Quick Answers

Does SOCKS5 Support UDP?

Yes. The SOCKS5 standard includes a UDP ASSOCIATE command, but many proxy providers and client tools only support TCP, so check before you buy.

By Team of Monkeys Editorial Updated 1 min read Affiliate disclosure

This guide contains affiliate links to Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte. If you buy through them we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Does SOCKS5 Support UDP illustration: yes 3jdej38j4

The short answer

Yes, on paper. RFC 1928, the SOCKS5 standard, defines a UDP ASSOCIATE command for relaying UDP packets. SOCKS4 has no UDP at all.

In practice

Many commercial proxies only relay TCP through SOCKS5, and many apps only send TCP through a SOCKS proxy even when UDP would work. If you need UDP for games, VoIP, DNS or HTTP/3 (which runs on QUIC over UDP), confirm that both the provider and your software support it.

A good provider relationship looks like this (animated GIF) 3jdej38j4
A good provider relationship looks like this. GIF via GIPHY

Also known as

SOCKS5 UDP relay, UDP over SOCKS.

Learn more

Affiliate disclosure: Team of Monkeys is an affiliate of Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte. Links and banners marked as sponsored, and links to Geonode, Webshare and Rayobyte in the text, use our referral links, and we may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our explanations and comparisons are written to be useful whichever provider you choose.

Editorial note: Proxy providers change their pools, features and prices often, so treat any figures here as typical ranges at the time of writing and confirm current terms with the provider before you buy.
Keep reading

Related proxy guides

Proxy BasicsSOCKS5 Proxies Explained: Uses, Setup and Buying TipsSOCKS5 proxies relay any TCP or UDP traffic, support authentication and remote DNS. Learn how SOCKS5 differs from HTTP proxies, when to use it, and how to set it up in common tools. Proxy BasicsSOCKS4 vs SOCKS5: What Changed and Which Should You Use?SOCKS5 added authentication, UDP, IPv6 and remote DNS to SOCKS4. Compare the two protocols, see where SOCKS4 still appears, and learn why SOCKS5 is the default today. Rayobyte GuidesRayobyte Protocol Support: HTTP, HTTPS, SOCKS5, SOCKS5 UDP and HTTP/3Which protocols Rayobyte's proxy products support, what SOCKS5 UDP and HTTP/3 add over standard HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies, which tools need which protocol, and how to avoid DNS and authentication problems. Buying GuidesProxies for Gaming: What They Can and Can't DoCan a proxy lower your ping or unlock game regions? Learn when gaming proxies help, why SOCKS5 and UDP matter, which proxy types work, and when a VPN or nothing at all is better. Quick AnswersWhat Is Port 1080?Port 1080 is the port IANA registers for SOCKS, so it is the classic default for SOCKS4 and SOCKS5 proxy servers. Quick AnswersWhat Is Port 3128?Port 3128 is the default listening port of Squid, the open-source caching proxy, so it is a common port for HTTP proxies.
Shopping for proxies?

Start with our most-read buying guides

Best proxies in 2026 Cheap proxies Sneaker proxies Residential proxies Puppeteer proxies Browse all proxy articles