5 best SOCKS5 proxy providers
SOCKS5 proxies are intermediaries between you and the internet, enhancing your privacy by masking your real IP address. They’re fast, versatile, and secure, enabling tasks that HTTP(S) proxies wouldn’t handle.
However, with various options like residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile IP proxies, picking the right SOCKS5 proxy for your project can become challenging. To make the process easier, in this article, we’ll guide you in finding the best SOCKS5 proxy provider for your specific needs.
5 best SOCKS5 proxy providers – shortlist
- Smartproxy – the best value SOCKS5 proxies
- Oxylabs – premium SOCKS5 proxies for enterprise
- Webshare – the most cost-effective SOCKS5 proxies
- NetNut – SOCKS5 proxies with the most flexible pricing
- Bright Data – the most feature-rich SOCKS5 proxies
How we tested SOCKS5 proxies
We evaluated SOCKS5 proxy providers by focusing on the factors that matter most to users. This includes performance, reliability, ease of use, and available features, giving users a clear view to help them choose the best option for their needs.
- Range of SOCKS5 solutions (30%). We compared the types of proxies supporting the SOCKS5 protocol offered by each provider. The variety of products gives users the flexibility to choose the ideal solution tailored to their specific use case.
- Global coverage (25%). We assessed the availability of IPs across different countries. A larger number of locations and advanced targeting options enable users to access content with greater precision and broader reach.
- Ease of use (25%). We examined the user interface, setup process, and quality of customer support. An intuitive interface, seamless setup, and responsive support ensure that users can easily manage their proxies without hassle or technical barriers.
- Extras (20%). We analyzed additional tools and benefits providers offer. These extra features give users enhanced functionality and added value, allowing for a more efficient proxy experience.
5 best SOCKS5 proxy providers – detailed list
After evaluating the providers, we found five to be the best SOCKS5 proxy options for 2024. They offer a great variety of products, global coverage, ease of use, and more.
1. Smartproxy – top value SOCKS5 proxies
| Range of SOCKS5 solutions: | Residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter proxies |
| Global coverage: | 195+ locations |
| Ease of use: | Extensive documentation, 24/7 support |
| Extras: | 4 scraper APIs, 4 free tools |
Smartproxy, recognized as the best value provider for four consecutive years, is one of the leading proxy providers. It’s known for its high-performance infrastructure at an affordable price.
The provider offers SOCKS5 residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, and datacenter 65M+ IPs across 195+ locations. You can target specific countries, cities, or states. As a Smartproxy user, you may rotate IPs with every request, opt for a static session, or choose sticky sessions lasting up to 24 hours.
Smartproxy’s user-friendly dashboard offers fast setup, monitoring real-time statistics like traffic usage, whitelisting IPs, and assigning roles to your team in one convenient place. Smartproxy provides users with a fast time-to-value experience. In addition, with SOCKS5 proxies, users can access extensive documentation and get award-wining 24/7 support.
Residential proxies start at $2.20 per GB, static (ISP) residential proxies at $0.35 per IP, mobile proxies at $4.50 per GB, and datacenter proxies at $0.09 per IP. New residential proxy users can enjoy a 3-day free trial, and a Pay As You Go payment option is available for mobile and residential proxies. All products come with a 14-day money-back option.
Besides, Smartproxy has built a solid reputation among users, earning a 4.6/5 rating on both Trustpilot and G2.
2. Oxylabs – enterprise-grade premium SOCKS5 proxies
| Range of SOCKS5 solutions: | Residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter proxies |
| Global coverage: | 195 countries |
| Ease of use: | Extensive documentation, 24/7 support |
| Extras: | 3 scraper APIs, 5 datasets |
Founded in 2015, Oxylabs is a market-leading web intelligence collection platform. The provider has built a strong reputation as a premium proxy provider known for its outstanding quality.
The provider gives access to a residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter proxy pool with 102M+ IPs. These SOCKS5 proxies cover 195 countries and offer advanced targeting options for precise location-based needs. Moreover, as a user, you can access extensive documentation and 24/7 support via chat or email.
Oxylabs offers residential proxies starting at $8 per GB, mobile proxies from $9 per GB, shared datacenter proxies at $0.65 per GB, dedicated datacenter proxies at $1.90 per IP, and ISP proxies starting at $2.10 per IP. The provider has a 3-day refund policy, and a Pay as you go payment option is available for mobile and residential proxies.
Oxylabs has earned positive feedback, with a 4.6/5 rating on Trustpilot and a 4.5/5 rating on G2, with users praising its premium product quality and performance.
3. Webshare – the best budget-friendly SOCKS5 proxies
| Range of SOCKS5 solutions: | Residential, static residential (ISP), datacenter proxies |
| Global coverage: | 195 countries |
| Ease of use: | API documentation, Monday-Friday support |
| Extras: | Chrome Proxy Extension |
Since 2018, Webshare has been recognized for its affordability while maintaining reliable performance. Their service provides excellent value, making it a popular choice among users seeking cost-effective proxy solutions.
Webshare’s SOCKS5 residential, static residential (ISP), datacenter IP pool covers from up to 195 countries worldwide, depending on the product. They’re provided in lists of static addresses, but there's an option to rotate proxies with each connection request. Additionally, the list can be set to automatically refresh as frequently as every five minutes.
If help is needed, Webshare has extensive documentation and Monday to Friday support that is available 6AM-6PM PST via email.
The provider’s SOCKS5 residential proxies start at $4.50 per GB, static residential (ISP) proxies at $0.22 per IP, and datacenter proxies from $0.05 per IP. Additionally, Webshare offers a free plan with 10 shared IPs for users to try out the product.
Webshare has a 4.2/5 TrustScore, with users highlighting its affordability, quality, and easy-to-use dashboard.
4. NetNut – SOCKS5 proxies with highly flexible pricing options
| Range of SOCKS5 solutions: | Residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter proxies |
| Global coverage: | 100+ locations |
| Ease of use: | Basic documentation, 24/7 support |
| Extras: | 3 scraping APIs, 2 datasets |
Since 2017, NetNut has been known for reliable and scalable proxy solutions. This enterprise-oriented provider is a top choice for users who focus on quality infrastructure with flexible pricing.
NetNut offers users access to a SOCKS5 residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter 91M+ IP pool with global coverage and advanced targeting options. Users can either keep the same IP as long as it's available or set up sticky sessions with certain products. The provider has only basic documentation, however, it has 24/7 support via email for smaller plans and via Skype for larger plans.
NetNut’s residential proxies start at $5 per GB, static residential (ISP) proxies at $7 per GB, mobile proxies at $6.46 per GB, and datacenter proxies at $1 per GB. NetNut also offers a 7-day free trial for new users, however, the provider doesn't offer a refund option.
NetNut has a 4.5/5 TrustScore, with users praising its excellent support and seamless proxying experience.
5. Bright Data – the most versatile and feature-packed SOCKS5 proxies
| Range of SOCKS5 solutions: | Residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter proxies |
| Global coverage: | 195 locations |
| Ease of use: | Extensive documentation, 24/7 support |
| Extras: | 5 tools for scraping automation, 3 tools for data and insights |
Bright Data is another premium proxy player in the market, offering advanced solutions for large-scale needs. With years of experience, Bright Data delivers powerful and feature-rich proxies.
The provider has a SOCKS5 residential, static residential (ISP), mobile, datacenter 80M+ IP pool with versatile targeting and filtering options. Bright Data offers users a well-maintained SOCKS5 proxy network with a high success rate and a fast response time. If help is needed, users can rely on extensive documentation or 24/7 support via chat or tickets.
When it comes to pricing, Bright Data’s residential proxies start from $5.88 per GB, static residential (ISP) from $10.50 per GB, mobile from $5.88 per GB, and datacenter $0.42 per GB. Additionally, all of the proxies have a Pay-As-You-Go plan.
The provider offers a 7-day free trial for businesses and gives up to 15 datacenter IPs and 2 GB/month for free. Unlike many providers, Bright Data doesn’t offer a standard refund policy, so users may want to evaluate their options before committing.
Bright Data has earned a 4.6/5 rating on both Trustpilot and G2. The provider stands out for their large IP pool and reliable performance.
Best SOCKS5 proxy providers compared
| SOCKS5 solutions | Other protocols | Free tools | Refund policy | TrustScore | |
| Smartproxy | 4 | HTTP and HTTPS | 4 | 14 days | 4.6 |
| Oxylabs | 4 | HTTP and HTTPS | 2 | 3 days | 4.6 |
| Webshare | 3 | HTTP | 0 | 2 days | 4.2 |
| NetNut | 4 | HTTP and HTTPS | 0 | N/A | 4.5 |
| Bright Data | 4 | HTTP and HTTPS | 0 | N/A | 4.6 |
The table represents data from September 2024
Conclusion
Selecting the best SOCKS5 proxy provider depends on your unique needs. Smartproxy is ideal if you want a blend of affordability and top-tier performance. For premium reliability, Oxylabs is the go-to choice. If cost-effectiveness is your priority, Webshare will surely stand out. NetNut offers the most flexible pricing options, and Bright Data provides the richest feature set for those who want to explore various capabilities.
FAQ
What is the best SOCKS5 proxy provider?
The ideal SOCKS5 proxy provider will vary based on your specific needs and priorities. However, considering factors such as the variety of SOCKS5 solutions, global coverage, and ease of use, Smartproxy, Oxylabs, and Webshare are all strong options to consider.
What is the safest proxy type?
SOCKS5 proxies provide strong security as they support different authentication methods. However, you should select the proxy type that best suits your specific needs and use case.
What are the benefits of using SOCKS5 proxies?
SOCKS5 proxies offer several benefits: they ensure high security by supporting various authentication methods, maintain anonymity by not modifying your data, and support a wide range of traffic types. They’re also known for being versatile, which makes them suitable for various applications, such as streaming and gaming.
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