Businesses are still faced with the same problem that has shaped internet infrastructure for the past ten years: should you lease or buy IPv4 addresses? There isn’t enough IPv4 space in the world, and prices are going up. Depending on your business model, cash flow, and long-term goals, both options have their pros and cons. This article breaks down the costs of renting and buying IPv4 addresses, looks at important financial factors, and gives you a simple way to figure out which option is cheaper for your business in 2025.
The IPv4 Market in 2025
IPv4 is still the main part of the internet, even though IPv6 is becoming more popular. IPv4 is still used by millions of legacy systems, VPN providers, and web hosting companies to make sure their older infrastructure works with it.
In 2025, the average price for a permanent IPv4 address is between $35 and $50, depending on where you live and how clean the IP is. The cost of renting a /24 block (256 IPs) can be anywhere from $150 to $250 per month, depending on the registry and provider’s terms.
The supply of clean, routable IPv4 addresses is still not keeping up with demand, which is causing prices to rise by 10 to 15 percent every year. Because of this, a lot of businesses are looking into leasing as a cheaper option than buying outright.
Comparing the costs of leasing and buying
Here’s a simple example of how much leasing and buying might cost in 2025:
| Block Size | Number of IPs | Purchase Price | Monthly Lease Price | 1-Year Lease Cost | Break-Even (Months) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| /24 | 256 | $10,000 | $200 | $2,400 | ~50 months |
| /23 | 512 | $18,000 | $350 | $4,200 | ~51 months |
| /22 | 1,024 | $30,000 | $600 | $7,200 | ~50 months |
This simple calculator shows that leasing is cheaper in the short term, especially if your project will last less than four years. However, if your company plans to use the addresses for five years or more, buying them is more cost-effective.
About IPv4Hub.net
IPv4Hub.net is one of the most trustworthy and open IPv4 leasing services in the business. The platform makes it easier for companies of all sizes to lease by connecting verified lessors and lessees from all over the world. IPv4Hub.net offers flexible monthly or yearly terms for both /24 and /16 blocks. They also provide SWIP, ROA, and LOA documentation to make sure everything is in order and the network works smoothly. Their dedicated support team takes care of everything from setting up contracts to helping with route announcements, so IP leasing is quick, safe, and easy.
When it makes sense to lease
Startups, VPN providers, and short-term projects that need to grow without spending a lot of money up front are great candidates for leasing. Leasing is often better for businesses that have changing traffic or demand because it is easy to scale IP resources up or down.
Another benefit is that you don’t have to worry about asset depreciation or the trouble of selling IPs later. Leasing also keeps your money available, so you can use it for business needs or to build more infrastructure.
When It’s Better to Buy
Buying IPv4 addresses can be a smart move for businesses that need to stay stable for a long time, like ISPs or big cloud providers. When you buy something, you own it completely, and IP values have always gone up over time. Buying also gets rid of the monthly fees that come with leasing, which means you know how much you’ll have to pay for a long time.
However, due diligence is needed when buying to make sure the IP reputation is good, the ownership transfer is legal, and the RIR rules are followed. To avoid problems with compliance or routing, it’s important to work with a broker or consultant you can trust.
Prediction: What IPv4 Costs Will Be in the Future
Experts say that prices will keep going up steadily until 2025 and beyond. Leasing will become more popular as a flexible option, especially as IPv4 becomes harder to find. As more businesses use hybrid networks, many will use a mixed strategy, renting some IPs for short-term needs and buying core address space for important infrastructure.
In 2025, whether you lease or buy IPv4 addresses will depend on how long you need them, how much money you have, and how much you need to grow. Leasing is still cheaper for short-term projects and new businesses, but buying is better for the long term because it saves money and gives you ownership benefits.
IPv4Hub.net makes it easy to lease or buy by offering clear pricing, verified IP blocks, and hands-on support. This lets your business stay connected and grow confidently in a world where IPv4 is limited.