Dante

Free plan AndroidLinuxSelf-hosted

What Dante is

Dante is a SOCKS server and client for network connectivity, including forward and reverse proxy use. The server supports SOCKS versions 4 and 5 and provides access controls, logging, session management and resource controls. Authentication options include username and 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 the client library supports multiple proxy protocols. The LDAP module supports LDAP and Active Directory authorization, and the product page lists compatibility with Bloomberg clients. The client can be cross-compiled for Android, with Linux and self-hosted use also listed. The free plan includes the SOCKS server and client, complete source code and a BSD/CMU-type license. Commercial modules add bandwidth control, LDAP authorization or redirect functions. They are licensed per external server IP address and cost EUR 400 for Bandwidth, EUR 1000 for LDAP and EUR 400 for Redirect. Commercial support ranges from email support to 24/7 phone support, with contract prices available from sales.

Who it suits

Dante suits users needing a SOCKS server or client for proxy connectivity, particularly those who want access controls and session management. Organizations needing bandwidth control, LDAP authorization or redirect modules can purchase those separately.

What it does well

Free plan includes server, client and complete source code.
Supports SOCKS 4 and SOCKS 5.
Server includes logging and session management.
Client can be cross-compiled for Android.
LDAP module supports Active Directory authorization.

What to know first

Bandwidth, LDAP and redirect modules cost extra.
Modules are licensed per external server IP address.
macOS server issues can close sessions prematurely.

Limits

The free plan covers the SOCKS server and client. Bandwidth control, LDAP authorization, and redirect functionality require separately purchased modules priced at EUR 400, EUR 1000, and EUR 400 respectively; each module is licensed per external server IP address.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Dante	SOCKS server and client · BSD/CMU-type license · complete source code	Free

As inet.no lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the Dante website.
Choose the Linux or self-hosted platform, or cross-compile the client for Android.
Start with the free Dante plan and its SOCKS server and client.
Contact sales for commercial support contract prices or purchase details for commercial modules.

Verdict

Dante provides a free SOCKS server and client with administrative controls and several protocol options. Account for separately priced modules if you need bandwidth control, LDAP authorization or redirects.

Questions

Is Dante free?

Yes. The Dante plan is free and includes the SOCKS server and client, complete source code, and a BSD/CMU-type license.

Which protocols does Dante support?

The listed protocols are SOCKS 4, SOCKS 5, HTTP CONNECT, and UPnP. The server supports SOCKS 4 and 5.

Which platforms are listed?

The listed platforms are Android, Linux, and self-hosted. The client supports cross compilation to Android.

How much do the commercial modules cost?

Bandwidth costs EUR 400, LDAP costs EUR 1000, and Redirect costs EUR 400. Each is licensed per external server IP address.

Does Dante offer commercial support?

Yes. Support ranges from email to 24/7 phone support. Contract prices are available by contacting sales.

Facts from Dante's own pages

Access control: The server provides advanced access control mechanisms, extensive logging, session management, and resource controls. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Android: The Dante SOCKS client supports cross compilation to Android. · inet.no, 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. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Commercial modules: Bandwidth control, LDAP authorization, and redirect modules can be purchased; the modules are licensed per external server IP address. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Current version: The latest public version listed is Dante 1.4.4, released on 2024-12-15. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Integrations: The LDAP module supports LDAP and Active Directory authorization, and the product page lists compatibility with Bloomberg clients. · inet.no, 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. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Module prices: The listed prices are EUR 400 for Bandwidth, EUR 1000 for LDAP, and EUR 400 for Redirect. · inet.no, 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. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Protocols: The server supports SOCKS versions 4 and 5, while the client library supports multiple proxy protocols. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Dante is a SOCKS server and client for providing network connectivity, including forward and reverse proxy use. · inet.no, 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. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026
Support: Commercial support ranges from email support to 24/7 phone support; support contract prices are available by contacting sales. · inet.no, 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. · inet.no, 4 Oct 2026

Where Dante stands on Freedom251

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