Split tunneling is one of the most practical VPN features available, letting you route some traffic through the encrypted tunnel while sending the rest directly through your regular internet connection. This matters if you want to stream local content, access banking apps that block VPNs, or reduce bandwidth usage — all without disconnecting your VPN entirely.
Not every VPN implements split tunneling equally well. Some only offer app-based split tunneling, while others support URL-based or inverse split tunneling. Platform coverage is another critical variable — several VPNs omit split tunneling entirely on macOS or iOS due to operating system restrictions or development choices. For this list, we evaluated VPNs on the quality and flexibility of their split tunneling implementation, alongside overall privacy credentials, independently audited no-logs policies, speed performance, and transparency.
hide.me leads this list with a well-rounded split tunneling implementation backed by an independently audited no-logs policy and a Malaysian jurisdiction outside all major intelligence-sharing alliances. NordVPN follows with six consecutive Deloitte audits and NordLynx speeds exceeding 900 Mbps. ExpressVPN brings 23 independent audits, a court-verified no-logs record, and Lightway Turbo hitting nearly 1,500 Mbps. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections with RAM-only infrastructure at aggressive pricing. Private Internet Access stands out with no-logs claims proven twice in federal court and fully open-source apps. ProtonVPN rounds out the list with nonprofit ownership and the strongest free tier in the industry — though notably it lacks split tunneling on macOS and iOS, which is worth factoring into your decision.
Every pick on this list has passed at least one independent no-logs audit. Where corporate ownership concerns, past security incidents, or jurisdictional issues exist, we've noted them directly rather than glossing over them.