What Is a SOCKS5 Proxy?

SOCKS5 is the latest version of the SOCKS (Socket Secure) protocol. Unlike HTTP proxies, which only handle web traffic, SOCKS5 operates at a lower level and can proxy virtually any type of network traffic — web browsing, email, file transfers, gaming, torrenting, and more.

Key Features

TCP and UDP support — SOCKS5 handles both connection-oriented (TCP) and connectionless (UDP) traffic. This makes it suitable for streaming, VoIP, and gaming where UDP is essential.
Authentication — SOCKS5 supports username/password authentication, letting proxy providers control access securely.
DNS resolution — When using SOCKS5h (the "h" stands for hostname), DNS queries are resolved by the proxy server rather than your local machine. This prevents DNS leaks that could expose your real location.
Protocol-agnostic — SOCKS5 does not inspect or modify your traffic. It simply relays raw packets, which means it works with any application-layer protocol.

Why SOCKS5 Is the Gold Standard

SOCKS5 combines versatility, security, and performance. It adds minimal overhead because it does not rewrite headers or interpret traffic. Combined with authentication and DNS leak prevention, it offers a level of privacy and flexibility that HTTP proxies cannot match.

Getting Started

All ipproxy.site plans include full SOCKS5 support. Download the client to connect in seconds, or test an existing proxy with our proxy checker. For a detailed comparison, see our guide on HTTP vs SOCKS5 proxies.

What Is a SOCKS5 Proxy?