SOCKS5 Proxy vs HTTP Proxies: What's the Difference?

Proxies proved to be one of the best methods of staying anonymous online.

With that said, you should know that there are many different types of proxies available. Each type is designed for a specific use or industry, but they aim to serve similar purposes. Stay with us, and we'll explain what proxies are, how they work, and what is the difference between a SOCKS5 proxy and an HTTP proxy.

What is a proxy?

A proxy server acts as a middleman between your device and the rest of the internet. Every time you want to connect to the internet, the proxy reads your inquiry, replaces your original IP with another one, making you appear as a random user from another country. It does the same thing with returning information.

In practice, proxies act as a protective shield between your device and the internet. All of the data passing through it is scanned for malware and sent to your device without anyone knowing. Apart from acting as a filter, proxies provide all kinds of different benefits, including a faster connection, excellent security, and privacy. Proxies are also quickly becoming the go-to solution for various online practices such as web scraping, bypassing geo-restrictions, and so on.

How proxy works

Every device connected to the internet is assigned a unique IP address that works like a virtual post address. In other words, it tells the server where to send the requested information. IP addresses are the backbone of the internet, and without them, communication between a server and user devices would be impossible.

Proxy servers are online computers with a large pool of IP addresses. Every time you connect online, your device sends a request to the correct server. Well, a proxy intercepts that request, switches your unique IP with one from its IP address pool, and sends your request to a server. When a server sends the requested information back, the proxy scans it for malware and then transfers it to your actual IP address. It encrypts your data, making it much harder for hackers to intercept.

Types of proxies available

There are many different types of proxies designed for diverse configurations and uses. We won't go over every type in detail, but let's mention the most popular options:

1. Transparent proxies
2. Rotating proxies
3. Anonymous proxies
4. High anonymity proxies
5. Distorting proxies
6. Residential proxies
7. Datacenter proxies
8. Public proxies
9. Private proxies

The most popular types are residential and datacenter proxies. They are widely used for practices such as competition monitoring, web scraping, and price monitoring.

SOCKS5 vs HTTP proxies

SOCKS5 and HTTP proxies are the two main protocol types on which proxies operate. They are based on different protocols used by web servers. Each of them is designed to allow users to access different types of servers. Let's see how they work in more detail.

SOCKS5 Proxies

SOCKS stands for "Secure Sockets," a type of proxy connection protocol used on websites worldwide. The way it works is that the protocol creates a TCP connection with a server. When the connection is established between the client and the server, the data can be sent to the client. These proxies are often used as a workaround for a firewall that prevents access to the internet. SOCKS5 proxies use a TCP connection that is otherwise blocked by default.

HTTP Proxies

HTTP proxies use a different type of protocol that's way more popular than SOCKS5 because it performs better. This type of proxy can read requests sent directly from apps using the same protocol. However, HTTP proxies are limited, while SOCKS aren't, but most users prefer HTTP proxies because they can read and understand data. That makes HTTP proxies an excellent choice for web scraping activities and running bots.

SOCKS5 proxies are the best choice if you want to access any website using any protocol, while HTTP proxies are ideal for web scraping sites built using HTTP protocols. SOCKS5 offers more connection options, and HTTP proxies can read data.

Conclusion

Proxies are changing the internet as we know it. They are needed to conduct web scraping and other practices widely used by businesses all over the globe. Both protocol types offer a few significant benefits, yet HTTP proxies are more widely used as most websites are built on HTTP protocols.

However, suppose you ever run into a website that doesn't allow you to connect. In that case, a SOCKS5 proxy will help you access the information, as most programming languages or software frameworks have libraries that enable the usage of proxies, including SOCKS5.