ExpressVPN doesn’t offer SOCKS5 proxies on its smartphone, PC, or router apps.
The VPN service provider maintains this is because SOCKS5 doesn’t guarantee the same level of encryption you get on a traditional VPN. However, that doesn’t account for users who may want the speed benefits they get with SOCKS5.
I’ve tested and shared a few below if you’re shopping for a reliable ExpressVPN alternative with SOCKS5 proxy support.
Best ExpressVPN Alternatives With SOCKS5 Proxies?
Besides SOCKS5 proxies, I ensured the alternatives offer other unique privacy and security additions that ExpressVPN lacks.
Here’s a brief lowdown of what they offer and discounts to make them worthwhile!
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN offers an impressive 80+ SOCKS5 proxy servers to prevent overcrowding on any server. This also increases your chances of getting a nearby SOCKS5 proxy server, increasing the speed advantage when playing games, downloading content, or applying the proxy settings in any other way.
When you’re not using its SOCKS5 proxy, PrivateVPN allows you to connect TEN devices simultaneously. That’s TWO MORE than ExpressVPN allows on its biggest plan.
Additionally, ExpressVPN is more expensive than PrivateVPN. So, you get better value on your PrivateVPN purchase.
Grab these PrivateVPN discounts for savings and comfortably test it risk-free for 30 days.
NordVPN
NordVPN has nine (9) SOCKS5 proxy locations, which is way less than PrivateVPN but more than nothing on ExpressVPN.
Like PrivateVPN, its SOCKS5 proxies don’t cost extra, as they’re bundled into the affordable VPN price, where it beats ExpressVPN again.
And when you’re done with the SOCKS5 proxy, you get 5800+ servers, almost twice what ExpressVPN provides, to avoid server traffic jams and overcrowding.
Feel like testing NordVPN risk-free? Explore these one-time deals, choose a long-term plan, and enjoy the biggest savings.
FAQs
Should You Combine ExpressVPN With SOCKS5 Proxy?
You don’t need to combine ExpressVPN with an external SOCKS5 proxy provider since the VPN alone offers top-shelf security, privacy, and encryption, which is lacking in SOCKS5 proxies.
Likewise, layering ExpressVPN over a SOCKS5 proxy from another provider can introduce an extra hop into your connection, causing latency, random disconnection, or compatibility issues.
The Choice Is Clear
If you’d rather stick with ExpressVPN without the SOCKS5 proxy, that’s not a bad deal. The VPN service is plenty secure, robust enough to stand against firewalls like the one in China, and rarely misses when unblocking content.
In fact, here are ExpressVPN discounts to help you save on the longest plan and get 3 extra simultaneous connections!
However, you might not be able to lose the SOCKS5 proxy itch.
In that case, I recommend PrivateVPN (get discounts here) for more connections and extensive SOCKS5 proxy server locations.