VPN Split Tunneling: What Is It and When Should You Use It?

Get the best balance of security and speed with PIA VPN split tunneling option

Choose which apps and site traffic bypass the VPN
Speed up less sensitive tasks like streaming and browsing
Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android
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What Is Split Tunneling?

Split tunneling lets you choose which apps, websites, and processes use the VPN and which use your regular connection. The VPN encrypts the traffic inside the tunnel and websites and online services see the VPN server’s IP address. Everything you exclude uses your normal connection and usual IP address.

This helps when one app doesn’t play well with a VPN – for example, when you can’t cast to your smart TV from your laptop. With split tunneling, you exclude the streaming app from the VPN and keep the rest protected.

How Split Tunneling Works

Your VPN app routes every connection based on your preferences.

Set your rules: Pick which apps or IP addresses bypass the VPN, or do the inverse and select the apps you want to use the VPN.
The app applies the rules: Traffic designated as protected takes the encrypted tunnel, while excluded traffic travels across your normal connection.
Connect as usual: When you use your apps or visit a website, the VPN checks your rules and routes traffic accordingly.

Choose from 4 Split Tunneling Tactics

Different tasks call for different rules. PIA offers four types of split tunneling. You can set up the one that works for what you’re doing.

App-based split tunneling: Exclude individual apps from using VPN encryption.
Inverse split tunneling: Use your regular connection by default and route only selected apps through the VPN.
Route-based split tunneling: Set rules by IP address or network range.
URL/domain-based split tunneling: Exclude individual websites or domains from the VPN tunnel.

When You Should Use VPN Split Tunneling

Connecting to Local Network Devices

Using a VPN can interfere with your access to local network devices such as printers. Split tunneling allows you to keep their connection outside the VPN tunnel.

Speeding Up Bandwidth-Heavy Apps

You can connect to the VPN for sensitive tasks like online banking, but route streaming traffic and large downloads outside the VPN so they don’t compete for bandwidth.

Configuring Work-Specific Routing

If you need a VPN for work and don’t want to send your personal traffic through your employer’s network, you can route only your work apps through the VPN tunnel.

Accessing Apps Not Compatible With VPNs

Some apps don’t play nicely with VPNs. You can continue using them while protecting the rest of your traffic by excluding them from the VPN tunnel.

How to Set Up a Split Tunnel VPN in 3 Steps

Keep sensitive data encrypted without slowing down apps and sites that don’t need extra protection

Step 1:

Step 2:

Find Split Tunneling under Settings (Per-App Settings on Android).

Step 3:

Set your VPN to allow or exclude apps or websites.

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PIA’s Advanced Split Tunneling Features

Windows Store App Support

PIA supports the .appx Windows Application Package format, which allows you to filter VPN traffic by Windows Store apps.

Advanced Linux Functionality

In addition to all our other split tunneling options, decide whether all docker or VM packets bypass PIA VPN or run through it.

Split Tunnel DNS

Run all DNS requests through PIA with one click. This feature is exclusive to PIA VPN and available for Windows and Linux.

App-Based Kill Switch

Prevent data leaks on a per-app basis. Even if your connection to our server drops, your data and location will remain private.

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Proven Split Tunneling Privacy

PIA’s court-proven No-Logs policy undergoes regular independent audits by Deloitte. It covers any traffic you route through the VPN tunnel. We never write anything to a hard drive and our RAM-only servers wipe data every time they reboot. That means we hold no records of your browsing activity data.

One PIA Account for All Your Devices

Use PIA on all your devices without juggling subscriptions. One account gives you unlimited simultaneous connections for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and more. Use compatible router setups to add a layer of security to all devices on your network, including smart TVs and gaming consoles.

What Is VPN Split Tunneling? Frequently Asked Questions

What is split tunneling for VPN?

VPN split tunneling lets you choose which kind of traffic uses and bypasses the VPN simultaneously. Traffic either goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel or uses your regular internet connection. PIA lets you set split tunneling rules by app, IP address, or website for maximum customization of your VPN protection.

How does VPN split tunneling work?

VPN split tunneling works by setting rules for your VPN so it knows which apps, domains, and networks to use with or without the VPN. Traffic you’ve enabled for the VPN routes through a VPN server, which encrypts your data and replaces your IP address with its own. Everything else goes through your internet provider as usual.

Is split tunneling safe to use with a VPN?

Split tunneling is safe when you keep sensitive traffic inside the tunnel. The risk comes from what you exclude. Limit that to trusted apps, local devices, and data-heavy downloads. With PIA, everything you don’t exclude stays more private with top-end encryption and a proven No-Logs policy.

What apps should I use with split tunneling?

You should use split tunneling for services that have access to sensitive data, like your browser, email, banking, and messaging apps. Good candidates for exclusion are data-heavy apps such as game launchers and cloud backups, tools that need your local network, and apps that don’t work well with a VPN.

Does PIA VPN have split tunneling?

Yes, PIA supports different types of split tunneling that let you exclude apps or IP addresses from the VPN or only route specific apps through it. Currently, split tunneling isn’t available in PIA’s iOS app.

Which devices support PIA’s split tunneling features?

PIA’s split tunneling works on Windows, macOS 11 and later, Linux, and Android. Windows and Linux include extras like split tunnel DNS, while Android lets you choose apps to exclude. PIA’s browser extensions also let you exclude specific sites.

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Customizable VPN Protection for All Your Devices

What Is Split Tunneling?

How Split Tunneling Works

Choose from 4 Split Tunneling Tactics

When You Should Use VPN Split Tunneling

Connecting to Local Network Devices

Speeding Up Bandwidth-Heavy Apps

Configuring Work-Specific Routing

Accessing Apps Not Compatible With VPNs

How to Set Up a Split Tunnel VPN in 3 Steps

Step 1:

Step 2:

Step 3:

PIA’s Advanced Split Tunneling Features

Windows Store App Support

Advanced Linux Functionality

Split Tunnel DNS

App-Based Kill Switch

Proven Split Tunneling Privacy

One PIA Account for All Your Devices

What Is VPN Split Tunneling? Frequently Asked Questions

What is split tunneling for VPN?

How does VPN split tunneling work?

Is split tunneling safe to use with a VPN?

What apps should I use with split tunneling?

Does PIA VPN have split tunneling?

Which devices support PIA’s split tunneling features?

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