VPN that allows access to localhost, only on specific apps, P2P

VPN
1

Hello all,

I’ve seen the amazing VPN Comparison spreadsheet on /r/VPN; it’s awesome. The question I have is which VPN services will allow access to localhost? I just signed up for streamshark, but unfortunately, I can no longer access my Plex media server locally. I now have to use port forwarding (via router, app doesn’t support it). My understanding is since I’m accessing Plex now via my external IP address, that streaming media will count against my ISP’s bandwidth limit, even though I’m in the same network.

Ultimately, I want a VPN that’s used solely for one torrent application on my W10 PC (Transmission), but not on any other applications (browser, video games, etc.). But I still need to be able to access various servers via localhost.

Appreciate anybody’s help in advance!

2

Mullvad allows access to localhost and actually has a tutorial for plex usage.

You enable it with Settings -> Preferences -> Local Network Sharing: Enabled. You also have to do a couple steps with ports as listed on the tutorial page.

3

What OS do you use? The simplest workaround is to override LAN routes

4

If you use the “real” OpenVPN/Wireguard (instead of the providers own app) clients you can access your LAN with any VPN provider.

5

You may connect to your LAN with any VPN service if you use the “actual” OpenVPN/Wireguard clients (rather than the provider’s own software).

6

Meaning I can access all of my local servers locally, or it’s via VPN port forwarding?

7

Can you explain the purpose in port forwarding in the VPN?

Or rather, why would one use plex ← port-forwarding ← mullvad instead of just excluding plex from the VPN?

8

Windows 10. Can this be done with any VPN service?

Edit: So I just got Mullvad VPN setup with tunneling and binding complete. It seems to work well, however, it does cost twice as much to use Mullvad VPN vs. Surfshark, so if your method will work with a VPN service that does not have localhost support, please do expand!

9

iirc Surfshark had no port forwarding and there’re strong indicators they’re run as a subcompany to Nordvpn.

For IPv4 to override the local subnet on Windows:

route add 192.168.0.0 mask 255.255.0.0 gateway [router ip] metric 10

Optionally specify the interface. This is basically from the help output if you execute route. Because a 255.255.x.x route is more precise, it should override whatever your VPN is doing.

Check the differences with route -4 print. To remove the above: route delete 192.168.0.0

Further reading: network routing, subnet mask, metric (a metric is path cost, high means costly and least preferred)