{"id":34717,"date":"2026-01-07T04:30:38","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T12:30:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/?p=34717"},"modified":"2026-05-27T06:35:47","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T13:35:47","slug":"split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel\/","title":{"rendered":"Split Tunnel vs. Full Tunnel: Which Mode Should You Use?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">VPNs protect your internet traffic by routing it through an encrypted tunnel. There are two main ways this tunneling works: full tunnel and split tunnel. Each approach has trade-offs in security and performance, and knowing the difference makes it easy to choose the right setup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In this guide, we explain how both approaches work, outline when each is the better fit, walk through the security trade-offs, and show how to <a href=\"#HowtoSetUp\">set them up using Private Internet Access<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"WhatIsaFullTunnel\">What Is a Full Tunnel VPN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A full tunnel VPN routes all of your device\u2019s internet traffic through the VPN connection, without exception. Every app, website, and background service you open that connects to the internet goes through the VPN tunnel and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-server\">VPN server<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you configure a VPN on your router, every device on your network that connects through the router, including your Alexa or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/google-chrome-listening-in-to-your-room-shows-the-importance-of-privacy-defense-in-depth\/\">Google Assistant<\/a>, will also route its traffic through the VPN tunnel as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18-1024x682.png\" alt=\"Screenshot showing how a full VPN tunnel works\" class=\"wp-image-34726\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18-1536x1023.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-18.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"BenefitsofFullTunneling\">Benefits of Full Tunneling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Excellent security: <\/strong>All traffic is encrypted before it leaves your device, preventing hackers or other third parties from seeing or tampering with your data, especially on unsecured networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strong privacy:<\/strong> Your internet service provider (ISP) and local network admins can\u2019t see your browsing activity, and websites you visit only see the VPN server\u2019s IP, not your real one.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Easy to manage and monitor: <\/strong>Routing all traffic through a single tunnel simplifies firewall rules and reduces the risk of anything slipping through unprotected, particularly in managed networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Simplicity:<\/strong> There\u2019s nothing to configure. Connect once, and all traffic is secured without managing exceptions or traffic rules.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-limitations-to-keep-in-mind\">Limitations to Keep in Mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Reduced speed:<\/strong> Encrypting and routing all your data through a remote VPN server adds extra steps to your connection. The encryption process uses system resources, and the longer path your traffic takes can cause noticeable slowdowns during high-bandwidth activities like streaming, torrenting, or gaming.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blocked local resources:<\/strong> You may not be able to access local devices like printers, file shares, or smart home systems while connected to the VPN since technically you\u2019re not on the same network (unless you configure the VPN on your router).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Service compatibility issues:<\/strong> Some apps and websites (like bank services) may block VPN connections. With full tunneling, you\u2019ll need to disconnect the VPN entirely to access those services.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"WhatIsaSplitTunnel\">What Is a Split Tunnel VPN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A split tunnel VPN allows you to choose which traffic goes through the VPN and which goes to the internet through your regular network connection.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, you can route your browser and email through the VPN while keeping your Netflix app or smart home system outside of it. This way, you enjoy the privacy <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/benefits-of-a-vpn\/\">benefits of a VPN<\/a> without giving up access to local content or slowing down bandwidth-heavy apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19-1024x682.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-34727\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19-1024x682.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19-300x200.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19-768x512.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19-1536x1023.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19-1200x800.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image-19.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are several types of split-tunneling depending on how you can split the traffic, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Include-based tunneling: <\/strong>Only selected apps or websites use the VPN, while everything else goes through your normal internet.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Exclude-based tunneling:<\/strong> This is the inverse of include-based tunneling. All traffic uses the VPN except for specific apps or sites you choose to exclude.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>App-based tunneling: <\/strong>You pick which apps go through the VPN and which ones don\u2019t.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>URL\/IP-based tunneling:<\/strong> You control VPN use based on specific websites, IP addresses, or device groups.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Dynamic or policy-based tunneling:<\/strong> VPN rules automatically adjust based on app, website, or network conditions, often used in businesses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dynamic or Policy-Based Tunneling<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Mostly used in enterprise environments, this method automatically changes tunneling rules based on predefined conditions like domain names, apps, or IP address patterns. Some corporate VPNs use policy-based tunneling to secure traffic to internal work resources while allowing general web browsing to connect directly to the internet.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-benefits-of-split-tunnel-vpn\">Benefits of Split Tunnel VPN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Improved speed and performance:<\/strong> By only encrypting selected traffic, split tunneling reduces processing overhead, which can result in better speeds for non-VPN activities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Access to local network devices:<\/strong> With split-tunneling, you can set your VPN to ignore local traffic, so you can still reach printers, shared folders, or smart devices on your home network while the VPN is active.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Better compatibility:<\/strong> Some services, like online banking or region-locked streaming apps, block VPN IP addresses. With split tunneling, you can let those apps use your regular internet connection instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Efficient bandwidth use:<\/strong> You can choose to encrypt only essential traffic, which helps reduce VPN server load and improves overall system performance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-limitations-to-keep-in-mind-0\">Limitations to Keep in Mind<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Security trade-offs:<\/strong> Any traffic not routed through the VPN is unencrypted and exposed to your ISP, network admins, or attackers on untrusted networks.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>More setup involved:<\/strong> You have to decide which apps or destinations should use the VPN, and getting that balance right can take some trial and error.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Risk of misconfiguration:<\/strong> If you forget to route a sensitive app through the VPN, its data will travel unprotected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-split-tunneling-vs-full-tunneling-key-differences\">Split Tunneling vs. Full Tunneling: Key Differences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">By default VPNs use full tunneling because it\u2019s one of the best ways to protect your privacy online, but it can come with frustrating side effects. Two of the most common issues are getting wrong results for local search queries and losing access to apps that only work in certain regions. For example, if you live in the US and connect to a VPN server in the UK, you can\u2019t <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/unblock-streaming\/fubo-vpn\">stream Fubo<\/a>, Hulu, and your Netflix library is all different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Split tunneling addresses this by letting you decide what needs encryption and what doesn\u2019t \u2013 without turning the VPN off entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\" colspan=\"3\">Full Tunnel vs. Split Tunnel VPN: Side-by-Side Comparison<\/th><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Feature<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Full Tunnel VPN<\/strong><\/td><td><strong>Split Tunnel VPN<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Data Encryption<\/strong><\/td><td>Encrypts all internet traffic, including apps, services, and general web browsing.<\/td><td>Only selected traffic is encrypted; the rest bypasses the VPN.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong>Internet Access<\/strong><\/td><td>Routes all traffic through the VPN tunnel.<\/td><td>VPN and direct traffic run simultaneously. <\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><strong>Security<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>Higher security since everything is routed through the VPN.<\/td><td>Lower overall security because some traffic goes outside the VPN tunnel.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><strong>Speed\/ Performance<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>May be slower because all traffic is routed through the VPN.<\/td><td>Usually faster for non-VPN traffic (no encryption overhead).<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><strong>Bandwidth Usage<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>Higher usage since all data passes through the VPN.<\/td><td>Lower usage on the VPN connection, reducing potential congestion.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-left\" data-align=\"left\"><strong><strong>User Experience<\/strong><\/strong><\/td><td>Simpler setup but can feel restrictive or slower.<\/td><td>More flexible, but setup may be more complex.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"HowtoSetUp\">How to Set up Split Tunneling on PIA VPN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With just a few quick steps, you can customize your connection and fine-tune your privacy and performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p><div style=\"background-color: #cfe2f3; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em;\"><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/download\/windows-vpn\">PIA\u2019s desktop app<\/a> allows you to add specific apps to the VPN tunnel and exclude both apps and IP addresses from the VPN tunnel on Windows, macOS, and Linux. On Android and Fire TV, you get a Per App Setting feature, which lets you choose whether to include apps in the VPN tunnel or keep them on your regular network.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here\u2019s how to set up split tunneling in the PIA desktop app:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">1. Launch the PIA app on your desktop and click the gear icon to open the settings panel.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image wp-block-image size-large\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"314\" height=\"540\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image2.png\" alt=\"PIA VPN Settings menu\" class=\"wp-image-34831\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image2.png 314w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image2-174x300.png 174w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 314px) 85vw, 314px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2. In the left-hand menu, select <em>Split Tunnel<\/em>. At the top of the Split Tunnel section, make sure to check the box labeled \u201cSplit Tunnel.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4-1024x576.png\" alt=\"How to enable split tunnel on PIA VPN\" class=\"wp-image-34835\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image4.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">3.<strong> <\/strong>Once enabled, you\u2019ll see two main options:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Add application: <\/strong>Select individual apps and assign how they should behave. \u201cBypass VPN\u201d means they connect directly to the internet and \u201cOnly VPN\u201d means they always use the VPN tunnel.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Select whether the app is Bypass VPN or Only VPN\" class=\"wp-image-34836\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image6.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Add IP address or subnet: <\/strong>Define specific IP addresses or entire networks to bypass the VPN. This is helpful when you want to access local devices like printers, shared folders, or internal business networks while staying protected online.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" style=\"margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 15px; border: 1px solid #aaa;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Add an IP address for PIA VPN split tunnel\" class=\"wp-image-34837\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1-1200x675.png 1200w, https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/image1.png 1920w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 709px) 85vw, (max-width: 909px) 67vw, (max-width: 1362px) 62vw, 840px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">4. Once your rules are added, they\u2019ll appear in a clear list that you can manage at any time. You can edit, reorder, or delete entries depending on your needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-to-use-full-tunnel-vs-split-tunnel-real-world-use-cases\">When to Use Full Tunnel vs. Split Tunnel: Real-World Use Cases<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not sure when to use split tunnel or full tunnel? Let\u2019s break it down with real-life examples. These common scenarios show how each VPN mode fits into your day-to-day internet use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-streaming-content-it-really-depends\">Streaming Content: It Really Depends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are situations when you need a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/unblock-streaming\">streaming VPN<\/a>, like if you\u2019re traveling abroad and want to watch shows, movies, or live sports on your streaming accounts. In those cases, keeping a full tunnel helps avoid login or playback issues. But, if that isn\u2019t the case, then moving your streaming apps outside the VPN tunnel is a good idea. This also helps avoid potential speed slowdowns that can happen when you\u2019re connected to a VPN server far from your physical location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-file-sharing-full-tunnel\">File Sharing: Full Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For P2P file sharing, a full tunnel is the way to go. It encrypts your entire connection and keeps your real IP address hidden from other peers. Routing any part of file-sharing traffic outside the VPN increases exposure, so full tunneling offers stronger privacy and protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-remote-work-corporate-vpn-split-tunnel\">Remote Work (Corporate VPN): Split Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019re working remotely and need access to your company\u2019s internal systems, a split tunnel is a practical choice. Route work-related apps through the VPN to stay connected to the office, while allowing personal browsing or video calls to use the regular connection. This keeps work traffic protected without slowing down unrelated activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-online-gaming-split-tunnel\">Online Gaming: Split Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unless you need an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/gaming-vpn\">online gaming VPN<\/a>, you\u2019re better off with a split tunnel configuration. Games often run better without the added latency of a VPN, especially for real-time multiplayer. Allow game traffic to bypass the VPN while keeping other apps, such as browsers or chat clients, encrypted. This helps keep ping low and connections responsive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-online-banking-full-tunnel\">Online Banking: Full Tunnel<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For sensitive activities like online banking, shopping, or tax-related tasks, choose a full tunnel to encrypt all related traffic, hide your real IP address, and protect login sessions from interception. This added privacy layer is particularly important when using public or shared Wi-Fi networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-split-tunnel-vpn-tips-nbsp-nbsp\">Split Tunnel VPN Tips\u00a0\u00a0<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With split tunneling, any app or destination you exclude from the VPN connects directly. That traffic is no longer protected by your VPN, which means your real IP address and activity could be visible to your ISP or others on the network.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That said, using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/vpn-features\/split-tunneling\">split tunneling<\/a> safely is simple with PIA. Just follow these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Only exclude trusted apps or websites.<\/strong> If you\u2019re unsure, keep it in the tunnel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Test your configuration<\/strong> using <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/what-is-my-ip\">an IP address checker<\/a> or other trusted tools to confirm your split tunnel rules are working as expected.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Use HTTPS when bypassing the VPN <\/strong>so traffic outside the tunnel still has encryption.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Keep your VPN and operating system updated<\/strong>, as security patches help prevent leaks and other vulnerabilities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767788076543\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">What is the difference between split tunneling and full tunneling?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Full tunneling sends all of your internet traffic through the VPN, encrypting everything from web browsing to background app activity and keeping your real IP address hidden. <a href=\"#WhatIsaSplitTunnel\">Split tunneling allows selective routing<\/a>, offering flexibility at the cost of reduced coverage.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767788093518\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is split tunneling safe to use on public networks?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">On public networks, split tunneling works best for low-risk traffic like software updates or casual browsing. For sensitive activities such as logins, banking, email, and work tools, it\u2019s safer to <a href=\"#WhatIsaFullTunnel\">keep everything inside the VPN tunnel<\/a> so that data remains encrypted and protected.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767788109018\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">When should I use a full tunnel instead of a split tunnel?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\"><a href=\"#BenefitsofFullTunneling\">Use a full tunnel when security matters more than convenience<\/a>. It\u2019s the safer choice on unsecured networks, during file sharing, or when handling sensitive data like logins, banking, and work tools. A full tunnel routes all traffic through the VPN, which helps keep data encrypted and reduces the risk of leaks or misconfigured rules.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1767788125696\"><h3 class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I choose which apps use the VPN with split tunneling?<\/h3> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Yes. <a href=\"#HowtoSetUp\">PIA makes it easy to customize split tunneling<\/a>. You can add rules that control which apps or IP addresses go through the VPN and which ones don\u2019t. You can set apps to Bypass VPN or Only VPN, giving you full control over how your traffic is routed.<br><br><\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VPNs protect your internet traffic by routing it through an encrypted tunnel. There are two main ways this tunneling works: full tunnel and split tunnel. Each approach has trade-offs in security and performance, and knowing the difference makes it easy to choose the right setup. In this guide, we explain how both approaches work, outline &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Split Tunnel vs. Full Tunnel: Which Mode Should You Use?&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":111,"featured_media":34719,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_stopmodifiedupdate":false,"_modified_date":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[845],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-34717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.9 (Yoast SEO v26.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Split Tunnel vs Full Tunnel: Which Mode Should You Use?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the key 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For sensitive activities such as logins, banking, email, and work tools, it\u2019s safer to <a href=\"#WhatIsaFullTunnel\">keep everything inside the VPN tunnel<\/a> so that data remains encrypted and protected.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel\/#faq-question-1767788109018","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel\/#faq-question-1767788109018","name":"When should I use a full tunnel instead of a split tunnel?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"<a href=\"#BenefitsofFullTunneling\">Use a full tunnel when security matters more than convenience<\/a>. It\u2019s the safer choice on unsecured networks, during file sharing, or when handling sensitive data like logins, banking, and work tools. A full tunnel routes all traffic through the VPN, which helps keep data encrypted and reduces the risk of leaks or misconfigured rules.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel\/#faq-question-1767788125696","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/split-tunnel-vs-full-tunnel\/#faq-question-1767788125696","name":"Can I choose which apps use the VPN with split tunneling?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Yes. <a href=\"#HowtoSetUp\">PIA makes it easy to customize split tunneling<\/a>. You can add rules that control which apps or IP addresses go through the VPN and which ones don\u2019t. You can set apps to Bypass VPN or Only VPN, giving you full control over how your traffic is routed.<br\/><br\/>","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/111"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=34717"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38561,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/34717\/revisions\/38561"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/34719"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=34717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=34717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.privateinternetaccess.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=34717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}