VPN users who want protection on some apps but not others can use a feature called split tunneling, which lets them choose which apps or sites route through a VPN and which bypass it. The feature is widely available in VPN packages but is often overlooked by users who simply switch their VPN on and off.
VPNs create an encrypted bridge for data traveling to and from the web, hiding browsing activity from internet providers, law enforcement agencies, and others connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Split tunneling routes selected traffic away from that bridge, so users do not have to constantly toggle the VPN. The most common form is app-based split tunneling, in which some apps use the VPN and others do not. A user might protect a banking app while leaving a weather app outside the VPN to avoid forecasts from a spoofed location.
Some VPNs also offer URL-based split tunneling, which sets rules by domain name, keeping a VPN on for a search engine where sensitive information is typed but off for a local news site. Route-based tunneling, based on specific IP addresses, and policy-based tunneling, a set of overarching rules, also exist but are less common in consumer VPN software and are unlikely to be encountered unless someone is managing other users.
Users may want split tunneling for several reasons. VPNs by nature come with some speed compromises, so online games can be left outside the VPN for the fastest possible speeds. Because VPNs typically obfuscate location, ticketing apps can stay outside the VPN to ensure local movie showtimes remain accessible. A VPN can also interfere with access to other devices on a local network, such as smart home gadgets and printers.
Setup varies by software but is generally easy to find, and most, though not all, VPN programs now offer some form of the feature, especially on paid tiers. In ProtonVPN for Windows, a split tunneling link appears on the main console alongside other features such as a kill switch and port forwarding. Once enabled, users can select a list of apps to include in the VPN, with everything else excluded, or a list to exclude, with everything else included. In NordVPN for Windows, the feature is reached by clicking the cog icon in the bottom left of the main interface, choosing Split tunneling, and enabling the toggle switch, after which users choose which apps are covered.
On mobile, the process is similar, though iPhones allow less freedom than Android devices and desktop platforms: users are typically limited to selecting websites and IP addresses to exclude rather than apps. For most users, the configuration is a set-it-and-forget-it routine that does not require repeated visits to the options screen, though changes remain possible. The result is VPN protection where it is needed without the inconvenience of applying it where it is not useful.
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