Static vs dynamic IP addresses
Distinguish a stable address from an automatically assigned one, and separate public, local, shared and dedicated addresses.
Website: https://zenshield.com/glossary/static-ip
Canonical URL: https://zenshield.com/glossary/static-ip
Page reviewed: 2026-09-12
A static IP is configured to remain fixed under the service or network arrangement that provides it. A dynamic IP is assigned through a process that can change the address over time. These terms do not tell you whether the address is public or private.
Keep four questions separate
Ask whether an address is public or local, static or dynamic, shared or dedicated, and associated with IPv4 or IPv6. Those are different characteristics.
A home computer can have a stable local address while the router uses a dynamic public address. A VPN can show a shared exit address that remains the same across several connections. Stability does not establish that the address belongs only to you.
When a stable address matters
Some services use an address allowlist for access. If your network’s public address changes, you may need to update that allowlist. A stable address can simplify that arrangement, but it does not replace authentication.
Before buying a static or dedicated address service, ask which address is guaranteed, which apps use it, and what happens after a reconnect. Do not assume a general VPN subscription includes it.
Check your actual need
If a website simply shows the wrong approximate city, a static IP may not solve the database label. If a remote service needs a known source address, ask its administrator which address family and access policy apply.
Zenshield’s public website does not establish a static or dedicated-IP offering. Use the current product documentation for availability. For ordinary address changes, follow how to change your public IP and verify the result with the same tool.