SOCKS5 Proxy: Complete Guide

What is SOCKS5?

SOCKS5 (Socket Secure version 5) is a proxy protocol that operates at the session layer (Layer 5) of the OSI model. Unlike HTTP proxies that only handle HTTP traffic, SOCKS5 can proxy any TCP or UDP traffic.

SOCKS5 is the go-to protocol for gaming,streaming, and any application that needs to proxy non-HTTP traffic like VoIP, email clients, or P2P applications.

How SOCKS5 Works

Because SOCKS5 doesn't parse application data, it's faster and more versatile. The proxy simply creates a tunnel and relays bytes—it doesn't care what protocol you're using inside.

UDP Support: The Game Changer

The key advantage of SOCKS5 over HTTP proxies isUDP support. Many real-time applications use UDP:

SOCKS5 vs SOCKS5h

For maximum privacy, always use socks5h:// to ensure DNS queries also go through the proxy. This preventsDNS leaks that could reveal your browsing activity.

Configuration Examples

import requests

# socks5h = DNS resolved by proxy (no leaks)
proxies = {
    "http": "socks5h://user:pass@gate.proxies.sx:1080",
    "https": "socks5h://user:pass@gate.proxies.sx:1080"
}

response = requests.get("https://example.com", proxies=proxies)

# SOCKS5 with remote DNS resolution
curl --socks5-hostname user:pass@gate.proxies.sx:1080 https://example.com

# Or using proxy notation
curl -x socks5h://user:pass@gate.proxies.sx:1080 https://example.com

const { chromium } = require('playwright');

const browser = await chromium.launch({
  proxy: {
    server: 'socks5://gate.proxies.sx:1080',
    username: 'user',
    password: 'pass'
  }
});

See integration guides for Playwright,Puppeteer,Selenium, and more.

When to Use SOCKS5