/IPsec, coupled with high-end encryption.

Obfuscation is also there, as well as a kill switch that prevents leaks. In terms of performance, we have to note that Hide.Me isn't the fastest option. Still, you can achieve relatively fast speeds as long as you stick to nearby VPN servers. You also get 10 simultaneous connections, as well as applications for computers, phones, tablets, routers, and more.

You can become a subscriber for $2.69/month for its 26-month plan, which comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee included. We'll also add that Hide.Me offers 24/7 live chat support, always ready to answer your SOCKS5-related and other questions.

5. PrivateVPN - Easy-to-Use and Torrent-Friendly VPN

PrivateVPN is a Sweden-based VPN known for its ease of use. It comes with SOCKS5 support by default, providing you with in-depth guides on how to set it up on your device. This VPN is especially known for its support for torrenting, where SOCKS5 is often used.

PrivateVPN offers a relatively small network of only 200+ servers. However, those are found in 60+ countries, so its spread is quite wide. More importantly, PrivateVPN comes with a no-logs policy, and it's known as a highly secure VPN. When it comes to its protocols, you'll find OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, as well as IKEv2/IPsec, depending on which device you use.

Aside from using SOCKS5, you can use PrivateVPN's 'Stealth Mode' to obfuscate your traffic. Without any surprise, a kill switch is also there, as well as a relatively fast performance. PrivateVPN comes with medium-fast speeds, so it's best to stick to nearby servers. Also, expect 10 simultaneous connections, as well as applications for any of the currently popular platforms and devices.

PrivateVPN is available at only $2.00/month if you pick its 3-year plan. That plan also comes with a 30-day money-back policy included, so you can try PrivateVPN without any risk. For any questions or doubts, feel free to turn to PrivateVPN's 24/7 live chat support.

Best SOCKS5 VPNs: Compared

What is SOCKS5?

A SOCKS5 proxy is an Internet protocol that helps reroute traffic through a remote proxy server. It uses network packets to intercept connections between the receiver and sender. This masks your IP address and spoofs your physical location so that you can enjoy online activities that are otherwise unavailable to you.

It is the latest version of the SOCKS protocol and uses authentication methods which ensure that only authorized users can access a particular server. SOCKS5 offers 3 authentication methods, including username and password authentication, null (no) authentication, and GSS-API authentication. 

SOCKS5 uses proxy servers to create Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) or User Datagram Protocol (UDP) connections through arbitrary IP addresses. SOCKS5 proxies are mostly used for bypassing censorship, accessing torrenting sites, and establishing remote network connections. 

SOCKS5 vs. VPN: What’s the Difference?

The main difference between SOCKS5 proxies and VPNs is that VPNs encrypt your data and SOCKS5 proxies don’t. A SOCKS5 proxy and a VPN both hide your IP address, but SOCKS5 proxies aren’t as secure as VPNs. A VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between the client and the server for high-end privacy and data security.

	SOCKS5 Proxy	VPN
Encryption	Doesn’t encrypt your traffic	Encrypts your traffic so that no one can monitor your activity
Coverage	Redirects traffic from one app or browser	Redirects all your traffic
Speed	Faster (doesn’t require encryption)	Slower (due to strong encryption)
IP Masking	Alters your IP address	Alters your IP address
Location Spoofing	Masks your location	Masks your location
Ease of Use	Tricky (usually requires manual configuration)	Easy (can be downloaded directly on your device)
Privacy	Doesn’t hide activities from ISP or government	Hides activities from ISPs and government

Why Do You Need a VPN with SOCKS5?

You need a VPN with SOCKS5 to bypass Internet censorship and geo-restrictions while maintaining your privacy. However, you should use the SOCKS5 proxy with a VPN connection because using SOCKS5 alone can expose your data and activities.

Here are all the reasons you should use a VPN that includes SOCKS5:

• Bypass Censorship Safely – A SOCKS5 proxy moves data quickly, provides a faster connection, and more easily circumvents geo-blocks due to its transmission protocols. This makes it excellent for bypassing censorship. However, this can be dangerous in some countries, which is why it’s important to protect yourself with a VPN at the same time so your activities aren’t exposed. 
• Encrypt Your Data – SOCKS5 proxies don’t encrypt your data, which means using one might expose your identity. Using a SOCKS5 VPN allows you to benefit from SOCKS5 capabilities along with strong data encryption and without data leaks.
• Secure Torrenting - Torrent clients often use SOCKS5 proxies to optimize the flow of your data, helping you reach more seeders while ensuring you're not tracked online. When combined with a VPN, you get encryption too, allowing you to download torrents anonymously.
• Specific Application Proxying – A VPN routes all your traffic through its server, as it typically works on the device level. On the other hand, a SOCKS5 proxy only reroutes traffic from a specific app or website. By combining them, you get granular control over your privacy and security.
• Maintain Your Privacy – Another reason why you shouldn’t use a SOCKS5 proxy without VPN protection is that a proxy doesn’t hide your online activities from ISPs or authorities. This includes the websites you visit and your download history. If you use a SOCKS5 connection alone, your ISP and government will be able to see what you’re doing online.
• More Reliability – A VPN connection is more reliable than a SOCKS5 proxy alone because proxy server connections drop a lot. In other words, using a SOCKS5 proxy alongside a VPN helps you achieve better connections, and there's a kill switch to protect you in case something happens.

How to Choose the Best SOCKS5 VPN

To choose the best SOCKS5 VPN, it is important to consider several factors, including support for SOCKS5, security and privacy features, and server network size. To make things easy, here is a comprehensive list of what to look for:

• SOCKS5 Proxy Support – The best provider will offer a SOCKS5 proxy on all its supported platforms. Plus, look for a high number of available SOCKS5 servers across many locations.
• Number of Servers – Another important aspect of a VPN is its network. It should offer a huge number of servers available across as many countries as possible. This helps you access restricted content and enjoy the best possible speeds.
• Security – To ensure full protection, look for a VPN with SOCKS5 that offers strong tunneling protocols, high-end encryption, and a kill switch.
• Privacy – If you want to maintain your online privacy, you should make sure your VPN offers a strict no-logs policy that is independently audited.
• VPN Protocols and Encryption - Our recommendation is to pick a VPN with OpenVPN and WireGuard, which should be paired with AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption ciphers.
• Performance and Speed – A VPN must offer high speeds and reliable overall performance. Ensure also that the VPN works just as well on nearby servers as it does on remote ones.
• Simultaneous Connections and Supported Devices - Make sure that your chosen VPN supports all your devices via native software, and you'll need plenty of simultaneous connections as well.
• Pricing - You'll want a VPN that offers a good price overall and plenty of value. The best ones offer steep discounts on long-term plans, helping you save quite a lot in the long run.
• Money-Back Guarantee – A VPN with a generous money-back guarantee between 30 and 45 days is quite helpful. If you aren’t satisfied with the service, you can get a refund within the first month of your subscription.
• Customer Support – Look for a VPN that offers excellent customer support. This includes 24/7 live chat, emails, FAQs, and educational resources.

Final Thoughts

Online activities that benefit from SOCKS5 proxies and require hiding IP addresses and locations are common these days, such as bypassing censorship, unblocking geo-restricted content, and torrenting. While achieving fast speeds via SOCKS5 is ideal for these cases, a SOCKS5 proxy won't preserve your privacy. That’s why you need to use a VPN at the same time, as a VPN will also encrypt your data.

We recommend NordVPN as the best VPN with SOCKS5 because it offers the largest SOCKS5 proxy server network. You can use this feature for bypassing geo-restrictions, torrenting, and accessing remote networks - and you won’t have to worry about your data or activities being exposed thanks to strong encryption and strict privacy protocols.

That concludes our guide on choosing the best VPN with SOCKS5 support. If you have any inquiries or comments, feel free to share them in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!