Proton VPN enhances user control with new split tunnelling and automation features

Proton VPN introduces advanced settings like split tunnelling, saved profiles, and automation options, offering users greater flexibility and control for secure browsing tailored to individual needs.

Proton VPN is built for users who want more control than a basic on-off privacy tool can offer. Its app and browser extension include a set of settings that can improve speed, reduce friction, and make the service easier to adapt to specific tasks, from secure banking to streaming and public Wi-Fi use. The most useful options are not hidden, but they are easy to overlook. Proton’s own support pages and product guidance show that the service is designed around fine-grained control rather than a single default configuration.

One of the most practical features is split tunnelling. Proton VPN lets users decide which applications or IP addresses should pass through the encrypted tunnel and which should stay outside it, which can help preserve speed where privacy is less critical. The company’s support material also says the browser extension supports domain-level split tunnelling, so users can protect selected sites while leaving others untouched. That makes it easier to reserve VPN protection for banking, work systems, or other sensitive browsing without forcing every tab through the same route.

For people who rely on particular settings often, Proton’s saved connection profiles can remove much of the manual work. These profiles store choices such as location and protocol, allowing users to return to a preferred setup for a given task with a single click. Lifehacker notes that this can be useful for activities such as accessing streaming libraries in another region, although results will depend on the service and the server chosen. In practice, profiles make Proton feel less like a generic privacy tool and more like a configurable workspace.

Another point of flexibility is protocol choice. Proton offers its standard options, including OpenVPN and WireGuard, alongside its own Stealth protocol, which is designed to make VPN traffic look more like ordinary HTTPS traffic. That can be valuable on restrictive networks that attempt to detect or block VPN connections. Proton also provides Smart Protocol, which automatically switches between available options and is intended to choose the fastest stable path first. For users who do not want to manage connection details manually, that default can be the simplest and most reliable setting.

The kill switch remains one of the most important safeguards. Proton says its standard kill switch blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops, reducing the risk of exposing a user’s real IP address or DNS requests. On some platforms, the company also offers an advanced kill switch that prevents any internet access unless the device is connected to Proton VPN. That stricter mode is especially relevant on public Wi-Fi, where a brief disconnect can be enough to expose traffic if protection is not in place.

Proton’s NetShield feature adds another layer of control by filtering ads, trackers and known malware domains through the company’s DNS system. According to Proton, the feature can also block adult content on Windows. The trade-off is that aggressive filtering may occasionally interfere with a site or a specific feature, so users may prefer to narrow protection to malware only when compatibility matters more than blocking every tracker. That kind of adjustment is useful for readers who want privacy tools without breaking sites they use regularly.

The service also includes options that are less about blocking and more about keeping a network usable. LAN connections allow local devices such as printers, speakers and media servers to communicate on the home network while the rest of the traffic remains protected by the VPN. Proton also offers alternative routing, which it says is meant to help users reach its services when a government, ISP or administrator is blocking access. The company acknowledges that this can involve third-party infrastructure, which may raise privacy trade-offs even if the underlying data remains protected.

Finally, Proton’s mobile shortcuts and automations can make the service more seamless. On iOS, users can combine the VPN with Shortcuts, home-screen actions and even Siri commands to connect automatically under set conditions. Android users do not get the same native automation layer, but Proton points to widgets and third-party tools such as Tasker as practical alternatives. Taken together, these features show that Proton VPN is not just about masking traffic; it is also built for users who want the service to fit different routines, devices and risk levels.