Split Tunneling

A VPN feature that lets you route some traffic through the encrypted tunnel while other traffic accesses the internet directly.

Split tunneling gives you granular control over which apps or websites use the VPN and which connect directly. This balances privacy with performance and access to local services.

Why Use Split Tunneling

  • Stream local content (banking, local news) while VPN protects other browsing
  • Keep gaming or video calls on a direct connection for lower latency
  • Access office network via VPN while browsing normally on personal apps

Types

  • **App-based**: Choose which applications route through the VPN
  • **URL-based**: Select specific websites to include or exclude
  • **Inverse split tunneling**: Everything goes through VPN except what you whitelist

FAQ

Is split tunneling safe?

Traffic outside the tunnel is unencrypted and exposes your real IP. Only exclude apps that don't handle sensitive data.

Which VPNs support split tunneling?

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and PIA all offer split tunneling on most platforms. Availability may vary on iOS due to Apple restrictions.