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The best VPN with split tunneling is the one that supports the routing controls you need on your specific device. ExpressVPN, Proton VPN, NordVPN and Private Internet Access document different combinations of app, website, IP-address and subnet rules; their features are not interchangeable across operating systems. The title’s seven-provider count is not supported by the available provider-specific documentation, so this guide covers the five substantiated services, excluding the paid-client brand.
What split tunneling does—and what it does not do
Split tunneling sends some traffic through a VPN tunnel and routes other traffic directly through your ordinary internet connection. Traffic routed directly does not receive protection from the VPN tunnel. This can be useful when a particular app or destination needs a direct connection while other traffic remains on the VPN, but it is not a universal way to make a connection faster; performance depends on the network, VPN server and traffic involved. ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling overview explains the feature and its routing options.
How to choose a VPN with the right split-tunneling controls
- Match the feature to your device. Check the exact operating system and client. A service may offer app rules on one platform and website or IP rules on another.
- Choose the routing direction. Exclude mode sends most traffic through the VPN and bypasses it for selected apps or destinations. Include, inverse or allowlist modes can instead send only selected traffic through the VPN. Names and availability differ by client.
- Check DNS and kill-switch behavior. DNS handling can affect excluded apps, and some bypass rules may interact with a kill switch in unexpected ways.
- Verify the current app instructions. Features change over time; use the provider’s platform-specific documentation rather than assuming the controls are identical everywhere.
VPNs with documented split-tunneling support
ExpressVPN: broad routing choices, with platform-specific differences
ExpressVPN’s feature documentation lists split tunneling for Windows 10 and 11, macOS 11 (Big Sur) and later, supported 64-bit Linux distributions, Android 7.0 and later, and iOS. The available rules vary by platform: Windows supports app and website controls, IP/subnet rules and inverse routing; macOS supports app and website choices; Linux supports apps, IPs and subnets; Android supports per-app control; and iOS handles website exclusions through single IPv4 addresses. Review the ExpressVPN platform details before choosing it for a particular device.
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Proton VPN documents app exclusions on macOS, a graphical split-tunneling feature for its Linux app, and app/IP include and exclude modes on Android. The Linux GUI feature is limited to Proton’s official Ubuntu, Fedora and Arch apps, with Debian available as an optional feature. Proton notes that configuration may reset as include mode is added. Its instructions also say to restart selected apps after reconnecting so the routing rules take effect. See Proton VPN’s split-tunneling instructions for the relevant client.
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NordVPN: app exclusions on Android and Windows, port and subnet rules on Linux
NordVPN documents app exclusions on Android and Android TV, plus split-tunneling instructions for Windows. Its Linux Allowlist is a different kind of control: users specify ports, port ranges or subnets rather than selecting apps. Nord says matching traffic bypasses the VPN and is not blocked by the kill switch. The provider also warns that a DNS conflict can stop some excluded applications or services from working as expected. Check NordVPN’s Linux Allowlist guidance and its Windows setup instructions for the client you use.
Private Internet Access: desktop app, IP and subnet rules
Private Internet Access (PIA) describes desktop split-tunneling rules for apps, IP addresses and subnets. Users can bypass selected apps while other traffic uses the VPN, or restrict selected apps to the VPN while other traffic connects directly. Its guide also documents DNS behavior controls on Windows and Linux. The documentation cited here covers desktop clients, so it does not establish mobile support. The guide is dated September 28, 2026; consult PIA’s desktop split-tunnel instructions for setup details.
Rank #2
- Dual-band Wi-Fi with 5 GHz speeds up to 867 Mbps and 2.4 GHz speeds up to 300 Mbps, delivering 1200 Mbps of total bandwidth¹. Dual-band routers do not support 6 GHz. Performance varies by conditions, distance to devices, and obstacles such as walls.
- Covers up to 1,000 sq. ft. with four external antennas for stable wireless connections and optimal coverage.
- Supports IGMP Proxy/Snooping, Bridge and Tag VLAN to optimize IPTV streaming
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- Advanced Security with WPA3 - The latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3, brings new capabilities to improve cybersecurity in personal networks
Speed figures are not a promise of your results
TechRadar’s 2026 VPN guide reported publication-specific local download test results of 489 Mbps for ExpressVPN Lightway, 1,256 Mbps for NordVPN, 1,521 Mbps for Proton VPN, and 1,479 Mbps for ExpressVPN Lightway Turbo. These are results from that publication’s tests and the named protocols, not universal rankings or predictions for an individual connection. They do not establish how much speed a reader will gain or lose by using split tunneling. See TechRadar’s 2026 VPN guide for its testing context.
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- Open the provider’s guide for your operating system. Confirm the client supports the rule type you want, not just a general feature called split tunneling.
- Decide which traffic should use the VPN. Select exclude mode to bypass chosen traffic, or include/inverse mode when only chosen traffic should use the tunnel, if that mode is available.
- Apply the rule and reconnect if required. Follow the client’s instructions; Proton, for example, tells users to restart selected apps after reconnecting.
- Test the intended app or destination. Confirm the traffic takes the route you meant to configure. If an excluded app fails, review DNS settings and the provider’s kill-switch guidance, especially on Linux with NordVPN.
Which one should you choose?
Choose based on the platform and routing rule you need, not on the feature name alone. ExpressVPN documents the widest mix of rule types across several listed platforms; Proton VPN is worth considering for its documented Android include/exclude controls and supported Linux GUI clients; NordVPN’s Linux option is based on ports and subnets rather than app selection; and PIA documents detailed desktop rules, including DNS controls. Check the linked provider instructions for your exact client before subscribing or changing routes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Dual band router upgrades to 1200 Mbps high speed internet (300mbps for 2.4GHz plus 900Mbps for 5GHz), reducing buffering and ideal for 4K stream
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- Access Point Mode - Supports AP Mode to transform your wired connection into wireless network, an ideal wireless router for home
Rank #4
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- 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐅𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝟐.𝟓 𝐆𝐛𝐩𝐬 𝐖𝐢𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 - 1x 2.5 Gbps WAN/LAN port, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN port and 3x 1 Gbps LAN ports offer high-speed data transmissions.³ Integrate with a multi-gig modem for gigplus internet.
- 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐂𝐲𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 - TP-Link is a signatory of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) Secure-by-Design pledge. This device is designed, built, and maintained, with advanced security as a core requirement.
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- NIGHTHAWK WIFI 6 ROUTER FOR YOUR WHOLE HOME: Delivers fast, reliable WiFi across every room of your apartment or small home for streaming, gaming, video calls, and smart home devices, all running at the same time without slowing each other down.
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- SET UP AND MANAGE YOUR NETWORK WITH THE NIGHTHAWK APP: Download the free Nighthawk app on iOS or Android for guided setup. Manage WiFi, run speed tests, pause devices, and set up guest networks from anywhere. Active internet required.
- READY FOR THE DEVICES YOU ALREADY OWN: Your phones, laptops, and TVs work right out of the box. WiFi 6 delivers speeds up to 1.8 Gbps across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Backward compatible with WiFi 5 and earlier.
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