SOCKS5 vs HTTP Proxy: Which One Is Best for You?

A proxy acts as an intermediary for your traffic. Depending on your needs, you might choose an HTTP proxy or a SOCKS5 proxy.

HTTP Proxy

These only handle web traffic (HTTP/HTTPS). Because they are application-aware, they can block specific URLs or strip headers. Great for corporate filtering.

SOCKS5 Proxy

SOCKS5 is lower-level. It doesn't care about the protocol (it works for games, VOIP, torrents, etc.). It is generally faster because it handles less data processing than an HTTP proxy.

The Privacy Warning

Unlike a VPN, standard proxies do not encrypt your traffic by default. They only hide your IP address. For full security, stick with a modern VPN protocol like WireGuard.