Split Tunneling vs Full Tunneling — VPN Modes Compared (2026)
Last updated 2026-05-17 · Reviewed by the Networkers Home technical writing team
Split tunneling routes only specific traffic (typically corporate subnets) through the VPN — everything else goes direct to the internet. Full tunneling routes all traffic through the VPN, including personal browsing. Full is more secure (complete visibility for corporate security inspection); split has lower latency and bandwidth cost. The modern alternative — Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) — replaces VPN entirely with per-application tunnels.
At-a-glance comparison
| Aspect | Split Tunneling | Full Tunneling |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic routed via VPN | Only corporate subnets (e.g. 10.0.0.0/8) | All traffic (default route in tunnel) |
| Latency for SaaS / public web | Low (direct local breakout) | Higher (hairpin via HQ) |
| Corporate WAN bandwidth | Minimal usage | High — every packet uses it |
| Corporate security inspection | Only on tunnelled traffic | All traffic inspected |
| User experience | Better (no detour for personal use) | Slower for SaaS, Netflix, etc. |
| Best for | Modern hybrid workforces with cloud SaaS | Regulated industries (banking, defence) |
| 2026 successor | Migrate to ZTNA per-app tunnels | Migrate to ZTNA with inline cloud SWG |
Split tunneling — config examples by vendor
Cisco AnyConnect (ASA / FTD):
access-list SPLIT_TUNNEL standard permit 10.0.0.0 255.0.0.0
group-policy GP_REMOTE attributes
split-tunnel-policy tunnelspecified
split-tunnel-network-list value SPLIT_TUNNELWireGuard mesh (peer config):
[Peer]
PublicKey = abc123...
AllowedIPs = 10.0.0.0/8, 172.16.0.0/12 # split-tunnel
# AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0 # full-tunnelPalo Alto GlobalProtect: configure under Network > GlobalProtect > Gateways > (gateway) > Agent > Client Settings > Split Tunnel. Fortinet SSL VPN: SSL VPN portal > Tunnel Mode > "Split Tunneling" checkbox + Routing Address.
The 2026 picture — ZTNA replaces the debate
Most large Indian enterprises in 2025-2026 are migrating from full-tunnel corporate VPN to Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA). ZTNA gives per-application tunnels (not per-network) with inline cloud-delivered security inspection. The user never gets full L3 access to a subnet — they get authenticated L7 access to specific applications.
Networkers Home's founder, Vikas Swami (Dual CCIE #22239, ex-Cisco TAC VPN team 2004), built QuickZTNA — a post-quantum ZTNA platform — partly because the split/full debate had become moot in a world where most apps live in SaaS. The next-generation NSE / Cybersecurity tracks at Networkers Home cover ZTNA architecture in depth.