shadowsocks/shadowsocks-libev
FreeBug-fix-only libev port of shadowsocks. Future development moved to shadowsocks-rust
FreeFree tier
About shadowsocks/shadowsocks-libev
Shadowsocks-libev is a lightweight, secure SOCKS5 proxy designed specifically for embedded devices and low-end boxes. It is a port of the original Shadowsocks, written in pure C and built on the libev event loop to minimize resource usage. The project is currently in bug-fix-only mode, with future development moved to shadowsocks-rust. It supports installation via Snap, package managers on various Linux distributions, Docker, and building from source using CMake. Key features include low memory footprint, cross-platform support, and integration with systemd and nftables.
Key Features
Lightweight and low-resource SOCKS5 proxy
Written in pure C with libev event loop
Optimized for embedded devices and low-end hardware
Supports Snap installation for easy updates
Available via package managers on Debian/Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, Nix, FreeBSD, OpenWrt, macOS, and Windows (MinGW)
Buildable from source using CMake with optional features like nftables and conntrack QoS
Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSD, OpenWrt)
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Extremely lightweight with minimal CPU and memory usage
- Written in C for high performance and low overhead
- Wide platform support including embedded and legacy systems
- Simple configuration and deployment via Snap or package managers
Cons
- No longer actively developed; only bug fixes are accepted
- Future development has moved to the Rust-based shadowsocks-rust
- Lacks modern features present in other Shadowsocks implementations
Best For
Secure proxying for resource-constrained devices (e.g., routers, embedded systems)Circumventing network censorship on low-end hardwareEncrypted SOCKS5 proxy in IoT or small server environments
FAQ
What is Shadowsocks-libev?
Shadowsocks-libev is a lightweight, secure SOCKS5 proxy designed for embedded devices and low-end boxes. It is a port of Shadowsocks written in pure C using the libev library.
Is Shadowsocks-libev still under active development?
No, the project is currently in bug-fix-only mode. Future development has moved to shadowsocks-rust.
How can I install Shadowsocks-libev?
It is available via Snap (stable and edge channels), package managers for various Linux distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, etc.), Docker, and can be built from source using CMake.