NAT (Network Address Translation) is a technology where multiple devices share a single public IP address. With a NAT VPS, your server gets a private IP address and traffic is routed through a shared public IP managed by the hosting provider.

How does NAT work on a VPS?

Instead of receiving a dedicated public IPv4, your VPS operates behind a shared IP address. Ports are distributed among clients — for example, you access your VPS via a specific port for SSH, while HTTP and HTTPS use standard ports.

Example NAT configuration
  • Public IP: 1.2.3.4 (shared)
  • Your VPS private IP: 10.0.0.5
  • SSH access: 1.2.3.4:22005 → 10.0.0.5:22
  • HTTP/HTTPS: standard ports 80/443

Advantages of NAT VPS

  • Lower cost — IPv4 addresses are a limited resource and add to hosting costs
  • Full functionality for websites, WordPress, APIs and applications
  • HTTP/HTTPS work normally — standard ports are fully accessible
  • SSH access — always available via a specific assigned port

Limitations of NAT VPS

  • Not suitable for mail servers (which require a dedicated public IP)
  • You cannot open arbitrary inbound ports
  • Not suitable for services that require a public IPv4

Who is NAT VPS right for?

NAT VPS is a great fit for:

  • WordPress websites and online stores
  • API services and web applications
  • Bots and automated processes
  • Test and staging environments
  • Backup and storage solutions

All VPS plans at VPSStorages run behind NAT. Learn more on our NAT VPS page.