Dante
Dante is a free SOCKS server and client for network connectivity, including forward and reverse proxy use.
What Dante is
Dante is a free SOCKS server and client for network connectivity, including forward and reverse proxy use. The server supports SOCKS 4 and 5 and provides access controls, logging, session management, and resource controls. Authentication options include username/password and GSS-API for SOCKS 5; the status page also lists Kerberos authentication and strong encryption. Supported protocols include SOCKS 4, SOCKS 5, HTTP CONNECT, and UPnP, while its client library supports multiple proxy protocols. Dante is listed for Linux and self-hosted use, and its client can be cross-compiled to Android. The free plan includes the server and client, complete source code, and a BSD/CMU-type license. Commercial modules add bandwidth control, LDAP and Active Directory authorization, or redirect functionality. They are licensed per external server IP address and cost EUR 400 for Bandwidth, EUR 1000 for LDAP, and EUR 400 for Redirect. The product page also lists compatibility with Bloomberg clients.
Good
- Free plan includes the server, client, and source code.
- Supports SOCKS 4, SOCKS 5, HTTP CONNECT, and UPnP.
- Provides access controls, logging, and session management.
- Supports username/password and GSS-API authentication.
- Client can be cross-compiled to Android.
Watch out
- Bandwidth, LDAP, and redirect modules cost extra.
- Modules are licensed per external server IP address.
- Commercial support contract prices require contacting sales.
- Dante 1.4 has stated OS X client and server problems.
Who it suits
Dante suits users who need a SOCKS server or client for proxy connectivity and access controls. Organizations needing bandwidth, LDAP authorization, or redirect modules can purchase those separately.
Verdict
Dante provides a free SOCKS server and client with access controls and several listed protocols. Factor in separate module costs if you need bandwidth control, LDAP authorization, or redirects.
Plans and prices
From Dante's own pricing page, checked 4 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Dante | Free | SOCKS server and client · BSD/CMU-type license · complete source code |
The facts
Each one read from Dante's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Access control
- The server provides advanced access control mechanisms, extensive logging, session management, and resource controls.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Authentication
- Dante supports username/password and GSS-API based SOCKS 5 authentication; the status page also lists Kerberos authentication and strong encryption.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Commercial modules
- Bandwidth control, LDAP authorization, and redirect modules can be purchased; the modules are licensed per external server IP address.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Current version
- The latest public version listed is Dante 1.4.4, released on 2024-12-15.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The LDAP module supports LDAP and Active Directory authorization, and the product page lists compatibility with Bloomberg clients.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- The server supports SOCKS versions 4 and 5, while the client library supports multiple proxy protocols.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Dante is a SOCKS server and client for providing network connectivity, including forward and reverse proxy use.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Security updates
- The roadmap says there are no outstanding security patches for version 1.4.4; the site also describes a security fix in version 1.4.4 for a problem affecting some configurations in versions 1.4.0–1.4.3.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Commercial support ranges from email support to 24/7 phone support; support contract prices are available by contacting sales.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Support for old versions
- A previous Dante version is covered by support for at least one year after a new version is released; additional support licensing is required after end of life.checked 4 Oct 2026
Where it runs
- Android
- The Dante SOCKS client supports cross compilation to Android.checked 4 Oct 2026
- macOS limitation
- Dante 1.4 compiles on OS X, but the client and server have problems; the page says server issues can cause sessions to close prematurely.checked 4 Oct 2026
- Platforms
- Dante should run on most Unix/Linux platforms; the page lists OpenBSD, FreeBSD, Linux, SunOS, and AIX, and says Windows is unsupported.checked 4 Oct 2026
Money
- Module prices
- The listed prices are EUR 400 for Bandwidth, EUR 1000 for LDAP, and EUR 400 for Redirect.checked 4 Oct 2026
