What is VPN Split Tunneling? The 2025 Speed & Privacy Useful Guide

Tired of your VPN breaking your banking app or slowing down Netflix? Discover how VPN split tunneling lets you control exactly which apps use your VPN and which don’t.

Quick Answer: What is VPN Split Tunneling?
VPN split tunneling is a feature that lets you route some of your internet traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel while letting the rest access the internet directly. This allows you to protect sensitive apps with the VPN while letting others, like online games or banking apps, use your regular connection for full speed and access.

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The Universal VPN Compromise Problem (VPN Split Tunneling)

Using a VPN often feels like an all-or-nothing choice. You either get privacy but deal with blocked websites and slower speeds, or you disconnect and lose all protection. This frustrating trade-off is a daily reality for many users.

Reddit user CatoSterling perfectly illustrated this dilemma with a story about their “Secret App”:

“Suppose you have a ‘Secret App’ that must access the internet via a VPN to maintain your privacy… But now, in your browser, you notice several sites that refuse access, just because you are using a VPN… What to do? Manually switch the VPN on and off as necessary? Risky, one mistake and your privacy is lost… Split Tunneling to the rescue!”

This is the core problem split tunneling solves. It eliminates the need to constantly turn your VPN on and off, providing both convenience and continuous security for your most important activities.

Reddit’s Real-World Explanations (That Actually Make Sense)

1. The Simple “Two Paths” Definition (VPN Split Tunneling)

At its heart, split tunneling is a simple concept. As user Salt-Government-4454 put it:

“Basically just allows outbound traffic to flow either through the encrypted VPN out to the internet, or through a different tunnel to the open internet.”

And restleughu provided a clear, practical example of how this control is used:

“Personally I use it to keep YouTube and Netflix on US VPN servers while selecting various other VPN servers (depending on where I travel) for other traffic.”

This shows the power of split tunneling: you can geo-locate specific apps without affecting everything else on your device.

2. The Corporate World’s Use Case (VPN Split Tunneling)

Many users first encounter split tunneling in a work environment. User boredgamelad explained how it functions in a corporate VPN:

“A VPN with split tunneling enabled would allow you to connect to both resources on the VPN and your local LAN/Internet, etc. Only traffic intended for specific destinations/protocols get sent over the VPN.”

Another user gave a perfect everyday example:

“For example, my work laptop has a split tunnel VPN. When I connect to my company’s network, it goes through the VPN. But if I’m accessing some other site, like reddit, it doesn’t.”

This business-oriented use case highlights the efficiency and flexibility of the technology, which has now become a must-have feature for consumer VPNs.

Step-by-Step: How to Set Up VPN Split Tunneling

The process is generally straightforward in most modern VPN apps.

Step 1: Locate the Feature (VPN Split Tunneling)

1. Open your VPN application.
2. Navigate to Settings > Features > Split Tunneling.
3. The feature might also be called “Bypasser,” “Per-App VPN,” or “App Filter.”

Step 2: Choose Your Mode (VPN Split Tunneling)
You will typically have two options:

• Inverse/Exclusive Mode: “Only these apps use the VPN.” (Best for protecting a few sensitive apps).
• Standard/Inclusive Mode: “All apps except these use the VPN.” (Best for everyday use where most traffic should be private).

Step 3: Select Your Applications (VPN Split Tunneling)

1. A list of your installed applications will appear.
2. Toggle on/off the apps you want to include or exclude from the VPN tunnel.
3. Save your settings. The changes take effect immediately.

Best VPNs for Split Tunneling in 2025

Not all VPNs implement split tunneling equally well. Here are the top providers that get it right.

1. Surfshark: Most User-Friendly “Bypasser”

Why it wins: Surfshark’s “Bypasser” is incredibly simple to use. It allows you to easily select which apps and websites to exclude from the VPN, all within a clean, intuitive interface. It’s available on both Windows and Android.
Ideal for: Users who want a no-fuss, straightforward setup.

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2. NordVPN: Most Versatile Split Tunneling

Why it wins: NordVPN allows you to split tunnel both specific applications and entire websites by domain name. This granular control is perfect for power users who want to customize their traffic flow down to the website level.
Ideal for: Users who want maximum control over their internet traffic.

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3. Proton VPN: Best for Security-First Configuration

Why it wins: Proton VPN offers robust split tunneling on Android and Windows. Its implementation is clean and reliable, fitting with the provider’s overall focus on security and transparency.
Ideal for: Users who prioritize a secure and trustworthy implementation from a privacy-first company.

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Split Tunneling Use Case Checklist

✅ When to Use Split Tunneling:

• Banking & Financial Apps: Ensure they work without geo-blocks or security flags.
• Online Gaming: Reduce latency by letting games use your direct connection.
• Local Network Access: Print to your home printer or access your NAS while the VPN is on.
• 4K Streaming: Allocate full bandwidth to Netflix/YouTube by excluding them from the VPN.
• Work & Personal Balance: Keep work apps on the VPN while personal browsing goes direct.

✅ When to Avoid Split Tunneling:

• On public WiFi networks where you want all traffic protected.
• When you need maximum anonymity and don’t want any traffic linked to your real IP.

Frequently Asked Questions (VPN Split Tunneling)

Q: Does split tunneling reduce VPN speed?
A: No, it can actually improve perceived speed. By routing only select traffic through the VPN, you reduce the load on the encrypted tunnel, which can free up bandwidth for the apps that need it most.

Q: Is split tunneling safe?
A: Yes, when used correctly. The danger is accidentally excluding a sensitive app that should be protected. Always double-check your list, especially when on untrusted networks.

Q: Can I use split tunneling on all my devices?
A: The feature is most common on Windows, Android, and sometimes macOS. It is rarely available on iOS due to platform restrictions.

Q: What’s the difference between app-based and URL-based split tunneling?
A: App-based controls all traffic from a specific application. URL-based only affects traffic to specific websites, regardless of what browser you use. NordVPN’s website exclusion is a prime example of the latter.