There is a good chance that you are seeing “SOCKS proxies” as the default option in browsers and certain applications when looking at your proxy settings. Keep in mind that the default is not necessarily the best option, but there are some reasons why there are SOCKS proxies.

SOCKS5 proxies are often used for live calls or streaming websites. Such websites typically use the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to send data, and currently, SOCKS5 are the main proxies that can send you over a UDP session.

If you think that HTTP traffic is not enough and you need a proxy for protocols other than TCP, then a SOCKS5 proxy is what you need.

How do SOCKS proxies work? It is a question with a long answer. It might be best to look at its advantages first.

Is a SOCKS proxy the best choice?

The short answer is: if you think that HTTP (S)-connections are not enough for your needs, use a SOCKS5 proxy.

However, it depends on what data you need to clear. In most cases, the HTTP (S) proxy is more than sufficient for most job scraping, if you need to do something more traffic-intensive (like streaming video).

To make the decision more manageable, let’s note the benefits of both the HTTP (S) proxy and the SOCKS proxy.

HTTP (S):

• You can manage more requests per second with HTTP (S);
• Most cleanup operations can be handled through an HTTP (S) connection;
• You need more security and encryption when cleaning.

SOCKS:

• When more intensive cleaning is required;
• Suitable for monitoring any copyright infringement.

It all comes down to whether you need a UDP connection for more universal or intensive data collection. However, in most cases, the HTTP (S) proxy is not only sufficient but maybe the best solution for your business.