Free SOCKS4 Proxy List

Understanding SOCKS4 Proxies

SOCKS4 is a lightweight protocol that forwards TCP traffic at the session layer, making it ideal for applications where authentication and UDP support are not required. Unlike HTTP proxies, SOCKS4 can handle any TCP-based protocol such as SSH, FTP, or SMTP. The original SOCKS4 specification does not support remote DNS resolution or IPv6, but the SOCKS4a extension adds hostname handling via a special IP address. For most general tasks, SOCKS5 offers more features, but SOCKS4 remains a fast and simple choice when its limitations are acceptable.

SOCKS4 vs SOCKS4a vs SOCKS5

The differences matter for your application. SOCKS4 tunnels TCP only and requires the client to resolve DNS locally. SOCKS4a modifies the handshake so the proxy can resolve domain names, enabling lightweight browsing and scraping. SOCKS5 adds UDP support, authentication, and IPv6, but at the cost of slightly more overhead. For tasks like web scraping or connecting to a remote database, SOCKS4 or SOCKS4a is often sufficient and faster. Compare all proxy types on our site.

When to Use SOCKS4

SOCKS4 excels in scenarios requiring simple TCP relay without authentication. Use it for route-based scraping, accessing geo-blocked TCP services, or testing network connectivity. Avoid SOCKS4 when you need UDP (e.g., VoIP, streaming) or if the target service expects a proxy to resolve hostnames (use SOCKS4a instead). It is also unsuitable for applications that require authentication at the proxy level. Always check the proxy’s capabilities before integrating it into a production workflow.

Configuring a SOCKS4 Proxy

Most tools support SOCKS4 via the protocol flag. In curl, use --socks4 proxy_ip:port. For browsers, set the proxy type to SOCKS4 in network settings or use extensions. In Python requests, install requests[socks] and configure socks5h:// for SOCKS4a; native SOCKS4 may need manual socket proxying. For direct browser use, ensure you configure only TCP traffic, as browsers send DNS through the proxy if using SOCKS5.

Verify Your SOCKS4 Proxy

Before relying on any public proxy, verify it with our free proxy checker. It tests the proxy’s availability, speed, and anonymity level against independent judges. The checker also identifies whether the proxy truly operates as SOCKS4 or falls back to HTTP, helping you avoid misconfigured entries.

Safety First

Free proxies are operated by third parties and can log your traffic. Never send sensitive data, passwords, or payment information through a SOCKS4 proxy. The proxy hop is unencrypted, so use TLS/SSL end-to-end where possible. Our list is continuously cleaned, but you should also check your IP before and after to ensure the proxy is working as expected.