Protect what matters

Smarter Split Tunneling

Lantern delivers faster access to trusted sites, with strong privacy protection and unblocking where it matters most.

What is Split Tunneling?

Split tunneling is a VPN feature that allows you to route some of your internet traffic through an encrypted VPN connection, while other traffic connects directly to the internet. It helps you balance security and performance by protecting the traffic that needs it, while keeping trusted connections fast and efficient.

Not all traffic needs a VPN. Here’s why.

Most VPNs market themselves as essential for every connection, but in reality, most of your daily internet use is already secure. Modern sites and apps use HTTPS encryption, so your ISP can see only the domain you're visiting (like google.com), not specific pages or actions.

Lantern is designed for how the internet works today. Instead of routing everything through a VPN, it intelligently steps in only when needed, tunneling unencrypted, blocked, or sensitive traffic. Everything else stays direct for faster speeds and protection exactly when you need it.

Faster direct access

Lantern routes safe, routine, and uncensored traffic directly, so you get faster speeds without unnecessary detours.

Protected sensitive traffic

Apps and sites that need privacy protection or unblocking are automatically routed through Lantern’s secure, encrypted network.

Tailored to your region

Lantern sets defaults based on your region, securing sensitive traffic and keeping trusted traffic fast. No setup required

Fully customizable controls

Choose exactly which apps and websites use the VPN, or switch to full VPN mode to route all traffic through Lantern.

Choose how your traffic is routed

Automatic Mode

Lantern automatically detects which traffic needs VPN protection based on your region and the destination. This is the default for the fastest, smoothest experience.

Manual Mode

Choose exactly which apps and websites use the VPN and which ones connect directly. Manual mode gives you full control over how your traffic is handled.

Full VPN Mode

When Split Tunneling is turned off, all of your internet traffic is securely routed through Lantern’s VPN network for maximum coverage.

Smarter VPN protection

Experience faster speeds and smarter privacy protection with Lantern’s Automatic Split Tunneling.

Smarter VPN protection

Split tunneling FAQ

You can review Lantern’s routing lists for Global, Iran, China, and Russia on GitHub. These lists show exactly how traffic is handled in each region and are updated frequently.

View Routing Lists on GitHub →

Yes. Lantern supports both app-level and website-level split tunneling on Mac, Windows, and Linux desktop versions.

Yes, but with some differences. Split Tunneling works fully on Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux.   On iOS, app-level split tunneling is not supported due to Apple’s platform rules. Only website traffic can be split, while all app traffic is routed through the VPN by default.

Blocking methods and content restrictions vary by location. Lantern adapts its routing based on your region to maximize speed and privacy without unnecessary detours.

Yes, but only in a limited way.

In automatic mode, Lantern encrypts all unencrypted (HTTP) traffic and any blocked or sensitive HTTPS connections.

For trusted, unblocked, and routine HTTPS traffic that Lantern sends directly, your ISP can see the domain you visit (like google.com), but not specific pages or activity inside the site. 

Some VPNs suggest you should encrypt all traffic at all times, but when you use a VPN, you are simply shifting trust from your ISP to the VPN provider. Lantern protects only the traffic that truly needs it, keeping your connection faster and more efficient. 

If you prefer full VPN coverage, you can turn off Split Tunneling. This will send all traffic through Lantern, and your ISP will only see connections to Lantern’s encrypted network.