Updated on: October 7, 2024
Short on time? Here’s the best VPN with port forwarding in 2024:
- 🥇 Private Internet Access : Comes with port forwarding built into its Android and desktop apps, allows torrenting on servers in 91 countries, and provides very fast download speeds. Also has high-end security and privacy features, provides access to user-friendly apps, allows unlimited connections, and has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I understand why many top VPNs don’t support port forwarding. They consider it a security risk, as it might expose your network to cyber attacks or malware infections.
That said, port forwarding might increase your download speeds when you use a VPN while torrenting. That’s because, with port forwarding enabled, you should be able to connect to more peers, which would in turn increase your P2P speeds. Plus, port forwarding might prevent connectivity issues when hosting multiplayer games, and it also allows you to remotely access devices.
So I put together a list of the best VPNs that come with port forwarding. All the providers on my list are secure, have good speeds, and are also really easy to use, though I prefer using Private Internet Access the most. Editors' Note: Private Internet Access and this site are in the same ownership group.
Quick Summary of the Best VPNs With Port Forwarding
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
🥇1. Private Internet Access — Best VPN With Port Forwarding in 2024
Private Internet Access (PIA) is my favorite VPN with port forwarding on the market. It makes it super simple to use the feature, it provides excellent P2P support, it has really fast torrenting speeds, and it also provides high-end privacy.
PIA allows port forwarding on Android and desktop and makes it extremely easy to enable the feature. You just have to head over to the app’s Network tab and enable the Request Port Forwarding option. In addition, the apps provide helpful explanations for all features and settings. PIA also allows unlimited connections, which makes it a good pick for large families or people who torrent on tons of devices.
I also like how great the VPN’s P2P support is. It allows torrenting on servers in 91 countries, so it’s really easy to torrent on nearby servers to get the fastest speeds. Plus, it also works with top P2P apps without any issues. And, PIA also has SOCKS5 proxy support, which changes your IP address but doesn’t provide encryption — so you get very fast download speeds.
I ran several speed tests, and PIA always performed extremely well. On average, it only took me about 12 minutes to torrent a 10 GB file. When I enabled port forwarding, the same file took just 9–10 minutes to download.
I also like how PIA provides excellent privacy for torrenting. It comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited and also proven true in court several times. Plus, all of its apps are open-source, which means anyone can inspect the code for security issues.
In addition, you get MACE, which is an excellent ad blocker that gets rid of ads on P2P sites and blocks connections to shady torrenting websites. Plus, it also has Identity Guard, which alerts you if your email has been compromised in a data breach — so, you can use this tool to secure your logins on private torrent sites.
Private Internet Access has super affordable plans that start as low as $2.03 / month. The provider also backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Private Internet Access is the best VPN with port forwarding on the market. It supports port forwarding on its Android and desktop apps, makes it very easy to enable the feature, and comes with excellent P2P support, fast download speeds, and strong privacy features. The provider backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Private Internet Access review
🥈2. ExpressVPN — Very Secure P2P VPN With Super-Fast Download Speeds
ExpressVPN supports port forwarding and has the fastest speeds on the market. It also comes with very strong security features, excellent P2P support, and very easy-to-use apps.
The VPN only supports port forwarding on its router app, but the app is luckily simple to install and use. ExpressVPN has easy-to-follow tutorials on its site, and the router app has a design that’s very similar to the provider’s mobile and desktop apps, so it’s really simple to use. That said, I still think Private Internet Access is more convenient, as it has built-in options for port forwarding on its Android and desktop apps.
I’m always so impressed with this VPN’s speeds — in my tests, I maintained lightning-fast download speeds on both nearby and distant servers. On average, it only took about 9 minutes to torrent a 10 GB file. When I enabled port forwarding on my router, the same file took just 7 minutes to finish downloading. This is mostly thanks to the provider’s proprietary Lightway protocol, which is designed to be very secure and also provide blazing-fast speeds.
Plus, ExpressVPN also has really good torrenting support, as it allows P2P downloads across all of its servers, which are located in 105 countries. In addition, it also works with top P2P clients, such as qBittorent and Vuze, without any issues.
I also like how secure this VPN is for downloading torrents. In addition to an audited no-logs policy and full leak protection, it also has a feature that blocks ads and shady sites. Another standout feature is it provides free access to a password manager, which you can use to secure your logins for private torrent trackers.
ExpressVPN has plans starting at $4.99 / month. It’s a bit pricey, but I think it’s worth it since it provides very good value. Plus, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
ExpressVPN allows port forwarding via its router app, and it provides the fastest P2P speeds on the market. On top of that, it allows torrenting on servers in 105 countries, it provides access to very strong security features, and it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full ExpressVPN review
Editors' Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
🥉3. PrivateVPN — Beginner-Friendly P2P VPN With Port Forwarding
PrivateVPN comes with extremely simple apps and has good port forwarding support. In addition, it also allows torrenting on 200+ servers in 63 countries and has SOCKS5 proxy support, which provides pretty good coverage (though the server network is still smaller than Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN).
The provider’s apps are very intuitive — it only takes a few seconds to connect to a VPN server, and the app design is minimalist, so people new to VPNs don’t feel overwhelmed when using the VPN. Plus, I love how port forwarding is automatically enabled once you connect to a server, as this is super convenient.
In my tests, PrivateVPN maintained pretty fast speeds for downloading files — it generally took me around 14–15 minutes to torrent a 10 GB file when connected to a distant server.
Plus, PrivateVPN also provides good security for downloading torrents. I like how it has good leak protection — I actually ran tests while connected to servers in 10+ countries before downloading any torrents, and I never saw any leaks.
I also like how the VPN has an app-based kill switch on top of its standard kill switch. This way, you can choose which apps are shut down if the VPN disconnects — I tested it with qBittorrent, and PrivateVPN always closed the app when I terminated the VPN connection.
PrivateVPN’s prices start at only $2.00 / month, so this provider is very affordable. In addition, the VPN also backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
PrivateVPN is a great P2P VPN for beginners, as its apps are really intuitive and simple to navigate. In addition, the provider has port forwarding that’s automatically enabled when you connect to a server, it provides good download speeds, and it allows torrenting on all servers. Also, it comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full PrivateVPN review
Bonus. Proton VPN — Good Privacy-Focused P2P VPN
Proton VPN allows port forwarding and provides very strong privacy features. In addition, it also provides great security for torrenting, and it has pretty good download speeds.
The VPN allows you to enable port forwarding with just a few clicks, and it comes with a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited. In addition, all of its apps are open-source and audited.
Security-wise, the provider comes with NetShield, which is a really good ad blocker. When I tested it on several popular torrenting sites, it got rid of all ads on those websites.
The provider allows torrenting on servers in 85+ countries, and its speeds are really good — it only took me 16 minutes to torrent a 10 GB file without port forwarding enabled (and 13 minutes to download it with port forwarding enabled). Plus, you get access to VPN Accelerator, which is a unique feature that boosts speeds on distant servers.
Proton VPN has tier-based subscriptions with prices starting at $2.00 / month. It also provides a great free plan (but it doesn’t support torrenting) and a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bottom Line:
Proton VPN comes with built-in port forwarding on its apps, and it also provides access to high-end privacy features (including an audited no-logs policy and audited and open-source apps). The VPN also has a great ad blocker, good download speeds, and a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Proton VPN review
Quick Comparison Table
Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company
Testing Methodology: Comparison & Ranking Criteria
I relied on our proven testing methodology to choose and rank the VPNs on this list. When doing my research, I considered relevant metrics, like how easy it is to use the VPN’s port forwarding, how good its P2P support is, and how secure, easy to use, and fast the VPNs are. Here’s a closer look at the exact criteria I used:
- I only picked VPNs with good port forwarding support. I prioritized VPNs that provide easy access to port forwarding via their apps or account dashboard. You shouldn’t have to perform any complicated manual setups to use port forwarding. For example, Private Internet Access (my #1 pick) has built-in support for port forwarding on most of its apps.
- I only ranked VPNs with great P2P support. Most VPN users interested in port forwarding want to use it while torrenting. So, I only picked VPNs that support P2P traffic on servers in most parts of the world, which allows you to torrent on a nearby server to get fast downloads.
- I only included fast VPNs in this article. When you use a VPN, your original internet speeds will always take a hit. But I made sure to only include providers that have fast speeds on both nearby and distant servers, especially while torrenting.
- I only added secure VPNs to my list. I made sure to only include VPNs that have all essential security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch to prevent traffic leaks. Most of my top picks also have advanced security features, including RAM-only servers (every server reset wipes all data), and perfect forward secrecy to change the encryption key for each VPN connection. I also tested each provider for leaks, and I never experienced any issues with any of them.
- I prioritized VPNs that are easy to use. I only ranked providers that have intuitive apps for mobile and desktop devices, which make it simple to connect to servers and enable/disable port forwarding.
- Finally, I only ranked VPNs that provide good overall value. All the VPNs I recommend come with affordable plans, provide access to extra features (like split-tunneling or an ad blocker, for example), have large server networks, and offer generous money-back guarantee.
How to Configure Port Forwarding on a VPN
- Get a good VPN that supports port forwarding. My top pick is Private Internet Access since it supports port forwarding on pretty much all of its apps and makes it extremely easy to enable and disable this feature.
- Download and install the VPN on your device. Just download the provider’s app from its site or from an official app store, and follow the installation wizard’s instructions to set up the service.
- Configure the VPN’s port forwarding feature. Most VPNs that support port forwarding enable it automatically or allow you to turn it on via an in-app option, while others require you to configure port forwarding on your router. I recommend checking the provider’s setup guides to see how to enable the feature.
- Connect to a VPN server. After you enable port forwarding, just connect to a VPN server using the VPN app. Do that, and you’ll be able to securely download files while also enjoying faster speeds.
- (Optional) Configure port forwarding on the app you’re using. If you want to use the VPN’s port forwarding on a third-party app (like a torrent client), you’ll need to enable port forwarding on it after you connect to the VPN server.
How to Configure Port Forwarding On Your Router
- Access your router’s login page. You can do this by typing your IP address in your browser’s search bar. If you don’t know what your IP is, just use an online tool like What Is My IP Address.
- Sign into your router’s dashboard. You can find the username and password in your router’s manual or on the back of your router. You can also just google your router model to find the login details (just make sure to change them after you log in).
- Look for the port forwarding option. Most routers will have this feature in their Settings tab or menu.
- Set up a new port forwarding rule. Add all the information that’s requested of you to enable the port forwarding feature on your router.
- Turn on port forwarding on your desired app. Open the app you want to use port forwarding on (such as your torrenting client) and enable its port forwarding option.
Is It Safe to Use a VPN’s Port Forwarding Feature?
Port forwarding comes with security risks, as cybercriminals could always try to compromise the open port. That said, if you only use port forwarding with third-party apps that don’t have access to your system files or sensitive data, the security risk is minimal.
For example, if you use port forwarding in a torrent client, the most a hacker could do is mess around with your torrent client settings.
The level of risk only increases when you use port forwarding to remotely connect to a device. If a cybercriminal were to compromise the open ports you use, they could take over said device.
How to Stay Safe When Using a VPN With Port Forwarding
- Always use an antivirus. An antivirus is a good line of defense against cyber attacks and malware infections, which could compromise your device if port forwarding is enabled. The best antivirus on the market at the moment is Norton 360.
- Only use port forwarding when necessary. It’s best to disable port forwarding when you’re done using it, like after you finish downloading a torrent. Also, I don’t recommend using port forwarding on multiple devices at the same time.
- Keep your device up-to-date. If you don’t do this, hackers could exploit system vulnerabilities that are related to port forwarding to compromise your device.
- Always use strong passwords. I strongly recommend using secure passwords to protect your VPN account credentials, as well as your router dashboard login details. Using a good password manager (like 1Password) can help you with this.
Top Brands That Didn’t Make the Cut
- CyberGhost VPN. The provider has very good P2P support, has good download speeds, and is easy to use. However, it doesn’t have port forwarding.
- AirVPN. While the provider has port forwarding, its download speeds are pretty slow on distant servers (even when port forwarding is enabled). In addition, the VPN’s apps are really difficult to use.
- Surfshark. The VPN is very affordable, allows torrenting on servers in 100 countries, is very intuitive, and has good download speeds. However, it doesn’t allow port forwarding.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do I need a VPN with port forwarding?
The main reason to use a VPN with port forwarding is to increase your P2P speeds. When you enable port forwarding, it allows you to connect to more peers, which might increase your download speeds. I tested it with Private Internet Access (which has port forwarding built into its apps), and enabling its port forwarding feature improved my P2P speeds by about 10%.
Is port forwarding safe?
It’s generally safe, but it does come with certain risks, mainly when you use it to remotely access devices. The main issue is that port forwarding might create vulnerabilities in your network that hackers could exploit. That’s why it’s very important to take proper security measures when using port forwarding, like using an antivirus (such as Norton 360).
Can I use a free VPN for port forwarding?
You can, but I advise against it. Most free VPNs don’t provide access to port forwarding. What’s more, free VPNs also lack torrenting support, and they usually have slow speeds, they limit how much data you can use each day or month, and they have buggy or hard-to-use apps.
Instead, it’s much better to just use a premium, affordable VPN — Private Internet Access, for example, has port forwarding built into its apps, allows torrenting on servers in 91 countries, provides very fast download speeds, and is really secure.
What’s the best VPN with port forwarding?
My top pick is Private Internet Access, as the provider comes with port forwarding built into its Android and desktop apps. In addition, the VPN also allows torrenting on servers in 91 countries, provides very good download speeds, and has really strong security and privacy features.
