What's the difference between SOCKS and HTTP proxy format?

What is the difference between SOCKS5 and HTTP/HTTPS proxies?

SOCKS5 and HTTP/HTTPS are two different proxy protocols. Both hide your IP address, but they work differently and are designed for different types of traffic.

SOCKS5 Proxies (Most Flexible)

SOCKS5 is a low level proxy protocol that can handle almost any type of internet traffic. It is traffic agnostic, meaning it simply passes whatever data you send through the proxy.

What SOCKS5 supports:

• TCP and UDP traffic

• Games, apps, and tools outside the browser

• Automation software, bots, SSH, VoIP, torrents, and more

Common SOCKS5 use cases:

• Gaming or apps that use UDP

• Automation tools and bots

• Any software that is not strictly browser based

Important note:

Some systems like Windows system proxy settings do not support SOCKS5.

To use SOCKS5 on Windows, you must configure it inside the specific application, not through the system proxy settings.

HTTP/HTTPS Proxies (Best for Browsing)

HTTP and HTTPS proxies are designed specifically for web browsing and web based traffic. They only support HTTP and HTTPS protocols, which means they do not work with UDP or non browser apps.

What HTTP/HTTPS supports:

• Web browsing

• Social media

• Scraping websites

• Browser based automation

Common HTTP/HTTPS use cases:

• Visiting websites

• Logging into accounts

• Web scraping tools

• General browser activity

Limitations:

• Does not support UDP

• Cannot be used with apps outside the browser

• Less flexible than SOCKS5 for advanced tools

Quick Comparison

Simple Summary

• Use HTTP/HTTPS if you are browsing, scraping, or doing anything web based.

• Use SOCKS5 if you need maximum flexibility, gaming support, or compatibility with non browser apps.

Updated on: 12/05/2025