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4 Best VPNs With SOCKS5 Proxy: Servers, Setup, and Thorough Testing

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If you want to torrent in a secure setting with super-fast speeds, you need the best VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support.

I’ll cut to the chase: NordVPN has everything you need.

Not only is SOCKS5 included with its service for free, but there are ten SOCKS5 servers to choose from, including options in the US and Europe.

Plus, they’re fast!

But there are other VPN providers, too, like PIA and IPVanish.

So, keep reading for all the info, including in-depth P2P tests on every VPN listed!

Top 3 VPNs With SOCKS5 Proxy

SOCKS5 PROXY MULTI-HOP
PIA
pia devices

Private Internet Access has two things that will attract SOCKS5 proxy users – a SOCKS5 proxy address for torrent clients and web browsers and a dedicated in-app feature that reroutes your VPN traffic through the SOCKS5 proxy (ideal for extra security). Plus, it’s fast!

4.6/5
Read More
BEST CHOICE
NordVPN
NordVPN devices

NordVPN has 10 SOCKS5 proxy addresses that are excellent for P2P activities and unblocking geo-locked content (like Hulu and Netflix). Plus, NordVPN’s NL SOCKS5 servers performed the fastest during my tests! Throw in a no-logs policy and you’ve got a great deal.

4.8/5
Get Discount
25+ SOCKS5 SERVERS
IPVanish
ipvanish devices

IPVanish has the most SOCKS5 proxy addresses on my list – 25+ in 14 countries, including 13 in the US! So it’s not surprising that IPVanish is a great choice for torrenting (and scored second in my speed tests). Plus, you might get lucky with Hulu or BBC iPlayer.

4.6/5
Read More

There’s more to finding a VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support than just finding a VPN with the SOCKS5 proxy.

I wanted VPNs with SOCKS5 servers in numerous locations, super-fast speeds, easy setups, and no restrictions.

If they had in-app SOCKS5 servers, even better!

But I also considered other things, like P2P support, kill switches, and no-logs policies.

Ready to find out what VPNs made my list and why?

See the next section for a sneak peek.

Want to Torrent With Fast SOCKS5 Speeds ASAP? Grab One of My Top VPNs First!

I get it – you’re antsy to start your P2P adventures.

Still, before you start torrenting, grab one of my recommended VPN services with SOCKS5 proxy support:

  • NordVPN – SOCKS5 Proxy With Premium Security & P2P Servers
  • Private Internet Access – SOCKS5 & Multi-Hop for Security-Conscious P2P Users
  • IPVanish – Many SOCKS5 Servers for Easy & Fast Torrenting
  • Hide.me – SOCKS5 Browser Extension Support & Advanced User Interface

And when you’re done for the night, read my full guide!

You don’t want to miss the in-depth reviews on each VPN or the tests I put them through to verify the reliability of their SOCKS5 proxies!

NordVPN logo
NordVPN devices

NordVPN

Best Choice

Despite no longer having one-click SOCKS5 proxy servers, NordVPN is still my top choice for a VPN client with SOCKS5 proxy support. The biggest reason for this is speed – NordVPN’s SOCKS5 servers had the best speeds during my tests! But having 10 servers to choose from in numerous locations doesn’t hurt, either. Plus, if you want to divvy your time between the SOCKS5 and normal servers, there are dedicated P2P servers you can use in the app.

Everything You Need to Know About the Best VPNs With SOCKS5 Proxy

Ready to dip your toes in my in-depth reviews on four reliable VPNs with SOCKS5 proxy support?

I even include a table in each review that showcases P2P SOCKS5 test results!

But don’t forget to read the testing section at the end of the reviews (I explain my testing process and compare results)!

1. NordVPN – SOCKS5 Proxy With Premium Security & P2P Servers

nordvpn socks5 proxy
SOCKS5 Criteria: NordVPN’s Results:
Number of Servers? 10
Locations? US, Europe, and the British Isles
P2P Max Speed? 16.4 MiB/s (NL)
P2P Average Speed? 11.1 MiB/s (NL)
P2P Completion Time? 13 minutes
Access to Streaming Services? Hulu, Netflix (US, NL, SE, IE), Disney Plus
One-Click Servers? No

If you’re struggling with slow proxies while torrenting, NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy is the solution.

It had the best performance out of all the VPNs on my list, with a max download speed of 16.4 MiB/s and an average of 11.1 MiB/s

It’s also super-easy to set up in qBittorrent, uTorrent, BitTorrent, or whatever torrent client you use.

Just put your preferred SOCKS5 server, the recommended port, and your NordVPN username and password in the applicable place (usually Settings), and enjoy!

nordvpn proxy server

Speaking of SOCKS5 servers, NordVPN has ten to choose from in the US, Europe, and the British Isles:

Europe & British Isles:

  • amsterdam.nl.socks.nordhold.net
  • nl.socks.nordhold.net
  • se.socks.nordhold.net
  • stockholm.se.socks.nordhold.net
  • dublin.ie.socks.nordhold.net
  • ie.socks.nordhold.net

United States:

  • atlanta.us.socks.nordhold.net
  • dallas.us.socks.nordhold.net
  • los-angeles.us.socks.nordhold.net
  • us.socks.nordhold.net

That’s not as many as IPVanish, but it’s far more than PIA and Hide.me!

And regardless, it’s enough to enjoy super-fast P2P activities with a stable connection and zero errors.

But if P2P isn’t what you’re interested in, NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy is also great for unblocking geo-locked content – for example, Hulu and Netflix!

streaming hulu with nordvpn

In fact, I tested all of NordVPN’s US SOCKS5 servers with both streaming platforms and had instant success with the Atlanta and Los Angeles servers.

manual proxy configurations

Plus, setting up the proxy in your preferred web browser is easy if you know what extension to look for!

I recommend FoxyProxy – I’ll discuss more on that later (including step-by-step setup instructions).

foxy proxy browser extension

In the meantime, let’s talk about NordVPN’s one fallback.

It used to have one-click SOCKS5 proxy servers in the app.

But in 2020, these were taken out for “optimization.”

The bad news is the optimization is still ongoing, with no ETA of when the servers will return.

But I double-checked with support, just to be sure:

nordvpn chat support

This is hugely disappointing, as those servers gave NordVPN a unique edge over many competitors with SOCKS5 support.

In fact, the only VPNs on my list with something similar are PIA and Hide.me.

But, on the bright side, NordVPN is the only VPN on my list with dedicated P2P servers – so if you want a break from the SOCKS5 proxy or better security for your P2P activities, you can easily connect to one in the app.

On top of that, NordVPN operates a no-logs policy, meaning any activities you get up to with your SOCKS5 proxy (or P2P server) aren’t logged or stored by the provider.

Still, it’s important to remember that proxies don’t offer the same anonymity as VPNs.

AKA: if you’re using NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy, your network traffic isn’t encrypted.

Luckily, you have unlimited access to NordVPN’s reliable app, featuring all the premium security features you need, like two kill switches, 256-bit AES encryption, a double VPN, obfuscation, RAM-only servers, and an Onion Over VPN feature.

Plus, NordVPN is very affordable.

Take a look at its plans:

NordVPN pricing
Image for illustration only. Design, deals, and details may differ. Click on the image for current info.

Want to save the MOST on your NordVPN SOCKS5 proxy?

Click here for a discount!

Pros

Cons

2. Private Internet Access – SOCKS5 & Multi-Hop Proxy for Security-Conscious P2P Users

private internet access page
SOCKS5 Criteria: PIA’s Results:
Number of Servers? 1 (not including Multi-Hop)
Locations? The Netherlands
P2P Max Speed? 14.7 MiB/s (NL)
P2P Average Speed? 9.8 MiB/s (NL)
P2P Completion Time? 18 minutes
Access to Streaming Services? Netflix NL, Disney Plus
One-Click Servers? Yes, via Multi-Hop (Shadowsocks)

Private Internet Access (PIA) wasn’t going to place second originally, but its Multi-Hop feature changed my mind.

What does that have to do with the SOCKS5 proxy?

PIA takes a unique approach to its Multi-Hop feature by combining obfuscation with a double VPN.

But the provider takes it a step further.

Instead of rerouting your VPN traffic through a second VPN server, it’s rerouted through a proxy.

pia proxy settings

You can choose between your typical SOCKS5 proxy or the lightweight Shadowsocks proxy.

Here’s where it can benefit you.

If you’re concerned about privacy and security – or you live in a country with harsh censorship laws – this atypical Multi-Hop feature will protect your network traffic without the usual speed loss associated with double VPNs (and/or obfuscation).

It’s also easy to set up directly in PIA’s app (Settings > MultiHop).

pia multi hop settings

If you opt for this SOCKS5 protection, I recommend Shadowsocks.

Its lightweight protection means your speeds are faster.

It also has more locations: the Netherlands, UK, US, Switzerland, Canada, Japan, and Israel.

Meanwhile, the SOCKS5 option requires manual input.

You can use PIA’s dedicated SOCKS5 server address or your own.

private internet access (pia) socks5 proxy settings

Whatever you decide, PIA is the only VPN on my list (and possibly in general) that lets you combine obfuscation and a double VPN with a SOCKS5 proxy (Shadowsocks or otherwise).

This gives it a unique edge unmatched by the other VPNs here.

There’s also the option of using PIA’s SOCKS5 server in your preferred torrent client or web browser.

The catch?

There’s only one server, and it’s in the Netherlands (proxy-nl.privateinternetaccess.com).

On top of that, PIA makes it somewhat complicated to set up.

Instead of using your default login credentials, you have to go to your Client Control Panel and generate new ones.

(Downloads > Scroll to bottom > VPN Settings > SOCKS)

pia socks5 vpn settings

After that, the setup is the same as NordVPN.

As for speed, PIA placed third in my tests.

That might seem disappointing, but really, its SOCKS5 performance (not using Multi-Hop) was still fast (max of 14.7 MiB/s and average of 9.8 MiB/s).

It fell shortly behind IPVanish.

This means your P2P activities will be fast and stable – with no connection errors to worry about.

Although, expect a slightly more drastic speed loss with Multi-Hop.

The last thing worth mentioning about PIA’s SOCKS5 proxy is its streaming capabilities.

Since it’s in the Netherlands, you can’t access US-based streaming services (obviously).

But I did access Netflix NL and Disney Plus.

netflix pia

PS: I don’t recommend using Multi-Hop to stream.

You’re better off using regular servers for that.

There are even dedicated streaming servers!

Moving on, PIA also has a no-logging policy, so your activities – whether streaming or torrenting – won’t be logged or stored by the VPN provider.

However, if you’re not using the Multi-Hop feature, your network traffic isn’t encrypted, so keep that in mind!

PIA’s bonus is that it supports P2P on every (regular) server and port forwarding on most servers, so there are plenty of torrenting methods you can use for increased protection, speed, etc. 

private internet access (pia) request port forwarding

But there is one downside I want to discuss.

Like NordVPN, PIA got rid of its one-click SOCKS5 servers (with the integration of its Multi-Hop feature).

At least there’s still a similar option, but it would be nice to have one-click servers for SOCKS5 without the double VPN.

Let’s end on a good note, though.

PIA is one of the most affordable VPNs on my list!

But, as always, I have a special link that will give you a MAJOR discount!

Pros

Cons

3. IPVanish – Many SOCKS5 Servers for Easy & Fast Torrenting

ipvanish socks5 proxy
SOCKS5 Criteria: IPVanish’s Results:
Number of Servers? 25+
Locations? US, UK, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and more
P2P Max Speed? 14.9 MiB/s (PL)
P2P Average Speed? 10.8 MiB/s (PL)
P2P Completion Time? 16 minutes
Access to Streaming Services? (Unreliably) Hulu and BBC iPlayer
One-Click Servers? No

IPVanish is deserving of a place on this list.

And for some, it might be worth more than the other VPNs, thanks to its massive offering of SOCKS5 IP addresses.

There are 25+ in total in many countries – Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, the UK, and the US.

Almost every country has one server address, except the US, which has 13.

(Here’s the link with all the server addresses.)

This is the biggest offering on my list (not counting PIA’s or Hide.me’s in-app servers)!

On top of that, IPVanish also performed spectacularly in my SOCKS5 speed tests, stealing second place with a max download speed of 14.9 MiB/s and an average of 10.8 MiB/s.

torrenting with ipvanish

This placed it just behind NordVPN – a mighty impressive feat!

All of these things make IPVanish an excellent choice for fast and reliable SOCKS5 P2P activities.

You can easily find a nearby server and connect it to your preferred torrent client!

But I have bad news if you’re in it for the streaming potential.

Getting IPVanish’s SOCKS5 proxy servers to work with streaming platforms is hit or miss.

Sometimes, I accessed BBC iPlayer and Hulu.

But most of the time, I didn’t – and I never unblocked Netflix or Disney Plus.

streaming hulu with ipvanish

There are a couple of other downsides.

First, IPVanish doesn’t have a one-click solution for SOCKS5 servers like PIA.

This wouldn’t be a huge deal if the setup was easy.

But IPVanish’s second downside is that it requires the same extra step as PIA (going to the Client Control Panel and generating login details).

You can access this by logging in to your account and selecting the SOCKS5 Proxy tab.

You can also change your credentials by clicking “Reset Credentials.”

ipvanish socks5 proxy reset credentials

So, it’s not rocket science – and it is easier to find than with PIA.

But the extra step might deter some users.

Moving on, IPVanish operates a no-logging policy, meaning whatever you get up to with your SOCKS5 proxy isn’t logged or stored by the provider.

However, like (most of) the others on this list (and proxies in general), your network traffic isn’t encrypted.

But if you decide to use IPVanish’s regular servers, you’ll get top-tier security, like 256-bit AES encryption and a robust kill switch!

Although, IPVanish is expensive.

Even its yearly plan offers little savings compared to the others on my list.

ipvanish subscription prices

Luckily, THIS DISCOUNT LINK will save you BIG bucks!

Pros

Cons

4. Hide.me – SOCKS5 Browser Extension Support & Advanced User Interface

hide.me socks5 proxy
SOCKS5 Criteria: Hide.me’s Results:
Number of Servers? 1,400+
Locations? US, UK, Europe, Asia, Oceania, and more
P2P Max Speed? 14.1 MiB/s (SK)
P2P Average Speed? 9.0 MiB/s (SK)
P2P Completion Time? 22 minutes
Access to Streaming Services? No
One-Click Servers? Two-click servers via Browser Extensions

Hide.me is the last recommendation on my list of the best VPNs with SOCKS5 proxies and the third VPN with an in-app SOCKS5 solution.

It’s kind of weird, though.

Even the “one-click solution” is more like a two-click solution for starters.

It involves connecting to a server in the app and then enabling the SOCKS5 proxy in Hide.me’s browser extension and connecting to it.

And that’s the weirdest part: you can’t use Hide.me’s SOCKS5 proxy unless you’re connected to a server in its VPN app.

On the bright side, all of the VPN provider’s servers support the SOCKS5 proxy – that’s 28 countries to choose from, including servers in Europe, the US, the UK, Asia, and Oceania.

But you’re also connecting to the SOCKS5 proxy over the VPN server: “Our proxy server is available only to our Premium subscribers and when the client is connected to our VPN network. If your client disconnects from our VPN server, your Torrent client or browser can’t get to our SOCKS proxy and all traffic for it will stop.”

Hide.me calls this an “extra security feature.”

Don’t get me wrong – I love security!

But it would be nice to have the option to separate the proxy from the VPN connection.

Why?

Speed.

Really, speed is the main reason users turn to the SOCKS5 proxy (or any proxy, really).

So, while Hide.me’s SOCKS5 encrypts your connection, it also slows your speeds, as shown in my P2P SOCKS5 tests.

Hide.me scored last, with a max download speed of 14.1 MiB/s and an average of 9.0 MiB/s.

That’s still fast enough to torrent with!

But it’s not the fastest on the list (not even close), which is one reason it places last.

Another reason it places last is its setup for torrent clients.

Specifically, you have to bind your torrent client to Hide.me and connect to a server in the app before putting in Hide.me’s SOCKS5 proxy server (socks.hide.me).

hide.me stealth guard setttings

This makes the process longer than it already is.

And unfortunately, the bad news doesn’t end there.

Hide.me is not a great option for streaming.

I couldn’t unblock anything – not Netflix, not Hulu or BBC iPlayer, nothing!

So, Hide.me’s SOCKS5 support in its browser extension is only good if you’re trying to unblock websites or get around IP bans.

All in all, you can probably see why Hide.me is last on my list.

But, on the bright side, it is one of the more secure options!

Plus, you’ll get a kill switch, 256-bit AES encryption, and an advanced interface with tons of options.

And Hide.me is pretty affordable:

hide.me usd pricing

You can also get a HUGE discount when you use my sign-up link!

Pros

Cons

How to Find the Best VPN With SOCKS5 Proxy?

There aren’t many VPNs that support the SOCKS5 proxy – but if you’re adamant about looking at other options, this section is for you!

Let’s have a look.

If You Want the Perfect SOCKS5 Proxy VPN, Use This Checklist!

Before you grab the first VPN you see that offers the SOCKS5 proxy, go through this checklist and ensure it meets all the necessary criteria!

SOCKS5 Proxy Support

After you ensure your VPN supports the SOCKS5 proxy, research everything there is to know about it.

Find out how many servers it supports, where those servers are located, how fast it is, if it’s easy to set up – everything.

Some VPNs have one-click SOCKS5 servers, while others have a list of servers you can use in torrent clients, web browsers, etc.

If you have a preference, ensure your VPN meets it.

Next, use your VPN’s refund policy to test the SOCKS5 proxy.

Test everything you researched – speed, setup, everything.

If you’re unsatisfied at the end, ask for a refund (before the refund policy expires).

Finally, if you plan to use your SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting or streaming, ensure it meets those demands.

Check your VPN’s P2P policies, torrent a few files, and test the SOCKS5 servers with your preferred streaming platforms.

No-Logs Policy

It’s important to note that most SOCKS5 proxies do NOT encrypt your network traffic.

There are exceptions, like PIA’s Multi-Hop and Hide.me’s SOCKS5.

But most of the time, you will not have the same security as a VPN.

That said, your VPN should have a no-logging policy.

A no-logging policy will ensure that none of your proxy activities are logged or stored – so if the authorities ever demand your logs, the VPN provider will have nothing to give.

Other Features

If you plan to use your VPN’s actual service, look for other features, too – for example, a kill switch, double VPN, obfuscation, big server networks, and fast server speeds.

Price

Ensure you’re paying a fair price.

If you’re only after a SOCKS5 proxy, you can probably get away with a cheaper VPN – just ensure the SOCKS5 proxy is reliable and performs well in the way you plan to use it (like torrenting or streaming).

However, if you want to use the VPN in general, compare prices, plans, features, etc., to ensure you’re getting the best deal.

Can I Use a Free SOCKS5 Proxy Instead?

I don’t recommend using a free SOCKS5 proxy.

You’re likely to experience slow speeds, a lack of privacy, and many other disadvantages.

Additionally, if you want the SOCKS5 proxy to unblock streaming services, a free one is unlikely to do the job.

VPNs with SOCKS5 proxies, on the other hand, practice better privacy, have faster speeds, and are more reliable for activities like streaming and torrenting.

Check out this table for an in-depth comparison:

Criteria: Free SOCKS5 Proxies: VPNs With SOCKS5 Proxies:
Privacy More likely to have an untrustworthy origin, an unreliable background, and/or many security vulnerabilities If the VPN provider is well-known and reliable, so is its service – including the SOCKS5 proxy. It’s easy to see who owns and operates it.
Logging Very likely to store all types of logs, including connection logs, activity logs, and IP addresses. If it’s a trustworthy VPN, it will have a no-logging policy with audits to back it up – so nothing is logged or stored.
Speed Likely to experience slower speeds or unreliable speeds – neither of which are good. More likely to have super-fast speeds and a reliable connection for activities that require fast speeds.
Torrenting Free proxies are extremely unreliable for torrenting due to privacy and logging concerns – copyright trolls everywhere! Likely to support P2P, have a no-logging policy, airtight privacy, and fast torrent speeds.
Streaming Unlikely to unblock ANY streaming service. More likely to reliably unblock many streaming services, depending on the SOCKS5 proxy server locations.
Overall Reliability Extremely unreliable, connections can drop at any time, and overall reliability is non-existent. Extremely reliable, connections are stable, and overall reliability is linked to the VPN provider’s history.

Convinced?

Remember, you can get a STELLAR DISCOUNT on my top VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support – NordVPN – right HERE!

Are There Free VPNs With SOCKS5?

Free VPNs are as reliable as free SOCKS5 proxies – so, not reliable at all.

In fact, you’re unlikely to find a free VPN that offers a SOCKS5 proxy.

And if you do, you’re better off using a free SOCKS5 proxy as a standalone service instead of a free VPN with a free SOCKS5 proxy – because it’s the same thing.

But if you want reliability and privacy, you’ll use a premium VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support, like NordVPN.

SOCKS5 Proxy P2P Testing Process

I wanted to verify the effectiveness of each SOCKS5 proxy connection for torrenting, so I put all of the VPNs through several P2P tests.

Here are the details:

  1. First, I made a note of what each VPN offers regarding SOCKS5 support.
  • NordVPN has 10 SOCKS5 proxy addresses.
  • PIA has 1 SOCKS5 proxy address and a Multi-Hop proxy feature.
  • IPVanish has 25+ SOCKS5 proxy addresses.
  • Hide.me has integrated SOCKS5 proxy and VPN servers.
  1. Then, I decided how I would test their P2P capabilities and compare each SOCKS5 proxy feature. In the end, I chose qBittorrent as my torrent client and the two nearest servers (except for PIA) for my tests.
  2. Here are the details for each VPN:
  • For NordVPN, I chose a Netherlands and Sweden servers.
  • For PIA, I had to use its 1 NL SOCKS5 proxy address. I chose not to test its Multi-Hop feature because there were no other relevant features to compare it to.
  • For IPVanish, I chose a Poland and Netherlands servers.
  • For Hide.me, I chose a Slovakia and Czech servers.
  1. When I did my tests, I put NordVPN, PIA, and IPVanish’s SOCKS5 proxy addresses in qBittorrent. I did the same for Hide.me with the exception of also connecting to its VPN (no choice).
  2. I chose a Rust update file to torrent. I marked the SOCKS5 proxy’s max speed, average speed, and completion time during each torrent.
  3. For my results, I chose the fastest SOCKS5 server for each VPN and noted the location.

Ready to see my results?

Let’s take a look!

SOCKS5 Proxy P2P Test Results

Overall, NordVPN had the best performance via its NL server, with a max of 16.4 MiB/s, an average of 11.1 MiB/s, and a completion time of 13 minutes.

This was relatively surprising, considering I used Slovakia and Czech servers for Hide.me (I live in Slovakia).

IPVanish placed second with its Poland server – this was another surprise (for the same reason as NordVPN).

PIA placed third with its Netherlands server (somewhat expected), and Hide.me placed last with its Slovakia server.

Hide.me’s performance would’ve surprised me more if not for its integrated VPN/SOCKS5 support.

Here’s a table for better comparison:

VPN Provider: Max Download Speed: Average Download Speed: Completion Time: Server Used:
NordVPN 16.4 MiB/s 11.1 MiB/s 13 minutes NL
PIA 14.7 MiB/s 9.8 MiB/s 18 minutes NL
IPVanish 14.9 MiB/s 10.8 MiB/s 16 minutes PL
Hide.me 14.1 MiB/s 9.0 MiB/s 22 minutes SK

How to Torrent With a VPN & SOCKS5 Proxy? (qBittorrent)

Are you ready to start torrenting with your SOCKS5 proxy?

I’ll show you the basics using NordVPN and qBittorrent!

See here:

  1. After purchasing a NordVPN subscription, make a note of your login details. Then, choose which SOCKS5 proxy you want to use:
nordvpn socks5 proxies
  1.  Open qBittorrent, click “Tools,” and “Options.”
qbittorrent tools
  1. Select “Connection” in the left-hand menu.
  2. Under “Proxy Server,” you’ll see “Type.” Select “SOCKS5.”
  3. Enter your NordVPN SOCKS5 address next to “Host.” Set the “Port” to 1080.
qbittorrent proxy server settings
  1. Check the box next to “Authentication.”
  2. Grab your login details from earlier and enter them next to “Username” and “Password.”
qbittorrent authentication
  1. Click “OK.”
  2. Enjoy torrenting with NordVPN’s SOCKS5 proxy and qBittorrent!

How to Stream With a VPN & SOCKS5 Proxy? (FoxyProxy Method)

Do you want to use your SOCKS5 proxy to stream instead?

I’ll show you how to do so using NordVPN, Chrome’s FoxyProxy extension, and Netflix US!

Here you go:

  1. After purchasing a NordVPN subscription, make a note of your login details. Then, choose a NordVPN US SOCKS5 proxy server.
  2. Download the FoxyProxy Chrome extension (there’s also a Firefox version).
foxy proxy browser extension compatible platforms
  1. In your extensions bar, click “FoxyProxy Standard” and “Options.”
foxy proxy options
  1. Click “Proxies” and “Add New Proxy.”
adding new proxy on foxy proxy
  1. Select “SOCKSv5” and put the NordVPN SOCKS5 address in “Host or IP Address.”
  2. Set the “Port” to 1080.
manual proxy configurations
  1. Under “Authentication,” put your NordVPN login details from earlier.
foxy proxy authentication
  1. Click “Save.”
  2. Back in the “Proxies” menu, select the dropdown bar “Proxy mode.”
  3. Select “Use proxy Default for all URLs.”
foxy proxy proxy mode
  1. Reset your browser cache. Here’s how to do it in Chrome.
  2. Navigate to Hulu, sign in, and enjoy watching US content with the SOCKS5 proxy!
streaming hulu with nordvpn

What’s the Difference Between VPNs & SOCKS5?

There are many differences between a VPN service and the SOCKS5 proxy, but the biggest is security and speed.

A VPN is more secure, while the SOCKS5 proxy is faster.

This is because a VPN encrypts your connection, which negatively impacts speed.

Meanwhile, the SOCKS5 proxy has no encryption, making it faster but less secure.

So, when should you use the SOCKS5 proxy?

Here’s a table to help you:

When should you use the SOCKS5 proxy? When should you NOT use the SOCSK5 proxy?
If you want a fast, reliable connection for P2P activities. If security and privacy are huge concerns.
If you want a fast, reliable connection for streaming geo-blocked content. If you’re in a country with harsh censorship or online privacy laws.
If you want to quickly bypass blocks on websites or other online services. If you want an encrypted connection.
If you want less connection errors (and thus, better performance).  
Interesting Reads:

FAQ

Is the SOCKS5 Proxy Anonymous?

Unless you’re using a VPN that adds encryption to the SOCKS5 proxy (like PIA and Hide.me), it is NOT anonymous or secure.

Most SOCKS5 proxies don’t encrypt your connection, meaning your network traffic is visible to anyone looking (like your ISP).

However, even if you’re using a VPN and the SOCKS5 proxy together, you can’t be completely anonymous – that’s an online myth.

Still, a VPN offers better security and anonymity than any proxy.

What’s the Best VPN With SOCKS5 for Android?

The best VPN with SOCKS5 for Android is IPVanish, thanks to its 25+ SOCKS5 proxy servers.

This gives you plenty of locations to choose from for your intended activity, whether streaming or torrenting.

Plus, IPVanish’s SOCKS5 proxy is super-fast – guaranteed to give you a stable P2P experience or 4K streaming speeds!

Do I Need SOCKS5 if I Have a VPN?

You don’t need the SOCKS5 proxy if you’re using a VPN.

A VPN is almost always the better choice – it’s more secure, has more features and servers, and is more likely to unblock services and websites.

However, you might prefer the SOCKS5 proxy if speed is your primary concern (for example, for torrenting).

Whatever the case, you rarely need a VPN and the SOCKS5 proxy at the same time unless it’s a feature like PIA’s Multi-Hop (which is faster than most double VPNs).

Conclusion

Congrats – you’re ready to pick your favorite VPN with SOCKS5 proxy support!

I still recommend NordVPN.

It offers the fastest speeds and 10 servers, so you can torrent to your heart’s content.

It also unblocks many streaming services, so you can enjoy 4K streaming and no buffering!

Ready to try it?

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