What is split tunneling in a VPN and how does it work?

You won’t need all apps running on the VPN. Split tunneling gives you more control by allowing selected apps to use the VPN while other apps continue through your regular internet connection. 

This feature can help with remote work, local network access, video calls, and applications that don’t need VPN routing. It can also reduce unnecessary load on the VPN connection. 

Let’s learn what split tunneling is, how it works, its common types, its benefits, and when you should or should not use it.

What is split tunneling?

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that separates internet traffic into two routes. One group of apps, websites, or network destinations goes through the VPN tunnel. The remaining traffic uses your normal internet connection through your regular servers.

For example, you could configure a work application to use a company VPN while allowing a video meeting application to connect directly to the internet. The exact options depend on the VPN application and operating system.

So, what is split tunneling in a VPN in simple terms? It lets you choose which traffic uses your VPN instead of sending everything through the same encrypted tunnel.

Microsoft uses split tunneling in some enterprise VPN scenarios to allow selected Microsoft 365 traffic to connect directly while other traffic continues through the corporate VPN.  

When configured correctly, this can reduce VPN infrastructure load and improve connectivity 

How does split tunneling work?

To understand how split tunneling works, imagine your internet connection as a road that divides into two paths. 

• The first path is your VPN tunnel. Traffic on this route is sent through the VPN connection to the VPN server.
• The second path is your regular internet connection. Traffic on this path goes directly through your normal network without passing through the VPN server.

The process usually works like this:

1. You connect your device to a VPN.
2. The VPN app checks its split-tunneling rules.
3. The app identifies which traffic should use the VPN.
4. Selected traffic enters the VPN tunnel.
5. Excluded traffic uses your regular internet connection.
6. The operating system continues routing traffic based on those settings.

The rules can be based on applications, IP addresses, networks, or destinations. The available controls depend on the VPN service and platform. 

Split tunneling does not create two separate internet subscriptions. It simply controls how different traffic is routed through your existing network connection.

What are the types of split tunneling?

You can configure split tunneling in several ways. Not every VPN application supports every type.

1. App-based split tunneling

App-based split tunneling lets you decide which applications use the VPN. For example, you might send a work application through the VPN while keeping a video calling app on your regular connection. This is one of the easiest forms of split tunneling for everyday users because you can usually select apps from a list.

2. Website or destination-based split tunneling

Some VPN products can apply rules to particular websites or network destinations. A selected destination may use the VPN while other traffic follows the normal route. Support for this method depends heavily on the VPN software, browser, operating system, and network configuration.

3. IP or network-based split tunneling

Businesses often manage split tunneling with network routes. 

Administrators can define specific IP addresses or network ranges that should use the VPN. Other destinations can go directly through the user’s internet connection.

This approach is common in enterprise environments where organizations need precise control over business traffic.

4. Inverse split tunneling

Inverse split tunneling reverses the usual idea. Instead of choosing which apps should bypass the VPN, you select the apps that must use the VPN. Everything else stays on the regular connection. This can be convenient when only a small number of applications require VPN routing.

Split tunneling vs full tunneling

The difference between split tunneling and full tunneling is mainly about how much traffic passes through the VPN.

Feature	Split tunneling	Full tunneling
VPN routing	Only selected traffic	Most or all traffic
Regular connection	Used by excluded traffic	Usually not used for routed internet traffic
User control	More routing flexibility	Simpler routing
VPN server load	Can be lower	Usually higher
Local network access	Can be easier	May depend on VPN settings
Protection from VPN tunnel	Only routed traffic	Applies to traffic sent through the VPN

• Full tunneling can be simpler when you want most network traffic handled through one VPN connection.
• Split tunneling is more flexible, but users need to understand which applications are inside and outside the tunnel.

Common use cases of split tunneling

Split tunneling can be helpful in several everyday and business situations.

Use case	How split tunneling helps
Remote work	Allows approved cloud or communication traffic to use the regular internet connection while internal company resources stay behind the VPN.
Video calls and online meetings	Can send approved meeting traffic directly to the internet, which may reduce load on the corporate VPN gateway and help with latency-sensitive calls.
Local network devices	Can keep access to approved local printers, storage devices, and other network equipment while other apps use the VPN.
Applications with different routing needs	Lets some apps use the VPN while others use the normal connection, so users do not need to disconnect the VPN repeatedly.
Managing VPN bandwidth	Can reduce unnecessary traffic through a central VPN gateway by allowing approved traffic to use a direct connection.

Overall, carefully configured split tunneling can reduce unnecessary VPN traffic and help organizations use their network resources more efficiently.

What are the benefits of split tunneling?

The main benefit of split tunneling is control.

Benefit	How split tunneling helps
More control over VPN traffic	Lets you choose which supported apps or destinations use the VPN and which use the regular internet connection.
Reduced VPN load	Traffic that does not need VPN routing can use the normal connection, reducing unnecessary load on VPN infrastructure.
Potential performance benefits	Direct routing may reduce extra VPN processing for selected apps. Performance still depends on your network, server, device, and protocol.
Easier local network access	Can help maintain access to approved printers, local storage, and other trusted network devices while the VPN is connected.
Flexible remote work setup	Businesses can keep sensitive internal traffic on the VPN while allowing approved internet services to use a direct connection.

The configuration should still follow the organization’s security policies.

Is split tunneling safe?

Split tunneling itself is a routing feature. Its safety depends on how it is configured and what traffic is excluded from the VPN. Traffic routed through the VPN receives the protections provided by the VPN tunnel. Traffic excluded from the VPN uses the regular internet connection instead.

That does not automatically mean excluded traffic is completely unprotected. HTTPS and application-level encryption can still protect many online connections. The traffic simply doesn’t receive the VPN tunnel’s additional routing and encryption layer.

Another common question is: Is split tunneling secure for businesses? 

It can be used securely when administrators define clear routing rules, protect endpoints, use secure authentication, keep software updated, and carefully choose which destinations can bypass the VPN.

Poor configuration can create unnecessary exposure. Don’t exclude sensitive business applications from a required corporate VPN just for convenience.

When to turn split tunneling on

Consider enabling split tunneling when you have a clear reason for separating your traffic.

It can make sense when:

• Only specific applications need VPN routing.
• You need approved access to local network devices.
• Your organization has defined safe split tunneling rules.
• Certain trusted cloud services are approved to connect directly.
• You want to reduce unnecessary traffic through your VPN connection.
• You understand which apps will use the VPN and which will not.

For personal use, app-based split tunneling can provide a simple way to manage different applications without constantly switching the whole VPN connection on and off.

When not to turn split tunneling on

Split tunneling is not always the right choice. 

• Avoid using it for an application that needs to stay inside the VPN connection. 
• You may also want to leave it disabled when using an unfamiliar or shared network, and you want supported traffic routed through the VPN.
• Businesses should avoid changing corporate split tunneling settings without approval from the IT or security team. 
• Company VPN policies may require certain applications, systems, or network destinations to remain inside the VPN tunnel.

If you are unsure which apps need protection, full tunneling may be easier to understand because it requires fewer routing decisions. Also remember that split tunneling is not an antivirus tool. It cannot prevent phishing, malware, unsafe downloads, compromised accounts, or every form of online tracking.

How to activate split tunneling in Symlex VPN

Symlex VPN currently supports app-based split tunneling on Android. The feature allows users to choose which apps use the VPN and which use their regular internet connection. 

Menu names may change as the app updates, but the general process is simple.

• Step 1: Open the Symlex VPN application and sign in to your account.
• Step 2: Open the app settings 
• Step 3: Find and open Split Tunneling.
• Step 4: Review the applications available on your device.
• Step 5: Choose which apps should use the VPN and which should stay on your regular connection, based on the options shown in your app version.
• Step 6: Save or apply the settings if the app asks you to confirm them.
• Step 7: Connect to a Symlex VPN server.
• Step 8: Open the selected applications and confirm they work with the routing setup you chose.

Symlex VPN’s current Android information confirms that split tunneling can separate VPN-connected apps from apps using the regular connection. Menu labels and platform availability can vary by app version. If you don’t see the option, update the app and check the current Symlex VPN support information.

Final thoughts

Split tunneling gives VPN users more control over how applications and network traffic are routed. It can be useful for remote work, local network access, communication apps, and situations where only selected traffic needs a VPN. If you are learning what is split tunneling in a VPN, remember the basic idea: one connection, two possible routes.

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