What Is a Dedicated IP Address?

A dedicated IP address is an IP address that is unique to you, which you can add to your virtual private network (VPN). It not only gives you more autonomy on a shared server, but it can also improve internet speeds while connected to your VPN.

A dedicated IP can save you from reputation damage that happens with shared servers as well as allowing you easier access to geo-restricted content. However, there’s almost always an additional cost involved with a dedicated IP. It’s up to you to weigh the importance.

What is a dedicated IP address?

When you use a VPN, it’s likely you’re sharing the IP address of the server you’ve connected to with other customers of that VPN. While that’s not a bad thing, and all your traffic is encrypted, it can also be a sign that you’re using a VPN.

If you’d like to mask the IP address of your device but also mask it with another private IP, then you may be looking for a dedicated IP address. A dedicated internet protocol (IP) address is like your phone number or your toothbrush — used only by you.

From a cybersecurity perspective, a dedicated IP also allows for more security within a network. IT directors are able to lock down system networks by whitelisting dedicated IPs to exert more control over who has access to different systems operations. This is a very technical way of saying this lets the IT director say who’s allowed in and who isn’t.

What’s the difference between dynamic and static IP addresses?

There are two types of IP addresses: dynamic and static. The main difference is that dynamic changes while static stays the same.

Think of the latter, static, as a stasis, something existing in equilibrium. The former, dynamic, has the ability to change at any time. Neither is more powerful than the other per se, but they each carry their own drawbacks and benefits.

A dedicated IP can be accessed through a static IP but is exclusive to the VPN where you purchased your dedicated IP. It can be changed depending on the VPN permissions. 

It also gives you an increased layer of security since you then have access to the VPN encryption and static IP address on your computer or router.

Dynamic IP address pros and cons

Dedicated IP address pros and cons

When should you use a dedicated IP address?

You can see there are drawbacks and benefits to using a dedicated IP. One of the benefits is increased security if you’re using split tunneling to access the web. Certain sites like online banking don’t like VPNs because the IP addresses are transient. That sends up a red flag to the bank.

Often, people use split tunneling to get around this, routing their banking traffic through an unsecured channel. When you include a dedicated IP in your VPN, you should be able to access your online banking within the encrypted protection of a VPN.

This increases your security by continuing to encrypt the banking traffic while also not appearing suspicious to the bank.

Some other instances where a dedicated IP may be useful:

• To create autonomy on a shared server
• For increased security on a secure server
• For individual permissions on a shared secure server (like who has access to different online files in an office setting)
• To avoid CAPTCHAs caused by shared VPN IP addresses
• To add an extra layer of security to your smart home devices
• With a VPN to unblock geo-restricted content that uses VPN blockers
• To safely connect to your office’s servers for remote work
• For control over how you’re recognized online

5 VPNs with a dedicated IP

We’ve gathered five VPNs we feel are safe and effective that offer a dedicated IP. Each has a dedicated IP VPN service as well as shared IP addresses.

All of them allow you to try their online services with a 30-day or 45-day money-back guarantee, and almost all of them have dedicated IP servers in big cities like Los Angeles and New York, which makes it more difficult to track you.

Price	Starts at $3.59/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.03/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years)	Starts at $2.15/mo (billed every two years)
Dedicated IP cost	$4.19/mo	$3.75/mo	Starts at $2.50/mo	Starts at $2.50/mo	Starts at $2.49/mo
Number of servers	6,800+ servers in 111 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	Unlisted in 100 countries	Unlisted in 91 countries	6,000+ servers in 65+ countries
Learn more	Get NordVPN Read NordVPN Review	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get CyberGhost Read CyberGhost Review	Get Private Internet Access Read Private Internet Access Review	Get PureVPN Read PureVPN Review

1. NordVPN

While NordVPN doesn’t offer a free product, you can get a top-notch VPN for only a couple dollars a month by purchasing an annual or multi-year subscription. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can try it before committing. 

Nord is one of the most trusted names in security, and the company offers useful features like split tunneling and a kill switch. NordVPN also has an optional dedicated IP for an additional monthly cost.

NordVPN dedicated IP servers

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands
• Canada
• France
• Germany
• Japan
• Italy
• Sweden
• Australia
• Switzerland
• Hong Kong
• Spain
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Poland
• South Africa
• Portugal
• Mexico
• Czech Republic

Get NordVPN | Read Our NordVPN Review

2. Surfshark

Ever since Surfshark arrived on the VPN scene, it’s been making waves. It’s a mighty VPN with lots of extras like CleanWeb, which blocks ads, trackers, and other nasties that profile you online. 

It also offers unlimited device support and has great compatibility for multiple operating systems, routers, and smart devices. 

Surfshark dedicated IP servers

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Netherlands
• Germany
• France
• Australia
• Japan
• Italy
• Canada
• South Africa
• Hong Kong

Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review

3. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is more affordable than most of its competitors and includes free data breach monitoring that alerts you to email and password leaks. 

It also has one of the most generous money-back guarantees — 45 days — because it’s that sure you’re going to like the product.

CyberGhost dedicated IP servers

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Canada
• Australia
• Belgium
• Singapore
• Spain
• Japan
• Netherlands
• Sweden

Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review

4. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access (PIA) is like a great restaurant locals frequent, in that it’s used often by security professionals. This is because of the low monthly fees, compatibility, and reliability of the VPN.

Years ago PIA allowed only 10 connections for your VPN license, but now boasts unlimited connections on multiple devices. It even includes features like obfuscation, which allows you to trick your internet service provider (ISP) into thinking you aren’t using a VPN so your usage isn’t throttled.

Private Internet Access dedicated IP servers

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• Australia
• Canada
• Japan
• Singapore
• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Sweden

Get Private Internet Access | Read Our Private Internet Access Review

5. PureVPN

We found PureVPN to be one of the more affordable VPNs on the market. It has interesting features like selective app protection, which allows you to choose which apps are covered by the VPN. It also provides standard features like a kill switch so you’re getting everything you need at a lower monthly cost.

PureVPN dedicated IP servers

• United States
• United Kingdom
• Canada
• Australia
• Germany
• Singapore
• Malta

Get PureVPN | Read Our PureVPN Review

How to choose a VPN with a dedicated IP address

First, you’ll want to choose a reputable VPN to mask your traffic. You’ll want it to have a lot of server options.

And the VPN should be offered by a provider you trust — our top five are all brands we’ve tested and are comfortable recommending. Each one of these has an option to add a dedicated IP and comes with additional features.

You’ll want a feature-rich VPN to make sure you’re utilizing the best security. You’ll also want to make sure the VPN you choose has a no-logs policy and it would be preferable if it didn’t fall within the 5, 9, or 14 Eyes Alliances.

Other features you’ll want to consider include:

• Speed: Do the servers have a major impact on your connection speed?
• Split tunneling: Can you route traffic through the VPN and other traffic outside of it?
• Kill switch: Will the VPN hide your IP by blocking your internet if the VPN connection drops?
• High-level encryption: Does the VPN come with AES-256 military-grade encryption?
• Changeability: Does the VPN allow you to change your dedicated IP address if necessary?

FAQs

Bottom line

Using a dedicated IP can have great benefits. You have the ability to fool your ISP so it doesn’t throttle your internet usage as well as unblock geo-restricted content. In a professional setting, it helps IT directors assign permissions on a shared server.

In other words, you can stay anonymous online without the pitfalls of anonymity. But that also opens you up to being more recognizable online without the ability to rotate your IP address with your VPN. Also, it’s an additional monthly cost.

When you decide whether or not to use a dedicated IP, you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons of your own situation. It comes down to what is best for you. Luckily, we’re here to help you find the best VPN service with or without a dedicated IP.