How Much Does an IPv4 Address Cost?

1. IPv4 Pricing History: From Free to Priceless

Year	Average Purchase Price per IP ($)	Average Rental Price per IP ($)
2010	Free	N/A
2011	11.25	N/A
2012	10–12	N/A
2013	10–12	N/A
2014	6–24	N/A
2015	10–25	N/A
2016	10–25	N/A
2017	15–25	N/A
2018	15–25	N/A
2019	20–25	N/A
2020	20–25	0.18
2021	23–60	0.42
2022	45–60	0.47
2023	45–60	0.47
2024	35–52	0.44
2025	26–50	No complete data yet

IPv4 addresses were once free. In the early internet era, businesses could request thousands of IPs at no cost. But as the free pool dwindled, IPv4 addresses became a valuable commodity. Companies with deep pockets quickly acquired large blocks.

For example, in 2011, Microsoft purchased 666,624 IPv4 addresses from Nortel at $11.25 each, marking the birth of the IPv4 market.

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2. How Much Does an IPv4 Address Cost Today?

The finite nature of IPv4 addresses drives up prices. Purchasing an IPv4 address today ranges from $35 to $52, while smaller blocks (/24) cost more per IP than larger blocks (/16).

• A /24 block (256 addresses) may cost $9,000–$15,000.
• A /16 block (65,536 addresses) could cost $2.3–$3.9 million.

For businesses that need temporary or flexible IPs, renting is an alternative. Rentals average $0.44–$0.47 per address per month.

• Renting a /24 block: $110–$120/month
• Renting a /22 block (1,024 addresses): $450–$500/month

Recommendation: Scrapeless IPv6 Proxy

Instead of spending heavily on IPv4 addresses, consider Scrapeless IPv6 proxies. With IPv6, you get access to virtually unlimited IP addresses, high-speed connectivity, and instant scalability—perfect for scraping, testing, or network expansion.

• Pay only for what you use, no large upfront cost.
• Instantly scale your projects without worrying about IP exhaustion.
• Full compatibility with modern web platforms and automation tools.

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3. Why IPv4 Prices Vary So Much

Several factors influence IPv4 pricing:

1. Demand: ISPs, hosting providers, and businesses still rely heavily on IPv4.
2. Limited supply: The global IPv4 pool has been exhausted for over a decade.
3. Block size: Smaller blocks are more expensive per IP due to higher demand.
4. Regional differences: Prices are higher in North America and Europe.
5. Additional costs: Brokers, transfer fees, and administrative costs push prices up.
6. Slow IPv6 adoption: Many businesses hesitate to fully switch, keeping IPv4 in demand.

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4. Buying vs. Renting: What’s Right for You?

Buying IPv4

• Pros: Ownership, long-term savings, resale potential
• Cons: High upfront cost, inflexibility

Ideal for ISPs, hosting companies, or organizations with permanent IP needs.

Renting IPv4

• Pros: Low initial cost, flexibility, no maintenance
• Cons: Recurring fees, dependency on provider

Ideal for startups, temporary projects, or businesses transitioning to IPv6.

Scrapeless IPv6 Proxy eliminates most drawbacks:

• Flexible subscription, pay-as-you-go
• Unlimited addresses for large-scale scraping or automation
• No maintenance headaches

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5. Why Scrapeless IPv6 Proxies Are a Smarter Choice

While IPv4 remains costly and scarce, Scrapeless IPv6 proxies offer a modern solution:

• Instant access to massive IP pools
• Cost-efficient and scalable
• Perfect for scraping, testing, and network research
• Fully compatible with automation tools and cloud services

Instead of worrying about IP exhaustion and high costs, you can rely on Scrapeless IPv6 proxies for both short-term projects and long-term operations.

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6. Final Thoughts

IPv4 prices continue to rise due to scarcity and high demand. Current purchase costs range from $35 to $52 per address, while rentals cost around $0.44/month per IP.

For most businesses, however, Scrapeless IPv6 proxies provide a far more practical, cost-effective, and future-proof solution. They offer unlimited scalability, instant deployment, and flexibility that IPv4 simply cannot match.

💡 Pro Tip: Start using Scrapeless IPv6 proxies today and scale your network or scraping projects effortlessly—no IPv4 scarcity worries, no massive upfront costs.