VPN Split Tunneling Explained: How to Double Your Speed in 2026
Key Insight: Split tunneling is the most underutilized VPN feature in 2026. By routing only selected apps or websites through the VPN tunnel, users can achieve near-full internet speeds for non-VPN traffic while still protecting the specific apps that need it. In our tests, correctly configured split tunneling improved overall internet performance by 45-60% compared to full-tunnel VPN.
What Is VPN Split Tunneling?
When you connect to a VPN normally (full-tunnel mode), 100% of your internet traffic routes through the VPN server. This protects everything but also means every website visit, every download, and every app request goes through the VPN — creating overhead and potential slowdowns. Split tunneling changes this: you choose which apps or websites route through the VPN encrypted tunnel, and everything else uses your regular direct internet connection.
❌ Full-Tunnel VPN (Default)
- • All traffic → VPN server → internet
- • YouTube, Netflix, gaming all through VPN
- • Higher VPN server load and bandwidth use
- • Local network (printer, NAS) inaccessible
- • Unnecessary for many daily tasks
- • Higher latency for non-privacy apps
✅ Split-Tunnel VPN (Smart)
- • Selected apps → VPN → internet
- • YouTube, gaming = direct connection
- • Lower VPN load, better protected speed
- • Local network still accessible
- • VPN protects only what needs protecting
- • Near-zero overhead for unprotected apps
🎯 Real-World Split Tunnel Example
You live in a country where WhatsApp video calls are restricted but YouTube is freely accessible. Without split tunneling, both go through VPN — WhatsApp gets protected access, but YouTube is slower due to VPN overhead. With split tunneling:
Speed Impact: Split Tunneling vs Full Tunnel
The speed advantage of split tunneling is substantial. Our February 2026 tests compared performance across multiple scenarios:
| Activity | Full Tunnel | Split Tunnel | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4K YouTube streaming | 680 Mbps | 950 Mbps | +40% |
| Online gaming latency | 82ms | 24ms | 66% lower |
| File download speed | 620 Mbps | 945 Mbps | +52% |
| Local NAS access | Unavailable | Full speed | Restored |
| VPN-protected apps | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | Same |
💡 Key Takeaway
Split tunneling gives you the best of both worlds: VPN-protected speed for apps that need it, and direct-connection maximum speed for everything else. The only thing you sacrifice is the illusion that your entire internet is protected — but for apps that don't need VPN, that protection was providing no real benefit anyway.
3 Types of Split Tunneling Explained
Type 1: App-Based Split Tunneling
The most common type. You add specific applications to either the "VPN" list or the "Bypass VPN" list. Every app you add to the VPN list routes through the encrypted tunnel; everything else uses direct connection. This is the most practical setup for most users.
Type 2: URL/Domain-Based Split Tunneling
More granular control — route specific websites through VPN while the same browser application uses direct connection for other sites. Your browser can access your-restricted-site.com through VPN while google.com goes direct, all in the same browsing session.
Type 3: IP-Range Split Tunneling
Route traffic to specific IP address ranges through VPN (or bypass). Most useful for corporate users who need company intranet (specific IP range) accessible while working remotely, but want internet traffic to go directly without VPN for speed.
How to Set Up Split Tunneling on All Platforms
🖥️ Windows — VPN07 Split Tunneling Setup
🍎 macOS — VPN07 Split Tunneling Setup
📱 Android — VPN07 Per-App VPN
Recommended Split Tunnel Configurations for Common Use Cases
👔 Remote Worker Setup
✈️ International Traveler Setup
🎮 Gamer + Privacy User
🏠 Home Network User
Split Tunneling Security Considerations
Split tunneling is a powerful feature but requires thoughtful configuration. There are security trade-offs to understand:
⚠️ Privacy Consideration: IP Correlation Risk
When using split tunneling, some traffic shows your real IP while VPN traffic shows the VPN IP. A sophisticated adversary could theoretically correlate activity. For most users this is not a practical concern, but if anonymity is critical (not just privacy), consider full-tunnel mode for those sessions.
⚠️ DNS Leak Risk With Poor Implementation
Some VPN apps' split tunneling implementations have DNS leak issues where even "direct" traffic queries use VPN DNS servers, causing slowdowns, or where VPN traffic accidentally uses ISP DNS, exposing queries. VPN07's split tunneling includes DNS leak protection by default — use the built-in DNS leak test to verify.
✅ Best Practice: Test After Configuration
After setting up split tunneling, verify your configuration works correctly. Check: (1) that your VPN-routed apps show the VPN IP using whatismyip.com, (2) that direct apps show your real IP, and (3) run a DNS leak test at dnsleaktest.com. VPN07's app includes a built-in connection test tool for quick verification.
Why VPN07 Has the Best Split Tunneling in 2026
VPN07 Split Tunneling — Most Reliable in 2026
Split Tunneling FAQ
Does split tunneling work with all VPN servers?
Split tunneling is a client-side feature that works regardless of which server you connect to. You configure it once in your VPN app and it applies across all your server connections. VPN07's split tunneling configuration is saved persistently — you set it once and it applies every time you connect.
Can I use split tunneling on iPhone/iOS?
iOS has limitations on per-app VPN configuration from the user side due to Apple's sandboxing restrictions. VPN07 offers iOS split tunneling through URL/domain-based exclusions and via MDM (Mobile Device Management) for enterprise users. Android has full per-app split tunneling support through VPN07's Android app.
Will split tunneling break my local network access?
In full-tunnel mode, local network devices (printers, NAS) are inaccessible because all traffic goes through the VPN. With split tunneling and "Allow local LAN access" enabled (available in VPN07 settings), your local network remains fully accessible while VPN protects your internet traffic. This is actually one of the main reasons to use split tunneling for home users.
Is split tunneling legal?
Yes, split tunneling is completely legal in virtually all jurisdictions. It's simply a routing configuration feature. Corporate IT policies sometimes prohibit split tunneling on company devices to ensure all work traffic routes through corporate monitoring — check your employee handbook if using a company device. For personal devices, there are no legal restrictions.
The Smart VPN User's Approach in 2026
The days of "all or nothing" VPN usage are over. Smart VPN users in 2026 use split tunneling as their default configuration, getting the privacy protection they need without paying any speed penalty for apps that don't require VPN. This isn't a security compromise — it's precision. Why route your gaming traffic through a VPN server when your gaming doesn't need privacy protection?
VPN07's split tunneling implementation, backed by 1000Mbps infrastructure and 10 years of technical refinement, delivers the most reliable and feature-complete split tunneling available at $1.5/month. Set it up once, and you'll experience VPN protection where it matters combined with maximum internet speed where it doesn't — all transparently and automatically every time you connect.
VPN07 — Smart Split Tunneling at 1000Mbps
Protection Where It Matters · Full Speed Everywhere Else