SOCKS5 Proxy vs VPN – What’s the Difference?

SOCKS5 Proxy vs VPN? What is the difference? When it comes to downloading torrents anonymously, most people either use SOCKS5 or Virtual Private Networks. Each method has its pros and cons. In this guide, I will compare the two and hopefully help you decide which solution is best to achieve online anonymity and bypass geo-restrictions.

SOCKS5 Proxy vs VPN – What’s the Difference?

What is SOCKS5?

Socket Secure, aka SOCKS, is a protocol specifically used for proxy servers. SOCKS5 basically is a versatile extension of the SOCKS protocol that supports advanced networking technologies, such as the UDP protocol and IPv6. It is able to transfer most types of data packets and protocols. A SOCKS5 proxy masks your IP address in order to bypass geolocation restrictions and restrictive firewalls. It routes the Internet traffic of a specific program or app through a third-party proxy server. This process allows you to change the public IP address of the program you have setup SOCKS5 on. Access to that proxy server requires authentication i.e. only authenticated users can access those servers.

What is VPN?

VPN stands for virtual private network. When you connect to a VPN server all your Internet traffic will pass through a secure remote server. That server will then encrypt all of your traffic. Your IP address will also be masked in the process. In terms of online anonmity and privacy, there aren’t any better alternatives that I can think of. Perhaps VPN’s only real downside is that the process of encrypting your traffic can drag down your Internet speed slightly. Unlike SOCKS5 proxies where your traffic is only partially encrypted, VPN protects all your Internet connection from potential eavesdroppers.

SOCKS5 Proxy vs VPN

Both VPN and a SOCKS5 proxy can hide your IP address. However, unlike VPN, a proxy server does not offer encrypt your traffic. This is the main reason why SOCKS5 proxies are consider faster than VPN. The fact they don’t have to expend resources to encrypt traffic results in faster download/upload speeds than a VPN connection with strong encryption. Basically, choosing between VPN and SOCK5 is a trade-off between privacy and speed.

At the end of the day, VPN provides you with far greater security and anonymity. End-to-end encryption is what prevents ISPs, advertisers, government agencies, cyber criminals, and anyone in between from monitoring your online activity. SOCKS5 simply masks your online identity.

• Both SOCKS5 and VPN can hide your IP address and conceal your identity online.
• While VPN encrypts your traffic, SOCK5 doesn’t.
• Using a SOCKS5 proxy for uTorrent or other P2P app will allow you to achieve better download/upload speeds when compared to VPN.
• Your ISP might still be able to monitor your downloading activities if you use SOCKS5. Only VPN provides complete anonymity.
• SOCKS5 can only be used on specific applications such as uTorrent
• VPN, on the other hand, encrypts all of your traffic, regardless of what you are doing online.
• When it comes to bypassing geo-restrictions, VPN is the better alternative.
• In some instances, proxy servers might keep logs. That means if anyone is able to hack those servers, they will be able to obtain logs of your online activities.
• VPN services like IPVanish, in comparison, keep zero logs of your browsing activities.

SOCKS5 vs VPN – Which One to Choose?

Well, you don’t have to make a compromise. There are certain VPN services that offer their users both VPN and SOCK5 proxies. IPVanish and NordVPN are both good examples. You don’t have to pay any extra fees if you wish to setup their SOCKS5 proxies on your uTorrent app.

Personally, I do prefer VPN. If you use a proper VPN service and connect to a server that isn’t far off, the speed difference is almost unnoticeable. Not to mention the fact SOCKS5 is inferior to VPN when it comes to online anonymity. Still, if you are particularly naggy about Internet speeds you can use SOCKS 5 for all your P2P activities.

What about Smart DNS Proxies?

Smart DNS proxy services like Unlocator are a great option if all you want is to unblock streaming channels that aren’t available in your region. In this particular instance, only the traffic that reveals your location to the particular site you wish to unblock is rerouted.

However, Smart DNS does not encrypt your traffic at all. Your ISP and copyright trolls can still monitor your downloading activities even if you have setup Smart DNS proxies on your device.

SOCKS5 vs VPN – Conclusion

In the end, it all comes down to your personal preferences. Personally, I reckon you can never be too cautious about your online privacy. That’s why I strongly advise using VPN instead of SOCKS5 proxies if you value your privacy and security while downloading torrents.