Since their inception, Virtual Private Networks have seen a major overhaul in security features, functionalities, and protocols. While the base of a VPN service is the same and relies on 256-bit encryption to function, other features make it more reliable, secure, and safe. One of these advanced features is split tunneling.
It is often found in premium providers and goes under the radar of many people who don’t know what is VPN split tunneling. Little do they know, this feature is quite handy and helpful in many ways. Today, we’ll discuss split tunneling in VPNs, explain how it works, and present our top three providers with this feature on the list.
What Is Split Tunneling? (Definition)
To explain what split tunneling is and how it works, we first must explain how a Virtual Private Network works. This service changes your IP address, encrypts your connection, and routes it through a virtual tunnel, which makes it untraceable by your ISP, hackers, and other malicious online entities.
Many call it an encrypted tunnel and think of it as a completely different lane on the road. Imagine having several lanes where people drive, but you’re driving in a lane wrapped in a tunnel, separate from the others, where no one can see you. That is what a VPN will do – encrypt the connection with 256-bit encryption.
As a result, no one can trace your digital footprint. This is done by connecting to a server in another country and obtaining that server’s IP. In this case, means your entire connection is affected. Split tunneling allows you to exclude certain apps from the VPN tunnel. Not only apps, but we’ll talk more about it later.
By enabling split tunneling, you can choose which apps will use the Virtual Private Network and which will bypass it. For example, if you have a banking app, you won’t need to use a VPN. This app is linked to your location, and signing in as if you’re somewhere else may prevent your access as a security measure.
In this case, you can exclude this app from using a VPN tunnel so that it uses your native IP address, necessary for the banking app to function. On the other hand, you don’t want to exclude your uTorrent client from using a Virtual Private Network to ensure safe and anonymous torrenting.
Types of Split Tunneling
When it comes to VPN split tunneling, there are a couple of types you should know about. While they all work the same, more or less, they’re different in terms of their area of effect. Here’s what we mean by that.
App Split Tunneling
The most common type of VPN split tunneling is the one that affects the applications. We’ve seen this feature in ExpressVPN or Surfshark, for example, but NordVPN offers it as well. In fact, of all providers that offer this feature, we’d say nine out of ten offer this type. This type of split tunneling is very easy to set up.
You just need to enable the feature and then list all the applications you want to be excluded. Most of the time, the VPN will detect the installed apps on your computer or phone, so it’s a matter of clicking on the app to apply the effect. If the app isn’t on the list, you can search for it and add it to the list.
Some providers allow you to apply split tunneling in reverse, i.e., to allow only a handful of apps to use a Virtual Private Network. NordVPN, for instance, lets you do that, letting you allow only a small portion of your apps to use a VPN tunnel. This isn’t advised, as other apps can be used as a backdoor for hackers.
Website/IP/Domain Split Tunneling
Another type of VPN split tunneling applies its effect on websites, or, if you want, IP addresses and domains. ExpressVPN and NordVPN don’t offer this type; instead, you get only app split tunneling, which can exclude your web browser from using a tunnel but not particular sites.
CyberGhost, on the other hand, offers something called Exceptions, which lets you exclude URLs. The great thing is that it’s easy to use, as you need to copy and paste the URL of the site into the app and click Add. You’ll now visit this site with your native IP address.
However, this type of split tunneling doesn’t affect your applications, so you can’t exclude games or banking apps, for example, although you can exclude your banking site if you want. When we reviewed CyberGhost, we mentioned that the VPN offers app split tunneling, but only on Android.
Device Split Tunneling
Device split tunneling is even less common, and if you use a VPN service on your computer, smartphone, tablet, or any other typical device, you’ll never find it. That’s because this feature is available only when you use a VPN on your router. ExpressVPN has this feature, which perfectly complements its router support
When you install a Virtual Private Network on a router, each device connected to that router gets protection, which you may not always want. That’s where device split tunneling comes in. ExpressVPN lets you choose which devices to exclude, letting you connect to your WiFi router with these devices, but without VPN benefits.
Other devices you haven’t excluded will take advantage of a VPN, though. This type of split tunneling is, as said, extremely rare, and aside from ExpressVPN, very few providers will offer it. That’s why, when we talk about router VPNs, we always recommend this provider as one of the best choices next to NordVPN.
When to Use and When Not to Use VPN Split Tunneling?
You shouldn’t always use VPN split tunneling because doing it with particular apps can seriously hinder your online privacy. That said, you should carefully consider which apps, domains, and devices you should place on the list. In this part, we’ll discuss several cases in which you should and shouldn’t use it.
When to Use Split Tunneling ✅
Using split tunneling is smart for applications that don’t need the advantages of a VPN service. If we take your banking app, it’s likely going to flag the new IP you got from a Virtual Private Network and detect you as a potential threat. In many cases, if a banking app detects an IP from another country, it can block your account.
You then have to go to the bank and explain that it was you trying to sign in. That said, you shouldn’t always allow your banking app to use a VPN unless you’re seeking trouble. Another instance in which using split tunneling is smart is food delivery and shopping. We all use food delivery on our lazy days.
However, to be able to order goodies to your address, you shouldn’t alter your online location. Instead, exclude the app from the tunnel for it to be able to see your delivery location. Besides, a local food delivery or shopping site may not work with an IP from somewhere else, so always use your native IP.
Gaming: Should I Use this Feature?
Gaming is a scenario in which it can be hard to decide whether or not to use a split-tunneling VPN. Some providers will decrease your performance and skyrocket the latency, which won’t positively affect your gaming experience. If you’re using a slow VPN, you’ll experience high ping that will make it sluggish and laggy
In this case, you should exclude your games to maximize performance, but you’ll get no protection from DDoS and swatting attacks, as you’ll expose your IP address. If you use a fast VPN like NordVPN, speed reductions will be brought to a minimum. In this case, you don’t need split tunneling for gaming.
With fast speeds and stable connections, you’ll feel free to let it take advantage of a VPN due to no speed reductions and added protection against cyber attacks.
When Not to Use VPN Split Tunneling ❌
We recently explained the definition of a VPN kill switch and that you should use it pretty much always. However, regarding split tunneling, the situation is a bit different. We don’t advise using it whenever you need to stay anonymous. If you download torrents, never exclude your torrent client from using a VPN tunnel.
Torrenting is unsafe, and not only your ISP but also other peers who download the same file can see your IP address and location. This is extremely dangerous from a privacy perspective, and having in mind your ISP’s ability to spy on your downloads, you can easily get into unwanted trouble.
Another case in which you shouldn’t use it is when you’re trying to access geo-restricted content. If we’re talking about website split tunneling, you don’t want to prevent a geo-restricted site from using the IP-changing nature of a VPN. The same goes for watching foreign TV channels or unblocking online bookies abroad.
None of these sites and apps should be excluded from using a Virtual Private Network. One more thing. Many people use a VPN with Tor Browser. If you’re one of them and you’re looking to get on the dark web securely, never put Tor on your exclusion list while using split tunneling.
This will prevent you from going on the dark web anonymously and remove the layer of VPN protection. You’ll be easy prey on the dark web, especially knowing that hackers are often lurking. With an exposed IP, you’re gambling with your luck and just asking for trouble. In short, don’t use split tunneling in any of these cases!
Best Split Tunneling VPN Services
Split tunneling, despite being a prominent feature in the VPN industry, isn’t offered by all providers. For example, providers like Hola VPN, Opera VPN, and many others don’t offer it. You’ll notice these are free VPNs. However, even some premium providers don’t offer it, so if you need it explicitly, think about your next choice.
Or perhaps, you don’t have to think much because we prepared the three best split tunneling VPNs that you can use in 2026. Let’s discuss them more in depth.
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Advanced security protocols
- App split tunneling
- Fast connection speeds
- No-logging policy
Con
- No domain split tunneling
My best choice for today is NordVPN. NordVPN is known for a myriad of quality features updated frequently, such as its awesome NordLynx and NordWhisper protocols. This provider offers split tunneling, and it works only for apps as opposed to the website split tunneling feature in CyberGhost.
Regardless, this feature works wonders, and you’ll have zero issues with it. Once you add the app to the list, it’ll never use your VPN connection, useful for banking apps and other situations where you don’t need to alter your IP address to another country. NordVPN follows up this feature with Threat Protection Pro.
It keeps malware, trackers, and ads out of your system. There’s the Meshnet feature for remote device control and access, and we like Dark Web Monitor for detecting your password and email leaks online. The provider also offers a no-logging policy, and you get VPN split tunneling on all devices.
NordVPN allows ten simultaneous connections on one subscription, and its 24/7 support through live chat is among the best in the business. Price-wise, it’s affordable. Its 2-year Basic plan is our choice, at 73% off, and a price of about three monthly quid. Rest assured, you also get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- App and device split tunneling
- Fast Lightway Turbo protocol
- Affordable Basic plan
- Great for streaming
Cons
- Higher renewal costs
- No domain split tunneling
The next VPN with split tunneling is ExpressVPN. To be honest, this is our favorite VPN provider after NordVPN due to its high level of reliability, excellent performance, and top-grade security. As stated earlier, ExpressVPN comes with two levels of split tunneling, which is the best-case scenario.
On one hand, you have a typical app split tunneling functionality, working to block certain apps from going through an encrypted tunnel. On the other hand, you have so-called device split tunneling that you can use once you install ExpressVPN on a router. Both of these are helpful, making this provider a bit more versatile.
Not only that, but these features work well, and coupled with 256-bit encryption, fast Lightway Turbo protocol, and an audited no-logs policy, you get an almighty VPN service. ExpressVPN is a great provider for streaming, and its 3,000 servers in 105 countries help you bypass geo-blocks.
As you can guess, it’s not free, but there’s a noticeable 73% discount for the biennial Basic plan, with four free months on top. The company even offers a 30-day money-back guarantee with no conditions, letting you get a full refund in the first 30 days. Try ExpressVPN risk-free and enjoy one of the best split-tunneling VPNs.
3. CyberGhost
Pros
- Domain split tunneling
- Reliable ad blocker
- Affordable two-year plan
Cons
- App split tunneling is only on Android
- Limited to seven concurrent connections
CyberGhost belongs to the same parent company as ExpressVPN – Kape Technologies. Yet, this Romanian provider takes a different approach by including split tunneling for websites and not applications. The latter is reserved for Android tablets and smartphones.
On a computer, this option is called Exceptions and lets you exclude certain domains from using a VPN. It works reliably and is easy to use, allowing newcomers to get into it effortlessly. CyberGhost is feature-rich in security and privacy. It sports a no-logging policy with transparency reports for added trustworthiness.
Moreover, there’s AES-256 encryption, an ad blocker, and even support for WireGuard, helping you achieve the best possible performance and speeds. CyberGhost offers dedicated torrenting and streaming servers. They’ll help you for obvious purposes, and so will NoSpy servers that increase your level of anonymity.
Compared to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, CyberGhost is much cheaper. This is even further accentuated by its 45-day money-back guarantee for all long-term plans. A commodity like this is rarely experienced in a VPN service, but in this case, you can enjoy up to 45 days of risk-free use and get a refund if you want.
Free VPNs With Split Tunneling
When discussing split tunneling, it’s usually in premium VPNs. Besides, this isn’t a mandatory feature like AES-256 encryption or a kill switch. However, that’s not to say that free VPNs don’t offer split tunneling – at least some. To be clear, we don’t recommend using free services, especially when pitted against paid VPNs.
They’re bandwidth-limited, much slower, and incapable of streaming and torrenting. Again, exceptions to the rule exist, but with these providers, you’re always at a disadvantage. You should especially be careful with 100% free services like Hola or Urban VPN. These offer unlimited traffic and a lot of servers.
However, they store logs on the other side. They violate your privacy and make you easy prey for third parties and hackers to steal your data. To counter this, we found two decent free VPNs with split tunneling.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN comes with no traffic limits. However, it’s slower than NordVPN, using only ten server locations with 1 Gbps servers. We’re talking about Japan, the US, the Netherlands, and a few others. The good thing is that Proton VPN has split tunneling that you can use for free and without restrictions.
You can route only specific apps or domains through the tunnel to make sure you’re safe online. Aside from that, Proton VPN has WireGuard plus bank-grade encryption. We also like its features, like a VPN Accelerator, port forwarding, and a kill switch. The free version can’t block ads and doesn’t include Secure Core servers.
But hey, it’s free, and as said, you’ll always have some limits. One of the most annoying ones is an inability to download torrents. You can counter this shortcoming by buying Proton VPN and unlocking everything.
Hide.me VPN
Hide.me offers a phenomenal paid service at incredibly cheap prices. However, you also get a free version with a heap of security features. One of them is split tunneling, available on all devices. Hide.me’s split tunneling functions well. You can select which apps to route through the tunnel and which to exclude.
From there, the settings immediately take effect, and you’re all set. Hide.me offers unlimited bandwidth and performs decently for a free VPN. On the other hand, it’s not the best for streaming, as it can’t unblock many Netflix catalogs. At least, you can enjoy 256-bit AES encryption, WireGuard support, and a kill switch.
Bear in mind that, due to unlimited traffic, Hide.me doesn’t allow P2P, which proves that free VPN services are not great for torrenting. It also doesn’t allow simultaneous connections. To counter this, again, you must purchase Hide.me VPN, but if you go down that route, our top three VPNs are better.
Bottom Line
So, what did you learn about split tunneling VPNs and this feature? This feature is useful when you don’t want the Virtual Private Network to interfere with certain applications that won’t take advantage of it. Split tunneling prevents particular apps, domains, or even devices from using a VPN, which is its main definition.
This feature isn’t mandatory, and you won’t find it in every VPN, especially free services that usually don’t offer it, except for a few. The best split tunneling VPNs include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost. If you think you need this feature, choose the VPN service according to your needs.
We recommend NordVPN due to its reliable app, split tunneling on all devices. If you need a provider to block sites from using a VPN, CyberGhost’s Exceptions will do the job. ExpressVPN offers device split tunneling, making it a bit more unique, but it ultimately lacks the more advanced features of NordVPN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use split tunneling on my phone?
It is available on mobile devices, although mostly on Android. Many providers offer this feature primarily on desktop platforms, but some even go as far as offering it only on mobile platforms for some reason. We recently tested IPVanish, a good example of a VPN that offers this feature on Android.
CyberGhost also offers split tunneling on Android, while NordVPN and ExpressVPN allow you to use it on Windows and macOS, in addition to mobile operating systems.
Is using split tunneling going to affect my anonymity?
It is going to affect it in a way. That’s because the apps that aren’t using a VPN tunnel are not secured, and this could leave a backdoor for a hacker to sneak in. It’s easy to see why exercising caution with split tunneling is recommended. As a rule of thumb, we usually recommend not using it on an untrustworthy network.
For example, when connected to public WiFi, do not use this functionality. Instead, focus on encrypting your entire connection and securing it fully to avoid cyber attacks.
How to use VPN split tunneling?
As explained previously, this feature can be used in a few simple steps:
- Enabling split tunneling in the Settings menu.
- Adding apps or domains to the list of apps or domains that won’t use a VPN.
- Applying the settings you put in place.
If you use ExpressVPN and you want to apply device split tunneling on a router, the process is more complex, but the provider offers full, in-depth tutorials for this scenario. For regular cases, the process is always the same and doesn’t require you to be tech-savvy to figure it out.
