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Best SOCKS5 Proxy Providers of 2025: Definitive Comparison

Best SOCKS5 Proxy Providers
author jenny
Jenny Avery
Last updated on
2025-10-21
 
10 min read
 

Explore the best SOCKS5 proxies with our expert guide. Compare top providers, key features, and pricing to help you select the ideal solution for your needs.

Quick Summary: Why You Need This Guide

●  What is a SOCKS5 proxy, and how is it different from HTTP/HTTPS proxies?

●  What are the best SOCKS5 proxy providers in 2025?

●  How do residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile SOCKS5 proxies compare?

●  What factors should you consider when choosing a SOCKS5 provider (speed, uptime, success rate, pricing)?

What is a SOCKS5 Proxy and Why Does It Matter in 2025

socks5 proxy server

A SOCKS5 proxy is a proxy server that routes traffic at a lower level than traditional HTTP proxies. Unlike HTTP proxies, which only handle web requests, SOCKS5 supports TCP, UDP, HTTP, HTTPS, and even FTP protocols.

Key benefits of SOCKS5 proxies

Protocol versatility—handles multiple traffic types (ideal for scraping, gaming, and torrenting).

Stronger anonymity—works below the application layer, making detection harder.

Faster connections—lower latency compared to traditional HTTP proxies.

Bypasses restrictions—effective for geo-blocked sites and apps.

Supports all proxy IP types—works with residential, ISP, datacenter, and mobile networks.

👉 Learn more in this in-depth comparison of SOCKS vs HTTP proxies.

What is a SOCKS5 Configurator?

SOCKS5 Configurator is a tool that allows users to configure SOCKS5 proxy servers. It helps users hide their real IP addresses through proxy servers and browse anonymously. Unlike traditional HTTP proxies, SOCKS5 proxies not only support TCP protocol but also UDP traffic, giving them significant advantages in speed and privacy protection. By configuring a SOCKS5 proxy, users can effectively bypass geo-blocking, access restricted websites, protect online privacy, and enhance the security of online activities.

How to configure a SOCKS5 proxy?

For novice users, the SOCKS5 configurator provides an easy way to configure the proxy. Here are a few simple steps to help you get started quickly:

1. Download and install SOCKS5 configurator

First, you need to download and install a configurator that supports SOCKS5 proxy. 

2. Select an appropriate SOCKS5 proxy server

The SOCKS5 proxy configurator will usually ask you to select a proxy server. Choosing a server that suits your location and usage needs is crucial. Many providers will list multiple server locations, and you can choose a server closer to you to increase your connection speed.

3. Configure proxy settings

In the SOCKS5 configurator, you need to enter the proxy server’s address, port number, username, and password (if required). This information is usually provided by your proxy service provider. Depending on the configurator interface, you may also need to choose whether to enable encryption to ensure your network traffic is protected during transmission.

4. Test the connection

Once setup is complete, click the “Connect” button to start testing the connection. If the connection is successful, you can start using the SOCKS5 proxy server. If the connection fails, make sure the information you entered is accurate and that there are no other issues with your network.

This way, you can quickly configure and start using your SOCKS5 proxy, whether you’re browsing the web, downloading files, or watching streaming content.

What Factors Should You Consider When Choosing a SOCKS5 Proxy Provider?

When comparing SOCKS5 proxy services, focus on:

Proxy types available: residential, datacenter, ISP and mobile.

Network size: The larger the IP pool, the better for avoiding bans.

Speed & uptime: A minimum 99.9% uptime is essential.

Success rate: How often requests pass without blocks or errors.

Concurrency: Number of simultaneous sessions supported.

Pricing model: Pay-as-you-go, monthly plans, or hybrid.

Customer support: 24/7 live chat or dedicated managers.

Free trial or demo: Lets you test performance before committing.

What Are the Best SOCKS5 Proxy Providers in 2025

Here’s the definitive list of the top 8 SOCKS5 proxy providers in 2025, ranked by reliability, performance, and price.

1. Thordata 

thordata

Proxy pool: 60M+ IPs (residential, datacenter, ISP, mobile).

Speed: Ultra-low latency, optimized for SOCKS5 connections.

Success rate: 99%+, strong against Reddit, TikTok, and Instagram blocks.

Features: Smart rotation, geo-targeting (country, city, ASN), unlimited sessions.

Pricing: From $1.8/GB, scalable for both startups and enterprises.

Support: 24/7 live chat with dedicated account managers.

👉 Trusted by 20,000+ global users, Thordata offers the most balanced solution for scraping, automation, and multi-account management.

2. Oxylabs 

oxylabs

Proxy types: Residential, datacenter.

Proxy pool: 177M+ IPs in 188 countries.

Speed: ★★★★☆

Success rate: 98%

Pricing: From $8/GB.

Best for large-scale scraping and corporate needs.

3. SOAX 

soax

Proxy types: Residential, mobile, ISP (US only), datacenter.

Proxy pool: 155M+ IPs worldwide.

Success rate: 99.55%.

Pricing: From $90/month ($3.60/GB).

Best for custom rotation and advanced geo-targeting.

4. Decodo (Smartproxy

decodo

Proxy types: Residential, datacenter, ISP, mobile.

Proxy pool: 125M+ IPs.

Uptime: 99.99%.

Pricing: From $6 for 2GB.

Best for budget users and small businesses.

5. Infatica 

infatica

Proxy types: Residential, mobile, static ISP, datacenter.

Global reach: Americas, Europe, Asia.

Pay-as-you-go pricing: $4/GB.

API integration with Python, Node.js, Java.

Best for developers building custom scraping pipelines.

6. IPRoyal 

iproyal

Proxy type: Residential only.

Proxy pool: 32M+ IPs.

Success rate: 99.97%.

Pricing: From $3.68/GB.

Best for low-cost Reddit and sneaker botting.

7. Webshare

webshare

Proxy types: Residential, datacenter.

Concurrency: Up to 3,000 threads.

Pricing: From $2.99/month.

Best for users who need both SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies.

8. PrivateProxy 

privateproxy

Proxy types: Residential (static), datacenter (dedicated).

Coverage: USA, UK, Germany.

Features: Unmetered bandwidth, unlimited connections.

Pricing: From $5/month.

Best for long-term dedicated IP usage.

Top SOCKS5 Proxy Providers Comparison Table

Provider

Proxy types

Pool size

Speed

Success rate

Pricing

Thordata

Residential, datacenter, ISP, mobile

60M+

★★★★★

99%

$1.8/GB

Oxylabs

Residential, datacenter

177M+

★★★★☆

98%

$8/GB

SOAX

Residential, mobile, ISP, datacenter

155M+

★★★★☆

99.55%

$3.60/GB

Smartproxy

Residential, datacenter, ISP, mobile

125M+

★★★★☆

97%

$3/GB

Infatica

Residential, mobile, ISP, datacenter

Millions

★★★★

96%

$4/GB

IPRoyal

Residential only

32M+

★★★

99.97%

$3.68/GB

Webshare

Residential, datacenter

Undisclosed

★★★★

95%

$2.99/GB 

PrivateProxy

Residential, datacenter (dedicated)

Limited

★★★★

96%

$5/GB

When Should You Use SOCKS5 Proxies

SOCKS5 proxies are ideal for:

Web scraping—extracting data from Reddit, Twitter, and e-commerce sites.

Multi-account management—running accounts on Instagram, TikTok, and Reddit.

Streaming & gaming—reducing latency and bypassing geo-blocks.

Torrenting & P2P—faster and safer than HTTP proxies.

Security & privacy—stronger anonymity for sensitive browsing.

Conclusion

After analyzing features, speed, pricing, and success rates, Thordata ranks #1 for SOCKS5 proxies in 2025. With 60M+ IPs, 99% success rate, and smart rotation technology, it provides the most reliable and scalable proxy solution for individuals, developers, and enterprises.

👉 If you need high-performance SOCKS5 proxies for scraping, automation, or multi-account management, Thordata is the best choice in 2025.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use free SOCKS5 proxies for scraping?

 

Free SOCKS5 proxies exist but are often slow, unstable, and risky. They can leak data, compromise security, or get banned quickly. For professional scraping, use trusted providers like Thordata.

What is the difference between SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies?

 

HTTP proxies handle only web traffic, while SOCKS5 supports all protocols (TCP/UDP), making it more versatile for gaming, torrenting, and scraping.

Which SOCKS5 proxy provider is best for Reddit and social media?

 

Thordata is the best provider for Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok because it offers smart IP rotation, residential IPs, and high success rates.

About the author

Jenny is a Content Specialist with a deep passion for digital technology and its impact on business growth. She has an eye for detail and a knack for creatively crafting insightful, results-focused content that educates and inspires. Her expertise lies in helping businesses and individuals navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.

The thordata Blog offers all its content in its original form and solely for informational intent. We do not offer any guarantees regarding the information found on the thordata Blog or any external sites that it may direct you to. It is essential that you seek legal counsel and thoroughly examine the specific terms of service of any website before engaging in any scraping endeavors, or obtain a scraping permit if required.