What is a dedicated IP address for a VPN and do you need one?

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

With a typical shared VPN connection, many customers are all related to a server with the identical IP handle. A devoted IP handle alternatively, is a set IP that’s used solely by you. There are each benefits and drawbacks to utilizing a devoted IP over a shared IP.

Here I’ll lay out what precisely a devoted IP handle is, the professionals and cons of utilizing one, and assist you determine if it’s the proper alternative for you. And for those who’re out there for a VPN, then don’t neglect to take a look at our best VPN services to see our suggestions.

What is a devoted IP handle for a VPN?

In brief, a devoted IP handle is a static, or fastened, IP handle that by no means adjustments and is utilized by just one particular person. This differs from a traditional VPN IP handle, which is shared by different customers of the identical VPN and is usually modified every time you join.

Just like a traditional VPN connection, a devoted IP handle nonetheless hides your actual dwelling IP handle, however you’ll all the time hook up with the identical IP on that particular VPN server.

Most of the main VPN providers resembling NordVPN, Private Internet Access, Surfshark, and others provide the choice to improve to a devoted IP handle 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 resembling Netflix are delicate to IP adjustments and block site visitors for those who’re utilizing a shared VPN. A devoted IP handle might help repair this challenge since your IP won’t ever change. Also, a devoted IP handle is much less more likely to be acknowledged as a part of a VPN since it is going to solely be related together with your particular site visitors.

Avoid annoying captchas

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

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

By utilizing a devoted IP handle, this challenge may be alleviated as solely your site visitors might be coming from the server, making it appear a lot much less suspicious.

Easy and safe entry to distant networks

If you might want to entry a distant community for work, utilizing a shared IP handle with a VPN may be a problem as your IP handle will regularly change — distant networks don’t all the time like this. With a devoted IP handle you will get the entire safety and privateness advantages of a VPN connection whereas accessing your office community since your IP handle will all the time be the identical.

Are there any disadvantages to utilizing a devoted IP?

You should pay for a devoted IP handle

Most VPN providers that provide the choice of a devoted IP handle received’t hand it out totally free — you’ll have to pay up. The further month-to-month value of a devoted IP handle subscription can add up and until you undoubtedly want one for a selected motive, it may not be well worth the expense.

Decreased anonymity

One of the explanations that VPNs do such an ideal job of defending person anonymity is that oftentimes a whole lot or hundreds of customers are accessing the identical shared VPN server. This makes it very troublesome to find out what site visitors is coming from what person. A devoted IP handle takes away this stage of anonymity because it ties the IP handle site visitors to you as the only real person — some discover that this defeats the principle function of utilizing a VPN.

Geographical limitations

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

Sam Singleton

By choosing a devoted IP handle, you’ll want to decide on a location and that location won’t ever change. An everyday 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 handle 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 handle together with your VPN? That will finally rely in your meant use, however the brief 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 might be massively useful. 

People who journey or earn a living from home and need a constant, safe technique to remotely log in to their office community instantly come to thoughts. Or possibly you need to shield all your smart-home gadgets on the identical community; then the devoted route is likely to 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 handle, it isn’t something outrageous. If you’re unsure, making an attempt it out for a month or two received’t break the financial institution. Who is aware of, it is likely to be the answer you’ve been in search of, and if not, no hurt finished.