Split tunneling

Split tunneling is an advanced feature in VPN services that allows users to decide which web traffic to route through the VPN and which to send directly to the internet. There are a couple of different configurations for split tunneling:

• App-select level split tunneling: Let users choose which apps can use the VPN.
• URL or domain-based split tunneling: Allows the user to specify certain websites or domains to bypass the VPN.

Why do VPN providers use Split Tunneling?

1. Faster speed and better performance
   Routing all internet traffic through a VPN server can slow down your connection because the encryption and decryption processes introduce some delay. Split tunneling allows you to perform everyday activities — like watching videos or browsing the web — outside the VPN, while maintaining a secure connection for important tasks like online banking.
    
2. Reduce data usage for apps that utilize bandwidth
   Some apps — like streaming, online games, or file sharing — use a lot of data. Sending their traffic through a VPN can increase bandwidth usage and might even trigger data limits with some VPNs.
   With split tunneling, these data-heavy apps can bypass the VPN and connect directly, saving data and keeping your VPN connection faster for other tasks.
    
3. Overall benefits of a VPN for streaming and local content
   The split tunneling feature allows users to access geo-restricted or international content via the VPN while accessing local content through their regular internet connection. This means a user can stream local news on their home network — and U.S.-exclusive streaming content via the VPN — without needing to switch connections.

List of VPN services that support the Split tunneling feature:

• Surfshark VPN (Surfshark VPN's biggest draw is that you can connect an unlimited number of devices to a single subscription, which is not the case with most other VPN providers.).

• NordVPN (Strong privacy protection with military-grade encryption. It offers a large server network, allowing for fast and reliable connections, and is superb at unblocking streaming services. It has a few unique features such as strong security, fast speeds, and global coverage.).

• TurboVPN (TurboVPN is a popular and ultra-fast VPN service. It has servers across over 110 locations and a simple user interface).

• VeePN (VeePN is a very popular VPN service with over 40 million active users. It has a reasonable price, an easy-to-learn interface for all the platforms.).

• PureVPN (PureVPN is a fairly successful VPN service at low prices).

• IPVanish (IPVanish provides a cost-effective 2-year plan, ideal for those who want to use it for a while.).

The Split tunneling feature can help reduce unnecessary data usage and increase potential connection speed, but users must be more aware of the potential security risks associated with sending some traffic outside a VPN.