Proton VPN has just made life a little easier for Linux users by rolling out a new split tunneling feature, now in beta.
If you’re using the official Ubuntu or Fedora apps for Proton VPN, you can already give it a try. The feature isn’t available on the unofficial Flatpak version yet, but support for Debian 12 is on the way. TechRadar has already ranked Proton VPN as one of the best VPNs out there, and this update just makes it even better.
With this addition, Proton VPN’s Linux app now matches its Windows and Android apps, both of which already include split tunneling. And if you’re on a Mac, don’t worry – split tunneling for macOS is part of Proton VPN’s summer roadmap.
What is split tunneling, and why does it matter?
Split tunneling is a handy VPN feature that gives you more control over how your internet traffic is routed. Normally, when you connect to a VPN server, all of your data is encrypted and sent through a secure tunnel. That’s great for privacy and security, but sometimes you don’t need all of your traffic going through the VPN.
Split tunneling lets you pick and choose. For example, maybe you want to keep your web browsing secure while making sure your gaming app has the fastest possible connection. Even the best gaming VPN can slow things down a bit, so with split tunneling, you can have your game bypass the VPN while everything else stays protected.
It’s also useful for connecting to local devices like printers, which can sometimes be tricky when you’re on a VPN. With split tunneling, you can still reach those devices through your local connection without losing the security of the VPN for everything else.
The same goes for certain websites, like your online banking or government portals. If you need local access, split tunneling makes it possible without giving up the extra protection Proton VPN provides.
How it works right now
For the moment, Proton VPN only supports split tunneling through what’s called “exclude mode.” That means you can select apps you want to exclude from the VPN connection. To set it up, click Add and check the boxes next to any apps you don’t want routed through the VPN tunnel. Just remember that you’ll need to reconnect to the VPN afterward and restart any excluded apps that were already running before you connected.
Proton VPN says “include mode” – which will let you choose apps that you specifically want to run through the VPN – is coming soon, along with IP-based rules for both exclude and include modes.
Other Linux VPNs with split tunneling
Proton VPN may be one of the best Linux VPNs out there, but it’s not alone in offering split tunneling. ExpressVPN has also been working on the feature and released split tunneling for its Linux app back in March 2025.
