SOCKS and HTTP Proxies: How Are They Different?

To keep themselves and their private information safe, many internet users use specialized tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) and proxies.

These tools reroute and establish connections with target servers on behalf of their users. They do these while concealing the user’s information and making it impossible for anyone watching to identify or determine their activities online.

While proxies are commonly used, deciding which proxy to use can often become a dilemma. For instance, most users cannot easily decide whether to use SOCKS or HTTP proxies.

So in this little guide, we place SOCKS vs. HTTP proxy to explain the differences and help you make up your mind faster. Click here to read the entire article about all nuances of SOCKS and HTTP proxies. 

What is A SOCKS Proxy?

Secure Socket proxy or SOCKS proxy refers to the type of proxy that works behind a firewall to send and receive traffic on behalf of a client.

It works both ways; securing the internet user and the client. Even more interesting is how it can conveniently handle any traffic.

This flexibility also extends to how SOCKS proxies can adapt to any program, network, or protocol on the internet, taking any requests and delivering across any platform with very minimal error and maximum speed.

What Are The Uses of SOCKS Proxy?

There is a myriad of ways that individuals and businesses can utilize SOCKS proxies, and below are some of the most common:

  • Bypassing Restrictions

One of SOCKS proxies’ most common uses is bypassing any major type of internet restriction. This could range from a simple internet protocol (IP) block to restrictions based on physical location.

Users can route their traffic through a SOCKS proxy and be sure that it can get past any internet limitation and on any server.

  • Security and Protection

Like most proxies, SOCKS proxy is also used for the security and protection it brings users and their sensitive information.

Because the proxy can easily route the connection through a network firewall, it can conceal the user’s identity and make it impossible to be identified online.

And this is the very foundation of internet security; to be able to be online without being seen, tracked, or have your data breached.

  • P2P Data Transfer

SOCKS proxies are also used to transfer data across peer-to-peer platforms as they allow for easy sharing of small data packets.

Users can download, send or receive data very quickly using SOCKS proxies.

  • High-Performance Operations

Routing your connections via a SOCKS proxy also guarantees better performance, which is why many individuals and brands use this proxy for that exact reason.

The proxy can mediate connection without rewriting any data, which ensures that the quality of the data is preserved. The data can then be passed back and forth without the fear of errors due to data altering.

  • Web Scraping

SOCKS proxies are also applied to collecting a large amount of data because they are used in performing operations that require higher data accuracy and improved performance.

But there is more because it also allows users to collect data from even restricted servers and restricted locations.

Brands use SOCKS proxies to bypass restrictions and access restricted content from anywhere in the world. Then, they also collect very high-quality data without risking the speed or performing the operation or their safety.

What Is An HTTP Proxy?

The other opposing end of the spectrum is HTTP proxy, which only works with selected traffic and specific languages.

HTTP proxies refer to proxies that allow only specific connections (HTTP traffic) and with only specific servers built with languages such as HTML and CSS.

However, it can allow easy access and data extraction such as web pages, images and videos from these platforms once a connection is established.

Additionally, HTTP proxy performs the above responsibilities while still providing an extra layer of security to keep users and their data safe.

Aside from the above characteristic, an HTTP proxy can also understand data as a middleman and filter content when the need arises rather than letting any data pass through.

Additionally, HTTP proxies can efficiently employ caching mechanisms to ensure not every request is sent to the servers, thereby saving the user’s time.

Lastly, because HTTP proxies are designed to work with specific servers, they can configure HTTP request headers to improve connections with restricted target servers and prevent connection failure.

Core Differences between SOCKS vs. HTTP Proxy

Below are some of the ways that SOCKS vs. HTTP proxy differ from each other:

Core Differences HTTP Proxy SOCKS Proxy
Security Relatively secure, especially when you use the high-end HTTP proxies SOCKS proxies are far more secure and deliver better security to you and your data
Speed While they are designed to work with the same traffic, they are not as fast as one would expect SOCKS proxies offer better speed, especially when dealing with data packets which is why they are the preferred choice for accessing P2P platforms
Performance They can read and understand data to ensure data filtering and caching mechanisms. Not generally known for interpreting or manipulating data, but it does a great job of keeping users safe behind the firewall.
Difference of Ports Only uses the 80 port, and this makes it more limiting SOCKS proxies can utilize any ports on the system just like they can work with any traffic, program, or protocol

Conclusion

SOCKS and HTTP proxies are two very common proxies used by internet users to stay anonymous and safe whenever they are surfing the internet.

But even though they function differently, most people still have trouble deciding which to settle for.