5 Best VPNs With Port Forwarding Support — Updated in 2023

A port forwarding VPN is a convenient way to boost torrenting speeds and host gaming servers. It also lets you remotely access your home network if a VPN runs on it. However, there aren’t many reliable VPNs that offer port forwarding.

This omission is typically driven by privacy concerns and extra expenses, even though it’s a great way to improve torrenting and gaming performance on your devices. 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.

ExpressVPN is my top choice for port forwarding. It comes with impressive speeds, military-grade encryption, and a router-friendly interface, making it an ideal option for hassle-free port forwarding. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.

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Best VPNs With Port Forwarding — Full Analysis (Updated in 2023)

1. ExpressVPN — Best Overall Port Forwarding VPN With Excellent Speeds and Robust Security

ExpressVPN stands out by providing hassle-free port forwarding functionality, allowing you to easily redirect inbound traffic to specific devices or applications on your network. By configuring port forwarding through your router, you can optimize your online experience for gaming, file sharing, remote access, or hosting services. Just make sure you have a v1 or v2 router and that your ISP supports port mapping (ISPs using Carrier-grade NAT usually don’t).

During my ExpressVPN speed tests, I got fantastic results. I noticed no slowdowns or input delays after setting up port forwarding on my router. My speeds only decreased by 5%, which isn’t noticeable. This ensures low ping (even on strict NAT) and faster torrenting speeds. Moreover, the VPN offers unlimited bandwidth, relieving any concerns about data usage.

Thanks to ExpressVPN’s impressive speeds, I quickly downloaded large torrent files

The overall security and privacy benefits of using ExpressVPN help protect your devices and mitigate potential risks associated with opening ports. For example, it reliably masks your IP address, which makes it more difficult for potential attackers to target your actual IP, reducing the risk of exposing your devices on open ports. Plus, ​​DNS leak protection ensures that while port forwarding is enabled, your DNS requests remain encrypted within the VPN tunnel.

My only gripe is the expensive subscriptions. Luckily, ExpressVPN constantly runs generous deals and promotions. When I subscribed for the 12-month plan, I got 49% off and 3 extra months for free for a final price of just $6.67/month. You can also test ExpressVPN without risk since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee. I requested a refund via 24/7 live chat and got my money back within 2 days.

Useful Features

• Dedicated router app. ExpressVPN offers dedicated apps for supported routers, making setting up port forwarding even easier.
• Network-wide P2P support. The VPN supports P2P traffic on every server for reliable torrenting.
• RAM-based servers. All ExpressVPN servers are RAM-based, meaning that any data regarding your online activity is inaccessible and regularly wiped with every server reboot.
• No-logs policy. ExpressVPN follows a no-logs policy that has been audited and verified by independent firms (PwC and Cure53), meaning your data isn’t stored or shared with third parties.

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2. Proton VPN — VPN Accelerator and Port Forwarding to Reduce Ping on Your Gaming Servers

ProtonVPN has a VPN Accelerator feature that helps reduce ping for gaming server owners. It uses different technologies to overcome CPU limitations and improve TCP connections on all ports. Even though it sounded complicated, I only had to slide a single toggle to enable it. When testing the VPN Accelerator feature, it noticeably improved my speed.

VPN Accelerator and port forwarding boost your speeds, which is excellent for lag-free gaming

The VPN offers port forwarding for Windows users. Enabling it is very simple — just head to the Advanced Settings section and activate it. When you connect to a P2P server, you can effortlessly copy the port number from the information panel at the top of the main window. You’ll need this number to configure port forwarding on third-party software like your BitTorrent client.

Secure Core (Multihop) feature protects your online privacy. It routes your internet traffic through multiple encrypted servers located in privacy-friendly countries before reaching the final destination. This helps protect against network-based attacks and ensures that your online activities are shielded even if one VPN server is compromised (which is highly unlikely).

You can get ProtonVPN for just $4.99/month. I recommend a 2-year subscription for the best value for money. There’s also a 30-day refund policy backing the service. Unfortunately, Proton VPN will only refund your money based on the remaining days of your subscription (pro-rated). However, this policy is still reliable.

Useful Features

• Split tunneling. You can enjoy the benefits of port forwarding for specific applications or devices while selectively routing other traffic outside the VPN. This can be useful if you want to boost your torrenting speeds but play online games on your regular network.
• Port forwarding shortcut. ProtonVPN lets you access the port forwarding settings from the Quick Settings bar on the app’s main screen.
• Dedicated IP Addresses. A dedicated IP address can be beneficial when using port forwarding because it provides a consistent and fixed IP for your forwarded ports. This can be particularly useful if you host servers requiring a stable IP address.

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3. Private Internet Access — Port Forwarding and SOCKS5 Proxy for Reliable P2P File Sharing

PIA comes with port forwarding, an excellent feature for boosting torrenting speeds. Port mapping opens specific ports for direct peer-to-peer connections, improving your P2P experience. 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

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.

The VPN boasts an extensive server network, providing P2P support on all connections. This means 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.

You can get PIA for as low as $2.03/month. I chose the 2-year plan, which is the most pocket-friendly in the long run. Thanks to a 30-day money-back guarantee, it’s possible to try PIA without risk.

Useful Features

• 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).
• No data caps. PIA comes with unlimited bandwidth, so you won’t have to worry about data caps.
• 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.

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

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

With unlimited bandwidth and P2P support on all servers, PrivateVPN is a dependable option for torrenting. My download speeds were fast when using eMule — I averaged 97Mbps on the US and UK servers I tried. While testing PrivateVPN, I downloaded a 1.6GB file in less than 15 minutes.

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.

You can get a subscription for as low as $2/month. Opting for the 3-year plan provides the best value for money. Besides, you can try PrivateVPN risk-free since it’s backed by a 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, a kill switch, and Stealth mode.

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5. Hide.me — Stealth Guard Security to Protect Your Open Ports From Leaking Data

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. Stealth Guard adds an extra layer of security to your VPN connection, ensuring your forwarded ports remain secure and private.

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, the nearby servers delivered fast speeds for torrenting and gaming. My ping was the lowest when testing hide.me’s SoftEther protocol.

The VPN offers affordable long-term plans starting at $2.59/month. To maximize your savings, I suggest opting for the 2-year subscription. In case it fails to meet your expectations, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee for your peace of mind.

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.

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Quick Comparison Table: Port Forwarding VPN Features

If you're struggling to pick a service, the comparison table below can help you find the best VPN with port forwarding. For private and fast port forwarding, I looked at server coverage, speeds, and security features.

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Tips on Choosing the Best VPN With Port Forwarding

While all the VPNs on my list offer a port forwarding feature, you can use my checklist to run your own tests:

• Port forwarding capability. First and foremost, the VPN should support port forwarding, allowing you to easily set up and configure port mapping for specific applications or services that require it.
• P2P support. Look for a VPN that explicitly supports P2P traffic and is optimized for activities like torrenting. P2P support ensures that you can establish efficient connections with other peers in P2P networks for seamless file sharing.
• Robust security and privacy. Look for a VPN that provides AES 256-bit encryption, a strict no-logs policy, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. These features ensure that your data is encrypted and your online activities remain private.
• Fast and stable connections. A reliable VPN with port forwarding should offer high-speed connections and minimal downtime. This ensures smooth performance during activities like torrenting or online gaming, where port forwarding is often utilized.
• Wide server network. Choose a VPN with a broad server network spread across various locations. This allows you to access different IP addresses and select the most suitable server for your port forwarding needs.
• User-friendly interface. A user-friendly VPN interface makes it easy to configure and manage port forwarding settings.
• Reliable customer support. Responsive and helpful customer support (like 24/7 live chat)is essential for any VPN service, especially if you have trouble setting up port forwarding.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. Opt for a VPN that lets you try its port forwarding feature risk-free. So you can get a full refund if it doesn’t meet your standards.

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How to Set up Port Forwarding for a VPN Service and on a Router

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. You 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 With Port Forwarding

Is port forwarding legal?

Port forwarding is legal. However, certain activities conducted through VPN port forwarding, such as bypassing geo-restrictions or engaging in illegal activities, may be subject to legal consequences. That said, it’s perfectly legal to use a VPN with port forwarding to access your devices remotely. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations regarding VPN port forwarding usage in your specific country to avoid getting into trouble.

Is port forwarding safe?

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.

Port 443, in particular, is the default port for secure HTTPS communication, which is widely used for encrypted web browsing. It’s generally considered safe to forward port 443 as long as the services or applications running on that port are properly secured with encryption protocols such as SSL/TLS.

A VPN enhances overall security by encrypting your internet traffic and masking your IP address. However, it’s essential to implement additional security measures to protect open ports from unauthorized access or attacks.

What's the difference between static and dynamic VPN port forwarding?

The difference between static and dynamic VPN port forwarding lies in how the ports are assigned and managed within the VPN network. Static VPN port forwarding assigns specific ports permanently to a user or device, while dynamic VPN port forwarding dynamically assigns available ports as needed. Static port forwarding provides consistent assignments, while dynamic port forwarding allows efficient sharing of available ports.

For example, PIA offers static port forwarding. It allows users to forward ports on their VPN connections, providing consistent and dedicated port assignments (but it also supports one dynamic port forward via OpenVPN or WireGuard). ExpressVPN, on the other hand, utilizes dynamic port forwarding, allowing users to access available ports dynamically based on demand.

Is port forwarding necessary for seeding?

Port forwarding isn’t necessary for seeding, but enabling it enhances the connectivity options for incoming connections, potentially increasing the number of peers who can connect to your seed. VPNs and routers have a security feature called NAT firewall that protects against unwanted connection attempts, but it can sometimes get in the way of peer-to-peer connections during torrenting.

The good news is that many top VPNs support port forwarding, which allows unsolicited connections to pass through the NAT firewall on specific ports, enabling you to connect with other computers or devices on the internet that may be blocked by firewalls. The best VPNs with port forwarding enhance your torrenting experience without sacrificing your privacy and security.

Can I use port forwarding without a router?

Port forwarding typically requires a router because it involves configuring network settings on the router to direct incoming connections to a specific device on the local network. Without a router, such as when directly connecting a device to a modem or using a mobile hotspot, you typically do not have direct control over the network settings necessary for port forwarding. It’s advisable to opt for a VPN that offers a straightforward router setup for port forwarding.

However, you can use the Linux system's firewall functionality, specifically with the iptables command, to perform port forwarding without relying on a router. The iptables command allows for the manipulation of packet filtering rules within the Linux kernel's Netfilter framework. By configuring iptables rules, users can redirect incoming network traffic from a specific port to a different port or IP address on the local network.

Why don't all VPNs support port forwarding?

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.

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 support port forwarding due to security reasons. However, this feature is an easy way to boost your torrenting speeds and access devices remotely. That’s why I listed only the best VPNs with port forwarding that also have fast speeds and robust security features.

I recommend ExpressVPN for port forwarding. It comes with impressive speeds, an extensive server network, and excellent security features to use port forwarding securely from anywhere. It's also backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can test ExpressVPN risk-free. Getting a refund is hassle-free if you’re not entirely impressed with the service.

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