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Openport
What it is
Openport exposes a local TCP port to the internet through a tunnel, so a device can be reached remotely without opening firewall ports. Its web service and API can show which IoT devices are online and help manage a fleet, with access controlled by user groups. Openport says its servers around the world support lower-latency connections. The HTTP-forward option assigns a session a hostname for serving a local port over HTTP and HTTPS with a valid certificate. Custom-domain forwarding requires a CNAME record and works over HTTPS only. With TLS passthrough, TLS ends on the user's machine, keeping tunnel traffic encrypted end to end. Forwarded ports use token-link protection by default, and a clicked link remains valid for 24 hours. Openport also lists brute-force blocking and port-scanning detection. Since client 2.3.0, sessions can forward UDP as well as TCP on the same port when the server supports it. Supported platforms include API, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Plans include a free tier with limits and paid options starting at $1/mo. Openport was founded in 2014 and serves hobbyists as well as large service providers.
For and against
For
- Makes a local port remotely reachable without opening firewall ports.
- Web service and API show online IoT devices.
- Uses token-link protection for forwarded ports by default.
- TLS passthrough keeps tunnel traffic encrypted end to end.
- Supports UDP forwarding when the server supports it.
Against
- Free plan is limited to one device and one connection.
- Free plan has a 10 MB transfer limit.
- Free plan has a one-day connection timeout and no API access.
- Custom-domain forwarding requires a CNAME and is HTTPS-only.
The verdict
Openport provides tunneled remote access and device-management options across web and desktop platforms. The free tier has tight device, connection, transfer, and timeout limits; review plan details for the required capacity.
Who it suits
Openport suits users who need remote access to a device through a tunnel, including people managing IoT devices. Its listed plans include options for home use, education, and enterprise.
Plans and prices
enterprise
Unlimited devices · 20 connections per device · 100000 MB transfer per month · No connection timeout
Read 7 Oct 2026 · openport.io
home
3 devices · 3 connections per device · 1000 MB transfer per month · No connection timeout
Read 7 Oct 2026 · openport.io
educational
100 devices · 5 connections per device · 10000 MB transfer per month · No connection timeout
Read 7 Oct 2026 · openport.io
free
1 device · 1 connection per device · 10 MB transfer per month · 1 day connection timeout
Read 7 Oct 2026 · openport.io
On the record
- Access controls
- Users can manage access to devices based on user groups.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Custom domains
- A custom domain requires a CNAME record, and custom-domain forwarding is reachable over HTTPS only.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Default port protection
- Forwarded ports are protected by default by a feature that requires visitors to click a token link, and clicked links remain valid for 24 hours.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- End-to-end encryption
- With TLS passthrough, TLS terminates on the user's machine so tunnelled traffic stays encrypted end-to-end.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Founded and audience
- Openport says it was founded in 2014, began as a tool for hobbyists, and is also used by large service providers to reach thousands of devices.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Global servers
- Openport says it has servers around the world to let users connect with lower latency.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- HTTP forwarding
- The --http-forward option gives a session a hostname serving a local port over HTTP and HTTPS with a valid certificate.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- IoT management
- Openport says users can see which devices are online and manage an IoT fleet through the web or its API.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Other security measures
- Openport lists brute-force blocking and port-scanning detection among its safety measures.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Privacy
- Openport's privacy policy says it processes personal data under the GDPR and stores or transfers personal data only within the EEA.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Protocols
- Since client 2.3.0, a session can forward UDP as well as TCP on the same port when the server supports it.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Openport lets users expose a local TCP port to the internet without opening firewall ports.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Remote access
- The service builds a secure tunnel from a device to the outside world so it can be reached remotely.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Support
- Users can contact support through the website chat box or open a GitHub ticket.openport.readthedocs.io · read 7 Oct 2026
- Supported downloads
- The download page lists Windows 7/8/10/11, Mac OS X 10.8+, Debian/Ubuntu AMD64, ARM64, ARMHF, and Red Hat/Fedora/CentOS/Scientific Linux 64-bit packages.openport.io · read 7 Oct 2026
