If you're involved in online surveys, web scraping, social media automation, or anything that requires managing multiple identities online, you've probably heard about SOCKS5 proxies and static IPs. In this post, we’ll break down what these terms really mean in simple language, why they matter, and rank the top five proxy providers you can trust in 2025.
What Is an IP Address (and Why Does It Matter)?
An IP address (short for Internet Protocol address) is like a digital home address for your device. Every time you connect to the internet—whether through Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or mobile data—your device is assigned a unique IP address. This helps websites identify where you're coming from and allows data to travel back and forth between you and the site.
In simple terms, your IP address can:
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Reveal your location (country, city, even ISP)
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Track your activity across websites
That’s why many online professionals turn to proxies—tools that mask your real IP address to protect your identity or access restricted content.
SOCKS5 vs Static IP vs Residential IP: What's the Difference?
SOCKS5 Proxy
Think of a SOCKS5 proxy as a middleman for your internet traffic. Instead of going directly to the website, your request is routed through a proxy server. This hides your original IP and provides better privacy. SOCKS5 proxies are known for:
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Being fast and versatile (supporting all kinds of traffic: TCP, UDP)
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Helping bypass geo-restrictions
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Supporting P2P connections and apps beyond browsers
Static IP
A static IP is a fixed IP address that doesn’t change over time. It’s great for:
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Hosting servers or websites
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Secure remote access
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Avoiding detection or constant verification processes
Residential IP
Residential proxies are IPs assigned to real devices by ISPs, making them appear more “legit” to websites. These are harder to detect and block, which is why they’re ideal for:
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Sneaker botting
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Social media automation
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Surveys and account creation
Why Use Proxies for Survey Profiles?
Survey platforms often flag suspicious behavior—like multiple accounts from the same IP. Using a reliable proxy helps you avoid getting banned, increases anonymity, and allows you to manage several profiles without detection. But not all proxies are created equal. Bad IPs (e.g., flagged or blacklisted ones) can do more harm than good.
Top 5 SOCKS5 & Proxy Providers (2025 Rankings)
Here’s a breakdown of the top proxy providers that offer SOCKS5, static, and residential IP options—along with pros and cons for each.
1. Webshare.io
A great all-rounder, Webshare offers both residential and datacenter proxies with free plans available.
Pros:
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Free option to test
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Wide variety of proxy types
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Easy to use dashboard
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Great for scraping and managing multiple accounts
Cons:
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Occasional speed dips
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Premium plans can get pricey
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Not all proxies are 100% reliable
2. Piaproxy
Also known as PIA S5 Proxy, Piaproxy gives access to a vast pool of residential and static IPs with SOCKS5 support.
Pros:
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Huge IP pool from many countries
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Good for geo-targeting
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SOCKS5 + HTTP(S) support
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High anonymity levels
Cons:
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No consistent free trial
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Speed can vary under load
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Privacy concerns due to company origin
3. Smartproxy
A sophisticated solution packed with smart features like automatic IP rotation and CAPTCHA bypass.
Pros:
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Very hard to detect or block
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IP rotation for maximum stealth
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Geo-targeting supported
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Intuitive platform
Cons:
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On the pricier side
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Rotating IPs may slow things down
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Not 100% foolproof against all detection tools
4. IPRoyal
Focused on ethically sourced residential IPs and a variety of proxy options.
Pros:
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Residential, mobile, ISP, and sneaker proxies
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Flexible pricing (pay-as-you-go available)
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User-friendly platform and 24/7 support
Cons:
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Per-GB pricing can be unpredictable
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Mixed reviews on speed and reliability
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Based in UAE—may raise data privacy questions
5. Rayobyte
Known for ethical data practices and wide-ranging proxy types with strong global coverage.
Pros:
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Datacenter, mobile, residential, and ISP proxies
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User consent-based sourcing
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Unlimited bandwidth options on some plans
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Easy-to-use interface
Cons:
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Residential proxies can be slower
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Pricing varies by volume and type
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Some users report inconsistent speeds