A third-party relay server is an intermediary that forwards network traffic between two endpoints when they cannot connect directly. In WebRTC, the standard example is a TURN server: it relays packets between a client and a peer when network address translation (NAT) or firewall rules block a direct path.
What does a third-party relay server do?
It provides a route for traffic between communicating devices. Instead of packets traveling directly from one endpoint to the other, they pass through a relay server. “Third-party” describes the server’s role relative to the endpoints; it does not specify who owns or operates it.
The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) describes TURN this way: “This specification defines a protocol, called ‘TURN’, that allows a host behind a NAT (called the ‘TURN client’) to request that another host (called the ‘TURN server’) act as a relay.” (RFC 8656)
How a TURN relay works
- The TURN client requests an allocation from a TURN server.
- The server supplies an IP address and port called a relayed transport address.
- A peer sends packets to that address, and the server forwards them to the client. The client’s packets are relayed back to the appropriate peer.
TURN is a particular protocol for relaying; “third-party relay server” is a broader phrase and can describe relays used by other systems. The TURN URI specification, RFC 7065, defines turn and turns schemes for identifying TURN servers. It requires turns when TURN runs over TLS-over-TCP; turn is used otherwise.
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Why WebRTC uses a TURN server
WebRTC attempts to establish connectivity between endpoints, but a direct path may fail because of restrictive NAT behavior or firewall policy. For example, RFC 8656 discusses enterprise firewalls that block direct UDP traffic between clients and external IP addresses. An enterprise relay can provide a way for media sessions to use UDP despite that restriction.
A relay is therefore a fallback route for reachability, not the direct peer-to-peer path. Whether it is needed depends on the endpoints’ network conditions and policies.
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Does a TURN server hide your IP address?
A relay can keep a remote peer from receiving your direct IP address when the connection uses only relayed candidates. RFC 8656 describes selecting a relay and sharing relayed candidates for ICE connectivity checks. This changes what address information the peer sees; it does not make the connection anonymous or hide network metadata from the relay operator.
Is a relay server the same as a proxy server?
Not necessarily. “Relay server” describes a function: forwarding traffic between endpoints. TURN is one protocol that performs this function for real-time communications. The term “proxy server” is used for other intermediary roles and protocols. Without a specific protocol or product, the terms should not be treated as interchangeable.
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What to consider when using a relay
- Connectivity: Does a direct connection fail on the current NAT or firewall? If it succeeds, a relay may not be required for reachability.
- Latency and location: The relayed route adds a server hop, so the relay’s location can matter.
- Transport and firewall compatibility: Check which transports the relay supports and whether the network permits them.
- Privacy: Review the operator’s logging and privacy terms. Hiding a direct address from the peer does not hide it from the relay operator.
- Bandwidth cost: Managed services may charge for relayed traffic; pricing varies by provider and service.
Managed TURN service example
Cloudflare’s Realtime documentation describes managed TURN for WebRTC clients, including browsers and SFUs, when NATs or firewalls prevent direct communication. Its page, updated September 25, 2026, states that TURN is free when used with Cloudflare Realtime SFU; otherwise, it costs $0.05 per real-time GB outbound from Cloudflare to the TURN client. This is Cloudflare’s stated pricing on that date, not a general market rate. (Cloudflare TURN Service)
A managed TURN service is infrastructure, not a physical product that every user must buy. Whether it is needed depends on the application and network conditions.
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