Are you a gamer? Or do you do torrenting or do you remotely access the home network? If yes, then you might’ve faced issues like restricted  connections, NAT type errors or slow upload & download speeds. 

Many users encounter issues like this when they try to host game servers, run a personal website, or even access security cameras remotely. Without the proper setup, you get nothing but connection failures, poor latency and unnecessary interruptions.

Let’s say Phil, an online gamer, kept getting kicked out of multiplayer sessions because of a strict NAT type. He couldn’t host matches for his friends, and his upload speeds were slow. After some research, John decided to try a VPN with Port Forwarding. 

What were the results? He bypassed his ISP’s restrictions, got a stable, open NAT type and could host lag-free game sessions for his friends from anywhere.

Here, we’re going to put together the Top 5 Best VPN with Port Forwarding, and provide a detailed analysis of their features, pricing, and unique advantages so that you can pick the perfect one for your needs. 

Every VPN provider mentioned here has been 100% verified and fully reviewed, so you can rely on these options with full confidence.

Why Do You Need Port Forwarding With Your VPN?

Port forwarding with a VPN is really important when you want to allow external devices or servers to access specific services on your network securely. Even while connected to a VPN, certain apps, games, or servers require direct inbound connections.

This is where port forwarding comes in! Let’s say you’re hosting a game server or improving P2P speeds, port forwarding helps reducing the gap. Without it, your VPN may block all connections, limiting performance and accessibility. So, Why Do You Need Port Forwarding?

Hosting Game Servers

  • If you’re running a multiplayer game server from your device, port forwarding ensures that players can connect without disruptions. It eliminates NAT-related restrictions and improves connection stability for all participants.

Improving P2P (Torrent) Speeds

  • Port forwarding allows other peers in the network to connect to you directly, boosting download and upload speeds. Without it, your torrent client may experience slower speeds due to limited connectivity.

Accessing Home Network Remotely

  • With port forwarding, you can connect to devices like security cameras, file servers, or NAS systems from anywhere. This makes remote work or home monitoring much easier and more secure.

Running a Website or Application Server

  • If you’re hosting a website or app on your local machine, port forwarding ensures users outside your network can access it smoothly without VPN-imposed barriers.

Bypassing Double NAT Issues

  • Double NAT, that is, Network Address Translation, can block incoming connections entirely. Port forwarding bypasses these limitations, allowing for smoother communications between devices.

Better VoIP and Video Conferencing Quality

  • Some VoIP and video chat applications work better with open ports, resulting in fewer dropped calls, better audio, and stable video streams.                                                           

List: 5 Best VPN With Port Forwarding: Tried, Tested & Rated    

To help you get a clear and crisp idea about all the VPN providers that offer port forwarding, we’ve created a simple comparison table below. This way, in just a single glance, you can decide which VPN best matches your needs without reading through long descriptions.

ProvidersP2P supportCompatibiliyMoney-back guaranteeStarting Price
Proton VPN YesYes30 Days money back guarantee$2.99 per month
PureVPNYesYes31 Days money back guarantee$1.74 per month
Private Internet Access  YesYes30 Days money back guarantee$4.99 per month
ExpressVPNYesYes30 Days money back guarantee$ per month
PrivatevpnYesYes30 Days money back guarantee$ per month

5 Best VPNs With Port Forwarding In 2025 – Top Listed   

Now let’s dive into a detailed overview of all the best VPNs with port forwarding. Every feature mentioned has been thoroughly tested in real-world scenarios, including gaming, torrenting, and remote access, to ensure accuracy. From speed performance to ease of setup, each VPN in this list has proven to offer reliable and secure port forwarding, making them ideal for both beginners and advanced users.

Proton VPN

Proton VPN offers reliable port forwarding capabilities, making it easier for users to connect to remote devices, run game servers, or improve peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing speeds. With this feature enabled, incoming connections can bypass standard VPN restrictions, ensuring smoother performance for applications that rely on direct access.

Proton-VPN-Best-VPN-With-Port-Forwarding

Be it for secure remote access or boosting torrent speeds, Proton VPN’s port forwarding delivers faster, more stable connections.

Headquartered in Switzerland, Proton VPN benefits from strong privacy protections while offering technical features designed for efficiency. Its Secure Core network, open-source applications, and full-disk encrypted servers ensure both safety and speed.

Combined with port forwarding, these systems let users maintain control over their network activities without sacrificing security. Its additional tools like VPN Accelerator, NetShield ad-blocking, and support for high-bandwidth streaming make it an excellent choice for those who need fast, secure connectivity.

RatingsTech Radar: 4.5 / 5 stars
Browser Support / OSWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, ChromeOS, Android TV, Apple TV and more
Server Location13,600 servers across 122 countries (in 2025)
Max connectionsPaid Plan: Up to 10 connections & Free Plan: 1 Connection
Data Usage LimitUnlimited

Key Features

  • Secure Core Technology: Your connection is routed through multiple fortified servers in privacy-respecting countries such as Switzerland and Iceland before leaving the network. This extra hop protects against targeted monitoring and intrusion attempts.
  • Open Source & Audited: Every Proton VPN app is open source and regularly reviewed by independent security experts, ensuring that its code is trustworthy and transparent.
  • NetShield Ad-blocker: This feature automatically blocks intrusive ads, tracking scripts, and harmful domains, enhancing both browsing speed and security.
  • VPN Accelerator: Proton VPN’s custom acceleration technology can increase connection speeds by up to 400%, making downloads, streaming, and gaming significantly faster without reducing safety.

Pricing

  • Starting Price: $2.99 per month 

PureVPN

Next is PureVPN, recognized globally for its powerful Port Forwarding capabilities and extensive network of 6500+ VPN servers spread across 71+ countries, ensuring seamless worldwide connectivity and unrestricted access to your desired content. If you want it for personal or professional use, it delivers smooth and secure connections, allowing you to open specific ports for gaming, hosting servers, or managing remote devices without restrictions.

PureVPN-Best-VPN-With-Port-Forwarding

If you’re into streaming, remote work, or everyday browsing, PureVPN offers hypersonic speeds of up to 20Gbps with 99% uptime, giving you a flawless online experience.

Along with its blazing performance and global reach, PureVPN brings advanced Port Forwarding tools to help bypass NAT firewalls, connect to devices from anywhere, and improve P2P sharing speeds. Its security-first setup includes dedicated IP options for stability, plus add-ons like encrypted file transfers, malware blocking, and leak-proof protection for maximum privacy.

Complemented by extra features such as PureKeep (password manager), PurePrivacy (social media safety), and PureEncrypt (file encryption), PureVPN becomes more than just a VPN, it’s a complete online control and security platform.

RatingsTrustPilot: 4.7 / 5 stars
Browser Support / OSChrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, UC, Yandex, Brave, Windows, MacOS, Linux & Android
Server Location6,500 servers in 65+ countries, spread across 80 locations
Max connectionsUp to 10 device connections per subscription
Data Usage LimitUnlimited Bandwidth

Key Features

  • 6500+ Self-Managed Servers in 71+ Countries: Enjoy reliable access to global resources with a massive infrastructure designed to optimize speed, stability, and secure port connections.
  • Hypersonic VPN Speeds up to 20Gbps: Experience ultra-fast streaming, downloading, and gaming with servers fine-tuned for speed and low-latency Port Forwarding.
  • Advanced Port Forwarding & Connectivity: Open and manage specific ports safely to boost P2P transfers, host services, and access remote devices with ease.
  • Business VPN with Teams Feature: Protect your remote teams with up to 1000 accounts, multiple dedicated IPs, and secure team servers for improved workflow and private access.

Pricing

  • Starting Price: $2.16 per month

Private Internet Access

To give you complete control over your online connections and make your digital activities smooth and unrestricted, let’s talk about Private Internet Access (PIA), one of the top VPNs with advanced Port Forwarding support. This feature lets you open specific network ports while staying under the protection of a VPN, enabling faster peer-to-peer sharing, remote access, and better gaming performance.

Private-Internet-Access-Best-VPN-With-Port-Forwarding

With PIA, you can easily bypass strict NAT firewalls, connect to more peers, and enjoy optimized speeds without compromising security.

Using PIA, you can connect unlimited devices simultaneously, take advantage of open-source apps for full transparency, and even pay securely with cryptocurrency. The VPN operates high-speed servers in 91 countries, offering robust encryption and consistent performance for streaming, gaming, and safe browsing.

If you want seamless connectivity without restrictions, PIA ensures you have direct, secure, and reliable access to the internet at all times.

RatingsTrustPilot: 4.7 / 5 stars
Browser Support / OSWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, and Apple TV
Server LocationNextGen servers in 91 countries
Max connectionsUnlimited simultaneous connections
Data Usage LimitNo bandwidth restrictions

Key Features

  • Advanced Port Forwarding: PIA allows you to enable Port Forwarding on supported servers, giving you better control over incoming connections. This improves torrenting speeds, enhances multiplayer gaming, and enables remote device access without dropping security.
  • Open-Source Transparency: All of PIA’s applications are completely open-source, allowing anyone to review the code for assurance. This confirms that PIA delivers exactly what it promises, ensuring no hidden functions and complete user trust.
  • Unlimited Device Connections: A single PIA plan covers as many devices as you wish, from smartphones and tablets to laptops and smart TVs. Protect your entire home network while using Port Forwarding where needed.
  • RAM-Only Servers: PIA runs entirely on RAM-based servers, ensuring data is never stored permanently. Each reboot wipes all temporary session details, keeping your connections private and secure while Port Forwarding is active.

Pricing

  • Starting Price: $1.74 per month

ExpressVPN

After thorough research on VPNs with Port Forwarding, one of the first names that stands out is ExpressVPN, a trusted service designed to enhance online connectivity and performance while keeping users secure. It enables seamless port forwarding, allowing optimized access for gaming, P2P file sharing, and hosting services without compromising safety.

ExpressVPN

Using advanced RAM-based TrustedServer technology, all operations are handled in memory, ensuring faster speeds and automatic data wipes upon reboot. Independent tests by PwC verifies it completely about the platform’s security and reliability for port forwarding.

ExpressVPN is based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands and uses top-grade encryption to protect connections from hackers, ISPs, and potential network restrictions.

Even if authorities request access, the technology ensures no sensitive port forwarding session data is retained. This strong dedication to performance and protection makes it one of the most dependable VPNs with port forwarding support in the market.

RatingsTechRadar: 4.8 / 5 stars
Browser Support / OSChrome, Firefox, Edge extensions; Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, routers
Server Location105+ countries, 3,000+ servers
Max connections8 simultaneous device connections
Data Usage LimitUnlimited Bandwidth available

Key Features

  • Reliable Port Forwarding Support: ExpressVPN allows users to forward specific ports, boosting gaming responsiveness, improving torrenting efficiency, and enabling smooth remote access.
  • TrustedServer Technology: All servers run on RAM, automatically clearing data after a restart and ensuring port configurations never persist unnecessarily.
  • Independent Security Audits: Verified by PwC and Cure53 for robust security and performance, ensuring safe and optimized port forwarding experiences.
  • Military-Grade Encryption: Uses AES-256-bit encryption and secure tunneling protocols to keep forwarded ports protected against unauthorized access or surveillance.

Pricing

  • Starting Price: $4.99 per month

PrivateVPN

Last in the list, we’ve PrivateVPN with Port Forwarding, designed specifically for users who value both privacy and performance. It offers at least one open port, which is crucial for torrenting, hosting game servers, or running remote services. With over 200 servers across 63 countries, users can bypass geo-restrictions, stream HD content, and enjoy lightning-fast speeds while staying fully protected by military-grade 2048-bit encryption.

PrivateVPN

The service follows a strict zero-logs policy under Swedish privacy laws, ensuring no browsing history or activity data is ever stored.

What makes PrivateVPN stand out is its balance of security, ease of use, and advanced features. The one-click setup works across Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and even routers, making it accessible to all users.

Along with unlimited bandwidth, 10 simultaneous device connections, and premium in-house support from real developers, it ensures a smooth and secure online experience. Whether you’re streaming, gaming, or downloading torrents, PrivateVPN delivers both freedom and safety without compromising on speed.

RatingsTrustPilot: 4.6 / 5 stars
Browser Support / OSWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS & also supports Chrome, Firefox and more
Server Location200+ servers in 63 countries worldwide
Max connections10 simultaneous connection
Data Usage LimitUnlimited 

Key Features

  • Port Forwarding: PrivateVPN includes at least one open port, essential for P2P torrenting, gaming, and remote server access. This feature enhances connection stability and speeds by allowing direct incoming connections, making it ideal for users who rely on peer-to-peer networking.
  • Kill Switch: The built-in Kill Switch ensures your real IP and data never leak, even if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This automatic protection maintains privacy during unstable network conditions, which is vital for torrenting and secure browsing.
  • Multiple VPN Protocols: PrivateVPN supports various VPN protocols like OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2, and PPTP, allowing users to choose between maximum security or higher speeds. This flexibility ensures compatibility with different devices and network conditions.
  • Torrenting Facility Service: Optimized for torrenting, PrivateVPN’s servers allow unlimited bandwidth and support P2P traffic without throttling. With port forwarding and strong encryption, users can download and share files securely and at maximum speed.

Pricing

  • Starting Price: $2 per month 

Using a VPN with port forwarding: things to consider

Many newcomers have no idea how to properly use a VPN with port forwarding, which can lead to frustration and security issues. Below, we’ll help you understand the essential factors to keep in mind so you can make the most of this feature while avoiding potential risks.

Security Risks

  • Opening ports can expose your system to potential attacks if misconfigured. Always ensure you have firewalls and security protocols in place.

VPN Provider Restrictions

  • Not all VPNs support port forwarding, and some limit the feature to specific servers. Check the provider’s documentation before subscribing.

Choosing the Right Port Number

  • Some ports are commonly blocked or used by other services. Picking an uncommon port can improve stability and security.

Impact on Connection Speeds

  • While port forwarding can boost certain activities, it might slightly affect your VPN speed depending on the server load.

Device Compatibility

  • Ensure that your device or app supports the type of port forwarding offered by your VPN (static or dynamic).

Legal & ISP Considerations

  • In some regions, hosting servers or certain P2P activities may be restricted. Always follow local laws and ISP terms.

How to configure port forwarding on a VPN? 

Configuring port forwarding on a VPN can be tricky, especially for newbies. To make it simple, here’s a step-by-step guide that takes you from zero to fully set up without unnecessary technical jargon.

  • Step1) Choose a VPN that supports port forwarding >> Check the provider’s features before subscribing.
  • Step2) Log in to your VPN account dashboard >> This is usually done through their official website or app.
  • Step3) Locate the Port Forwarding option >> Often found under “Advanced Settings” / “Network Settings.”
  • Step4) Select your desired port or let the VPN assign one >> Some VPNs give you a fixed port, while others allow custom selection.
  • Step5) Enable port forwarding >> Turn on the toggle or checkbox to activate.
  • Step6) Apply and save settings >> Make sure to confirm changes before exiting.
  • Step7) Test the port >> Use an online port checker to ensure it’s open and accessible.

What is the difference between static and dynamic port forwarding?

Many users are often confused about whether to use static or dynamic port forwarding. Static port forwarding assigns you a fixed port number every time you connect, while dynamic port forwarding changes the port each session. You should use static port forwarding when you need consistent access (like hosting a game server) and dynamic port forwarding when security and privacy are the priority, as it reduces predictability for attackers.

FeatureStatic Port ForwardingDynamic Port Forwarding
Port ConsistencySame port every timePort changes each session
Best ForHosting server, remote accessGeneral security, P2P connection
Setup difficultyMore setup neededUsually automatic
SecurityMore vulnerable It is Safer

FAQs

Does VPN block port forwarding?

Yes! Most VPNs block port forwarding by default for security reasons, as open ports can be an easy passage for hackers. If your VPN supports port forwarding, you can enable it through their app or dashboard to allow direct connections, improve P2P speeds, and host servers. Always check your VPN’s settings or customer support to confirm if it’s available.

When is port forwarding necessary?

Port forwarding is necessary when you need external devices or users to connect directly to your device over the internet. Like when hosting game servers, improving torrent download speeds, accessing home security cameras remotely, or running web servers. Without port forwarding, the firewall or NAT (Network Address Translation) may block those incoming connections.

Can I Use the VPN For Windows P2P file sharing?

Yes! Many VPNs support P2P file sharing on Windows, but you need one that allows torrenting and ideally offers port forwarding for faster speeds. With P2P support, your IP address stays hidden, your traffic is encrypted, and you avoid ISP throttling. Some VPNs even have dedicated P2P servers for optimal performance.

What are the types of port forwarding? 

There are three main types of port forwarding:

  • Local Port Forwarding: Sends data from your local device to a remote server securely, often used for bypassing firewalls.
  • Remote Port Forwarding: Allows remote devices to connect to your local network, often used for server hosting.

Dynamic Port Forwarding: Creates flexible port mappings that change dynamically, useful for secure web browsing through a proxy.

What is a P2P VPN?

A P2P VPN is a VPN service that supports peer-to-peer file sharing, such as torrenting. It encrypts your connection and hides your IP address so you can share files securely without exposing your real location. P2P VPNs often include features like port forwarding for faster peer connections, no bandwidth limits, and strong privacy policies to ensure your activity stays private.

Conclusion

A VPN with Port Forwarding can be good for anyone dealing with blocked ports, NAT type restrictions, or connectivity issues. Let’s say you’re hosting game servers, running a personal cloud, or optimizing P2P file sharing, Port Forwarding ensures you get faster connections and smoother performance without compromising privacy.

If you’re new to VPNs and don’t have the budget for a premium subscription, ProtonVPN is a great starting point! It offers a free plan and lets you connect to 5+ servers across different countries without paying a penny. You still get secure connections and the ability to test out VPN features before committing to a paid plan.

In this blog, we’ve brought you the 5 best VPNs with Port Forwarding, all personally tested to ensure you get the best possible results. No matter your budget or experience level, you’ll find a reliable option here to help you overcome connection hurdles and unlock the full potential of your online activities.

Most Loved Article List

Categorized in:

Guides,

Last Update: August 15, 2025