What is VPN Port Forwarding and Do You Need It?

At a Glance

VPN port forwarding allows incoming data to bypass your NAT firewall, routing it via a specific port on your VPN server to a device on your internal network. This allows you to remotely access devices on your home or business network, host online games, and provide faster torrenting speeds.

While all of this sounds great, as we’ll soon find, most VPN providers do not offer port forwarding. This is mostly due to security issues, as port forwarding can leave your network (and devices) at risk if not configured properly. Basically, it can provide the bad actors of the world an easier path to remotely access your connected devices.

In this article, we’ll take a look at a reliable VPN provider that offers port forwarding, explaining how to safely set up port forwarding, use it with apps like torrenting clients, and more.

What Is Port Forwarding?

Port forwarding allows incoming internet connections to reach designated devices and applications on your private network, which can be made up of devices that are connected to your WiFi router or users connected to a VPN.

NAT (Network Address Translation) firewalls block and discard any unsolicited attempts to initiate a connection to your device. Port forwarding allows connections like this through the NAT firewall on designated ports. This makes it possible for devices on the internet to initiate connections and access services on local devices.

To truly understand how port forwarding works and why you would want to enable it, you’ll need to know how NAT firewalls work. WiFi routers and VPNs often come with built-in NAT firewalls. When a device is connected to a WiFi router or VPN server it shares a public IP address. The device also has a unique private IP address.

NAT is what makes it possible for multiple devices to share a single IP address. Incoming connections use the public IP address of the VPN or WiFi router. The connections are then forwarded to the individual devices connected to the VPN server or WiFi network, using a local IP address and port number.

Outgoing data requests have a port number attached to them. When the response comes back, the port number is also attached, letting the router or VPN server know which device to send the data to.

If an unsolicited connection request comes in, the NAT discards the request, as it doesn’t have a port number attached. This is how NAT firewalls prevent malicious requests.

There are situations where you want to allow unsolicited connections, such as when sharing a file or running a game server. Port forwarding allows you to keep a specified port open for connections tagged with the specified port. These connections are then forwarded to the device you have specified.

Benefits of Port Forwarding

Port forwarding on a router is useful for several reasons, including:

• Allowing remote access to your PC, MacBook, or gaming console
• Hosting online games
• Remotely accessing a home media server, camera, or DVR

Port forwarding on a VPN is useful for:

• Improving torrent download speeds
• Seeding torrents
• Hosting online games (using a dedicated IP address)

When you use BitTorrent, you are connecting to a “swarm” of other users who are downloading and uploading the same file you are. However, your NAT firewall may block many of these swarm connections, slowing your download speeds and possibly preventing you from uploading the file to other users (sharing involves giving and taking and if you’re only taking the file that’s a violation of file sharing etiquette).

Port forwarding allows you to create exceptions and bypass these limitations. However, you should keep in mind that you can usually download the file without port forwarding, and any time you’re leaving a port open you are running a risk, as we’ll see in the next section.

Risks of Port Forwarding

Port forwarding allows unsolicited connections to reach your devices, this means that it has its risks. Essentially, hackers could now remotely connect to your device. This is why many VPN providers do not offer port forwarding.

The actual risk of port forwarding can vary, depending on why you’re port forwarding and which applications are listening to the open ports.

For example, if you set up port forwarding on your router to allow remote access to a PC, you should not leave the port open any longer than you actually need to. If you leave the ports open, hackers can take over your PC.

On the other hand, port forwarding and using a torrenting client to listen on that port reduces the amount of damage a bad actor could do, but you should still enable your PC’s operating system’s built-in firewall and require a password to log in.

If you use a VPN that allows port forwarding, you can leave yourself open to port fail attacks, which allow an attacker to expose the real IP addresses of other users. This attack can be prevented by VPN providers setting up different incoming and outgoing IP addresses on their servers, but many providers fail to do so.

Before using a VPN that allows port forwarding, visit their website and read their documentation to ensure they provide protection against port fail attacks.

WANT TO TRY A TOP VPN FOR PORT FORWARDING RISK-FREE?: All of the excellent VPN providers on this list offer 30-day money-back guarantees. So, if you subscribe to one of these VPNs and then find that it doesn’t fit your personal needs, you can quickly request a refund within the money-back guarantee period.

Best VPNs With Port Forwarding

As you’ll see, very few VPN providers offer port forwarding. I’ll provide mini-reviews of each provider a bit later in this article. However, for those of you who are pressed for time, here is a TL;DR look at both VPN providers.

The best VPNs with port forwarding:

1. Private Internet Access: Top VPN with port forwarding. PIA’s comprehensive online security and privacy keep your online travels safe, while also providing reliable access to geo-controlled content in select other countries. A risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee is available.
2. PrivateVPN: Mighty-mite VPN provider. While this provider offers port forwarding, it is a bit lacking in some service areas. While PrivateVPN has the lowest number of servers on this list, the provider offers reliable access to content in several countries, while also providing comprehensive online security and privacy protection. This provider also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

When choosing which VPN providers with port forwarding to recommend, I considered the following factors:

• Offers port forwarding (DUH!)
• Global server coverage
• Online privacy and security features
• Connection speeds
• Customer support
• Money-back guarantee length

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) provides comprehensive online protection for most popular connected device platforms.

PIA offers easy-to-understand instructions for enabling port forwarding in the PIA app, both on desktop and mobile devices.

The provider has a large global server network, with 3,300+ servers located in more than 90 countries, providing reliable access to geo-fenced content in those countries.

All PIA-provided connections are well-protected with banking-grade encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection. Blocking of ads, trackers, malware, and malicious websites is also available.

The provider’s servers are run free of user logs, meaning there is no evidence to be had that is connected to your online travels. PIA’s Bitcoin subscription payment option helps to keep your payment information private.

PIA has begun running its servers solely from RAM, writing no data whatsoever to a hard drive or SSD. This means all data is securely wiped automatically when the provider’s servers are rebooted, powered down, or has the plug pulled.

This provider’s connection speeds are far from the fastest in the VPN industry. That said, PIA’s connections can easily handle most popular online activities. No data caps or bandwidth throttling to deal with when using this VPN.

PIA’s native app support includes options for Android, Android TV, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices. Chrome, Opera, and Firefox browser extensions are available to protect your browsing sessions. The provider is compatible with select routers.

There is no limit on the number of devices that users can simultaneously connect to PIA’s servers.

PIA’s support department offers live chat, a trouble ticket tracking system, and a searchable support knowledgebase.

PIA offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

BEST VPN WITH PORT FORWARDING:PIA’s port forwarding feature is just one of several features offered by the provider. PIA’s comprehensive online security and privacy protections keep your online activities incognito. The VPN also provides reliable access to geo-controlled content in 90+ countries, for an unlimited number of your connected devices at once. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of Private Internet Access.

2. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN makes it easy to set up port forwarding. Simply open the PrivateVPN app, connect to a server, and open the advanced view of the app. You can then locate the random port number that’s shown and enter the port number into the torrenting client or other application.

PrivateVPN has a low server count (200+). However, it does an excellent job of spreading them among 63+ countries, providing reliable access to geo-fenced content in the countries the provider serves.

While the provider’s connection speeds are slower than many of its competitors, its connections can easily handle popular online activities. Plus, PrivateVPN never ruins a good time by imposing data caps or throttling your bandwidth.

PrivateVPN does an excellent job of keeping its users’ online activities undercover by using banking-grade encryption and IP/DNS leak protection. The provider offers a “Stealth VPN” feature that disguises its customers’ VPN usage as normal browser activity keeping it hidden.

A strict no-server logs policy ensures that PrivateVPN keeps no records of your online activities. Meanwhile, the provider’s cryptocurrency payment option keeps your payment information private.

PrivateVPN’s native app support includes offerings for Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows device platforms. Browser extensions are currently not available, although select routers can be manually configured to work with PrivateVPN.

Up to 10 devices can be simultaneously connected to PrivateVPN’s servers.

PrivateVPN support department offers agent chat, a support request form, and an FAQ page.

A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

PORT FORWARDED VPN PROTECTION:PrivateVPN offers easy-to-use port forwarding in its apps. While PrivateVPN could stand to expand its server numbers, it does a good job of spreading what it has around 63+ countries. The provider’s “Stealth VPN” feature keeps your VPN usage undercover. A 30-day money-back guarantee is available.

Read my full review of PrivateVPN.

Methodology for Assessing VPNs for Port Forwarding

While this article is about VPNs that offer port forwarding, there are several other features that need to be carefully considered before selecting a VPN provider.

Below, you’ll find the features I researched when creating this list of VPNs that offer port forwarding.

• Connection speeds: A fast connection is your friend. The VPNs I include on my list provide fast connections.
• Server network: Ideally, a VPN’s global server network should cover as many countries as possible. Also, there are bonus points for providers with multiple servers in each country. This helps prevent any single server from being overloaded with too many users at once.
• Value: A VPN provider’s true value can be determined by comparing its asking price to the features it offers. The VPNs on this list all offer an excellent return on investment.
• Ease of use: A VPN should always offer intuitive apps for connected devices. The VPNs on this list offer easy-to-use apps for most popular devices.
• Security and privacy: A VPN should use banking-level encryption, a kill switch, and DNS/IP leak protection to protect your online privacy. A strict no-logs policy is also a requirement. The VPNs on this list offer these protective measures and more.
• Streaming: Streaming video is a popular online activity. The VPNs on this list offer access to several streaming services, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Spotify, and other streaming services.

The features listed above are just some of what I researched as part of my comprehensive VPN testing methodology. My data-driven approach provides a full understanding of the VPN providers and their services, allowing me to only recommend VPNs that are a good fit for my readers’ needs.

Is a Free VPN a Good Option for Port Forwarding?

“Free” VPNs should be immediately discounted out of hand, as no freebie VPN provider I’ve seen offers port forwarding. However, I will not recommend a “free” VPN for any task, due to several reasons.

First of all, some no-cost VPNs will force you to cool your heels in a virtual waiting room, waiting for a chance to connect. Once you are finally given the okay to connect, you’ll find you have only a few server locations to choose from, and that’s if you’re not automatically connected to a server of the provider’s choice.

Many free VPN providers often restrict their users’ VPN usage by imposing daily or monthly data caps, and by throttling your connection speeds. Limitations like this mean you won’t be able to view streaming video or play online games.

Free VPNs are also not privacy-friendly. They pay their bills by logging your online activities and then selling that information to advertisers and other nosy types. Some free VPNs have even been caught inserting unwanted ads and tracking cookies into their users’ browsing sessions (those cookies continue to track you, even when you’re not using the VPN).

As you can see, using a free VPN is not even worth trying.

How to Use a VPN With Port Forwarding

First time using a VPN or a VPN’s port forwarding feature? Don’t worry, it’s actually easier to do than you probably think.

Here’s how to use a VPN with port forwarding:

1. Sign up with a VPN provider that offers port forwarding. I recommend Private Internet Access.
2. Download and install the provider’s VPN app(s) on your device(s).
3. Fire up the app and connect to a VPN server.
4. You should be able to find the port forwarding feature on the app’s Settings page. Be sure to check with your VPN provider for explicit instructions on how to enable port forwarding.
5. Turn port forwarding on and configure it to your needs.

You’ll now have to go into the settings of each app you want to use with port forwarding to enter the configured port number. You will now be able to receive incoming unsolicited requests via the chosen port.

Best VPNs With Port Forwarding: FAQs

Is VPN Port Forwarding Safe?

Not many VPNs support port forwarding due to the potential security risks. This is because opening a port makes it easier for hackers to remotely access devices on your home or business network. However, port forwarding can be safer if you take the necessary security precautions, which include strong passwords and keeping your device’s firmware/operating system and applications updated. Also, limit the number of ports you leave open and be careful about who you share details about your port forwarding with.

Will VPN Port Forwarding Slow My Connection?

No, VPN port forwarding should not slow your connection. In anything, it will likely have a positive effect on P2P file sharing speeds. This is because it makes it easier for peers to find you, as it will allow connections that would normally be blocked by the NAT firewall.

It should be noted that using a VPN will slow down your internet connection to a certain extent, due to how a VPN reroutes your connection and the processing overhead involved in encrypting your connection. However, modern VPNs use protocols designed for protection AND speed, so the difference in connection speeds might not even be noticeable in day-to-day usage.

How Does Port Forwarding Work on a VPN?

Most VPNs by default have built-in NAT firewalls that only allow internet traffic to pass through if a device connected to the VPN specifically requests it. This enhances security as it prevents random users on the internet from making unsolicited requests to your device. A NAT firewall protects you from malicious internet traffic, such as that used in DDoS attacks.

However, you will sometimes need to configure the NAT firewall to allow incoming, unsolicited requests and traffic. This is when you turn on port forwarding, as it allows unsolicited connections to bypass NAT and go directly to your connected device. This will allow you to connect to additional peers in a BitTorrent swarm, which enables faster downloads and uploads.