The principle of Split Tunneling VPN is to cut the encrypted connection for certain applications or software. You can have a browser that uses the secure VPN tunnel and another that uses your IP ISP. This is the basic principle.

What are the advantages of Split Tunneling?

• Gives great flexibility to your network.  You have two lines, one secure and one not.
• Some software such as newsreaders that allow you to access the Usenet network have not interest in using the VPN.  The Usenet network is already secured by the SSL VPN and cause you to lose the connection speed.
• Avoids having to log off to go to some sites.
• Greatly simplifies the sending of mail with a VPN!

Unfortunately, this feature is not present among most of the VPN vendors with the exception of PureVPN. PureVPN is one of the top VPN providers with more than 500 servers all over the World. They provide a lot of options and additional services like SmartDNS.

VPN Split Tunneling in PureVPN

This new feature is very new and is still in Beta.  The principle presented below remain the same in its final version.

After the Split Tunneling enabled, only applications launched from the client benefit from integrated VPN.

Firefox launched from the client will give you an IP NL in the case of a connection in the Netherlands.  The same Firefox from your desktop will give you your ISP IP address.

Warning: This feature (full of promise) is in Beta.  Before using it blindly you should check that the application launched from the client is effectively secured because eg IE does not work.

PureVPN logging policy

As I have explained several times on this blog, it is hard to tell if “no logging” really means that no (to be read zero) logs are kept for each user or connection. I believe that “No logs” is more likely a marketing strategy and that most of the VPN (Virtual Private Network) providers are maintaining (some) logs for their protection. Logs that can, in some cases, be handed out to authorities.

A few days ago, the news about PureVPN helping the FBI with logs for catching a cyberstalker came as a surprise. The service was advertised as “zero logging,” but it seems that it was not the case.

Was it a surprise?

The PureVPN privacy policy starts with “We Do Not monitor user activity nor do we keep any logs.“, but if you look closer you may find out that “Our servers automatically record the time at which you connect to any of our servers. From here on forward, we do not keep any records of anything that could associate any specific activity to a specific user. The time when a successful connection is made with our servers is counted as a ‘connection,’ and the total bandwidth used during this connection is called ‘bandwidth.’“. Thus, some logs are kept for ALL users. Are these all logs that are stored on the PureVPN servers? Well, who knows?

Anyway, PureVPN did what most of the companies would have done in the same situation: provided the info requested by the FBI.

It is debatable if what they did was wrong or not. The question is: what can you, as a PureVPN user, do? And the answer is simple: if you don’t care about logs you don’t need to do anything, but if you do, you need to start looking for alternatives.

Is PureVPN a good VPN service?

Yes, it is! PureVPN is one of the top VPN providers with some excellent features:

• Large VPN server network.
• Great VPN applications.
• Kill switch, split tunneling.
• Competitive pricing.

How to look for PureVPN alternatives?

Take a look at the list below or search Google. You will find plenty of PureVPN alternatives for surfing anonymously and unblocking restricted websites. Do not jump to the first one that looks good! Take your time and look for user reviews and reviews written by bloggers. These will help you make an informed choice.

7 PureVPN alternatives – Top VPN (Virtual Private Networks) providers

I have selected seven excellent VPN alternatives to PureVPN that may offer what you need: an extended number of server locations, unlimited bandwidth, excellent support, and good connection speed. Make sure you also read the additional tips.

Is there such a thing as the best VPN? In my (humble) opinion, no. You need to find the VPN service (Virtual Private Network) that is suitable for you and that fulfills your needs.

Additional tips

Before you proceed to the alternatives, here are some additional tips:

• Start with ibVPN. It is an excellent alternative to PureVPN. It offers a free trial, and it is somehow similar to PureVPN. It also provides SmartDNS (with plenty of channels – not a VPN solution!), access to Softether VPN protocol, great apps, and excellent support, DNS leak protection, IP address leak protection. However, ibVPN’s servers network is smaller (United States, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, etc.). You may read our complete ibVPN review here.
• If you are not interested in SmartDNS, then go for NordVPN or ExpressVPN. They have plenty of servers, good connections, excellent support, kill switch, leak protection, great data encryption, good Internet security options.
• Are you using split tunneling? Then ExpressVPN is your alternative to PureVPN.
• Private Internet Access is also an excellent VPN service, a PureVPN alternative when it comes to VPN server speed! Take a look at our PIA speed tests.
• If you are interested in free alternatives to PureVPN, you may try Hotspot Shield. But don’t expect much in terms of online security and privacy. Free, means well … that you are the product!

My advice is to create a subscription for the smallest period available (one or 3 months). Thus, you will be able to thoroughly test the alternative service before committing to a more extended billing agreement.

Please share your experience with alternatives to PureVPN in the comments below.