What Is Split Tunneling in VPNs?

Last Updated on March 8, 2025 by Editorial

Split tunneling is a feature in VPN technology that allows a user to selectively route some of their network traffic through the VPN while sending other traffic directly to the Internet. 

With split tunneling, a VPN user can access resources on their corporate or personal network that are only available when connected to the Virtual Private Network. This allows them to access public websites and services that do not require VPN protection.

If you’ve always wondered what the split tunneling feature is for, then you’re in the right place. I’ll take you through how split tunneling works, the benefits, and use case scenarios. I’ll also give you step-by-step guides on how to activate the feature in top VPNs.

Importance of Split Tunneling in VPNs

Some notable benefits you can get from using the split tunneling feature in your VPN include the following.

• Improved network performance. By allowing users to route their network traffic through the VPN selectively, split tunneling can help reduce the load on the VPN server, improving overall network performance and reducing latency.

• Faster internet speeds. Split tunneling can also result in faster internet speeds for non-sensitive traffic, as this traffic is not being routed through the VPN and is instead going directly to the Internet.

• Access to local resources. Split tunneling allows users to access resources on their corporate or personal network that are only available when connected to the VPN while still being able to access public websites and services that do not require VPN protection.

• Reduced risk of traffic interception. By allowing some traffic to bypass the VPN and go directly to the Internet, split tunneling can reduce the risk of traffic interception by third parties or malicious actors.

How Split Tunneling Works in VPNs

Here is a detailed breakdown of how split tunneling works in VPNs:

• The user initiates a VPN connection: The user starts by initiating a VPN connection to a VPN server, typically through a VPN client software.

• VPN creates an encrypted tunnel. The client software creates an encrypted tunnel between the user’s device and the server. This tunnel encrypts all traffic passing between the user’s device and the VPN server, making it difficult for third parties to intercept or read the traffic.

• Split tunneling rules are applied. Split tunneling rules are applied to determine which traffic should be routed through the VPN and which traffic should be bypassed. The user can configure these rules or set them by the VPN provider.

• Split traffic is separated. Traffic designated to be routed through the VPN is separated from traffic that is bypassing the VPN. This split traffic is then sent through different network interfaces on the user’s device.

• VPN traffic is routed through the encrypted tunnel. Traffic that is designated to be routed through the VPN is sent through the encrypted tunnel created by the VPN client software. This traffic is then routed to the VPN server and then out to the internet or other network resources as necessary.

• Bypassed traffic is sent directly to the Internet. Traffic that is designated to bypass the VPN is sent directly to the Internet or other network resources without going through the VPN. This traffic is routed through the user’s regular internet connection and is not encrypted by the VPN.

• Traffic is reassembled at the destination. Once the split traffic reaches its destination (either through the VPN or directly to the internet), it is reassembled and processed as normal.

Risks and Drawbacks of Split Tunneling

While split tunneling can offer several benefits, there are also risks and drawbacks associated with this feature. Here are some of the potential risks and drawbacks of using split tunneling:

• Security vulnerabilities. Split tunneling can create security vulnerabilities if not properly configured. If a user inadvertently allows sensitive traffic to bypass the VPN, this traffic may be intercepted or accessed by unauthorized parties, compromising the security of the network.

• Data leaks. Split tunneling can also result in data leaks if sensitive data is transmitted over non-VPN channels. If a user is accessing both public websites and private network resources simultaneously, there is a risk that sensitive data may be transmitted over a non-VPN channel, potentially compromising the security of the data.

• Reduced protection. By allowing some traffic to bypass the VPN, split tunneling provides less protection overall, which may be a concern for users who require maximum security. If a user inadvertently allows sensitive traffic to bypass the VPN, this traffic may be vulnerable to interception or other types of attacks.

• Limited visibility. Split tunneling can limit visibility into network traffic, which can make it more difficult to detect potential threats or malicious activity on the network. This can make it more challenging to identify and respond to security incidents in a timely manner.

• Configuration complexity. Split tunneling can also be complex to configure and manage, especially in large or complex network environments. This can increase the risk of misconfigurations or other errors that may compromise the security of the network.

Use Cases for Split Tunneling in VPNs

So when do you need to use split tunneling? There are some specific situations where this becomes necessary; here are the notable ones.

• Remote work. With the rise of remote work, split tunneling can allow users to securely access corporate resources through the VPN while still being able to access public websites and other resources that do not require VPN protection. This can improve network performance and reduce latency for users.

• Video conferencing. Video conferencing applications can consume a lot of bandwidth, which can slow down other network traffic. By using split tunneling to route video conferencing traffic through the VPN while bypassing the VPN for other traffic, users can ensure that their video conferencing experience is smooth and uninterrupted.

• Gaming. Online gaming can also consume a lot of bandwidth, and VPNs can sometimes introduce additional latency, negatively impacting the gaming experience. By using split tunneling to bypass the VPN for gaming traffic, users can reduce latency and improve their gaming experience.

• Streaming. Streaming media services like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime can also consume a lot of bandwidth. By using split tunneling to bypass the VPN for streaming traffic, users can improve network performance and reduce buffering or other interruptions in the streaming experience.

• Accessing Local resources. Split tunneling can also be useful for accessing local resources that require a VPN connection while still being able to access public resources that do not require VPN protection. For example, a user may need to access a network printer or file share that is only accessible through the VPN while still being able to access public websites and services that don’t require VPN protection.

Wrapping Up

The split tunneling feature isn’t a do-or-die type of thing. You can run your VPN seamlessly without it. But the split tunneling feature is necessary when dealing with apps that are incompatible with VPNs or when you want to boost performance. So get cracking right away!.