Are you trying to decide how to use a proxy but aren’t sure about the difference between a SOCKS5 proxy and a HTTP proxy? This article will explain the difference and use cases for both types of proxies, as well as explain the advantages and disadvantages of both.
We’ll also point you to our preferred provider of proxies so you can find the best SOCKS5 proxies and best HTTP proxies available right now.
What is an HTTP Proxy?
HTTP proxies, and respective HTTPS proxies are made to change your IP address when you browse the web. HTTP proxies just change your IP address, whereas HTTPS proxies change your IP and encrypt your traffic with SSL encryption–so it can’t be read from an outside source.
HTTP proxies don’t affect your browsing speeds that much and provide a good layer of anonymity since your real world IP isn’t seen. However, HTTPs proxies change your IP and encrypt your traffic, which means there is a bit more of a speed decrease with more added anonymity.
HTTP and HTTPs proxies are generally used for browsers. The process would be to install an extension from something like the Mozilla app store, or the Chrome app store, login with your provided credentials, and connect to the proxy provider’s servers.
HTTP proxies are good for streaming or geo-unblocking content, and HTTPS is better for security. Usually a proxy provider, will give both as options depending on your need.
What is a SOCKS5 Proxy?
SOCKS5 proxies use encryption and shared IPs to make your traffic anonymous. SOCKS5 proxies are ideally used for BitTorrent programs like Vuze,qBittorrent,uTorrent or any other torrent app. They use UDP and TCP transfer protocols which means that you get access to as many peers as possible to keep download rates high. When deciding which SOCKS5 proxy to use, you want to use a proxy provider that doesn’t keep logs of your traffic so you can torrent and download content without worrying about anything.
Best SOCKS5 and HTTP Proxy Provider?
What is my favorite SOCKS5 and HTTP Proxy provider? Well, it just so happens that my #1 rated VPN on this site is the best provider for SOCKS5 proxies and HTTP (and HTTPS) proxies.TorGuard is a good option since it has the most amount of servers, no logging policies, fast speeds, and good pricing.
With TorGuard, you can spend $9.99 a month, and get access to VPN, SOCKS5 proxy, AND a HTTP proxy! This is a great deal. It also helps that I’ve made a good amount of videos showing you how to do all three! Check them out below, or visit TorGuard now to get started.
How to use a SOCKS5 Proxy with Torrenting?
If you want to use a SOCKS5 proxy with torrenting, it’s very simple. Just find a SOCKS5 proxy provider, and then once you buy it and get credentials, you can log into the servers on your uTorrent app or any other BitTorrent app. I’ve made a good video showing you how to do so below.
How to use SOCKS5 Proxy with TorGuard
Proxy vs VPN – What’s the Difference?
We now know the difference between SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies–but what’s the difference between a VPN and a proxy? Find out now in this video:
