What Is VPN Split Tunneling? App- and URL-Based Rules Explained

App-based split tunneling is the most common type of VPN split tunneling because it is the simplest to understand. With this setup, some apps use a VPN while others connect to the internet normally. For example, you might connect your banking app to a VPN for maximum protection while leaving your weather app outside the VPN so it shows the forecast for your actual location.

What is URL-based split tunneling?

Depending on your VPN, you may also have access to URL-based split tunneling. This feature lets you create rules based on domain names, working much like app-based split tunneling.

For websites that require high-speed internet access and where privacy is less important, you may choose not to use a VPN. You could keep your VPN enabled for search engine pages where you enter information you want to protect, while disabling it for local news sites.

Other types of VPN tunneling

Other types of VPN tunneling include route-based tunneling, which is based on specific IP addresses on the internet, and policy-based tunneling, which uses a comprehensive set of rules. These options are less common in consumer VPN software and are unlikely to come up unless you manage other users in some way.

VPN split tunneling is not difficult to understand and can be useful, but it is also a feature that users often overlook when enabling or disabling a VPN on their devices.

How to enable VPN split tunneling

The exact steps for enabling split tunneling vary depending on the VPN software you use, but they should not be difficult to find. Most, though not all, VPN programs now offer some type of split tunneling functionality. If you’re using a popular app, you will likely find the option somewhere in its settings, especially if you’re on a paid tier.