If you’ve ever used a VPN you’ve probably come throughout the time period “dedicated IP address.” But what precisely is a devoted IP tackle, and do you want one?

With a typical shared VPN connection, many customers are all linked to a server with the identical IP tackle. A devoted IP tackle alternatively, is a hard and fast IP that’s used solely by you. There are each benefits and downsides to utilizing a devoted IP over a shared IP.

Here I’ll lay out what precisely a devoted IP tackle is, the professionals and cons of utilizing one, and assist you determine if it’s the appropriate selection for you. And in the event you’re available in the market for a VPN, then don’t overlook to take a look at our best VPN services to see our suggestions.

What is a devoted IP tackle for a VPN?

In quick, a devoted IP tackle is a static, or mounted, IP tackle that by no means adjustments and is utilized by just one particular person. This differs from a standard VPN IP tackle, which is shared by different customers of the identical VPN and is commonly modified every time you join.

Just like a standard VPN connection, a devoted IP tackle nonetheless hides your actual residence IP tackle, however you’ll at all times connect with the identical IP on that particular VPN server.

Most of the main VPN providers reminiscent of NordVPN, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, and others provide the choice to improve to a devoted IP tackle for an extra month-to-month cost.

What are some great benefits of a devoted IP over a shared IP?

Bypass streaming service restrictions

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Some web sites reminiscent of Netflix are delicate to IP adjustments and block visitors in the event you’re utilizing a shared VPN. A devoted IP tackle will help repair this problem since your IP won’t ever change. Also, a devoted IP tackle is much less prone to be acknowledged as a part of a VPN since it’s going to solely be related together with your particular visitors.

Avoid annoying captchas

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

When lots of people are sharing the identical VPN server, web sites could misidentify the visitors as coming from a bot, due to this fact issuing a captcha check for all requests from customers. This might be extraordinarily annoying — I can’t be the one one who’s sick of selecting all the photographs with bicycles in them.

By utilizing a devoted IP tackle, this problem might be alleviated as solely your visitors will likely be coming from the server, making it appear a lot much less suspicious.

Easy and safe entry to distant networks

If it’s essential to entry a distant community for work, utilizing a shared IP tackle with a VPN might be a difficulty as your IP tackle will ceaselessly change — distant networks don’t at all times like this. With a devoted IP tackle you will get the entire safety and privateness advantages of a VPN connection whereas accessing your office community since your IP tackle will at all times be the identical.

Are there any disadvantages to utilizing a devoted IP?

You should pay for a devoted IP tackle

Most VPN providers that provide the choice of a devoted IP tackle gained’t hand it out at no cost — you’ll have to pay up. The additional month-to-month price of a devoted IP tackle subscription can add up and until you undoubtedly want one for a selected purpose, it won’t be definitely worth the expense.

Decreased anonymity

One of the explanations that VPNs do such an incredible job of defending person anonymity is that oftentimes tons of or hundreds of customers are accessing the identical shared VPN server. This makes it very troublesome to find out what visitors is coming from what person. A devoted IP tackle takes away this degree of anonymity because it ties the IP tackle visitors to you as the only person — some discover that this defeats the primary goal of utilizing a VPN.

Geographical limitations

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

By choosing a devoted IP tackle, you’ll want to decide on a location and that location won’t ever change. A daily shared VPN connection alternatively permits for customers to hook up with servers everywhere in the world and thereby spoof their actual location to bypass geo-restricted content material. With a devoted IP tackle you’ll miss out on this benefit besides within the nation you select to your devoted IP.

Do you want a devoted IP VPN?

So the query nonetheless stays, do you really want a devoted IP tackle together with your VPN? That will finally rely in your meant use, however the quick reply: in all probability not.

For the vast majority of folks, a devoted IP will imply including an additional month-to-month expense with out a lot upside. There are after all area of interest use circumstances the place a devoted IP will likely be massively helpful. 

People who journey or earn a living from home and desire a constant, safe technique to remotely log in to their office community instantly come to thoughts. Or perhaps you wish to defend your entire smart-home units on the identical community; then the devoted route could be the best way to go.

There are tradeoffs to each shared and devoted IP VPNs. While there’s normally an extra expense for a devoted IP tackle, it isn’t something outrageous. If you’re undecided, attempting it out for a month or two gained’t break the financial institution. Who is aware of, it could be the answer you’ve been on the lookout for, and if not, no hurt completed.