How Split Tunneling Works in VPNs

When you connect to a VPN, all of your internet traffic is typically routed through an encrypted tunnel. This ensures strong privacy and security, but it can also slow down certain activities or block access to local services like printers, banking apps, or streaming platforms. Many users find themselves stuck between wanting VPN protection and needing smooth, unrestricted access for everyday tasks.

Split tunneling offers a practical solution by letting some traffic pass through the VPN while other connections go directly to the internet. This balance improves performance, enables local access, and keeps sensitive activities private. In this article, you’ll learn how split tunneling works, the different types available, its benefits and risks, and step-by-step guidance on how to configure it effectively for both speed and security.

TL;DR: 

Split tunneling lets you send sensitive data through a secure VPN tunnel while non-critical traffic uses direct internet access. This improves speed, reduces bandwidth strain, and keeps essential apps protected. However, misconfiguration or unsecured networks can expose data, so careful setup is key.

What Is Split Tunneling?

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that lets you choose which internet traffic goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel and which traffic connects directly to the internet without encryption. This differs from full tunneling, where every bit of data is routed through the VPN. While full tunneling maximizes security and privacy, it can also reduce speed and block access to local resources.

An easy way to picture it is like having two highways: one secure but slower, and the other fast but open. Sensitive or work-related data takes the secure tunnel, while everyday traffic, such as streaming, gaming, or accessing local devices, can use the direct route. This setup strikes a balance between security and performance, giving you flexibility to protect what matters most without sacrificing speed or convenience.

How Split Tunneling Works

Split tunneling divides your internet traffic into two routes: one that passes through the VPN tunnel for encryption, and another that connects directly to the internet. This separation ensures that sensitive activities remain private while everyday tasks stay fast and responsive.

• Routing Rules: The VPN client on your device applies rules to decide which traffic goes where. These rules can be based on applications, IP addresses, or specific websites.

• Traffic Through the VPN: Selected data, such as work emails or banking transactions, is encrypted, sent through the VPN tunnel, and exits via the VPN server’s location before reaching the internet. This hides your real IP and keeps the data secure.

• Direct Internet Traffic: Non-critical traffic, such as streaming or gaming, bypasses the VPN tunnel. It connects straight to the internet from your real IP, avoiding encryption overhead and improving speed.

By constantly applying these rules in real time, split tunneling balances privacy with performance, keeping sensitive data protected without slowing down everyday online activities.

Types of Split Tunneling

Split tunneling can be set up in several ways, depending on whether you want to secure specific applications, destinations, or everything by default. 

1. App-Based Split Tunneling

With app-based split tunneling, you choose which applications send their traffic through the VPN. This setup is ideal when you want to protect sensitive tools like Outlook, Slack, or cloud storage apps, while leaving others like Spotify, Netflix, or online games outside the tunnel for smoother performance. It’s simple, flexible, and works best for separating work from leisure.

2. Destination/IP-Based Split Tunneling

In destination or IP-based tunneling, you create rules for specific websites or IP addresses. Only traffic going to these destinations is routed through the VPN, while everything else connects directly. For example, you might route your company’s intranet, cloud services, or region-locked platforms through the VPN while allowing general browsing to bypass it. This method is especially useful for employees who need secure access to certain sites without slowing down unrelated activity.

3. Inverse Split Tunneling

Inverse split tunneling works the opposite way: all traffic goes through the VPN by default, and you deliberately exclude certain apps or destinations. This is the most security-focused option, since it minimizes the chance of leaving sensitive data unprotected. For instance, you might secure all traffic but exclude your local banking app, smart home devices, or streaming services so they can connect faster or work with local networks.

Comparison of Split Tunneling Types

Benefits and Risks of Split Tunneling in VPNs

Split tunneling offers the flexibility to balance security with performance, but every advantage comes with trade-offs. By understanding both sides, you can decide when it’s the right fit for your needs.

1. Performance vs. Security Exposure

Directing non-sensitive traffic outside the VPN reduces congestion and latency, improving speed for streaming, gaming, or large downloads. However, this same traffic is unencrypted, leaving it vulnerable to interception or monitoring on public networks.

2. Security vs. Configuration Errors

Routing only designated apps or sites through the VPN ensures sensitive data like emails, logins, and work files remain protected. But misconfiguring these rules can accidentally leave critical apps unprotected, exposing confidential information without the user realizing it.

3. Bandwidth Savings vs. Device Limits

Offloading non-critical traffic to the regular internet prevents overuse of VPN bandwidth, which helps maintain stable speeds across activities. Yet, not all devices or operating systems fully support split tunneling, and provider limitations may restrict how effectively you can implement these savings.

4. Custom Flexibility vs. Data Leaks

Split tunneling allows traffic routing by apps, websites, or IPs, giving users full control to match their workflow. This flexibility, however, raises the risk of DNS leaks or metadata exposure if routing isn’t carefully managed and continuously monitored.

5. Access Freedom vs. Full Tunnel Situations

Users can access local devices, printers, or region-specific services without disconnecting from the VPN, keeping convenience high. Still, in high-security environments like corporate servers, research networks, or regulated industries, a full VPN tunnel is often required to ensure complete encryption and compliance.

How to Enable Split Tunneling

The exact way to enable split tunneling depends on your VPN provider, but most follow a similar process. Many modern VPN apps include the feature directly in their settings.

General Method 

Step 1: Open your VPN app settings and look under Advanced or Connection settings, where split tunneling may be listed as a feature.

Step 2: Select the apps or sites to control. Choose which applications or websites should go through the VPN tunnel and which should connect directly to the internet. Some VPNs support app-based rules only, while others allow domain or IP-based routing.

Step 3: Save your configuration inside the VPN app.

Step 4: Test your configuration by running both a VPN-protected app (e.g., your email client) and a direct app (e.g., YouTube) to confirm the split works correctly.

Not all VPNs support split tunneling. Check your provider’s documentation before relying on it for daily use.

Advanced Configuration (Windows)

If your VPN client doesn’t offer built-in split tunneling, you can configure it manually:

Step 1: Open Network Connections from the Windows Start menu to view all adapters and VPN links.

Step 2: Click Change Adapter Options and choose your VPN adapter.

Step 3: Right-click your VPN connection → Properties → Networking tab → select TCP/IPv4 → Advanced settings.

Step 4: Under Gateway control, uncheck Use the Default Gateway on the Remote Network to stop all traffic from routing through the VPN. This activates selective routing.

Step 5: Restart the connection, disconnect and reconnect your VPN to apply the new rules, then test apps to confirm the split is working.

Advanced Configuration (macOS)

On macOS, the process is typically handled within the VPN client app itself:

Step 1: Launch the VPN app and sign in to your VPN provider’s client.

Step 2: Open Preferences (or Settings) and go to the Network/Connection section.

Step 3: Enable split tunneling (sometimes labeled “Bypass” or similar).

Step 4: Select applications that should bypass the VPN while keeping sensitive ones encrypted.

Step 5: Apply changes and reconnect if prompted, then verify that traffic is routing as expected.

Conclusion

Split tunneling offers a practical way to balance speed and security by letting you decide which traffic stays encrypted and which connects directly. It’s especially useful for activities like streaming, gaming, remote work, or accessing local devices without slowing down sensitive apps.

Still, it isn’t always the safest choice; public Wi-Fi, regulated industries, or high-security environments often require full VPN protection. The key is careful configuration: only exclude low-risk traffic, keep critical data fully encrypted, and regularly test for leaks. 

By choosing a reliable VPN provider with flexible split tunneling features, you can enjoy efficiency and convenience without compromising your security posture.

Frequently Asked Questions