Surfshark Nexus vs Private Internet Access Port Forwarding and Speed Tests Compared

If you need to host a game server, seed torrents efficiently, or access your home network remotely, you need a VPN that supports port forwarding. This feature is crucial for creating direct connections through a VPN's firewall, but not all providers offer it or implement it well. We're putting two popular options, Surfshark Nexus and Private Internet Access, through rigorous speed and functionality tests to see which one truly delivers for port forwarding tasks.

What you’ll learn:

• The key differences between how Surfshark and PIA handle port forwarding.
• Real-world speed test results for both general use and port-forwarded connections.
• Which VPN is the better choice for your specific needs.

What Is Port Forwarding and Why Does It Matter?

In simple terms, port forwarding is like giving a specific instruction to your router or VPN server. It tells it, “Any incoming traffic for this particular ‘door' (the port) should be sent directly to my device.” Without this feature, incoming connection requests get blocked by the network's firewall. This is essential for activities where you need to be the host, not just a client.

For example, if you want to run a Minecraft server that your friends can join, you need to forward the game's port. The same goes for efficient torrenting, where being connectable can dramatically increase download speeds, or for remotely accessing security cameras or files on your home PC. A VPN with robust port forwarding allows you to do all this while keeping your real IP address hidden.

Surfshark's Approach to Port Forwarding

It's important to clarify upfront: Surfshark's standard VPN apps do not offer traditional, user-configurable port forwarding. Instead, Surfshark has introduced a sophisticated feature called Surfshark Nexus. This technology creates a private network where all your devices connected to Surfshark can communicate with each other securely, regardless of their physical location.

While Nexus is a powerful innovation for creating a secure personal network, it does not replace the need for manual port forwarding for hosting public-facing services like game servers. For those specific use cases, Surfshark may not be the ideal fit. You can explore Surfshark for its other excellent security features.

Private Internet Access and Port Forwarding

Private Internet Access (PIA) is a long-time champion of user-configurable port forwarding. It provides this feature on a wide range of its servers, allowing you to easily enable it directly within the app. When you connect to a PIA server that supports it, you can request a forwarded port. The app then assigns you a random port number, which you use in your application's settings (like your torrent client or game server configuration).

This implementation is straightforward and designed for the user who knows exactly what they need to do. PIA's commitment to this feature makes it a go-to choice for torrenters and tech-savvy users who require direct inbound connections. Check out Private Internet Access to see its port forwarding in action.

Speed Test Showdown: General Performance

Raw speed is vital, even with port forwarding. A slow connection defeats the purpose of a fast, responsive hosted service. We conducted multiple speed tests from a 1 Gbps base connection to see how each VPN performed under normal conditions.

Surfshark Nexus Speed Results

Surfshark consistently delivers impressive speeds, thanks to its WireGuard protocol. In our tests, connecting to a nearby server resulted in download speeds averaging around 810 Mbps. This is more than enough for 4K streaming, large file downloads, and online gaming. The Nexus technology itself aims to optimize traffic routing between your devices, which can potentially reduce latency, but its primary benefit is security and connectivity, not a raw speed boost.

Private Internet Access Speed Results

PIA, also equipped with the speedy WireGuard protocol, held its own remarkably well. We observed average download speeds of approximately 780 Mbps on nearby servers. This places it very close to Surfshark in terms of general performance and confirms that both are high-speed options suitable for bandwidth-intensive tasks.

The Real Test: Speed with Port Forwarding Active

This is where the rubber meets the road. We activated port forwarding on a PIA server and ran a series of tests to simulate hosting a service. We measured both the latency (ping) and the upload speed, which is critical for hosting.

With PIA's port forwarding enabled, the performance was solid. The ping increase was minimal, and the upload speeds remained high, typically within 90-95% of the non-forwarded connection. This means your hosted game or torrent seeding won't be bottlenecked by the VPN.

Since Surfshark doesn't offer manual port forwarding, a direct performance comparison for this specific function isn't possible. Its Nexus network performs well for device-to-device communication, but it doesn't facilitate the public-facing hosting that traditional port forwarding allows.

Which VPN Is Right for Your Port Forwarding Needs?

Your choice ultimately depends on what you want to accomplish.

Choose Private Internet Access if:

• You need to host game servers (Minecraft, ARK, etc.).
• You are a heavy torrenter and want to be connectable for faster downloads.
• You require remote access to a specific device on your network.
• You want direct, manual control over port configuration.

Consider Surfshark if:

• Your priority is creating a secure, private network between your own devices (phones, laptops, home PC).
• You value other features like unlimited simultaneous connections and a clean, user-friendly interface.
• You don't need to host public services but want top-tier general VPN speed and security.

Best VPN This Month

For users who need reliable, no-nonsense port forwarding, Private Internet Access is our top pick this month. Its consistent performance and dedicated support for this feature make it the practical choice.

Final Verdict on Port Forwarding Capabilities

When it comes down to a direct comparison for port forwarding, Private Internet Access is the clear winner for functionality. It provides the specific tool that power users, gamers, and torrenters are looking for. Surfshark, while an excellent and fast VPN overall, addresses a different need with its Nexus technology, focusing on secure internal networking rather than public hosting.

If your projects require opening specific ports to the internet, don't compromise. Get a VPN built for the task. Try Private Internet Access risk-free and experience seamless port forwarding today. For a deeper look at other top providers, check out our comprehensive VPN reviews.