Split Tunneling Showdown: Surfshark, NordVPN, And Manual Rules Via Shadowrocket

Split tunneling is a powerful tool for VPN users. It lets you choose which apps or websites go through your VPN and which ones bypass it, using your regular internet connection. This can improve speeds, allow access to local network devices, and even let you use services that block VPNs. But how do you get this functionality? This blog post dives into split tunneling, comparing the features offered by two popular VPN providers, Surfshark and NordVPN, and then exploring a more advanced, manual method using Shadowrocket on iOS.

We'll cover the pros and cons of each approach, helping you choose the best split tunneling solution for your needs. Whether you're a privacy enthusiast, a gamer, or just someone who wants more control over their internet traffic, read on to find out how to master split tunneling.

Understanding Split Tunneling: Why Bother?

Before we get into the specifics, let's quickly recap why split tunneling is so useful. Essentially, it's about having your cake and eating it too. You get the security and privacy benefits of a VPN for some traffic, while maintaining the speed and direct access of your regular connection for other traffic.

Here are some key advantages:

  • Improved Speed: Routing all your traffic through a VPN can sometimes slow things down. Split tunneling allows you to bypass the VPN for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming or gaming, improving performance.
  • Local Network Access: If you need to access devices on your local network (like a printer or a NAS drive), split tunneling lets you do so without disabling your VPN entirely.
  • Bypassing VPN Blocks: Some services (like certain streaming platforms or online games) actively block VPN usage. Split tunneling can let you access these services by routing their traffic outside the VPN tunnel.
  • Reduced Latency: For gamers, split tunneling can reduce latency by routing game traffic directly to the game servers, bypassing the VPN's potential impact on ping times.

Surfshark's Split Tunneling: Straightforward and Simple

Surfshark offers a user-friendly approach to split tunneling. It's easy to set up and works well on various platforms.

Here's a breakdown of how it works:

  • Platform Support: Surfshark's split tunneling feature is available on Android, Windows, and macOS.
  • Whitelisting/Bypassing: Surfshark allows you to choose which apps bypass the VPN (whitelisting). This means all other apps will automatically use the VPN connection.
  • Ease of Use: The interface is intuitive. You simply select the apps you want to exclude from the VPN tunnel.
  • Limitations: Surfshark's split tunneling is app-based. You can't specify individual websites or IP addresses.

How to Use Surfshark's Split Tunneling:

  1. Open the Surfshark app.
  2. Navigate to the "Settings" section. This is usually found in the app's main menu.
  3. Find "Split Tunneling" or "Bypasser." The exact wording may vary depending on your platform.
  4. Enable Split Tunneling.
  5. Select the apps you want to bypass the VPN. This is usually done by checking boxes next to the app names.
  6. Connect to your VPN. The selected apps will now use your regular internet connection, while all other traffic will be routed through the VPN.

Pros of Surfshark's Approach:

  • Simple and easy to use.
  • Works well for most common use cases.
  • Available on multiple platforms.

Cons of Surfshark's Approach:

  • Limited to app-based exclusion.
  • No website or IP address-specific control.

NordVPN's Split Tunneling: More Options, More Control

NordVPN offers a more granular approach to split tunneling, providing more control over your traffic routing.

Here's a look at NordVPN's split tunneling features:

  • Platform Support: NordVPN's split tunneling is available on Windows, Android, and Android TV.
  • Whitelisting/Blacklisting: NordVPN offers both whitelisting (excluding specific apps from the VPN) and blacklisting (routing only specific apps through the VPN).
  • Website/IP Address Control: NordVPN allows you to exclude specific websites or IP addresses from the VPN tunnel on some platforms.
  • Limitations: The availability of features can vary slightly depending on the platform.

How to Use NordVPN's Split Tunneling (Example: Android):

  1. Open the NordVPN app.
  2. Go to "Settings."
  3. Find "Split Tunneling" or "Split Tunnel."
  4. Choose between "Exclude apps" (whitelisting) or "Include apps" (blacklisting).
  5. Select the apps you want to exclude or include.
  6. Connect to your VPN.

Pros of NordVPN's Approach:

  • More control over traffic routing.
  • Whitelisting and blacklisting options.
  • Website/IP address exclusion (on some platforms).

Cons of NordVPN's Approach:

  • Feature availability varies by platform.
  • Slightly more complex than Surfshark's implementation.

Shadowrocket: Manual Rules for Advanced Users (iOS Only)

Shadowrocket is a powerful proxy utility for iOS devices. It allows for highly customized traffic routing using manual rules. This approach offers the most flexibility but requires a bit more technical know-how.

What is Shadowrocket?

  • Proxy App: Shadowrocket is a proxy app that allows you to route your internet traffic through a proxy server.
  • Rule-Based Routing: The core strength of Shadowrocket lies in its rule-based routing system. You can define complex rules to control how traffic is handled based on various criteria, including domain names, IP addresses, and even user agent strings.
  • Not a VPN: It's important to note that Shadowrocket is not a VPN in itself. You'll still need a VPN service to encrypt your traffic and mask your IP address. Shadowrocket works in conjunction with your VPN or other proxy configurations.

How to Use Shadowrocket for Split Tunneling (Requires a VPN Subscription):

  1. Install Shadowrocket: Download and install Shadowrocket from the App Store. It's a paid app.
  2. Set up your VPN: Configure your VPN connection on your iOS device (e.g., using the official Surfshark or NordVPN app, or by manually configuring the VPN). Ensure your VPN is connected before configuring Shadowrocket.
  3. Configure Shadowrocket:
    • Add a Proxy: In Shadowrocket, you'll need to add a proxy server. This is where you'll configure your VPN. You can often use the http or socks5 proxy settings provided by your VPN provider. Get these settings from your VPN provider's website or app.
    • Create Rules: This is where the magic happens. Go to the "Rules" tab. Here, you'll create rules to determine how traffic is handled.
      • Example 1: Bypassing a Specific Website: Create a rule that uses the "DOMAIN-SUFFIX" or "DOMAIN-KEYWORD" rule type and enters the domain name of the website you want to bypass the VPN. Set the action to "DIRECT." This will send traffic to that website directly, bypassing the VPN.
      • Example 2: Routing Specific Apps Through the VPN: Create a rule using "PROCESS-NAME" and enter the process name of the app you want to route through the VPN (e.g., "com.example.app"). Set the action to "PROXY" or the name of your proxy server (the VPN).
      • Example 3: Routing Specific IP Addresses Through the VPN: Create a rule using "IP-CIDR" and enter the IP address range of the servers you want to route through the VPN. Set the action to "PROXY" or the name of your proxy server (the VPN).
  4. Enable Shadowrocket: Enable Shadowrocket to start routing traffic according to your rules.

Pros of Shadowrocket's Approach:

  • Unmatched Flexibility: Complete control over traffic routing.
  • Website, IP address, and app-specific control.
  • Advanced Rule Options: Supports complex rule configurations.

Cons of Shadowrocket's Approach:

  • iOS only.
  • Requires technical knowledge.
  • More complex setup.
  • Requires a paid app.

Choosing the Right Split Tunneling Method

The best choice for you depends on your needs and technical comfort level.

  • Surfshark: Ideal for beginners who want a simple and straightforward solution. Great for basic app-based exclusion.
  • NordVPN: Offers more control than Surfshark, with both whitelisting and blacklisting options. Suitable for users who need more granular control over their traffic.
  • Shadowrocket: The ultimate choice for advanced users who need the most flexibility and control. Requires technical knowledge and is only available on iOS.

Conclusion: Take Control of Your Traffic

Split tunneling is a valuable feature that can significantly enhance your VPN experience. By understanding the different options available, you can tailor your VPN usage to your specific needs, improving speed, accessing local resources, and bypassing VPN blocks. Whether you choose the simplicity of Surfshark, the control of NordVPN, or the advanced capabilities of Shadowrocket, embrace split tunneling to take full control of your internet traffic. Remember to always prioritize your privacy and security when using a VPN and split tunneling. Happy browsing!