Best VPNs That Support Port Forwarding in 2025

Best VPNs That Support Port Forwarding in 2025: Unlock Enhanced Functionality

While VPNs are primarily known for security and privacy, some advanced users seek VPNs with more than just basic protection. Port forwarding VPNs offer a feature that unlocks enhanced functionality for specific online activities. If you're a gamer, torrenter, or need to host servers behind a VPN, VPN with port forward capabilities can be a game-changer.

Standard VPNs, by design, route all incoming connections through their servers, which can sometimes restrict certain applications that require direct incoming connections. Port forwarding breaks through this limitation by allowing you to create specific pathways through the VPN server, directing incoming traffic to your device on designated ports. This guide will explain why port forwarding VPN is useful and review the top VPNs that offer this feature in 2025, especially for gaming and torrenting.

Why VPN Port Forwarding is Useful: Beyond Basic VPN Functionality

Why would you need VPN port forwarding? While not essential for all VPN users, it unlocks key benefits for specific use cases:

• Enhanced Torrenting Speeds: In torrenting, being "connectable" is crucial for faster download and upload speeds. Port forwarding can make you more connectable to peers in a torrent swarm, potentially improving your torrenting performance. By allowing direct incoming connections, you become a more active and efficient participant in the P2P network.
• Improved Online Gaming Experiences: Some online games require port forwarding for optimal connection stability, reduced latency, and hosting game servers. If you experience issues with game connectivity, NAT type restrictions, or want to host a game server for friends, port forwarding through a VPN can help. It can improve connection quality and potentially reduce lag in certain gaming scenarios.
• Accessing Home Devices Remotely: Port forwarding can allow you to access devices on your home network remotely through the VPN. For example, you could access a home security camera system, a Plex media server, or other devices that require direct connections from the outside internet, even when you are connected to the VPN.
• Hosting Servers Behind a VPN: If you want to host a server (like a game server, web server, or media server) while using a VPN for security, port forwarding is often necessary to allow external users to connect to your server hosted behind the VPN's NAT firewall.

Top VPNs That Offer Port Forwarding: VPN Review

Not all VPNs offer port forwarding, and those that do often implement it in different ways. When choosing a port forwarding VPN, consider ease of use, the number of ports available, and overall VPN performance. Here are top VPNs known for offering port forwarding features in 2025:

1. Private Internet Access (PIA) - Highly Configurable Port Forwarding for Advanced Users

Private Internet Access (PIA) is often cited as a top choice for port forwarding due to its robust implementation, flexibility, and focus on advanced user features.

• Dedicated Port Forwarding Feature: PIA explicitly offers port forwarding as a feature and provides clear instructions on how to set it up within their client area and apps.
• Multiple Ports Available: PIA typically allows users to forward multiple ports, providing flexibility for different applications and services that require port forwarding.
• Easy to Use Interface: While offering advanced features, PIA's interface for managing port forwarding is relatively user-friendly once you understand the basics.
• Good Speeds and Performance: PIA is known for providing good speeds and reliable connections, essential for activities like gaming and torrenting that benefit from port forwarding.
• Strong Security and Privacy: PIA is a reputable VPN provider with a no-logs policy and robust security features, ensuring your online activities remain protected while using port forwarding.
• Excellent for Torrenting: PIA is a popular choice among torrenters due to its port forwarding capabilities and P2P-friendly servers.
• Suitable for Gaming: While setup might require slightly more technical understanding, PIA's port forwarding can be effectively used to improve gaming connections.

2. AirVPN - Advanced and Privacy-Focused with Extensive Port Forwarding

AirVPN is a highly privacy-focused VPN provider that offers advanced port forwarding capabilities and is popular among users who prioritize customization and control.

• Extensive Port Forwarding Options: AirVPN offers a wide range of port forwarding options and allows for significant customization, appealing to advanced users.
• Up to 20 Ports Forwarding: Typically allows users to forward up to 20 ports simultaneously, providing great flexibility for various applications and server hosting.
• Privacy-Centric Provider: AirVPN is strongly committed to privacy and operates with a clear no-logs policy, ensuring your port forwarding activities remain private.
• Good Speeds and Performance: AirVPN delivers good speeds and reliable connections, suitable for both torrenting and gaming with port forwarding.
• Advanced Features and Customization: Offers a range of advanced features and customization options beyond just port forwarding, appealing to technically inclined users.
• Excellent for Torrenting and Server Hosting: AirVPN's extensive port forwarding and privacy focus make it a strong choice for torrenting and hosting various types of servers behind a VPN.
• May Have a Steeper Learning Curve: AirVPN's interface and advanced features might be slightly less beginner-friendly compared to some other VPNs.

3. TorGuard - Feature-Rich and Customizable VPN with Port Forwarding Add-on

TorGuard is a feature-rich VPN provider specifically catering to advanced users, and port forwarding is available as a paid add-on to their VPN service.

• Port Forwarding as an Add-on: TorGuard offers port forwarding as an optional add-on service, allowing users to choose if they need this functionality.
• Dedicated Port Forwarding IPs Available: TorGuard offers dedicated IPs with port forwarding, which can be beneficial for specific use cases requiring static IP addresses.
• High Level of Customization: TorGuard is known for its extensive customization options and features, appealing to users who want granular control over their VPN settings.
• Good Speeds and Performance: TorGuard provides good speeds and reliable connections, suitable for activities benefiting from port forwarding.
• Strong Security and Privacy: TorGuard is a reputable VPN provider with a no-logs policy and robust security features.
• Excellent for Torrenting and Seedboxes: TorGuard is often used for torrenting and seedbox setups, and its port forwarding feature is well-suited for these purposes.
• Add-on Pricing for Port Forwarding: Keep in mind that port forwarding is not included in the base VPN subscription and is an additional cost.

4. VPNArea - Privacy-Focused with Included Port Forwarding

VPNArea is a privacy-focused VPN provider that includes port forwarding as a standard feature in their VPN service, offering a balance of privacy and functionality.

• Port Forwarding Included in Base Subscription: VPNArea includes port forwarding as part of their standard VPN plan, without requiring extra add-ons or fees.
• User-Friendly Port Forwarding Setup: VPNArea aims to make port forwarding relatively easy to set up through their client area and apps.
• Privacy-Focused Provider: VPNArea emphasizes user privacy and operates with a no-logs policy, making it a good choice for privacy-conscious users needing port forwarding.
• Decent Speeds and Performance: VPNArea generally provides decent speeds and reliable connections, suitable for activities that benefit from port forwarding.
• Good Security Features: VPNArea offers strong security features to protect your online activities while using port forwarding.
• Suitable for Torrenting and Gaming: VPNArea's port forwarding capabilities can be used for torrenting and gaming purposes.
• Server Network Size Might Be Smaller: VPNArea's server network is generally smaller compared to some of the larger VPN providers, which might affect server availability in certain regions.

Features Specific for Gaming and Torrenting with Port Forwarding VPN

When choosing a VPN with port forward specifically for gaming or torrenting, consider these features:

• Ease of Port Forwarding Setup: Ensure the VPN offers a relatively easy and straightforward process for setting up port forwarding, especially if you're not a technical expert. Look for VPNs with clear instructions and user-friendly interfaces.
• Number of Ports Available: Check how many ports you can forward simultaneously. For most users, a few ports are sufficient, but for server hosting or specific torrenting needs, more ports might be beneficial.
• VPN Speed and Performance: Fast VPN speeds are crucial for gaming and torrenting, especially when using port forwarding. Choose VPNs known for good speed performance and low latency.
• P2P-Friendly Servers: For torrenting, ensure the VPN allows P2P traffic and ideally offers servers optimized for torrenting activities.
• Server Locations: Choose a VPN with server locations that are relevant to your gaming servers or torrenting needs. Server proximity can impact speed and latency.
• Reliable Kill Switch: A kill switch is important for privacy and security, especially during torrenting. It prevents your real IP address from being exposed if the VPN connection drops.

Conclusion: Choosing the Best VPN with Port Forwarding Feature

If you need advanced functionality like enhanced torrenting speeds, improved gaming connections, or remote access capabilities, a port forwarding VPN is a valuable tool. While not every VPN user needs this feature, for those who do, it can significantly improve their online experience.

Private Internet Access (PIA), AirVPN, TorGuard, and VPNArea are among the top VPNs that offer port forwarding in 2025. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs, technical expertise, and priorities regarding privacy, customization, and ease of use.

For users prioritizing ease of use and good all-around performance with port forwarding, PIA is a strong contender. Advanced users who want maximum customization and privacy might prefer AirVPN or TorGuard. VPNArea offers a balance of privacy and user-friendly port forwarding setup. Carefully consider your requirements and choose the best VPN with port forwarding to unlock its full potential for your specific online activities.