If you're juggling Slack replies while waiting for a DoorDash delivery, your VPN connection may falter. Pages load slowly and video calls buffer. Important data needs protection, but speed matters too. That's where split tunneling comes in.
Instead of forcing your internet traffic through a secure, encrypted tunnel, this VPN feature puts you in control, letting you choose which apps need protection and those that can run at full speed.
It's like having two internet highways — one ultra-secure for work and a fast-lane one for streaming and browsing.
Why your VPN might be slowing you down
Every time you connect to a VPN, it creates a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. Think of it like a TSA security checkpoint — great for protecting valuable cargo, but you wouldn't send a pizza boy through the same intensive screening. Yet that's exactly what happens with a traditional setup.
Every piece of data, from confidential documents to your weather app, goes through the same thorough encryption process. While this level of security is essential for remote working, it can create unnecessary bottlenecks.
For professionals, a one-size-fits-all approach creates problems. Your smart devices lag, your Teams calls freeze, and even browsing is slow. Meanwhile, you're paying for high-speed internet that you can't fully utilize.
Understanding split tunneling security
Some people think split tunneling means compromising web safety. But it's actually like modern home security — you need top-level protection for your bank safe, but not for your mailbox.
This feature applies to your internet traffic, providing maximum support to sensitive data while letting everything else flow freely.
For businesses, this means higher productivity and lower costs. Teams collaborate faster, cloud services respond better, and your network performs at its peak — all while maintaining enterprise-grade security.
With this approach, you can fine-tune exactly what gets full protection and what doesn’t — let’s explore how.
Taking control of your VPN connection
Smart VPN management starts with understanding when and where you need protection.
Has your laptop ever frozen during a Teams meeting? It might be competing for bandwidth with your smart doorbell's upgrade — both forcing their way through your VPN tunnel when only one needs encryption. That's why VPN management is crucial.
It's recommended to exclude common apps (Netflix, Steam, smart devices) from your VPN for better speed, protecting only these important services:
Here's how split tunneling works:
Work from anywhere: Access company resources securely while your smart printer connects locally
Financial transactions: Maintain encrypted protection for your crypto wallets and banking apps while browsing freely
Smart home integration: Allow your IoT (Internet of Things) devices to communicate efficiently on your local network without connection delays
Developers: Gain control over your traffic, customizing routes for specific apps or entire IP ranges
Gaming and streaming: Route Twitch streams and Steam downloads directly through your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for minimal latency and maximum speed
Social connectivity: Experience lag-free Discord calls while keeping your WhatsApp messages encrypted
Every new app or service you add creates another stream of data that needs strategic handling. The key is knowing which apps need protection and which don't.
Here's how to organize them:
Security
- Work apps: Teams, Slack, email clients
- Financial: Banking apps, trading platforms, crypto wallets
- Personal: Password managers, private messages
Direct connection
- Streaming: Netflix, Spotify, YouTube
- Gaming: Steam, Discord, game launchers
- Smart home: Security cameras, doorbell, thermostats
Optimization tips
- Always launch VPN before opening protected apps
- Create separate profiles for work and personal time
- Check connection speeds if apps feel sluggish
- Keep your VPN updated for best performance
Now that you've sorted your apps into categories, let's launch split tunneling:
Optimizing your split tunneling strategy
Here's how to set it up:
1. Download FastVPN and go to settings
- Launch the FastVPN app on your device
- Look for settings or preferences menu (usually a gear icon)
2. Find split tunneling option
- Look for the "Advanced" section
- You should find an option for "split tunneling"
3. Enable and configure
- Turn on the feature
- FastVPN will likely give you a choice to exclude apps or websites (hostnames/IPs)
4. Choose your routing method
- Select your excluded apps. This means they will use your regular internet connection
- Choose hostnames if you want to exclude specific websites
Final steps
- Return to the main screen
- Connect to FastVPN
- Test your selected apps to ensure they're working correctly
- Monitor their performance and adjust if needed
Pro tips
- The exact steps and menu names might vary slightly depending on your device (Windows, Android, or iOS).
- For optimal performance, learn about different VPN protocols and which best suit your needs.
With your split tunneling configured, you've taken control of your online ecosystem. Your internet traffic should now flow where it needs to go — securing your sensitive apps while maintaining peak performance for everything else.
Making the most of split tunneling
When you supercharge your VPN connection with split tunneling, you're not just improving performance — you're transforming your internet experience. Now you can juggle Slack messages, stream content, and protect sensitive work data without compromise. Your apps, your rules, your perfect balance of security and speed.
Frequently asked questions
Split tunneling lets you choose which apps use VPN protection and which use your regular internet connection on Windows, iOS, or Android. Think of it as creating two paths for your online traffic — one secure tunnel for sensitive data, one direct route for everything else.
Full tunneling routes all your traffic through a VPN, while split tunneling lets you select which apps need protection. Split tunneling offers better speed for non-sensitive tasks while maintaining security where it matters.
Split tunneling actually improves overall performance by routing only essential traffic through your VPN. Apps that don't need encryption can connect directly to your ISP for faster speeds.
Yes. Split tunneling maintains full VPN protection for sensitive apps while letting other traffic flow normally. It's like having a security guard for your valuables while leaving the front door open for pizza delivery.
No. Split tunneling maintains full VPN protection and remote access security for sensitive apps while letting other traffic flow normally.
Test your connection through speedtest.net with split tunneling on and off. Protected apps should show a different IP address than unprotected ones. Most VPN services for Windows 11 and Windows 10 display which apps to use.
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