# Shadowsocks Shadowsocks is a self-hosted SOCKS5 proxy that uses the open-source Shadowsocks encryption protocol. It is open source and self-hosted, installable on Docker Hub and Unraid. Canonical page: https://ourlocalhost.com/app/68/shadowsocks ## Description Shadowsocks is a self-hosted SOCKS5 proxy that uses the open-source Shadowsocks encryption protocol. It runs a lightweight server that accepts connections from compatible SOCKS or Shadowsocks clients and forwards their traffic through an encrypted channel. It is useful for homelab users who need a simple proxy server for remote access or privacy-focused networking. The container has no web interface; configuration is set with container variables, and logs should be checked to confirm operation. ## Platform availability Available on 1 of 9 platforms: Unraid. ## Health score 78/100 (Good), based on 5 of 5 factors. - Maintained: 87 (last commit 41 days ago) - Popular: 84 (16,181 GitHub stars) - Easy to install: 35 (1 install platform, install notes, Docker image) - Light to run: 80 (1 GB minimum RAM, runs on ARM) - Security check: 95 (no serious findings, CI, tests) ## Links - GitHub: https://github.com/shadowsocks/shadowsocks-libev - Docker Hub: https://hub.docker.com/r/shadowsocks/shadowsocks-libev - Unraid: https://ca.unraid.net/apps/shadowsocks-0e61fms1con07k?q=Shadowsocks ## Common questions ### How can I install a ready-to-run Shadowsocks server on Debian or Ubuntu without compiling it myself? Run sudo apt update and then sudo apt install shadowsocks-libev. This installs the ready-to-run server/client instead of making you compile pieces yourself, which can fail for beginners. ### Why does an obfuscated Shadowsocks connection fail when the server and client obfuscation settings differ? Shadowsocks obfuscation must be configured on both ends, such as starting the server with obfs-server and the client with obfs-local using the same option like obfs=http. If one side is missing or the options differ, the connection will fail because the two ends cannot understand each other. ### How can I reduce user drops when the Shadowsocks server gets busy with many connections? Run ulimit -n 51200 before starting the Shadowsocks server. This raises the connection limit so it can keep more connections open at once and is less likely to drop users when traffic gets busy. ### What basic configuration choices can I control when hosting my own Shadowsocks server? You can set the security settings, choose the port number, and select the encryption methods. ### If my setup was using shadowsocks-libev, does the shadowsocks-c rename break existing commands, package names, or config paths? No, commands such as ss-local and ss-server, the shadowsocks.h API, and the embedding library ABI remain compatible. Existing configuration paths, distribution package names, and service names are retained, and legacy library filenames and the shadowsocks-libev package lookup name remain available as compatibility aliases. ## Alternatives - Geph: Geph is a tool that helps you bypass internet blocks and censorship. - GoodbyeDPI: GoodbyeDPI is a Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) circumvention tool that helps home-network users access websites blocked by government or prov… - Hyphanet: Hyphanet (former Freenet) is free software which lets you anonymously share files, browse and publish "freesites" (web sites acce… - I2P: I2P (Invisible Internet Protocol) is a universal anonymous network layer. - Mullvad VPN: Free the internet from data collection with Mullvad VPN – a service that helps keep your online activity, identity, and location private. - NordVPN: A minimal, shell-free, actively rebuilt container for the official NordVPN Linux client that gives self-hosted services a shared Virtual Pr… - Nym: Offers decentralized mixnet routing for network-level privacy, blocks surveillance and metadata leaks via blinded, re-randomizable credenti… - Obscura VPN: Anonymous VPN service with no IP or traffic logs, privacy-focused logins using random accounts, payments via Bitcoin's Lightning Network, a… - OpenVPN Connect: OpenVPN Connect provides flexible VPN solutions to secure your data communications, whether it's for Internet privacy, remote access for em… - Outline VPN: Journalists need safe access to information to research issues, communicate with sources, and report the news. - Psiphon: Secure and high-performance, Psiphon provides open access to the uncensored internet for millions of people around the world, with 150,000,… - RuTorrentVPN-plus-plus --- Source: Our Local Host (https://ourlocalhost.com/app/68/shadowsocks), the self-hosted and open-source app directory.