SOCKS is an internet protocol; it stands for Socket Secure and is most often used for heavy traffic tasks, like P2P sharing and streaming. Meanwhile, SOCKS5 is the latest version of the SOCKS protocol. SOCKS5 supports TCP connections and offers enhanced security online.

While SOCKS4 doesn’t allow any authentication methods, SOCKS5 proxy servers do and Webshare SOCKS5 proxy implements secure authentication.

Offering fast speed and high performance, SOCKS5 proxies are best suited for traffic-intensive tasks: video streaming, live calls, gaming, accessing geo restricted content. By offering faster download speeds, these proxies are great when fast pace is more important than data precision.

If you have any Webshare plan – for datacenter, static residential or residential proxies – SOCKS5 protocol is a complementary feature and you can use it for free. 

Webshare supports payments through

• Google Pay
• Apple Pay
• Card-based payment methods such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and Diners, China UnionPay, JCB, Cartes Bancaires, and Interac

Google Pay and Apple Pay options are only accessible through mobile devices.

Please contact us if you need help making payments with these supported payment methods. Unfortunately, we don't have plans to support other payment methods right now, but we're always looking for ways to improve our service.