A dedicated IP:
A static IP address that belongs only to you

No, you can’t buy an IP address, at least not in the direct sense. IP addresses are managed by regional internet registries (RIRs), not owned by individuals or companies. When people talk about “buying” an IP address, they usually mean paying for the right to use an IP or renting it.

That right comes with ongoing fees and rules set by the registry, and you’re expected to follow these policies. So you’re not purchasing permanent ownership but rather getting permission to use an IP address as long as you need it.

You can get a dedicated IP directly from some VPN providers. For example, NordVPN offers a dedicated IP as an optional add-on to your VPN plan. You choose a location, connect to your dedicated IP server in the app, and use it whenever you need a stable, consistent IP address with VPN protection.

No, a VPN doesn’t give you a static IP by default. Usually, VPNs assign you a shared IP address that changes over time. However, some providers, like NordVPN, offer a personal dedicated IP as an optional add-on for an extra fee. So whether you get a static IP from a VPN depends on the service and the plan you choose.

A dedicated IP VPN usually costs extra on top of your regular VPN plan. Across providers, the add-on typically falls in the $2-5 per month range, while longer subscriptions are often cheaper than monthly plans. With NordVPN, a dedicated IP is also an optional feature in a similar price range. The exact NordVPN and a dedicated IP combo costs depend on your plan length.

Most dedicated IP VPNs let you use your IP on just one device at a time. With NordVPN, however, you can use the same dedicated IP on up to 10 devices at once if you connect via OpenVPN (TCP or UDP). You can also use a dedicated IP with the NordLynx protocol, but that limits you to one device at a time. Remember that dedicated IPs aren’t available on tvOS, browser extensions, or with the IKEv2 protocol.

A dedicated IP address looks just like any other IP, for example, 64.233.187.99 (one of Google’s IP addresses). The difference isn’t in how it looks, but in how it’s used — a dedicated IP is assigned to a single user or service, while a shared IP is used by many people at the same time.

Yes, websites and services can still detect a dedicated IP as coming from a VPN. A dedicated IP address belongs to a data center linked to a VPN provider, which many platforms check before allowing access. A dedicated IP doesn’t suddenly look like a normal home connection, and it won’t bypass VPN detection. And it’s not meant to.

That said, a dedicated IP is still more effective than a shared VPN IP because of IP reputation. Since only one user is assigned to it, the IP is less likely to be affected by reputation issues caused by other users’ activity on shared IPs. It won’t make you anonymous, but it can make specific online activities more enjoyable by helping you avoid random blocks, CAPTCHAs, and login challenges.

A static IP is meant to stay the same, and that’s the whole point of it. With NordVPN, your dedicated IP remains constant when you connect to it, so you can rely on a stable address for work systems, allowlisting, and other IP‑sensitive tasks.

You can check your dedicated IP in your VPN app — it’s shown next to your dedicated IP location or in the connection details after you connect. If you want to confirm that you’re connected to your dedicated IP, visit NordVPN’s “What is my IP?” page.

A residential IP is an IP address assigned to a household connection by your internet service provider (ISP). It may be dynamic or static, depending on your ISP and plan. Meanwhile, a dedicated IP belongs only to you, comes from a VPN service, and is hosted on a VPN server — not tied to your home network.

A proxy changes your IP and routes your traffic through another shared server, but it doesn’t encrypt your connection. A dedicated IP gives you your own fixed IP through a VPN, which encrypts your traffic and simplifies logins, remote access, or allowlisting. In short, proxies are lighter and less secure, while a dedicated IP offers better online protection.