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What is Split Tunneling?

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that lets you divide your internet traffic into two separate pathways at the same time. Some traffic routes through the VPN’s encrypted tunnel, while the rest connect to the internet directly, without encryption or IP masking.

A standard VPN routes all of your traffic through a secure connection. Split tunneling gives you more control. You can choose which apps or websites go through the VPN and which ones bypass it. For example, you might send online banking activity through the VPN for added security while letting a streaming service or video game connect directly for faster speeds.

This flexibility comes with trade-offs. Traffic that bypasses the VPN is not encrypted and remains visible to your ISP or anyone monitoring that connection. Split tunneling is generally considered less secure than keeping all traffic inside the VPN, so it works best when you have a clear reason for excluding specific apps or services.