The 5 Best VPNs with Port Forwarding in 2026

If you‘re looking for a VPN that supports port forwarding, you‘ve come to the right place. Port forwarding can be very useful for accessing devices remotely, hosting servers, and optimizing your torrenting speeds. But not all VPNs allow port forwarding due to the potential security risks.

I‘ve spent dozens of hours researching and testing the top VPNs to find the ones with the best port forwarding functionality in 2024. My top picks are:

1. Private Internet Access (PIA) – Best overall

PIA is my #1 recommendation for a VPN with port forwarding. Here‘s why:

• User-friendly apps with easy port forwarding setup on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS
• Over 10,000 servers in 84 countries (but only some support port forwarding)
• Strong security with WireGuard & OpenVPN protocols and a verified no-logs policy
• Fast speeds and reliable connections in my tests
• Allows up to 10 simultaneous connections
• Very affordable plans starting at just $2.19/month
• 24/7 live chat support

The main downside is that not all PIA servers allow port forwarding, so your location options are a bit limited. But the ones that do offer great performance. Port forwarding is included in all plans at no extra cost.

2. AirVPN – Best for privacy

AirVPN is a lesser-known VPN based in Italy that‘s popular with the privacy-conscious and tech-savvy. Key features:

• Customizable port forwarding – choose your own port number and protocol
• Supports OpenVPN and WireGuard for strong security
• No logs, anonymous signup, and accepts cryptocurrency payments
• Reasonably fast speeds and allows P2P traffic
• Helpful forum community for technical support

On the downside, AirVPN can be a bit too technical for beginners. It also has a much smaller server network than top competitors. And it didn‘t work with Netflix or other streaming services in my tests. But if your focus is privacy and port forwarding, it‘s a great choice.

3. Mullvad – Simple and private

Mullvad is a basic but privacy-focused VPN that includes port forwarding on all its servers. Highlights:

• Easy-to-use apps for desktop and mobile
• WireGuard support for fast, secure connections
• No logs, anonymous accounts, and cash payment options
• Decent speeds and allows torrenting
• Port forwarding included free on all 780+ servers in 38 countries

Potential drawbacks: Mullvad‘s apps lack advanced features some users want, like split tunneling. It can‘t unblock Netflix or many other streaming sites. And it‘s a bit pricey at €5/month (around $5.40). But the simplicity and privacy perks make it a solid choice.

4. TorGuard – Great for torrenting

As the name suggests, TorGuard is built for anonymous torrenting and includes port forwarding. Strengths:

• Supports port forwarding on 2000+ servers in 50+ countries
• Fast speeds and unlimited bandwidth for torrenting
• Strong security with OpenVPN, WireGuard & Shadowsocks
• 8 simultaneous connections
• Responsive 24/7 live chat support

Limitations: TorGuard is based in the US (a Five Eyes country) which may concern some privacy purists. It‘s also not the best for unblocking streaming services. And it‘s relatively expensive, starting at $9.99/month for the regular plans that include port forwarding.

5. PureVPN – Honorable mention

PureVPN deserves an honorable mention because it offers port forwarding, but there are a couple catches. Advantages:

• Large server network (6500+ servers in 78 countries)
• 10 simultaneous connections
• User-friendly apps for all major platforms
• 24/7 live chat support

However, port forwarding costs extra on top of the regular PureVPN subscription. And when I tested PureVPN‘s speeds, latency and connection reliability were just average. It may be a decent backup option if the others don‘t work for you though.

How to choose the best VPN with port forwarding

Ultimately, the "best" VPN for you depends on your specific needs and preferences. When evaluating VPNs with port forwarding, consider:

• Ease of use – Is the port forwarding feature easy to find and activate? Do you need any technical knowledge to set it up?

• Compatibility – Does the VPN support port forwarding on your operating system and devices?

• Speed and stability – Look for a VPN with fast speeds and reliable connections to optimize your port forwarding experience. The top picks above all performed well in my speed tests.

• Security – At a minimum, your VPN should use strong encryption like AES-256 and support secure protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. A verified no-logs policy is also important if privacy is a priority.

• Price – Port forwarding is often limited to higher-tier plans, so expect to pay a bit more than entry-level VPN subscriptions. But avoid VPNs that only offer it as a pricey add-on.

• Trustworthiness – Stick with reputable VPN providers that have a track record of protecting user privacy and security. All my recommendations above meet that criterion.

No matter which VPN you choose, keep in mind that port forwarding does involve some inherent security risks. Only enable it when needed, and always keep your devices and apps updated to minimize vulnerabilities.

To learn more about port forwarding and how to set it up with a VPN, check out my detailed tutorial.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do any free VPNs offer port forwarding?

• I haven‘t found any safe free VPNs that allow port forwarding. Freemium services like ProtonVPN and AtlasVPN limit port forwarding to their paid plans.

How do I activate port forwarding on my VPN?

• The process varies by provider, but generally you‘ll need to enable port forwarding in your VPN‘s app settings while connected to a compatible server. For help, consult your VPN‘s support site or contact customer service.

Can I torrent with a VPN that has port forwarding enabled?

• Yes, as long as your VPN allows P2P traffic. Many people use port forwarding to optimize torrent speeds. But keep in mind that torrenting copyrighted content is still illegal in most cases, even with a VPN.

Will port forwarding slow down my VPN speeds?

• Not significantly. In my tests, I didn‘t notice any major speed differences with port forwarding enabled vs disabled. Your speeds are more likely to be impacted by your distance to the VPN server, server load, and protocol choice.

Why don‘t more top VPNs like ExpressVPN & NordVPN allow port forwarding?

• Likely for security reasons – port forwarding does carry some privacy risks if not implemented safely. Top "big name" VPNs tend to keep their networks locked down and may not view port forwarding as an essential feature for most users.