Basically, you are asking VPN vs proxy for torrenting, which one is safer…
Well, however fast and effective the SOCKS5 appears, it’s not encrypted. As such, it’s recommended that you use it with a VPN to be on the safer side. On the other hand, if you are using a top-notch VPN that’s fast and secure, at that point, there’s no need to torrent with a proxy. Basically, the choice is left to you to decide which one works best for you.