python-socks
Proxy (SOCKS4, SOCKS5, HTTP CONNECT) client for Python
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. The package is actively maintained, has zero known vulnerabilities, supports Python >= 3.9, and carries a permissive Apache-2.0 license. Low install friction and no required dependencies make adoption straightforward. Install it if you need direct control over proxy connections or are building a library that wraps proxy functionality.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Python >= 3.9.
- Optional async support requires installing extras: python-socks[asyncio], python-socks[trio], or python-socks[anyio].
- Low install friction with no runtime dependencies in the base package.
License · maintenance · safety
Apache-2.0 (permissive) — Apache-2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most production environments.
last release 2026-08-11 (3 days) · last repo commit 2026-08-11 · 126 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 6,467,477 downloads/mo, #1,905 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install python-socks
from python_socks.sync import Proxy
proxy = Proxy.from_url("socks5://user:password@127.0.0.1:1080")
sock = proxy.connect(dest_host="example.com", dest_port=443)- Whether optional dependencies (async-timeout >= 5.0, trio >= 0.30, anyio >= 4.12) are automatically installed with extras or require manual specification.
- Performance characteristics or throughput limits when handling concurrent proxy connections.
- Whether proxy authentication supports all SOCKS5 authentication methods or only username/password.
What it is and what it does
python-socks is a low-level proxy client library that handles the protocol details of connecting through SOCKS4, SOCKS4a, SOCKS5, and HTTP CONNECT proxies. It returns standard Python sockets (or async equivalents) that you can then use with your own networking code or higher-level libraries. The package is designed to be used internally by higher-level HTTP client wrappers, but can also be used directly when you need fine-grained control over proxy connections.
The library offers three API styles: synchronous blocking sockets, and asynchronous support for asyncio, trio, and anyio frameworks. It supports proxy chaining (routing through multiple proxies in sequence) and works across macOS, Windows, and Linux. Since it has no required runtime dependencies, installation is straightforward, and you can opt into async support by installing extras only when needed.
Use it for
- Route HTTP/HTTPS requests through a SOCKS5 proxy in a synchronous application by wrapping the returned socket with ssl and sending raw HTTP requests.
- Build an async HTTP client that tunnels connections through multiple chained proxies using asyncio or trio event loops.
- Establish encrypted connections to remote hosts via an HTTP CONNECT proxy for scenarios where SOCKS is unavailable.
- Test network applications against different proxy types (SOCKS4, SOCKS5, HTTP CONNECT) without modifying application code.
- Integrate proxy support into socket-based HTTP libraries by subclassing connection classes to use proxy.connect().
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
The package is actively maintained, has zero known vulnerabilities, supports Python >= 3.9, and carries a permissive Apache-2.0 license. Low install friction and no required dependencies make adoption straightforward. Install it if you need direct control over proxy connections or are building a library that wraps proxy functionality.
Install
python-socks on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with no runtime dependencies in the base package. Actively maintained with a recent release and steady repository activity. Supports Python >= 3.9.
Requires Python >= 3.9. Optional async support requires installing extras: python-socks[asyncio], python-socks[trio], or python-socks[anyio].
License in practice
Apache-2.0 permissive license allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, making it suitable for most production environments.
Quickstart
pip install python-socks
from python_socks.sync import Proxy
proxy = Proxy.from_url("socks5://user:password@127.0.0.1:1080")
sock = proxy.connect(dest_host="example.com", dest_port=443)Verify before relying
- Whether optional dependencies (async-timeout >= 5.0, trio >= 0.30, anyio >= 4.12) are automatically installed with extras or require manual specification.
- Performance characteristics or throughput limits when handling concurrent proxy connections.
- Whether proxy authentication supports all SOCKS5 authentication methods or only username/password.
Package facts
| License | Apache-2.0 permissive |
| Python support | Supports the current Python release >=3.9.0 |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | None |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 3 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 6,467,477 / month, #1,905 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableFramework :: AsyncIOFramework :: TrioIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: MacOSOperating System :: MicrosoftOperating System :: POSIX :: LinuxProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3Programming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.14Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Internet :: WWW/HTTP |
Evidence: python_socks-3.0.0-py3-none-any.whl
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