Lease or Buy? Making the Right Choice
When your organization needs IPv4 addresses, you have two primary options: buying them outright or leasing them. Each approach has distinct advantages depending on your situation.
When to Buy IPv4 Addresses
Purchasing is ideal when:
- You need long-term, permanent IP address space
- You want to build equity in a depreciating-resistant asset
- You have the upfront capital available
- You need full control over the IP addresses
- You plan to announce the IPs from your own ASN
When to Lease IPv4 Addresses
Leasing makes more sense when:
- You need IPs temporarily for a project or campaign
- You want to minimize upfront costs
- You need flexibility to scale up or down
- You are testing a new market or service
- You are bridging the gap while migrating to IPv6
Cost Comparison
A /24 block (256 IPs) might cost $7,000-$9,000 to purchase outright, while leasing the same block could cost $100-$150 per month. Over 5 years, purchasing becomes more cost-effective, but leasing preserves capital and provides flexibility.
The Bottom Line
There is no one-size-fits-all answer. Many organizations use a hybrid approach—purchasing core address space and leasing additional capacity as needed.
Explore both options on our marketplace.