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Best for Compatible Port Forwarding
4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On Private Internet Access's website
Private Internet Access
More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN- Fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
- Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra
- Based in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes alliance
More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN
Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extraLearn More
View More
Best for Premium Privacy
5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On Proton VPN's website
Proton VPN
- Easy to use
- A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
- More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Learn More
View More
Best for Torrenting
3.4 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On AirVPN's website
AirVPN
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- Lots of advanced settings
- Can be overwhelming for new users
Learn More
View More
A virtual private network (VPN) masks your real IP address, but concealing your IP address under a fake one can make it difficult for incoming traffic to find your specific device when so many other devices are using the same IP address. Enter port forwarding.Private Internet Access (PIA), Proton VPN, and AirVPN are our top choices for VPNs with port forwarding.
This article takes an in-depth look at these top options and their pros and cons.
In this article
The best VPNs with port forwarding
Private Internet Access: Best for compatible port forwarding
Proton VPN: Best for premium privacy
AirVPN: Best for torrenting
Honorable mentions
How we test VPNs
FAQs
Bottom line: The best VPNs with port forwarding
The best VPNs with port forwarding
Port forwarding lets incoming traffic find you while still using a VPN IP address. Your privacy is secure, and you can continue to enjoy the internet. Not all VPNs offer port forwarding, and a lot of premium VPNs don’t support it due to security risks. Insecure port forwarding can lead to issues like IP addresses getting blacklisted, hosting providers canceling, and law enforcement involvement.
Our top picks for VPNs with port forwarding are:
- Private Internet Access (PIA): Best for compatible port forwarding
- Proton VPN: Best for premium privacy
- AirVPN: Best for torrenting
Top 3 VPN services with port forwarding compared
| Starting price | $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | $3.59/mo (billed every two years) | $2.94/mo (charged in Euros, billed for two years) ($2.98/mo) |
| Free version | |||
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Streaming support | Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney+, and more | Yes — Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max, Disney+, and more | |
| Learn more | Get PIA Read Our PIA Review | Get Proton VPN Read Our Proton VPN Review | Get AirVPN Read Our AirVPN Review |
Private Internet Access: Best for compatible port forwarding
Save 82% on a 2-year subscription + 2 months free
4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On Private Internet Access's website
VPN
Private Internet Access
- More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN
- Fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
- Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra
- Based in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes alliance
Who it’s best for
PIA is a great choice for everyone as it's an affordable option for dynamic port forwarding and is compatible with multiple operating systems.
/images/2022/11/11/pia-vpn-review_08.jpg "The Best VPNs With Port Forwarding 2024 (26)")
What we liked
Port forwarding with PIA is compatible with all devices. You can use the app to change settings and connect to a server that offers port forwarding. Once connected, you'll get assigned a dynamic port number.
PIA also has other features that make it a valuable VPN choice, including:
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Advanced kill switch
- DNS leak protection
- Multi-hop
- Blocks ads, trackers, and malware
What we didn’t like
PIA doesn't reveal how many servers are available, which makes it a bit more difficult to compare to other VPNs. Port forwarding isn't an option for U.S. locations, so you will need to connect to an international server if you are located in the U.S.
PIA specs
| Price range | $2.19–$11.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | Servers in 91 countries |
| Number of connected devices | Unlimited |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPsec |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get PIA Read Our PIA Review |
Proton VPN: Best for premium privacy
5.0 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On Proton VPN's website
VPN
Proton VPN
- Easy to use
- A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
- More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Who it’s best for
Proton VPN is a great option if you want to port forward while still having access to premium security features. However, it's a more technical option to set up if you are using macOS. Windows and Linux users will have an easier time enabling port forwarding.
/images/2022/10/24/protonvpn-review_portforwarding.jpeg "The Best VPNs With Port Forwarding 2024 (31)")
What we liked
Proton VPN offers port forwarding via its paid plans. It's as easy as enabling port forwarding within the app and then connecting to one of the P2P servers. Since Proton VPN passed our speed tests, it's a good choice if you don't want your internet connection to significantly slow down.
Proton VPN is also ideal if you prioritize premium privacy. It has features such as:
- Independently verified no-logs policy
- Open-source apps for transparency
- Built-in Tor support
- Proton Mail to sign up for an account
What we didn’t like
Most macOS users will need advanced technical knowledge to set up port forwarding on Proton VPN. It may change in the future, but for now, Windows and Linux are the only operating systems that can set up port forwarding within the client app.
Proton VPN specs
| Price range | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days |
| Number of servers | 6,300+ servers in 100 countries |
| Number of connected devices | Up to 10 devices |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes |
| Torrenting support | Yes |
| Learn more | Get Proton VPN Read Our Proton VPN Review |
AirVPN: Best for torrenting
3.4 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On AirVPN's website
VPN
AirVPN
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- Lots of advanced settings
- Can be overwhelming for new users
Who it’s best for
AirVPN’s main attractions are its port forwarding and torrenting capabilities. You can choose your own protocol and select your own static port number.
What we liked
Compared to other VPNs, AirVPN offers much more flexibility and customization for port forwarding and torrenting. While it can get technical, there is a lot of support to guide you. AirVPN’s active community and forums are noteworthy. You can always find answers to your questions from a helpful group of people.
AirVPN provides the essential privacy features you expect from a VPN — all at a price that won't break your budget. You can even pay in cryptocurrency to ensure your identity remains private.
What we didn’t like
AirVPN is not a great option if you are looking to unblock regional streaming content. During our testing, AirVPN couldn't access any of Netflix's international content. In addition, it wouldn't connect while using a U.S. server. Our testing showed significant speed issues while using AirVPN.
There is also an issue with the lack of server availability. For example, there is no option to connect to an Australian server.
Finally, while AirVPN has a no-logs policy, it has never completed an independent third-party audit to confirm its validity. AirVPN notes that audits don't guarantee future avoidance of traffic logging or transmission to third parties. However, we still think an audit is an important part of verifying a VPN's authenticity.
AirVPN specs
| Price range | $2.94 - $7.47/mo (charged in Euros) ($2.98–$7.60/mo) | |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | |
| Number of servers | 200+ servers in 20+ countries | |
| Number of connected devices | Up to 5 devices | |
| VPN protocol | OpenVPN, WireGuard | |
| No-logs policy | No logs (but not independently verified) | |
| Unblocks Netflix? | No | |
| Torrenting support | Yes | |
| Learn more | Get AirVPN Read Our AirVPN Review |
Honorable mentions
There are a few additional VPNs that didn't quite make our top three. They are still worthy of your consideration, especially if you still haven't found the right fit for your port forwarding needs.
- PureVPN: PureVPN has port forwarding that's compatible with multiple devices. Port forwarding is an add-on feature, which makes it a more expensive option. You can save money by choosing a VPN that has port forwarding included.
Get PureVPN | Read Our PureVPN Review
- hide.me: hide.me offers dynamic port forwarding within the app or manually. It's easy to use and set up. However, it didn’t do as well on our speed tests as other VPNs, which made hide.me only an honorable mention.
Get hide.me| Read Our hide.me Review
- Ivacy VPN: Ivacy VPN has port forwarding as an add-on feature. Unless you want to get stuck with a 5-year plan, Ivacy isn't as affordable as other VPN options, especially with a port forwarding add-on.
Get Ivacy |Read Our Ivacy Review
How we test VPNs
When choosing the best VPN services for port forwarding, we evaluated a few factors to determine which ones were top-tier:
- Port forwarding support: Beyond a set-up guide, we checked if VPNs offered forums, community, or 24/7 customer service to help support port forwarding.
- Pricing: Affordability is usually a primary factor when choosing a VPN. That's why we prioritized VPNs that included port forwarding in their plans instead of as an add-on.
- Privacy and security: We also verified that VPNs use private and secure protocols and successfully mask your IP address.
- Device compatibility and ease of use: We checked if port forwarding was available on select operating systems and if it was easy to use.
FAQs
+
How does port forwarding work with a VPN?
When you use a VPN, you share an IP address with other people. However, this can make it difficult for incoming traffic to send something to your specific device. Port forwarding gives incoming traffic a way to reach you without exposing your real IP address.
+
Should I use a VPN with port forwarding?
Yes. Port forwarding can open a path for hackers to access your network. To protect yourself, you should use a VPNto mask your IP address while port forwarding.
+
Does NordVPN offer port forwarding?
No, NordVPN doesn't offer port forwarding. Some suitable alternatives include Private Internet Access, Proton VPN, and AirVPN.
+
Does OpenVPN support port forwarding?
Yes, OpenVPN does support port forwarding. You can also use the WireGuard protocol for port forwarding. Learn more in our WireGuard vs. OpenVPN review.
Bottom line: The best VPNs with port forwarding
Private Internet Access is an ideal solution if you are prioritizing affordability and ease of use. It's also great for all types of devices. While Proton VPN has premium security features, macOS users may need advanced support to manually set up port forwarding.
AirVPN provides the most support and flexibility for port forwarding. Keep in mind that it's not a great choice for watching Netflix with a VPN or server availability.
3 best VPNs with port forwarding 2024
| Starting price | Best for | Learn more | |
| $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | Best for compatible port forwarding | Get PIA Read Our PIA Review | |
| $3.59/mo (billed every two years) | Best for premium privacy | Get Proton VPN Read Our ProtonVPN Review | |
| $2.94/mo (charged in Euros, billed for two years) ($2.98/mo) | Best for torrenting | Read Our AirVPN Review |
Save 82% on a 2-year subscription + 2 months free
4.8 AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Editorial Rating
On Private Internet Access's website
VPN
Private Internet Access
- More affordable than most other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN
- Fast internet speeds and strict no-logs policy
- Unblocks Netflix and other streaming services
- Antivirus and dedicated IP address cost extra
- Based in the U.S., which is part of the Five Eyes alliance
Author Details
Sara J. Nguyen is a freelance writer specializing in cybersecurity. She aims to help people protect their data while enjoying technology. She has written about online privacy and tech for over 5 years for several organizations. When she's not writing about the latest cybersecurity trends, you can find her on LinkedIn.
