Table of contents

What is an IP address?Core differencesPros and cons of a

Does it matter for

email marketing and deliverability
website performance or SEO
VPNs and remote access

When you actually need a dedicated IPHow to checkFAQsGetting startedHosting optionsAdditional resources

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What is Web Hosting → Dedicated IP vs Shared IP

Dedicated IP vs Shared IP: What’s the difference? Does it matter? Which do you need?

Some hosting providers or email platforms ask if you want a dedicated IP address. If you’re not sure what that means (or why it matters) you’re not alone.

Let’s break down the difference between shared and dedicated IPs so you can make the right choice for your site, server, or campaign.

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What is an IP address?

An IP address (Internet Protocol address) is a unique string of numbers assigned to every device or server on a network. It works like a digital mailing address, helping traffic from the internet reach the right destination, whether that’s a website, an email server, or a remote desktop.

There are two types of IPs in use today:

IPv4 (e.g., 192.0.2.1)
IPv6 (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)

But the concepts of dedicated vs shared apply to both. When a domain name is typed into a browser, it resolves to an IP address via DNS, connecting users to the right server.

Dedicated IP vs shared IP: core differences

A dedicated IP is assigned to a single website, user, or device. That means you’re the only one using that IP, and you have full control over what it does.

A shared IP, on the other hand, is used by multiple websites or users on the same server. Hosting providers often group many customers on a shared IP to keep infrastructure costs low.

Here’s why it matters:

With a dedicated IP, your domain and any outgoing email traffic use an isolated address, giving you more control over reputation and access.
With a shared IP, your site or email reputation is influenced by the actions of everyone else using that same IP.

For some use cases, like sending bulk email or VPN access, that distinction is critical.

Pros and cons of a dedicated IP address

Dedicated IPs give you full control over how the address is used, but that comes with more responsibility.

Pros:

Full control: You manage your own IP reputation and activity.
Improved deliverability: Avoid being affected by others’ spammy behavior.
Customizable DNS settings: You can configure SPF, DKIM, reverse DNS, and more.
Potential for better performance: No resource competition or traffic spikes from other users.
Enhanced security: Some firewall and access controls require static, dedicated IPs.

Cons:

Higher cost: Dedicated IPs usually cost extra, either monthly or yearly.
More management: You’re responsible for warming it up and maintaining a good reputation.
IP warm-up period: New dedicated IPs need gradual sending to build trust with inbox providers.

Pros and cons of a shared IP address

Shared IPs are common on basic hosting plans and work fine for many sites and small businesses, until another user ruins the party.

Pros:

Lower cost: Often bundled with shared hosting at no extra charge.
Easier setup: No need to configure or manage the IP.
No warm-up needed: Shared IPs have an existing reputation, so you can send email right away.

Cons:

Reputation risk: If someone on the same IP sends spam, your emails may get flagged too.
Less DNS control: Many DNS records are managed at the server level.
Possible performance issues: A traffic spike on one site can impact everyone on the server.
More rate limiting: Shared IPs may be throttled by email providers or APIs due to abuse.

Does it matter for email marketing and deliverability?

Absolutely. Email deliverability is one of the most affected areas when choosing between shared and dedicated IPs.

If you use a shared IP with an email provider, your deliverability depends on how well the provider manages its IP reputation. If other users send spam, your open rates may suffer.
If you use a dedicated IP, you control your own reputation—but only if you send enough volume consistently. Email platforms like Mailchimp and SendGrid often recommend dedicated IPs for senders with 50,000+ emails/month.

Dedicated IPs also require IP warm-up: gradually increasing your send volume over time to prove to inbox providers that you’re legitimate. If you skip this step, your messages may go to spam.

Does it matter for website performance or SEO?

For most websites, the type of IP address won’t make or break your SEO or site speed.

Google has stated that shared IPs do not negatively affect search rankings, as long as your site isn’t associated with spammy content.
Performance issues are more likely tied to server resources, not IPs. But if your site gets whitelisted or blocked based on IP (like in corporate firewalls), a dedicated IP gives you more stability.

You might benefit from a dedicated IP if you use strict firewall rules, geolocation-based routing, or custom SSL configurations.

Does it matter for VPNs and remote access?

Yes—especially if you’re using a VPN for business or accessing private systems.

Dedicated IPs offer consistency. Your IP stays the same each time you connect, making it easier to access whitelisted resources, private databases, or secured dashboards.
Shared VPN IPs rotate constantly and are used by thousands of other users, which can trigger CAPTCHAs or get you blocked by streaming services or security tools.

If you need remote access to internal systems, banking portals, or region-locked platforms, a dedicated IP is much more reliable.

When you actually need a dedicated IP

You don’t always need a dedicated IP, but there are some use cases where it’s highly recommended or required:

Email marketing: If you manage a high-volume list or run a custom mail server
VPN access: When you need IP-based access to corporate or secured systems
Firewall rules: If you’re setting up strict allowlists for APIs or services
SSL on legacy systems: Older configurations may require a dedicated IP for certificates
Ecommerce hosting or finance platforms: Regulatory compliance or fraud prevention might demand a static IP
Custom web apps: Certain payment gateways and third-party integrations require dedicated IP access

If any of the above apply to you, investing in a dedicated IP can save you headaches later on.

How to check if your IP is shared or dedicated

If you’re unsure which type of IP you have, here are a few ways to check:

Ask your host: The easiest way is to open a support ticket with your hosting provider.
Use DNS tools: Services like MXToolbox or YouGetSignal let you check which domains are using the same IP as yours.
cPanel/WHM: If you use cPanel, go to Server Information or Account Details to view your assigned IP.

If you see other domains listed on the same IP, you’re on a shared IP.

FAQ

A shared IP is used by many websites or users at once, while a dedicated IP is assigned to just one user or domain. Dedicated IPs give you more control, especially for email and VPN use.

You can check with your hosting provider or use online tools like MXToolbox to see if your IP is unique or shared with other domains.

It depends on the email platform you use. Some providers automatically use shared IPs, while others offer dedicated IPs for high-volume senders or enterprise accounts.

For high-volume email campaigns, a dedicated IP is better because it isolates your reputation. For lower-volume senders, a shared IP may perform just fine—assuming the provider maintains a clean reputation.

Next steps for choosing between a dedicated or shared IP

Knowing the difference between dedicated and shared IPs can help you make smarter decisions about hosting, email, and network security. For some users, a shared IP works just fine. For others, especially those managing large-scale email or secure remote access, a dedicated IP is essential.

The next step is to choose a hosting solution that fits your needs, and that’s where Liquid Web comes in. We offer the industry’s fastest and most secure VPS and dedicated servers—for Windows or Linux, unmanaged or fully managed.

Click below to explore options or start a chat with one of our hosting experts now.