Best VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy servers (2024)

In today's digital landscape, where we face geo-restrictions and cybersecurity threats every day, the need for robust online protection is more critical than ever. This is where the SOCKS5 proxy server comes into play. SOCKS5, a versatile server, acts as a bridge between your device and the internet, offering an additional layer of privacy.

It's particularly useful when accessing geo-restricted content or maintaining anonymity is essential. SOCKS5 proxy allows users to change their virtual location and hide their real IP address. You can get the SOCKS5 feature with some VPN services.

This article will help you find the best SOCKS5 proxy VPN. Our experts thoroughly tested and handpicked from 41 VPNs, selecting only the top 5 VPNs with SOCKS5 that excel in performance. Our in-depth guide provides you with insights from our hands-on experiences, aiding you in making an informed decision when choosing the best VPN with SOCKS5 proxy for your specific needs.

5 best VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy

1. NordVPN – best VPN with SOCKS5 servers overall
2. IPVanish – optimal VPN for SOCKS5 and speed
3. PrivateVPN – user-friendly SOCKS5 proxy VPN
4. Private Internet Access (PIA) – trusted VPN with SOCKS5 integration
5. Hide.me – efficient SOCKS5 proxy VPN for privacy

How to choose a VPN with SOCKS5 proxy?

Choosing the right VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy requires thorough consideration of key factors to ensure optimal privacy, speed, and user experience.

• Servers. The key and most obvious factor to consider is the number of SOCKS5 servers and IP addresses the VPN service offers.
• Secure authentication. The VPN provider should support username and password authentication for the SOCKS5 proxy.
• Pricing. Some VPN providers offer SOCKS5 proxies as part of their standard subscription, while others may charge extra for this feature.
• Ease of configuration. A user-friendly setup process for the SOCKS5 proxy makes it more accessible to users. It’s also important for the VPN provider to offer technical support on how to set up the SOCKS5 proxy when users face difficulties.
• VPN features. General VPN features should also be considered, including fast speeds, reliable encryption, no-logs policy, and others.

By carefully evaluating these factors, you can choose a VPN with SOCKS5 that aligns with your specific needs for security, privacy, and usability.

Best SOCKS5 proxy VPNs – detailed list:

After rigorously testing numerous VPNs, we focused on VPNs with SOCKS5 servers, security, speed, server diversity, and user experience as our main criteria. Our comprehensive analysis led us to the top 5 VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy servers, ensuring optimal performance and privacy.

1. NordVPN – exceptional SOCKS5 proxy VPN features

Servers/countries:	6300+ servers in 111 countries
Money-back guarantee:	30 days
SOCKS5 proxy servers:	Yes
Current deal:	🔥 Get 74% OFF NordVPN + 3 months free 🔥

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN stands out as the top VPN with Socks5 proxy, particularly excelling in security features and speed. It’s an ideal VPN option that includes 9 Socks5 proxy addresses.

What we liked most about NordVPN is that it allows complete control of how you want to set up the SOCKS5 proxy. NordVPN used to have a one-click option to connect to a SOCKS5 server, unfortunately, this is not an option anymore, so you’ll have to do the configuration manually.

Talking about NordVPN as a VPN provider in general, its advanced security capabilities, combining AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, ensure a fortified online presence. We love that it ensures top-notch privacy with its audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers. Additionally, NordVPN's Dark Web Monitoring and Threat Protection offer an extra layer of security.

In terms of performance, our tests confirmed NordVPN shines with its exceptional speed, thanks to its NordLynx protocol and robust server infrastructure. This ensures a smooth browsing and streaming experience for users. Its unique features, such as the built-in ad blocker, various server types, and, of course, the SOCKS5 proxy, enhance its versatility. The Meshnet feature, exclusive to NordVPN, allows remote device access, adding to its appeal.

NordVPN is also a powerhouse for streaming, effortlessly unblocking platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Its Smart DNS technology extends VPN benefits to devices without native VPN support. Pricewise, NordVPN offers great value, especially with its long-term plans, with prices starting at $3.09/month, complemented by a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

2. IPVanish – excellent SOCKS5 proxy performance

Servers/countries:	2400+ servers in 55 countries
Money-back guarantee:	30 days
SOCKS5 proxy servers:	Yes
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 83% OFF IPVanish + 3 months FREE 🔥

View IPVanish

IPVanish is a versatile and respected VPN provider, excelling in protection, torrenting, and streaming, and naturally, it offers a solid and free Socks5 Proxy with 23 addresses to choose from.

Same as NordVPN, IPVanish also includes SOCKS5 proxy servers in all its plans. If you don’t need encryption but need extra privacy, connecting to a SOCKS5 server should be your choice. It also needs manual configuration, but it’s a fairly easy process if you have some technical knowledge.

Talking about IPVanish in general, it offers quality service together with affordability. Its commitment to security is evident in its use of AES-256 encryption with SHA-512 hash functions. Despite being based in the US, a member of the 5-Eyes alliance, IPVanish maintains an audited no-logs policy and includes a functional kill switch for added data protection.

Performance-wise, IPVanish stands out with its support for multiple tunneling protocols, including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. Our tests showed that WireGuard offers the fastest results. For streaming, IPVanish unblocks platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer effortlessly.

IPVanish works well with most devices and operating systems, though its desktop apps could benefit from some refinement for better usability. The pricing is attractive, starting at $2.19/month and offering unlimited connections, backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

3. PrivateVPN – accessible and dependable Socks5 VPN support

Servers/countries:	200+ servers in 63 locations
Money-back guarantee:	30 days
SOCKS5 proxy servers:	Yes
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 85% OFF! 🔥

Visit PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN emerges as a strong contender in the VPN market, particularly for its user-friendly SOCKS5 support, making it a viable choice.

We were pleasantly surprised to know that it comes with over 80 proxy addresses, which is a great selection. Besides, Private VPN provides instructions on how to set up SOCKS5 proxy on different devices.

PrivateVPN, as a whole, offers a balanced mix of speed, security, and accessibility. Its advanced security features include the industry-standard AES-256 encryption, which can be customized to suit user preferences. A significant aspect of PrivateVPN is its strict no-logs policy, ensuring user privacy is maintained at all times.

While not the fastest, PrivateVPN provides sufficient speeds for browsing, torrenting, and streaming, excelling in unblocking geo-restricted content on platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Its server diversity covers a wide range of locations, offering good global reach. The inclusion of features like port forwarding and the StealthVPN obfuscation technique enhances its capability to bypass VPN blocks, particularly in restrictive regions like China.

PrivateVPN offers competitive pricing, especially for long-term subscriptions, starting at $2.00/month. Their pricing model provides a balance of affordability and value, considering the unlimited simultaneous connections and comprehensive features included. In addition, you can test the service for free with the 7-day trial.

4. Private Internet Access (PIA) – renowned for reliable SOCKS5 connectivity

Servers/countries:	30000+ servers in 91 locations
Money-back guarantee:	30 days
SOCKS5 proxy servers:	Yes
Current deal:	🔥 Get PIA, now 83% OFF + 4 Months FREE! 🔥

Visit Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a popular choice among VPN experts and users due to its strong security features, including a reliable SOCKS5 proxy address, and affordable pricing.

PIA may not be the fastest option, especially when compared to services like NordVPN, but if speed is your top priority and you don’t need extra security, connecting to a SOCKS5 server should solve the issue.

PIA's strengths include good torrenting capabilities, a kill switch on all clients, and the ability to unblock streaming libraries on platforms like Netflix or Disney+. It offers basic but solid security with customizable encryption levels. However, its average speeds and lack of extra features may be a drawback for some users, particularly those prioritizing fast browsing or streaming.

Despite its large server count, the service may require selecting the nearest server for optimal performance. This can be limiting for accessing streaming libraries from distant countries, besides, we could only find one SOCKS5 proxy address.

Nevertheless, PIA offers a good balance of price and features for users seeking basic security and SOCKS5 connectivity. Prices start from $2.03/month, and it also offers anonymous payment methods, emphasizing its focus on privacy.

5. Hide.me – privacy-centric SOCKS5 proxy VPN

Servers/countries:	2000+ servers in 91 locations
Money-back guarantee:	30 days
SOCKS5 proxy servers:	Yes
Current deal:	🔥 Now up to 75% OFF + 3 months FREE! 🔥

Visit Hide.me VPN

Hide.me, a Malaysian-based VPN service, offers a unique balance of privacy features and accessibility and is a suitable option for people in need of a SOCKS5 proxy. Unlike other VPN services, the SOCKS5 proxy is inseparable from the Hide.me VPN connection, so, you'll have to be connected to it via VPN. However, it does limit the potential usage scenarios and might hinder your connection speed. On the other hand, you get more security.

In general, Hide.me is notable for its free version, which, despite some limitations, provides DNS leak protection, a kill switch, and even supports torrenting. However, its paid plans are more expensive compared to other market leaders like NordVPN. Nevertheless, we really like that the service excels in unblocking most streaming services, like Netflix and Amazon Prime, and supports up to 10 simultaneous connections.

Hide.me includes a robust SOCKS5 proxy, bolstering its appeal for privacy-focused users. Additionally, Hide.me's customer support stands out for its effectiveness and responsiveness. On the downside, the kill switch doesn't always function reliably, and the mobile apps are somewhat basic.

Hide.me offers a range of pricing options starting from $2.43/month and even provides a unique free version with limited features, making it accessible for users who want to try their services without an initial financial commitment. The 30-day money-back guarantee gives additional peace of mind.

Best VPNs with SOCKS5 proxies compared

Brand	Server network	Security	Speed	Streaming	Kill switch	SOCKS5 proxy	Simultaneous connections	Price (starting from)	Money-back guarantee	Platforms
NordVPN	6300+ servers in 111 countries	AES-256, ChaCha20	Retains up to 90% of speed	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Yes	Yes	10	$3.09/month	30 days	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
IPVanish	2400+ servers in 55 countries	AES-256	Retains around 80% of speed	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more	Yes	Yes	Unlimited	$2.19/month	30 days	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
PrivateVPN	30000+ servers in 91 locations	AES-256, customizable encryption	Above-average speeds	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Video, and more	Yes	Yes	10	$2.00/month	30 days	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
PIA	30000+ servers in 91 locations	AES-256	Average speeds	Netflix, YouTube, Hulu, BBC iPlayer	Yes	Yes	Unlimited	$2.03/month	30 days	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Opera
Hide.me	2000+ servers in 91 locations	AES-256	High speeds with nearby servers	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Youtube, and more	Yes (but inconsistent)	Yes	10	$2.43/month	30 days	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS

How we tested SOCKS5 proxy VPNs

To determine the best VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy, we employed a systematic and thorough testing approach. We researched 41 premium VPNs, taking into consideration the most important aspects a SOCKS5 proxy VPN should have.

• Security and encryption. We evaluated general VPN features like the strength of encryption protocols and security features like kill switches and DNS leak protection.
• Speed and performance. We conducted speed tests to measure the impact of VPNs on internet connection speeds, especially when using the SOCKS5 proxy.
• Server network. We assessed the size and diversity of each VPN’s server network, including the availability of servers optimized for SOCKS5 proxy.
• Streaming and torrenting capabilities. We tested each VPN's ability to unblock popular streaming services and support torrenting activities.
• User experience. The ease of use, interface design, and customer support responsiveness were examined to ensure a hassle-free experience. Also, the complexity and control over manual SOCKS5 proxy setup.
• Price and value for money. We compared subscription plans, pricing, and the availability of free trials or money-back guarantees.
• Compatibility. We checked the compatibility of each VPN with various platforms and devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS.
• Privacy policy. We scrutinized the privacy policies of each VPN, particularly focusing on logging practices and jurisdiction. An audited no-logs policy was our main criterion regarding privacy.

Through this comprehensive testing and evaluation process, we ensured that our selected VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy are reliable, secure, and offer the best value to users.

Do I need a VPN with SOCKS5 proxy?

Understanding whether you need a VPN with SOCKS5 proxy largely depends on your online activities, especially if they include torrenting. SOCKS5, an advanced form of proxy, can reroute your internet traffic through a separate server, effectively masking your IP address. This is particularly beneficial for torrenting, as it adds an extra layer of anonymity, reducing the risk of exposure and enhancing privacy.

However, while a SOCKS5 proxy conceals your IP address, it doesn't encrypt your internet traffic, leaving you vulnerable to surveillance and cyber threats. This is where a VPN is more useful. A VPN not only hides your IP address but also encrypts your entire internet connection. This encryption ensures that your online activities, personal data, and communications are secure from trackers, hackers, and even the ISP.

For torrenting, whether to use a VPN or SOCKS5 proxy, all depends on your needs. If you need better speeds but are OK with less security, SOCKS5 proxy is your choice. However, if you want to stay secure and encrypt your data, better go with a VPN connection. The Socks5 proxy contributes to increased anonymity and avoiding IP bans, while the VPN's encryption shields you from potential cyber threats.

How do I set up a VPN with SOCKS5?

Setting up a VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy generally involves a few key steps. While the specific process can vary slightly depending on the VPN provider and the device you're using, here's a general guide that should apply to most situations:

1. Choose a reliable VPN provider that offers SOCKS5 proxy servers. We strongly recommend NordVPN
2. Sign up and install the VPN app
3. Find the SOCKS5 proxy servers’ details on your VPN’s website
4. On the application that you want to set up a proxy (torrenting client, for example), find the proxy settings and fill out the form with the proxy server’s address of your choice. For the port number, in NordVPN’s case, fill in 1080
5. Make sure to tick the boxes near things like: – Authentication – Use proxy for hostname lookups – Use proxy for peer-to-peer connections – Disable all local DNS lookups – Disable features that leak identifying information – Disable connections unsupported by the proxy
6. For the authentication use your VPN’s credentials. For example, NordVPN service’s username and password, which you can find in your NordVPN account dashboard: Services – NordVPN – Setup NordVPN manually

Try NordVPN’s SOCKS5 servers

You can also set SOCKS5 proxy up on your computer.

Set up the SOCKS5 proxy on Windows

The process of setting up SOCKS5 proxy on Windows is very simple:

1. Go to Settings – Network & internet – Proxy
2. Under Manual proxy setup, click on Set up
3. A new window will pop up where you will need to toggle on the Use a proxy server and fill in your VPN provider’s SOCKS5 proxy server details
4. Click Save

Set up the SOCKS5 proxy on macOS

To set SOCKS5 proxy on macOS is also effortless:

1. Go to System preferences – Network – Advanced – Proxies
2. From the menu, select SOCKS5 Proxy
3. Fill in your VPN provider’s SOCKS5 proxy server address
4. Click OK

Remember, while SOCKS5 proxies add a layer of anonymity, they do not encrypt your traffic like a VPN does. For the highest level of security and privacy, it's recommended to use a VPN.

What about a free Socks5 VPN?

While the idea of a free Socks5 VPN might seem appealing, we do not recommend this option. Generally, truly free VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy are rare and often come with significant limitations like restricted bandwidth, fewer server options, and potentially weaker security protocols. Moreover, free VPN services might monetize their offerings through ads or, more concerning, by compromising user data.

A safer alternative is to opt for reputable VPN providers that offer free trials or money-back guarantees. This way, you can test their SOCKS5 proxy features and capabilities without any financial commitment. Using these options, you can evaluate the VPN's performance and SOCKS5 functionality, ensuring you make an informed decision without compromising on security, privacy, or quality of service.

• NordVPN – offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for Android users
• IPVanish – also has a 30-day money refund policy and a 7-day free trial for iOS and Android devices

Try NordVPN risk-free

Final thoughts

In conclusion, choosing the right VPN with SOCKS5 proxy is a crucial decision for enhancing your online privacy and anonymity, especially for activities like torrenting. After thorough testing and evaluation, our top pick is NordVPN for its selection of SOCKS5 proxy servers, as well as its exceptional blend of security, speed, and user-friendly features.

NordVPN stands out for the possibility of using a regular VPN service or connecting to a SOCKS5 proxy, depending on your needs. It has robust encryption, fast speed retention, and reliable SOCKS5 proxy integration, making it ideal for a wide range of online activities. Its overall performance and reliability place it a notch above the rest. Remember, investing in a quality VPN service not only secures your digital life but also provides peace of mind in the ever-evolving online world.

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