Port forwarding is essential for hosting game servers, improving P2P speeds, and accessing remote devices.

However, most VPNs block it outright due to security risks.

We looked for VPNs that allow seamless setup while preventing common threats like unauthorized access and IP leaks.

4 Best VPNs With Port Forwarding: Gaming & P2P in 2025

We also analyzed their real-world impact on gaming, torrenting, and remote access performance.

Try Port Forwarding With PIA »

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Best VPNs With Port Forwarding Full Analysis (Updated 2025)

1.

PrivateVPN

Our 2.5GB public domain file downloaded in under 3 minutes, compared to over 8 minutes without port forwarding.

The connection remained stable throughout, with no slowdowns or interruptions.

The only problem is that PIA may feel technical for beginners.

Proton VPN

it’s possible for you to get PIA for as little as$2.03/month.

And with its 30-day money-back guarantee, you might test it risk-free.

PrivateVPNs Stealth VPN feature enhances privacy by scrambling VPN traffic, making it look like regular internet activity.

hide.me VPN

This helps get around tough firewalls, ISP throttling, and VPN blocks.

This means it’s possible for you to use the VPN with port forwarding even on restrictive networks.

On the downside, its smaller server online grid can lead to congestion at peak times.

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with Private Internet Access VPN.

That said,port forwarding isn’t available on the macOS app, but you might configure this manually.

On other devices, it can be activated in the Advanced prefs section.

Youll need this number to configure port forwarding on third-party software like your BitTorrent client.

Screenshot showing how to activate PIA’s port forwarding

Since ports are only open when in use, it also reduces security risks compared to static port forwarding.

Once enabled,hide.me worked seamlessly with torrent clients, VoIP apps, and game servers in our tests.

One drawback is that long-distance connections can be slower due to higher latency.

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with PrivateVPN.

However,nearby servers provided consistently fast speeds, keeping downloads, gaming, and video calls smooth.

If speed is a priority, choosing a server closer to your location ensures the best performance.

We also evaluated speeds while port forwarding was active.

Screenshot showing PrivateVPN’s Advanced View

Plus,we checked each VPNs logging policies to ensure your data remains private.

For all the details on our testing procedures,visit our methodology page.

While this improves privacy, it requires frequent reconfiguration in applications that rely on a stable port.

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with Proton VPN.

Enable port forwarding in your VPN.Open your VPN app and go to the options or advanced section.

If port forwarding is supported, there will be an option to turn it on.

Some VPNs assign you a port automatically, while others let you choose.

Screenshot showing how to activate VPN Accelerator on Proton VPN’s Preferences panel

This tells your software to listen for incoming connections on that port.

  1. opt for appropriate VPN protocol.Some services work better with specific VPN protocols.

Common options include:

4.

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with hide.me VPN.

If its blocked, try reconnecting to the VPN or choosing a different server that supports port forwarding.

FAQs on VPNs With Port Forwarding

Is port forwarding with a VPN safe?

Some VPNs offer features like automatic port reassignment or restrict port forwarding to specific servers to minimize vulnerabilities.

Screenshot showing how to limit apps to VPN on the hide.me app

Is there a VPN that offers a static or dedicated IP and port forwarding?

This is because it uses a dynamic system where the port is randomly assigned for each connection.

Do ExpressVPN and NordVPN support port forwarding?

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This setup can improve speed for some use cases but lacks VPN protection.

NordVPN completely blocks port forwarding across all its servers.

Why isn’t port forwarding working with my VPN?

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If your VPN does allow port forwarding,check that its configured properly.

If you suspect your ISP is blocking it, you may need a dedicated or static IP.

Is there a VPN with both port forwarding and split tunneling?

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Some allow port forwarding on most servers, while others restrict it to specific locations.

Can I use a free VPN with a port forwarding feature?

Additionally, many free VPNs log user data or display ads, which compromises privacy.

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Plus, you get a 30-day money-back guarantee when you sign up, so you cantry PIA for free.

To summarize, these are the best VPNs with port forwarding…

Your data is exposed to the websites you visit!

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Visit ExpressVPN

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PrivateVPN

Proton VPN

hide.me VPN

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with Private Internet Access VPN.

Screenshot showing how to activate PIA’s port forwarding

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with PrivateVPN.

Screenshot showing PrivateVPN’s Advanced View

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with Proton VPN.

Screenshot showing how to activate VPN Accelerator on Proton VPN’s Preferences panel

Small assortment of technological devices compatible with hide.me VPN.

Screenshot showing how to limit apps to VPN on the hide.me app