Category: Security

VPNs have been around for some time now. And while all of them are of different quality, the basics are pretty much the same. You get the usuals like encryption, several server options, and a couple of VPN protocols. However, with the competition getting stiff in the VPN-o-verse, providers are rolling out new features to set them apart from one another and give the user more options. Among these unique extras is split tunneling – a feature that is hard to get right but is particularly useful in everyday online life. So why don't we explore the intricacies of split tunneling technology, why you need it, and the VPNs that offer it best. NordVPN NordVPN only recently rolled out the split tunneling feature for Windows and Android. But it works just as you’d expect from a first-class VPN provider. Sorry Mac and iOS users – it is nothing personal. URL-based split tunneling on websites is also supported through browser extensions on Firefox or Chrome. Users can choose which programs or websites go through the VPN and which ones use the regular connection. ExpressVPN ExpressVPN was one of the first premium VPNs to introduce the split tunneling feature. It is also one of the few that has the feature present for Mac. Just like NordVPN and Surfshark, ExpressVPN supports inverse split tunneling. This means that you can choose which apps bypass the VPN connection, or which apps always go through it, while others use the regular connection — whichever feels better. This means, that rather than choosing which apps bypass the VPN connection, you can choose those that always use it. If you just want to add an impenetrable level of security to Skype — you can. And all of your other apps will be using your regular connection. What’s more, the provider throws in a special feature that allows you to set split tunneling directly on your router. The reason why ExpressVPN doesn't rank higher on our list is that even though it covers more platforms, it only works on a per-app basis. Also, ExpressVPN has recently gone through a full concept redesign. And we are still not sure how well their new features work with split tunneling. The light at the end of the tunnel! VPN split tunneling is a helpful feature that lets you secure your most sensitive data while still using the full power of your internet. It gives you the absolute freedom to choose, what needs protection, and what needs speed, without having to settle for one or the other. And while lots of VPNs say they've figured out split tunneling technology, not all of them actually have. You know or picks. So what's going to be yours?