What Is Split Tunneling?
VPN split tunneling lets you route some of your internet traffic through the encrypted VPN tunnel while other traffic goes directly to the internet without the VPN. Instead of an all-or-nothing choice, you choose which apps or websites use the VPN and which use your regular connection.
How It Works Technically
Your VPN client intercepts outbound traffic and, based on rules you configure, either routes packets through the encrypted tunnel to the VPN server (standard VPN path) or lets them pass directly to your ISP without encryption. The routing decision happens at the network interface level before traffic leaves your device.
When Split Tunneling Is Useful
The most common use case: you want privacy protection for some traffic but full speed for bandwidth-heavy activities. Streaming video on Netflix while VPN is active for banking. Gaming without latency overhead of VPN, while keeping work email behind VPN. Accessing geo-restricted content through VPN while local apps (maps, delivery services) work normally. Corporate VPN scenarios: work applications use the corporate VPN for security compliance, while personal browsing goes direct without routing through corporate monitoring.
When to Avoid Split Tunneling
Split tunneling reduces your privacy coverage. If your goal is comprehensive privacy from your ISP or network observer, routing some traffic outside the VPN defeats the purpose. Do not use split tunneling if the traffic you are routing outside the VPN is sensitive (messaging apps, financial services, medical sites). The simplest privacy posture is all traffic through VPN -- split tunneling adds complexity and partial exposure.
How to Configure Split Tunneling
Most major VPN clients (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Mullvad, ProtonVPN) support split tunneling in their desktop and Android apps. You configure it in settings under Network or Split Tunneling. Choose between app-based routing (specific apps go through VPN) or domain-based routing (specific URLs bypass VPN). iOS imposes platform limitations that restrict some split tunneling implementations.