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What is Split Tunneling and When Should You Use It?

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VPNInfobase Research Team
5 min read Updated May 2026 Fact checked

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In this article
  1. What it does
  2. When to use it
  3. Which VPNs support it

Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which connect directly — targeted privacy without affecting everything on your device.

What split tunneling does

Instead of routing all traffic through the VPN, split tunneling creates exceptions. You can send your browser and torrent client through the VPN while letting your video calls, banking app, and local devices connect directly. This gives targeted privacy without applying it where unnecessary.

When to use it

Access your local bank while streaming from another country. Game with low latency while keeping browser traffic encrypted. Access home network devices like a printer while protecting other traffic. Exclude high-bandwidth apps that do not need VPN coverage to improve overall speed.

Which VPNs support split tunneling

NordVPN on all platforms. ExpressVPN on all platforms. Surfshark, which calls it Bypasser, added Mac support in April 2025 completing all major platforms. ProtonVPN and PIA also support it. TunnelBear does not.

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