Best VPN with Split Tunneling in 2026: Control Which Apps Use Your VPN

Turning a VPN on for everything sounds like the safest option, until your banking app throws an error, your local printer disappears from the network, or a video call starts buffering. Split tunneling solves this by letting you choose exactly which apps route through the VPN and which use your regular connection. If you’ve ever needed that kind of control, finding the best VPN with split tunneling should be near the top of your priority list.

This guide explains how split tunneling works, why it’s useful, and which providers implement it well in 2026.

What Is Split Tunneling?

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that divides your internet traffic into two paths. Some of it goes through the encrypted VPN tunnel, and the rest connects directly to the internet as normal. Instead of an all-or-nothing setup, you get to decide app by app, or sometimes even website by website, what stays protected and what doesn’t.

This matters because not every app plays nicely with a VPN. Banking apps sometimes flag VPN traffic as suspicious, some streaming services behave oddly when your IP doesn’t match your real location, and local devices like printers or smart TVs can become unreachable once your whole connection is rerouted.

Why You’d Want to Use Split Tunneling

A few common scenarios show why split tunneling is worth having:

• Banking and finance apps: Keep these on your direct connection to avoid identity verification issues while your browser stays on the VPN.
• Local network devices: Access a home printer, NAS, or smart TV without disconnecting the VPN entirely.
• Mixed streaming needs: Watch region-locked content on one app while keeping everything else routed normally.
• Bandwidth-heavy tasks: Let large downloads or gaming traffic skip the VPN for better speed, while sensitive browsing stays encrypted.
• Reduced VPN overhead: Only route what actually needs protection, which can noticeably improve overall speed.

What to Look For in the Best VPN with Split Tunneling

Not every provider implements split tunneling the same way. When comparing options, check for:

1. App-based and URL-based control: The best VPN with split tunneling lets you choose by individual app, not just broad categories.
2. Cross-platform availability: Some providers only offer split tunneling on Windows or Android, so check support for your actual devices.
3. Simple, clear configuration: A good implementation should take a couple of minutes to set up, not require digging through advanced settings.
4. Stable performance: Split traffic shouldn’t cause unexpected drops or conflicts between the tunneled and direct connections.
5. No compromise on core VPN features: A strong kill switch, solid encryption, and a no-logs policy should still apply to whatever traffic is tunneled.

Best VPNs with Split Tunneling in 2026

Here’s how the top providers compare on this specific feature:

1. NordVPN

Offers reliable split tunneling across Windows and Android, along with browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, backed by a large global server network and consistently strong speeds.

2. ExpressVPN

Provides a straightforward setup for excluding specific apps from the VPN tunnel, which suits users who want split tunneling without digging through complicated settings.

3. Surfshark

Its Bypasser feature covers split tunneling on more platforms than many competitors, including a newer option for Mac users, making it a flexible pick across different operating systems.

4. Proton VPN

Offers granular control over both apps and specific IP addresses, and has been steadily expanding split tunneling support to more platforms, including Linux and Mac.

5. Private Internet Access (PIA)

Combines split tunneling with a strict no-logs policy and a large server network, appealing to users who want fine-grained control without sacrificing privacy fundamentals.

How to Set Up Split Tunneling (General Steps)

The exact menu varies by provider, but the process usually follows this pattern:

1. Open your VPN app’s settings and look for “Split Tunneling” or “App exclusions.”
2. Choose whether you want to include specific apps in the VPN tunnel or exclude them from it.
3. Select the apps or websites you want to handle separately from the rest of your traffic.
4. Save the settings and reconnect the VPN for the changes to take effect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does split tunneling make a VPN less secure? Only for the specific apps you choose to exclude. Everything else still routes through the encrypted tunnel as normal, so the risk is limited to whatever you deliberately leave unprotected.

Can I use split tunneling on my phone? Many providers support it on Android, though iOS support is more limited due to platform restrictions, so check compatibility before relying on it for mobile use.

Is split tunneling the same as a VPN kill switch? No. A kill switch blocks all internet access if the VPN drops, while split tunneling deliberately routes some traffic outside the VPN at all times. They serve different purposes and both features are useful together.

Final Thoughts

Split tunneling turns a VPN from an all-or-nothing tool into something you can actually customize around your daily apps and habits. The best VPN with split tunneling gives you that flexibility without weakening the protection on everything else, so you get the speed and compatibility you need alongside the security you signed up for in the first place.