I Need a Vpn That Supports Split Tu… AI recommendations | Parse
I need a VPN that supports split tunneling and does not leak DNS requests.
Data as of Sep 26, 2026 · Based on 298 AI responses from ChatGPT Search and Google AI Mode · See how Parse measures this
NordVPN is the best single fit for split tunneling plus DNS leak protection—commonly cited for reliable app-based routing on Windows/Android and strong DNS safeguards. Proton, Express, and Surfshark are solid alternatives for privacy, broad device support, or URL-based bypassing.
Best if you want flexible bypassing (app and URL-based 'Bypasser') plus protections against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks; a strong choice for mixed app/website routing needs.
Best if you want dependable app-based split tunneling with strong DNS leak prevention on Windows and Android; widely cited for speed and security. Caveat: verify router or niche OS support if you need that.
Best if strict privacy and simple, user-friendly split tunneling matter—supports app/IP selection, secure DNS, and audited no-logs. Caveat: some split-tunneling options appear tied to paid plans.
Best if you need broad platform and router support with straightforward app-by-app split tunneling and strong leak protection; noted for consistent speed and audited security.
If you want split tunneling + strong DNS-leak protection, I’d look at these features specifically:
Mullvad VPN — split tunneling on Windows, Linux, Android, and macOS; uses its own DNS when connected and has leak-protection features.
Proton VPN — split tunneling on Windows and Android; DNS requests are routed through the VPN tunnel when connected.
IVPN — split tunneling on supported platforms, plus strong DNS leak protection.
Surfshark — offers split tunneling (“Bypasser”) and DNS leak protection, with broad platform support.
The important caveat is that “supports split tunneling” does not automatically mean “no DNS leaks.” Split tunneling can create tricky DNS behavior, particularly when only selected applications are sent through the VPN.
If you tell me your OS/device (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone/iPad) and whether you want app-based or IP/domain-based split tunneling, I can compare the current implementations and identify the options that best meet those exact requirements.
Question: I need a VPN that supports split tunneling and does not leak DNS requests.
If you need reliable split tunneling paired with robust DNS leak protection, several top-tier VPN providers handle both features effectively without compromising your privacy.
Top VPN options supporting both split tunneling and leak-free DNS routing:
Proton VPN — Highly regarded for open-source transparency and strict privacy, it offers advanced split tunneling (app-based and IP-based) alongside robust, built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection. You can inspect or subscribe to plans directly via Proton VPN.
Private Internet Access (PIA) — Known for highly granular customization, PIA offers advanced split tunneling (allowing you to route specific apps or IP addresses outside or inside the tunnel) and utilizes its own private DNS servers to eliminate leaks [1.0]. More details can be found on Private Internet Access.
Mullvad VPN — Exceptional for raw anonymity, Mullvad features application-based split tunneling (via desktop apps) and airtight leak prevention that routes all non-excluded queries through secure DNS resolvers. Learn more at Mullvad VPN.
NordVPN — Provides reliable app-based split tunneling alongside comprehensive leak protection, ensuring your un-tunneled traffic doesn't bleed DNS queries. Check out current offerings at NordVPN.
ExpressVPN — Features versatile split-include/split-exclude options across multiple platforms and handles DNS resolution entirely through its own encrypted private DNS infrastructure. Explore plans on ExpressVPN.
To help narrow down the best choice, let me know:
Which operating system you are using (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS)
Whether you prefer app-based or IP-based split tunneling
If your two hard requirements are split tunneling and strong DNS-leak protection, I’d narrow the field to these:
Proton VPN — supports split tunneling on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, and its browser extension. Its apps route DNS through Proton’s VPN tunnel and include DNS-leak protection.
NordVPN — supports app-based split tunneling on Windows and Android, plus DNS-leak protection. One caveat: Nord documents a split-tunneling/DNS interaction where an excluded app may still use NordVPN's DNS servers rather than the ISP's DNS.
Mullvad — has split tunneling and takes a particularly strict approach to DNS: by default, DNS requests from the device go through the VPN tunnel to the VPN relay. However, its own documentation notes that DNS behavior with excluded apps is complicated on some operating systems.
My practical recommendation
Proton VPN is probably the simplest fit if you're on Windows, particularly because its Windows implementation supports both split tunneling and a kill switch simultaneously.
If by "does not leak DNS" you mean you want every DNS query from VPN-protected applications to stay inside the VPN tunnel, I'd specifically test the configuration after setup rather than relying solely on the provider's claim. Proton itself recommends running an extended DNS leak test while connected.
If you tell me Windows/macOS/Linux/Android/iPhone and whether you want apps or specific websites/IPs excluded from the VPN, I can narrow this to the most suitable option and give you the exact configuration.
Proton VPN is my top pick for your requirements. It supports split tunneling and routes DNS requests through Proton’s VPN tunnel, with built-in DNS-leak protection.
Proton VPN: Best overall; split tunneling on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and Android TV.
NordVPN: Also supports split tunneling and DNS-leak protection, though there are some split-tunneling/DNS interaction quirks.
Surfshark: Supports app/website split tunneling via Bypasser.
If DNS-leak prevention is your highest priority, I'd choose Proton VPN. Avoid manually configuring third-party DNS servers, which Proton warns can interfere with its leak protection.
If you need split tunneling combined with robust, tested DNS leak protection, several top-tier VPN providers handle both features cleanly without exposing your real queries.
ExpressVPN: Features reliable split-tunneling on Windows, Mac, Android, and routers, letting you explicitly choose which apps use the encrypted tunnel or bypass it. It runs its own private, zero-knowledge DNS on every server and consistently passes independent DNS and IP leak tests. You can test it via ExpressVPN.
NordVPN: Offers strong split tunneling functionality on Windows and Android apps (allowing app-specific routing) alongside rock-solid leak prevention. NordVPN routes all DNS queries through its encrypted tunnel using its custom NordLynx protocol, showing zero leaks in multi-region testing. Details are available at NordVPN.
Private Internet Access (PIA): A favorite for power users, PIA provides extensive app- and IP-based split-tunneling controls alongside advanced DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch. You can explore their setup via Private Internet Access.
Proton VPN: Known for a heavy focus on privacy, Proton VPN includes split tunneling on its desktop and mobile applications and forces DNS resolution through encrypted tunnels to prevent any default ISP query leakage. More info can be found on Proton VPN.
To help narrow down the best choice for you, could you tell me:
What operating system(s) you will be using this on (Windows, Mac, Android, Linux, etc.)?
Do you need split-tunneling by specific application or by website/domain?
Split tunneling is available on Windows, Linux, and Android.
Its Firewall feature is specifically designed to prevent DNS, IPv6, and disconnection leaks.
Important: with split tunneling, excluded applications intentionally bypass the VPN, so their DNS behavior needs to be configured carefully. IVPN documents that without its Firewall, DNS can leak to the ISP.
Go with Proton VPN if you want the least complicated setup. Its combination of broad split-tunneling support, built-in DNS routing/protection, and kill switch is particularly well suited to your requirements.
One important distinction: split tunneling necessarily means some traffic bypasses the VPN. So if by "does not leak DNS" you mean even applications intentionally excluded from the VPN must never send DNS queries to your ISP, tell me your OS (Windows/macOS/Linux/Android/iPhone). The best choice and configuration differs considerably by platform.
Proton VPN, Private Internet Access (PIA), and Mullvad are the top-rated VPN providers that support advanced split tunneling while maintaining strict DNS leak prevention architectures.
Top VPN Recommendations
Proton VPN : Known for strict Swiss privacy jurisdiction, it offers robust split tunneling on Windows, Android, and Android TV, allowing both include (only selected apps use VPN) and exclude (apps bypass VPN) modes with integrated leak protection.
Private Internet Access (PIA) : Highly customizable, PIA provides granular app- and IP-based split tunneling backed by a proven no-logs track record and robust built-in DNS leak protection.
Mullvad : Focuses heavily on transparent privacy and provides split tunneling on Android and desktop environments while routing non-split traffic securely through its encrypted DNS infrastructure without exposing queries.
Important Caveat on Split Tunneling and DNS Leaks
By design, when you split-tunnel an application to bypass the VPN, that specific application resolves its DNS requests through your local ISP or local network configuration rather than the encrypted VPN tunnel. This is technically an operating system-level routing behavior rather than a traditional "leak," but it means excluded apps will reveal their DNS queries to your local network provider. To maintain privacy on excluded browsers or apps, you should use encrypted DNS protocols locally, such as Secure DNS / DNS-over-HTTPS (DoH) inside applications like Firefox or Chrome.
If you'd like, let me know:
Your primary operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android)
Whether you prefer an exclude or include split-tunneling setup
I can give you step-by-step configuration instructions for the best fit.
If you need a reliable VPN that offers both robust split tunneling and strict DNS leak protection , several top-tier providers fit the criteria.
Proton VPN: Highly praised for privacy and transparency, Proton VPN features built-in DNS leak prevention that forces queries through encrypted channels and robust split tunneling (supporting both app-based and IP-based exclusions on supported platforms).
NordVPN: Includes reliable split tunneling capabilities and proprietary DNS leak prevention mechanisms that route queries through company-operated, encrypted DNS servers by default.
Surfshark: Features Bypasser (their implementation of split tunneling) alongside powerful private DNS protection on each server to ensure your requests aren't exposed to your ISP.
To help narrow down the best choice, let me know:
What operating system or device you'll be using (Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, etc.)
Whether you prefer app-based or URL/IP-based split tunneling
Split tunneling (choose which apps/IPs use the VPN)
No DNS leaks (DNS queries must stay inside the VPN tunnel or use a protected DNS resolver)
these are the VPNs I would shortlist:
VPN
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Notes
Proton VPN
✅ Yes (apps/IPs on many platforms)
✅ Yes
Strong privacy reputation, open-source apps, good default DNS handling.
Windscribe
✅ Yes (apps, hostnames, IPs)
✅ Yes
Very configurable; includes firewall features designed to prevent DNS/IP leaks.
Mullvad VPN
✅ Yes (especially with advanced routing options)
✅ Yes
Excellent privacy focus; good choice if you value minimal account data.
IVPN
✅ Yes
✅ Yes
Privacy-oriented and transparent, though fewer mainstream features.
My picks by use case
Best overall: Proton VPN
Good balance of usability, security features, and leak protection.
Most configurable split tunneling: Windscribe
It supports app-based and IP/hostname-based split tunneling, and its firewall feature is intended to prevent traffic escaping outside the VPN.
Most privacy-focused: Mullvad VPN
A good choice if you care more about privacy architecture than streaming/unblocking features.
Confirm that: - DNS servers belong to the VPN provider (or its chosen secure DNS service).
Your ISP’s DNS servers do not appear.
IPv6 does not bypass the tunnel.
Also enable:
Kill switch / firewall mode
IPv6 leak protection (if available)
VPN-provided DNS rather than your router/ISP DNS
If you tell me your platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iPhone, router) and whether you need app-based or IP-based split tunneling, I can narrow it down.
Yes. If split tunneling + strong DNS-leak prevention are your two non-negotiables, I’d shortlist these:
VPN
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
My take
Proton VPN
Yes
Yes
Best overall
Surfshark
Yes
Yes
Best for lots of devices
Mullvad VPN
Yes
Strong leak protection
Best privacy-focused choice
🥇 Proton VPN
This would be my first choice. Proton routes DNS queries through its own DNS servers inside the VPN tunnel and says its apps use firewall/platform-specific protections to prevent DNS traffic from escaping.
It also supports split tunneling on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, Android TV, and its browser extension.
One particularly useful detail: on Windows, Proton allows its kill switch to work alongside split tunneling, protecting the VPN-routed applications if the VPN disconnects.
Surfshark's Bypasser provides split tunneling, allowing you to select apps/sites that bypass the VPN. Its DNS leak protection routes DNS requests through encrypted tunnels rather than exposing them to your ISP.
Mullvad is particularly appealing if privacy and minimalism matter more than streaming/features. Its Windows app supports split tunneling and has an advanced kill switch/firewall designed to prevent leaks. It also publishes recent security assessments and app audits.
My recommendation: go with Proton VPN unless you have a specific reason to prefer Mullvad or Surfshark. After installation, I'd also run an independent DNS-leak test with split tunneling enabled—because the exact behavior can depend on your OS and how the excluded applications handle DNS.
If you tell me Windows, Mac, Android, iPhone, or Linux, I can narrow this down to the best option for your device and explain the exact split-tunnel/DNS settings to use.
Mullvad VPN — split tunneling on Windows, Linux, Android, and macOS; uses its own DNS when connected and has leak-protection features.
Proton VPN — split tunneling on Windows and Android; DNS requests are routed through the VPN tunnel when connected.
IVPN — split tunneling on supported platforms, plus strong DNS leak protection.
Surfshark — offers split tunneling (“Bypasser”) and DNS leak protection, with broad platform support.
