Free Split Tunneling Config Helper

Understanding Split Tunneling

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that allows you to route some of your internet traffic through the VPN while other traffic goes directly through your regular internet connection. This can provide several benefits, including improved performance for specific applications, reduced VPN bandwidth usage, and access to both local and remote network resources simultaneously.

Types of Split Tunneling

• App-Based Split Tunneling: Allows you to select which applications use the VPN tunnel and which use your regular internet connection.
• Domain-Based Split Tunneling: Routes traffic to specific websites or domains through the VPN or your regular connection.
• IP-Based Split Tunneling: Routes traffic to specific IP addresses or ranges through the VPN or your regular connection.

Split Tunneling Modes

• Include Mode (Inverse Split Tunneling): Only selected applications, domains, or IPs use the VPN, while all other traffic uses your regular connection.
• Exclude Mode (Regular Split Tunneling): All traffic uses the VPN except for selected applications, domains, or IPs, which use your regular connection.

Benefits of Split Tunneling

Benefit	Description
Improved Performance	Local traffic doesn't need to be routed through the VPN, reducing latency for those connections.
Bandwidth Optimization	Reduces the amount of data going through the VPN, which can improve speeds and reduce data usage.
Access to Local Resources	Allows access to local network resources (like printers or file servers) while still using the VPN for other traffic.
Streaming Optimization	Stream content from local services directly while accessing geo-restricted content through the VPN.
Battery Savings	Can reduce battery usage on mobile devices by processing less traffic through the VPN.

Potential Risks

While split tunneling offers many benefits, it's important to be aware of potential security risks:

• Security Exposure: Traffic not routed through the VPN doesn't benefit from its encryption and security features.
• DNS Leaks: Improperly configured split tunneling can lead to DNS leaks, exposing your browsing activity.
• Complex Configuration: Incorrect configuration can lead to unexpected routing behavior or security issues.
• Corporate Policy Conflicts: Some organizations prohibit split tunneling for security reasons.

Best Practices

• Be Selective: Only exclude trusted applications or domains from the VPN tunnel.
• Regular Audits: Periodically review your split tunneling configuration to ensure it still meets your needs.
• Test Thoroughly: After setting up split tunneling, test to ensure traffic is being routed as expected.
• Use DNS Leak Protection: Ensure your VPN client has DNS leak protection enabled when using split tunneling.
• Consider Kill Switch: Use a VPN kill switch to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops.

VPN Provider Support

Not all VPN providers support split tunneling, and implementation varies between providers. Here's a quick overview of split tunneling support in popular VPNs:

• NordVPN: Supports app-based split tunneling on Windows and Android.
• ExpressVPN: Supports app-based split tunneling on Windows, Mac, Android, and routers.
• Surfshark: Supports app-based split tunneling (called Whitelister) on Windows and Android.
• ProtonVPN: Supports app-based split tunneling on Windows and Android.
• Mullvad: Supports split tunneling through custom configurations.
• OpenVPN: Supports advanced split tunneling through custom configuration files.
• WireGuard: Supports split tunneling through custom routing tables.