Tim Mocan
Updated on: December 7, 2023
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.
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.
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Quick summary of the best VPNs with port forwarding:
- 1. 🥇Private Internet Access — Best VPN with port forwarding in 2024.
- 2. 🥈ExpressVPN — Highly secure P2P with super fast download speeds.
- 3. 🥉PrivateVPN — Good beginner-friendly VPN with port forwarding.
- 4. Proton VPN — Good privacy-focused VPN for torrenting.
- 5. Ivacy VPN — User-friendly P2P VPN with malware protection.
- Comparison of the Best VPNs With Port Forwarding in 2024.
🥇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 high-end security, including full leak protection, RAM-only servers (every server reset wipes all data), and perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN session. Plus, it has MACE, which is an excellent ad blocker that gets rid of ads on P2P sites and blocks connections to shady torrenting websites.
Private Internet Access has super affordable plans that start as low as $2.11 / 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 advanced security features like RAM-only servers, perfect forward secrecy, 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 $6.67 / 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
🥉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.
While it was slower than Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN in my tests, PrivateVPN still maintains pretty fast speeds for downloading files — it generally took me around 14–15 minutes to torrent a 10 GB file. That’s good, but the same file took 5–6 minutes less to torrent with Private Internet Access, and 8 minutes less to download with ExpressVPN.
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
4. 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 advanced features like perfect forward secrecy and full leak protection. It’s missing RAM-only servers (like Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN have), but it comes with full-disk encryption, which keeps all data on a server secure even if it’s compromised.
The provider allows torrenting on servers in 20+ countries, which is decent, but I’d like to see the provider expand its P2P support to more server locations. Still, its speeds are pretty good — it only took me 16 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 strong security features, good download speeds, and a prorated 30-day money-back guarantee.
Read the full Proton VPN review
5. Ivacy VPN — User-Friendly P2P VPN With Malware Protection
Ivacy VPN comes with intuitive apps and makes it simple to enable port forwarding. You need to enable it in the client area, but it only takes a few seconds. That said, port forwarding is only available as a paid add-on — the cost is small, but other top VPNs (like Private Internet Access and ExpressVPN) provide free access to it.
The provider’s apps come with a really easy-to-navigate interface. It doesn’t take more than 4 seconds to connect to its P2P servers. My only complaint is that you only get P2P servers in 5+ countries — it’d be nice to see the provider add torrenting support in at least 20+ countries.
I especially like the provider’s Secure Download feature, which checks the files you download for signs of malware. If it detects any malicious content, it automatically removes it. The provider’s reps confirmed you can use this feature while torrenting — I even tested it with 2 malicious torrents, and it successfully stopped me from downloading them.
Ivacy VPN is super affordable, with prices starting as low as $1.00 / month. It provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans, and it has a 7-day money-back guarantee for its shortest plan.
Bottom Line:
Ivacy VPN makes it simple to enable port forwarding via its client area, and it also has intuitive apps for all major devices. You need to pay for port forwarding, but at least it’s very affordable. The VPN also has a security feature that protects you against malicious downloads, and it provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans.
Comparison of the Best VPNs With Port Forwarding in 2024
How to Choose the Best VPN With Port Forwarding in 2024
- Get a VPN with good port forwarding support. I only recommend getting a VPN that provides easy access to port forwarding via its apps or account dashboard. You shouldn’t have to perform any complicated manual setups to use port forwarding.
- Select a VPN with great P2P support. You should choose a VPN that allows P2P traffic on servers in most parts of the world, so that you can torrent on a nearby server to get fast downloads. For example, ExpressVPN allows torrenting on servers in 105 countries.
- Prioritize a VPN that’s secure. I only recommend getting a VPN that comes with all essential VPN security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a no-logs policy, and a kill switch to prevent data leaks.
- Get a VPN that has fast download speeds. Using a VPN will always slow down your original speeds due to the added encryption. However, the top VPNs on the market optimize their services to minimize speed loss.
- Pick a VPN that’s user-friendly. You should only opt for a VPN that has intuitive apps for mobile and desktop devices, which make it simple to connect to servers and enable/disable port forwarding.
- Go for a VPN that provides good value. All the VPNs I recommend come with affordable plans, provide access to extra features (like split-tunneling, for example), and come with a generous money-back guarantee.
How to Configure Port Forwarding on a VPN
- Get a VPN that supports port forwarding and has good P2P support. My top pick is Private Internet Access, as it allows torrenting on servers in 91 countries, and it also supports port forwarding via its apps.
- 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.
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.
Stay Protected While 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.
- NordVPN. NordVPN has P2P servers in 45+ countries, provides malware protection, and has SOCKS5 proxy support, but it sadly lacks port forwarding support.
- 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. 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.
