Introduction
IPv4 addresses have become a scarce and valuable resource. While IPv6 adoption continues, many businesses still depend on IPv4 for compatibility and reachability. Organizations such as hosting providers, cloud platforms, ISPs, and SaaS companies must therefore decide how to obtain IPv4 space: by buying address blocks on the secondary market or by leasing them on a monthly basis.
Both approaches have advantages and trade-offs. The right choice depends on cost, flexibility, expected duration of use, and risk tolerance. This article compares buying versus leasing IPv4 addresses, explains the role of RIRs and the aftermarket, and helps determine which strategy makes sense in different situations.
IPv4 Availability at the RIRs
Contrary to popular belief, Regional Internet Registries still distribute IPv4 addresses, but availability is extremely limited and subject to strict conditions.
RIPE NCC IPv4 Waiting List
RIPE NCC operates an IPv4 waiting list, where Local Internet Registries can apply for a single /24 allocation.
As of 29 January, there are 744 LIRs waiting for a /24 block, and the first applicant has already been waiting 449 days, well over a year.
More details can be found here:
https://www.ripe.net/manage-ips-and-asns/ipv4/ipv4-waiting-list/
This makes RIPE allocations unsuitable for organizations that need IPv4 space quickly or in larger quantities.
ARIN IPv4 Waiting List
ARIN also maintains an IPv4 waiting list with periodic distributions based on returned address space.
Information about the ARIN waiting list is available here:
https://www.arin.net/resources/guide/ipv4/waiting_list/
While ARIN continues to distribute IPv4 blocks, availability is unpredictable and often insufficient for growing demand.
APNIC IPv4 Availability
APNIC still has IPv4 supply available, but allocations are capped at a maximum of a /23 per organization.
Details can be found here:
https://help.apnic.net/s/article/Obtaining-resources
For organizations requiring more address space, this limitation quickly becomes a blocker.
The Aftermarket Reality
If you need more IPv4 addresses than the RIRs can provide, or if you need them quickly, you are effectively bound to work with the IPv4 aftermarket, either through purchases or leases.
Buying IPv4 Addresses
What Buying IPv4 Means
Buying IPv4 addresses means acquiring the long-term rights to use an address block via a transfer recorded in the relevant RIR database. While IPv4 addresses are often treated as assets, it is important to note that they are not technically owned. The RIR retains ultimate authority and can revoke or reclaim resources under certain conditions.
Buying does, however, provide durable usage rights and administrative control for as long as the registration remains valid.
More details are available on our Buy IPv4 page.
Cost of Buying IPv4
At current market rates, IPv4 addresses typically sell for around 26 euros per IP.
A /24 block with 256 addresses therefore costs approximately:
256 × 26 euros = 6,656 euros
Pricing transparency can be observed through public marketplaces and brokers such as:
This is a one-time capital expense, excluding transfer fees and possible RIR-related costs.
Advantages of Buying IPv4
Buying IPv4 provides long-term stability, full administrative control, and predictable costs over time. It is often preferred by organizations with permanent IPv4 requirements and a clear long-term infrastructure strategy.
Disadvantages of Buying IPv4
The primary disadvantages are the high upfront cost, reduced flexibility, and capital being tied up in address space. Buying also exposes organizations to long-term market and regulatory uncertainty, including policy changes by RIRs.
Leasing IPv4 Addresses
What IPv4 Leasing Is
Leasing IPv4 addresses means paying a monthly fee to use IP space held by another party. The lessee is authorized to announce and use the addresses, but does not hold the long-term registration rights.
More information can be found on our Lease IPv4 page. We can also assist customers directly in obtaining a lease contract and securing a suitable IPv4 block for their use case.
Cost of Leasing IPv4
Leasing IPv4 is generally more cost-efficient in the short to medium term.
Typical market rates range from 90 to 150 euros per month per /24. A commonly seen rate is around 119 euros per month.
At 119 euros per month, the annual cost is 1,428 euros. Compared to a purchase price of 6,656 euros, the break-even point is reached after approximately 56 months:
6,656 ÷ 119 ≈ 55.9 months
This means leasing remains the cheaper option for nearly five years.
Advantages of Leasing IPv4
Leasing requires no upfront investment, allows rapid scaling, and provides flexibility when demand is uncertain. It is often the most cost-optimized approach for growing companies or temporary projects.
Disadvantages of Leasing IPv4
Leasing involves ongoing operational expenses and does not create long-term usage rights. Over extended periods, total lease costs can exceed the cost of buying. Lease continuity also depends on the stability of the lessor and the contract terms.
Buying vs Leasing IPv4: Cost Comparison
Break-Even Considerations
With current market pricing, buying IPv4 only becomes financially advantageous after roughly four to five years of uninterrupted use.
If IPv4 space is required for a shorter period, leasing is typically the more economical and flexible option. For long-term, predictable usage, buying can reduce total cost over time.
Strategic Considerations: Which Option Makes Sense When
When Buying IPv4 Makes Sense
Buying IPv4 is generally suitable when address requirements are stable and long-term, when administrative control is critical, and when IPv4 is viewed as a strategic infrastructure resource. This is common among ISPs, network operators, and established hosting providers.
When Leasing IPv4 Makes Sense
Leasing IPv4 is often the better choice when minimizing upfront cost is important, when demand is temporary or uncertain, or when rapid scaling is required. Startups, SaaS platforms, and fast-growing environments typically benefit most from leasing.
IPv4 Marketplaces and Third-Party Platforms
Marketplaces such as IPXO and InterLIR provide platforms for leasing IPv4 address space through intermediaries.
While these marketplaces can be convenient, it is important to understand that you are often not contracting directly with the registered holder of the IP space. This can introduce uncertainty around lease duration, renewals, and long-term stability.
For mission-critical infrastructure, direct lease agreements with the address holder usually provide greater clarity and reliability.
The Future Outlook for IPv4
IPv4 Scarcity and Pricing
IPv4 scarcity is expected to persist. Prices on the aftermarket are unlikely to decline significantly, and demand for leased IPv4 space remains strong. IPv4 continues to be necessary for compatibility with legacy systems and large parts of the global internet.
IPv6 and Dual-Stack Reality
Most networks will continue operating in a dual-stack environment for the foreseeable future. IPv4 will remain relevant for many years, even as IPv6 adoption gradually increases.
Conclusion
There is no universal answer to whether buying or leasing IPv4 addresses is the better choice.
Leasing IPv4 is typically the most cost-optimized and flexible solution in the short to medium term. Buying IPv4 becomes more attractive for organizations with long-term, stable requirements and a strategic need for durable usage rights.
Many organizations ultimately adopt a hybrid strategy, leasing IPv4 to support growth while selectively acquiring address space to secure long-term capacity.