5 Best VPNs With Port Forwarding Support in 2024

Using port forwarding with a VPN is a convenient way to host gaming servers, boost torrent seeds, and remotely access home networks. However, there aren’t many reliable VPNs that offer port forwarding since it can pose potential security risks.

That’s why my team and I tested over 50 VPNs and found the best providers with port forwarding. They have fast speeds, global server networks, and robust privacy features for reliable connections and safe online activity.

Private Internet Access is my top choice for port forwarding. It allows easy port forwarding directly from its desktop apps, along with a host of other adjustable settings. You can even try Private Internet Access for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee. Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process.

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Short on Time? Here Are the Best VPNs for Port Forwarding in 2024

Best VPNs for Port Forwarding — Full Analysis (Updated 2024)

1. Private Internet Access (PIA) — Adjustable Encryption to Balance Speed and Security

Editor’s Choice Editor’s Choice Try Risk-Free for 30 Days
Tested November 2024

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ FIFA+ Netflix

Disney+ APV More

Try Private Internet Access >

www.privateinternetaccess.com

You can customize PIA’s security to prioritize speed or security on all ports. I used 128-bit encryption to enhance torrenting speeds, but when connecting to a remote PC, I switched to 256-bit encryption to protect my sensitive data. This encryption is more robust but slightly reduces your speeds. I also tested PIA for IP/DNS leaks, which came clean.

Unlike most VPNs, PIA offers a port forwarding feature directly in its desktop apps. This means that the forwarded ports are automatically integrated securely through the VPN tunnel. The VPN also offers multi-hop connections and a SOCKS5 setup that routes your traffic through a proxy, in addition to the VPN that keeps you extra safe while torrenting.

PIA offers port forwarding for Windows, macOS, Android, and Linux

PIA offers dedicated IP addresses for a small extra charge. They’re available in 10 countries: the United States, Canada, Australia, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Switzerland, Japan, and Singapore. A dedicated IP address provides a consistent and fixed IP, which can be beneficial when using port forwarding, particularly if you host servers requiring a stable IP address.

In fact, PIA’s app may be a little technical for VPN beginners. But if you’re a techie like me, you’ll enjoy exploring its feature-rich submenus. Plus, you can get PIA for as little as $2.19/month. You’ll find the longer plans are the most pocket-friendly. And, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it for free.

Useful Features

• P2P support on all connections. You get thousands of server addresses to choose from to use with port mapping. It's important to note that the US servers don’t support port forwarding, but given the extensive server network, alternative options are always available.
• Alternative port forwarding options. Even though you can easily set up and manage port mapping directly from the PIA client or app, the VPN offers a manual port forwarding option as an alternative (useful for Linux).
• Unlimited simultaneous connections. It’s possible to connect multiple devices to the VPN simultaneously without any restrictions, ensuring that all your devices benefit from the privacy and security provided by PIA.

2. PrivateVPN — Beginner-Friendly VPN to Quickly Set Up Port Forwarding

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try PrivateVPN >

www.privatevpn.com

PrivateVPN's user-friendly apps allow you to quickly set up port forwarding. When you connect to a server, you'll see a random port number conveniently displayed above the disconnect button. If you want more control, you can manually change this port number to one of your choosing. This means you don't have to deal with complicated setups or wait for approval on port forwarding requests.

After setting up your port, you can switch back to the Simple view for convenience

I appreciate Stealth VPN, its obfuscation feature, that provides added privacy to your connection. With this enabled, PrivateVPN disguises your VPN connection as regular internet traffic by scrambling your data. You can even toggle between ports 22 (used for Secure Shell) and 433 (for secure website transactions).

I was disappointed to see that the VPN has only 200 servers, which means overcrowding can become an issue, especially while torrenting or gaming. However, whenever I came across a slower server, I could quickly find a less congested alternative. Plus, PrivateVPN makes a virtue of its smaller network by maintaining and streamlining it for maximum efficiency.

You can get a subscription for as low as $2/month. Opting for the longest plan provides the best value for money. Besides, you can try PrivateVPN for free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Useful Features

• Dedicated IP servers. PrivateVPN has dedicated IP servers that allow most ports to be forwarded except for hosting (80), FTP(21), and SMTP port 25.
• Strong security and privacy. If you’re running a server on an open port and have port forwarding set up, a VPN can help secure the communication between the clients accessing your server and your device. It prevents eavesdropping or tampering with the data transmitted between the server and the clients with features like AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch.
• Encryption switching. Like PIA, you can toggle between 128 and 256-bit encryption. Unlike PIA, you can’t adjust MTU packet size.

3. hide.me — Stealth Guard Security to Protect Your Open Ports From Leaking Data

Works With:

Sky ESPN+ Dazn FIFA+

Netflix Disney+ APV More

Try hide.me VPN >

www.hide.me

Stealth Guard lets you customize when the VPN kicks in to prevent accidental data leaks. There are two options — Bind Internet to VPN keeps your entire network connected to hide.me, whereas Limit Apps to VPN lets you choose specific apps (like your torrenting client or gaming server) to use the VPN traffic.

You’ll need to restart the assigned apps for this feature to work

hide.me features dynamic port forwarding (UPnP). You can easily enable it in the Member Settings under Fixed IP /UPnP. Port mapping enables you to redirect incoming traffic from specific ports to devices or applications on your local network, facilitating activities such as hosting servers or accessing devices remotely (like security cameras when you’re not at home).

One downside is that the long-distance servers were quite slow. However, hide.me's nearby servers delivered fast speeds for torrenting and gaming.

The VPN offers affordable long-term plans starting at $2.29/month. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can test it for free.

Useful Features

• UPnP server implementation. Since UPnP is not authenticated, hide.me provides its own, in-house built UPnP server implementation to avoid this security flaw.
• Helpful customer support. hide.me provides 24/7 live chat, tickets, knowledge base, and user community to assist you with port forwarding setup whenever you require it.

Best alternative to Private Internet Access

Our Score: 9.9

If you are interested in a port forwarding setup through a router, I recommend ExpressVPN. It supports port forwarding via its custom router firmware, but this means that your forwarded traffic is transferred outside of the VPN tunnel and isn’t encrypted. Because of this, it’s faster than the VPN-encrypted alternatives, but it’s the most suitable to use if an encrypted connection isn’t paramount.

Our Score: 9.9

Read more about ExpressVPN

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Quick Comparison Table: Port Forwarding VPN Features

If you're having difficulty deciding on a service, the comparison table below can assist you in choosing the best VPN with port forwarding. We considered server coverage, fast speeds to allow for high-data activities, and security features to ensure private and rapid port forwarding.

Editor's Note: Transparency is one of our core values at vpnMentor, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process.

Our Methodology for Testing VPNs For Port Forwarding

We used a strict set of criteria for selecting the best VPNs for port forwarding. First, we made sure each service offered reliable port forwarding. Next, we only chose VPNs with bank-level security to mitigate for the vulnerabilities that port forwarding can bring. Finally, we conducted extensive speed tests to ensure each VPN could handle data-heavy activities.

For all the details on our testing procedures, visit our methodology page. It outlines the testing philosophy we employ to bring you the latest cybersecurity information. Feel free to use it as a template for your own research.

How to Set Up Port Forwarding Safely

Setting up port forwarding for a VPN service and on a router typically involves a few steps. Here's a general guide on how to do it — please keep in mind that the specific steps may vary depending on the VPN provider you are using.

It's important to note that the exact steps may also vary depending on your router's make and model. It's recommended to consult your router's documentation or seek specific instructions from the manufacturer's support resources for detailed guidance on configuring port forwarding on your particular router model.

Setting up Port Forwarding for Your VPN

1. Access your router's settings. Open a web browser on a device connected to your router and enter your router's IP address in the address bar. You may need to enter login credentials to access the router settings.

2. Locate the port forwarding section. The location and terminology may vary depending on your router's manufacturer and firmware. Look for a "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Servers" section in your router settings.

3. Depending on the VPN protocol you’re using, follow these settings:

• PPTP: Set the Local Port to 1723 and Protocol to TCP for PPTP, and Port 47 with Protocol “Other” for the GRE tunnel.
• IPSec: For the IPSec VPN tunnel, set the Local Port to 500 and Protocol to UDP, and Port 4500 with UDP Protocol for IPSec tunnel.
• OpenVPN: Set the Local Port to 1194 and Protocol to UDP. IKEv2: Set the Port to 500 and Protocol to UDP.
• WireGuard: Set the Port to 51820 and Protocol to UDP.

4. Connect. You now have the ability to create a VPN connection on another computer by utilizing the public IP address of your VPN server.

Setting up Port Forwarding on a Router

1. Determine the application or service's port forwarding requirements. Identify the specific ports that need to be forwarded for the application or service you want to use.

2. Access your router's settings. Open a web browser on a device connected to your router and enter 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 into the address bar. Enter login credentials if prompted.

3. Locate the port forwarding section. Look for the "Port Forwarding" or "Virtual Servers" section in your router settings. The location and terminology may vary based on your router's make and model.

4. Add a new port forwarding rule. Create a new port forwarding rule by providing a name for the rule, the desired port range (or single port number), and the IP address of the device that will receive the forwarded connections.

5. Specify the protocol. Select the appropriate protocol (TCP or UDP) for the port forwarding rule, depending on the requirements of the application or service.

6. Save and apply the settings. Once you have entered the necessary information, save the port forwarding rule and apply the settings. The router will now forward incoming connections on the specified port(s) to the designated device.

FAQs on VPNs for Port Forwarding

What’s the best VPN with port forwarding and static/dynamic IPs?

The top VPN on this list offers port forwarding and static IPs. It provides a port forwarding feature that’s easy to use and set up directly in the desktop apps. You also have the option to get a static IP address for a small additional monthly charge. These are offered in 10 different countries.

What are the benefits of VPNs with port forwarding?

Port forwarding via a VPN enhances your ability to manage how traffic is routed through your network. Only a few reliable VPNs offer this capability, boosting performance by directing incoming traffic to specific devices​. This is beneficial for applications like gaming, torrenting, and accessing remote desktop services. Port forwarding allows for a more reliable connection setup, particularly when hosting services behind a NAT (Network Address Translation) firewall.

Why don't all VPNs support port forwarding and is it safe?

Some VPNs do not support port forwarding due to complexity, security risks, and its specialized nature. It requires the VPN provider to open and forward specific ports, which may not be necessary for most users. So far, only a handful of premium VPNs offer access to a port forwarding feature. This is because supporting port forwarding requires additional resources and maintenance from the VPN provider, which not everyone can afford.

Port forwarding can be safe when implemented correctly and used within a secure network environment. It’s a technique that allows external devices or networks to access specific services or applications running on your local network. By opening specific ports and directing incoming traffic to designated devices, port forwarding enables remote access to those services.

Does ExpressVPN support port forwarding?

Yes, ExpressVPN supports port forwarding only via its router firmware. That means that it’s easy to set up as on most router firmware that offer the same feature. However, since it’s not integrated into its VPN service/apps, your forwarded traffic won’t be encrypted as it bypasses the VPN tunnel. This makes it faster than the other options listed above, but not as secure.

Can I use a free VPN with a port forwarding feature?

It might be difficult to find a free VPN with port forwarding functionality since most VPNs (even paid ones) don’t offer it. On top of that, port forwarding typically requires additional resources and maintenance from the VPN provider, which may not be sustainable for a free service. It’s advisable to use a reputable VPN service with a trustworthy money-back guarantee.

Get the Best VPN With Port Forwarding

Many VPNs don’t offer port forwarding, but it has many benefits if you have the necessary security features to back you up. You can get healthier seeds through your go-to torrent clients, set up gaming servers, or remotely access your home network.

The best VPN for port forwarding is Private Internet Access. It has this capability available directly in the app with fast speeds to keep your connections uninterrupted. Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up, so you can try PIA for free.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs for port forwarding...

Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: Intego, Cyberghost, ExpressVPN, and Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.

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