Split tunneling is a VPN feature that allows you to choose which traffic goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel and which traffic uses your regular internet connection directly. This selective routing can be configured by application, by destination IP address, or sometimes by device on a home network.
One common use case is routing only work-related applications through a corporate VPN while allowing everyday browsing and streaming to use the local connection directly, which can improve speed for non-sensitive traffic. Another use case involves accessing local network devices, like printers, that might otherwise become unreachable while a VPN is fully engaged.
The trade-off with split tunneling is that traffic outside the tunnel loses the privacy and security benefits the VPN provides. This means split tunneling should be used thoughtfully, reserving the encrypted tunnel for traffic that genuinely needs protection.
Not all VPN providers support split tunneling, and implementation quality varies, so it is worth testing this feature directly if it matters for your workflow.
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