Best VPNs with Port Forwarding
Port forwarding is a feature that creates a direct path so external devices can reach specific services. It’s a particularly useful feature for online gaming, torrenting, hosting servers, and remote desktop access. However, it carries security risks, so you have to take extra precautions to keep your device and connection safe.
Only a few VPNs include the port forwarding feature. Therefore, I set out to find the best VPNs with port forwarding in 2026 that I overview below.
Best port forwarding VPNs in 2026 – shortlist
- Proton VPN – best port forwarding VPN overall
- PureVPN – affordable VPN offering port forwarding
- PrivateVPN – user-friendly port forwarding VPN
- ExpressVPN – fast VPN with port forwarding capabilities
- Private Internet Access (PIA) – reliable VPN with port forwarding and unlimited device connections
What is port forwarding VPN?
A port-forwarding VPN lets specific outside traffic reach your device through an encrypted tunnel while keeping your real IP address hidden. Normally, NAT firewalls block all unsolicited connections, which boosts privacy but stops anyone from linking to your apps or services.
With port forwarding, the VPN opens a chosen port on its server and routes it straight to your device. That’s how torrent clients, game servers, and remote-access tools get smoother speeds, lower latency, and reliable inbound connections without exposing your home IP.
Because open ports can introduce risks, only a handful of VPNs offer this feature, and those that do pair it with tight no-logs policies, strong encryption, and clear setup guides to keep users safe.
Why use a VPN with port forwarding?
While not many VPNs include port forwarding, it can be quite useful for some users. For example, it can make torrenting smoother by bypassing the NAT firewall, leading to better speeds and reliability. If you’re into online gaming, you can use it to host your own servers or cut down on lag, especially in older titles that depend on direct inbound traffic. Lastly, it can also be used for simple remote desktop access, directing connections straight to the right device.
The best VPNs with port forwarding – detailed list
I reviewed a dozen providers and selected 5 best VPNs with port forwarding based on their features, speed, price, and privacy policies. Continue reading to learn more about each provider.
1. Proton VPN – best port forwarding VPN in 2026
| Port forwarding: | Yes |
| P2P support: | Yes |
| No-logs policy: | Yes |
| Simultaneous devices: | 10 |
| Current deal: | Get up to 70% OFF ProtonVPN |
Proton VPN is the best VPN with port forwarding I have had a chance to try. It’s available for Windows and Linux users, via the Advanced Settings section of its user-friendly apps.
Performance
ProtonVPN uses WireGuard – one of the fastest and secure tunneling protocols on the market. As a result, ProtonVPN is known for its excellent speeds. During our Proton VPN testing, it maintained 86% of the original connection speed, making it a great pick for streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Speaking of torrenting, ProtonVPN supports P2P connections with its premium plans for a better experience.
Features
Proton VPN has a selection of advanced features. I was particularly impressed by NetShield (ad-blocking feature), VPN Accelerator, and Proton Pass. However, my favorite feature is Secure Core, which includes a double VPN that connects you to two servers to ensure the highest-level privacy.
Customer support
Proton VPN doesn’t offer a 24/7 live chat, but you can reach the agents via email. There’s also an extensive knowledge base, which has information about how to use the port forwarding feature.
Price
While Proton VPN is not the cheapest VPN, it remains an affordable option, starting at $2.99/month. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for testing out the service.
2. PureVPN – budget-friendly VPN with port forwarding
| Port forwarding: | Yes |
| P2P support: | Yes |
| No-logs policy: | Yes |
| Simultaneous devices: | 10 |
| Current deal: | Get PureVPN, now 83% OFF |
Another great VPN with port forwarding is PureVPN. While it comes as an extra service, it’s quite affordable, costing only $1.99/month.
Performance
Like ProtonVPN, PureVPN also uses the WireGuard tunneling protocol, which allows combining fast speeds with security. During our in-house testing, it retained 93% of the original connection, which left me truly impressed. In addition to its fast speeds, PureVPN offers P2P servers that are great for torrenting. However, not all servers support it, as P2P on servers located in the US, the UK, and Canada is prohibited.
Features
PureVPN’s features are more limited compared to ProtonVPN. It includes a kill switch to disconnect you from the internet if your VPN connection drops. Also, it’s equipped with a traffic obfuscation feature to keep the fact that you’re using a VPN hidden. Lastly, there’s PureKeep password manager for increased security.
Customer support
PureVPN’s agents can be reached 24/7 through live chat or email. For port forwarding setup guides, you can refer to the PureVPN knowledge base.
Price
PureVPN comes with an affordable entry price of $2.15/month. However, port forwarding is an extra service, which will cost you an additional $1.99/month. Luckily, there’s a 31-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service risk-free.
3. PrivateVPN – simple VPN with port forwarding
| Port forwarding: | Yes |
| P2P support: | Yes |
| No-logs policy: | Yes |
| Simultaneous devices: | 10 |
| Current deal: | Get PrivateVPN, now 85% OFF! |
PrivateVPN is the easiest-to-use port forwarding VPN on my list. It offers a user-friendly app across different operating systems, making it a suitable choice no matter what device you own.
Performance
What makes PrivateVPN stand out from other providers is that it doesn’t use WireGuard. Instead, it relies on OpenVPN. During PrivateVPN testing, it retained around 34% of the original connection speed. While its performance isn’t as impressive as the other providers’ on my list, PrivateVPN offers decent speeds. Due to lower speeds, even though PrivateVPN supports torrenting on all its servers, it might be slow.
Feature
PrivateVPN offers a standard feature suite. It has a kill switch to prevent accidental data leaking and a Stealth VPN feature to mask VPN usage. Additionally, PrivateVPN supports HTTP and SOCKS5 proxies.
Customer support
In terms of customer support, PrivateVPN also offers standard options. You can reach support via 24/7 live chat or email. However, if you need some information or assistance regarding port forwarding, you can check its knowledge base or FAQs.
Price
You can subscribe to PrivateVPN for $2.00/month if you choose a 3-year plan. All plans include coverage for 10 devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
4. ExpressVPN – port forwarding VPN with high speeds
| Port forwarding: | Yes |
| P2P support: | Yes |
| No-logs policy: | Yes |
| Simultaneous devices: | 14 |
| Current deal: | Get ExpressVPN, now 80% OFF |
If you need a fast VPN with port forwarding, don’t look further than ExpressVPN. It has great speed, but its port forwarding is only compatible with v1 and v2 routers. That being said, you might need to install firmware or invest in a compatible router.
Performance
ExpressVPN is fast for a reason – it uses proprietary Lightway protocol, which makes it possible. When we ran in-house tests for ExpressVPN, on average, it retained 91% of connection speeds. Such a speed rate is great for gaming or torrenting. Additionally, it allows P2P connections, making it a good choice for torrenting.
Features
ExpressVPN has a few unique features that both increase your security and improve your overall experience. One of such features is Device Groups. It makes it possible to assign different locations to different devices. So, if you want to game or torrent on one device, but your family or friends want to browse using another, you can easily do that. Besides this feature, ExpressVPN includes RAM-only servers, Stealth servers, a password manager, and Threat Manager.
Customer support
For support with port forwarding, the simplest way to get help is the ExpressVPN knowledge base. However, if the issue is more complex, there’s a 24/7 live chat and email.
Price
ExpressVPN is not the cheapest provider. The prices start at $2.49/month, allowing you to connect up to 14 devices. Luckily, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee to see if this provider is suitable for you.
5. Private Internet Access – port forwarding VPN for unlimited devices
| Port forwarding: | Yes |
| P2P support: | Yes |
| No-logs policy: | Yes |
| Simultaneous devices: | Unlimited |
| Current deal: | Get PIA with 89% OFF + 3 months FREE! |
Private Internet Access (PIA) is a good port forwarding VPN for multiple-device connections. It also offers decent security and a customizable command-line interface.
Performance
PIA is not the fastest VPN on this list. However, it demonstrated average results during our in-house testing, retaining around 63% of the original connection speed. It also proved to be a good choice for torrenting, as it supports P2P connections on all servers.
Features
PIA’s features are one aspect that makes it stand out. It’s equipped with a regular and advanced kill switch, preventing leaks by blocking any traffic from your device. Also, it has features, such as split tunneling, a breach monitor, a private browser, DNS leak protection, multi-hop, and a dedicated IP.
Customer support
PIA’s agents are reachable 24/7 via live chat. There are other options as well, like email and a knowledge base, including instructions on port forwarding.
Price
Private Internet Access pricing is average and starts from $1.33/month. All its plans include unlimited device connections, enhanced protection, and servers in 91 countries. Also, there’s a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Best port forwarding VPNs compared
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of my top 5 VPNs with port forwarding:
| VPN | Price | Port forwarding | P2P support | Servers |
| Proton VPN | $2.99/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 19,500+ servers in 145 countries |
| PureVPN | $2.15/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 6,000+ servers in 65 countries |
| PrivateVPN | $2.00/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | 200+ servers in 63 countries |
| ExpressVPN | $2.49/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Servers in 105 countries |
| PIA | $1.33/month | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Servers in 91 countries |
Is port forwarding safe with VPN?
VPN with port forwarding increases your safety, but it still includes some risks. Opening a port makes part of your device visible to the internet. This gives a perfect opportunity for cybercriminals to use this vulnerability to break in and take control of your device. What’s more, you expose your device to an increased risk of malware.
However, these risks can be mitigated by sticking with trusted VPNs. Taking control of which ports are opened and constantly updating your software can also help avoid these risks.
How to configure port forwarding on a VPN
Configuring port forwarding on your VPN is pretty simple. Here’s how to do it:
- Sign up for a VPN service with port forwarding; I recommend Proton VPN, now 70%% OFF
- Download and install the VPN on your device
- Enable the port forwarding feature
- Connect to a P2P server
- Start using port forwarding
How to configure port forwarding on a router
Port forwarding can be set up on your whole network. However, keep in mind that the process can differ depending on your router. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up port forwarding on your router:
- Insert your router’s IP address into your browser’s URL bar
- Sign in to your router’s configuration interface
- Look for the port forwarding section
- Fill in the required information
- Enable port forwarding
How to test if VPN port forwarding is working
Once you set up port forwarding, it’s good to test if it’s working correctly. This way, you can avoid connection issues and security gaps.
You can do so by checking if you can reach the port externally. This step lets you confirm that the forwarded port connection is open on your VPN and that it can accept incoming traffic. You can also check if the port forwarding is working using your VPN provider’s tools and documentation. Commonly, many VPNs provide built-in checkers and step-by-step guides.
Alternatively, you can resort to online port scanners, like YouGetSignal or CanYouSeeMe. Also, you can use Telnet or port-testing software.
Can you use a free VPN with a port forwarding feature?
You can use a free port forwarding VPN, but I don’t recommend it for a few reasons. To start with, port forwarding is a premium feature, so any free service that provides it most likely is unreliable. It’s common that free VPNs make money by offering you a free service and selling your data.
To avoid any related security risks, I suggest choosing a premium VPN with a money-back guarantee instead. Providers like Proton VPN or PureVPN are great choices, offering trustworthy service, advanced security, and generous 30 and 31-day money-back guarantees.
Things to consider when using a VPN with port forwarding
Port forwarding is a rare feature in VPNs due to related security concerns. However, it can be used safely by taking additional measures.
Always use a trusted VPN and keep your device updated in a timely manner. Another great measure of prevention is using an antivirus, which can secure your network from malware. Lastly, don’t use port forwarding on many devices, as this exposes a lot of surface to be exploited for a cyberattack.
Final verdict
Port forwarding can be useful for users interested in torrenting and gaming. It can increase torrent download speeds and guarantee a more consistent gameplay experience.
My top choice is Proton VPN. It’s a trusted provider that offers port forwarding for Windows and Linux and includes P2P-optimized servers. Additionally, it demonstrates fast speeds and high performance, making it a great choice for various users.
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FAQ
Can port forwarding be dangerous?
Yes, port forwarding comes with security risks as it creates vulnerable spots in your network. Since this feature opens a path to your network for incoming traffic, threat actors can also get access to your network or device.
Does NordVPN support port forwarding?
No, NordVPN doesn’t support port forwarding. Due to related security reasons, NordVPN blocks all ports, allowing only those necessary for VPN functionality.
Does using a VPN with port forwarding affect Internet speed?
Using port forwarding with a VPN can affect your internet speed. It may improve speeds for certain tasks like torrenting by allowing direct connections. On the other hand, it may slow things down, as a VPN routes traffic through its servers and adds encryption.
Should I use a VPN to seed torrents?
Yes, using a VPN when seeding torrents is a good practice. It encrypts your traffic and hides your real IP address so others in the torrent swarm, copyright monitors, your internet provider, or cybercriminals can’t see what you’re doing.
