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What Is VPN Split Tunneling?

Understand split tunneling, when it improves speed, and when it can weaken privacy if apps bypass the VPN.

Quick Answer

Understand split tunneling, when it improves speed, and when it can weaken privacy if apps bypass the VPN.

5TopVPN Editorial Team 2026-07-13

Quick Comparison

Provider Score Speed Streaming Action
NordVPN9.8/109.7/109.9/10Deal
Surfshark9.6/109.4/109.6/10Deal
ExpressVPN9.5/109.3/109.8/10Deal
Proton VPN9.3/109.1/108.9/10Deal
CyberGhost9.1/108.9/109.1/10Deal

Split tunneling lets some apps or websites use the VPN while others connect normally, which can improve speed and reduce conflicts.

The privacy risk is simple: anything excluded from the VPN may reveal your normal IP, DNS behavior, or local network identity.

Use split tunneling only when you understand which apps are excluded, then test IP, DNS, and WebRTC behavior after every change.

Entity Layer

WireGuard

Modern VPN protocol focused on speed and efficient cryptography.

OpenVPN

Open-source protocol widely used for secure tunnels.

AES-256

Strong encryption standard used for VPN transport security.

DNS Leak Protection

Prevents DNS requests from exposing browsing activity outside the VPN tunnel.

Split Tunneling

Lets users choose which traffic goes through VPN and which goes direct.

ISP Throttling

Bandwidth slowdowns by internet providers based on traffic type.

Geo-blocking

Regional content restrictions often used by streaming platforms.

No-logs Policy

Provider commitment not to retain activity logs tied to users.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best VPN for VPN in your country?

NordVPN is the top all-around option in our latest benchmark cycle for speed, stability, and privacy controls.

Can a VPN improve streaming and gaming quality?

A VPN can improve route quality in some regions, reduce throttling, and maintain safer public-network sessions.

Which protocol should I choose first?

WireGuard is usually fastest, while OpenVPN remains broadly compatible across older setups.

How often are rankings updated?

We refresh testing and pricing signals frequently, then update rankings with clear version timestamps.

Trusted External Sources

Top pick: NordVPN $3.39/mo

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