Imagine this: you’re logging into your bank account from a coffee shop, or maybe you’re trying to access your company’s remote server while traveling. You fire up your VPN for that extra layer of security, but then—bam!—you’re hit with a CAPTCHA asking you to prove you’re not a robot. Annoying, right? Or worse, your bank flags the login as suspicious because your IP address keeps changing. This is where Surfshark’s Dedicated IP feature swoops in to save the day, and it just got a serious glow-up with seven new locations added to its roster.

Surfshark, a leading player in the VPN industry, recently announced an expansion of its Dedicated IP offering, increasing the total to 20 locations worldwide. For those who may not be familiar, a Dedicated IP is a unique internet address that is exclusively yours, unlike the shared IPs that most VPNs use. While it is a paid add-on (currently priced at $3.75 per month), it has become a game-changer for frequent VPN users.

The big news is the addition of seven new locations where users can snag their own static IP address. These are:

• United States: Denver, New York, Las Vegas
• Brazil: São Paulo
• Poland: Warsaw
• Singapore: Singapore
• Turkey: Istanbul

These join the existing lineup of 13 locations, which include major hubs like San Jose, Los Angeles, and Dallas in the US; Toronto in Canada; London in the UK; Amsterdam in the Netherlands; Frankfurt in Germany; Paris in France; Milan inmanager Italy; Tokyo in Japan; Hong Kong; Sydney in Australia; and Johannesburg in South Africa. That’s a pretty diverse spread, covering North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania.

According to Justas Pukys, Surfshark’s Senior Product Manager, this expansion is a direct response to growing demand. “Dedicated IP addresses is rapidly increasing, particularly in major cities worldwide,” Pukys said in the press release. “To meet this need, the company has added seven new locations to its network, bringing this feature closer to users in key regions around the world.” And Surfshark isn’t stopping here—more locations are already in the pipeline as the company looks to keep pace with user needs.

The Dedicated IP feature is available on Android, Windows, iOS, and macOS, and it supports all major VPN protocols, including the lightning-fast WireGuard. This means you’re not sacrificing speed for the stability and convenience of a fixed IP.

If you’re new to VPNs, you might be wondering why anyone would pay extra for a Dedicated IP when a standard VPN already masks your location. Here’s the deal: when you use a regular VPN, you’re typically assigned a random IP address from a pool shared by multiple users. This is great for anonymity—your traffic blends in with everyone else’s, making it harder to track. But shared IPs come with some downsides.

For one, websites often flag shared IPs as suspicious because they see multiple users logging in from the same address. That’s why you’re constantly asked to solve CAPTCHAs or, in some cases, get temporarily locked out of services like online banking or streaming platforms. Shared IPs can also be a headache for accessing remote servers or platforms that require consistent identification, like company intranets or gaming servers.

A Dedicated IP fixes these issues by giving you a unique, static address that’s exclusively yours. “Dedicated IP acts as a permanent, individual address on the internet,” Pukys explains. “That offers a more stable and reliable VPN (Virtual Private Network) experience.” Fewer CAPTCHAs, smoother access to sensitive platforms, and less risk of being flagged as a potential bot or hacker. It’s like having a VIP pass to the internet.

Now, you might be thinking: “If I’m using the same IP every time, doesn’t that make me easier to track?” It’s a valid concern. A static IP could, in theory, be linked to your identity, especially if it’s tied to your email address. But Surfshark has thought this through and introduced an anonymous mode to keep things private.

When Surfshark first launched its Dedicated IP feature in 2023, Pukys explained that this mode “allows users to unlink their Dedicated IP from their email address, ensuring that even Surfshark remains unaware of the identity of the IP owner.” In other words, your Dedicated IP operates independently of any personally identifiable information, giving you the best of both worlds: the stability of a fixed IP and the privacy you expect from a top-tier VPN.

This is a big deal in an era where online privacy is under constant threat. Surfshark already has a stellar reputation for its no-logs policy (independently audited by Deloitte in 2023) and its robust encryption standards. Adding anonymous mode to the Dedicated IP feature shows the company is serious about balancing usability with ironclad privacy.

Who needs a Dedicated IP?

So, who’s this feature for? Dedicated IPs aren’t for everyone, but they’re a godsend for certain types of users:

• Frequent travelers: If you’re constantly on the move and need to access your bank, work server, or other sensitive platforms, a Dedicated IP ensures you’re not locked out due to a constantly changing IP.
• Remote workers: Companies often restrict access to their networks to specific IP addresses for security reasons. A Dedicated IP lets you maintain consistent access without jumping through hoops.
• Gamers and streamers: Some gaming servers or streaming platforms block VPNs or shared IPs. A Dedicated IP can help you bypass these restrictions while keeping your connection secure.
• Privacy enthusiasts: If you want the benefits of a VPN but need a stable connection for specific tasks, the anonymous mode ensures you’re not compromising on privacy.

At $3.75 a month, the Dedicated IP add-on is reasonably priced, especially when paired with Surfshark’s already competitive subscription plans. For context, Surfshark’s standard VPN service starts at around $1.99 a month for a two-year plan, making it one of the more affordable options among premium VPNs.

Surfshark’s expansion of its Dedicated IP feature comes at a time when the VPN industry is more competitive than ever. With players like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN vying for the top spot, Surfshark has carved out a niche by offering a blend of affordability, advanced features, and user-friendly design. Its unlimited simultaneous connections policy (a rarity in the VPN world) and features like MultiHop (double VPN) and CleanWeb (ad and tracker blocker) have earned it high praise from tech outlets.

The Dedicated IP expansion is a strategic move to cater to power users and businesses, who often need more than just basic IP spoofing. NordVPN, one of Surfshark’s closest rivals, also offers Dedicated IPs, but its pricing is slightly higher (around $4.09 a month). By undercutting the competition and rapidly expanding its location offerings, Surfshark is positioning itself as the go-to choice for users who want premium features without breaking the bank.

Surfshark’s Dedicated IP expansion is more than just a tech upgrade; it’s a response to the real-world needs of VPN users. Whether you’re dodging CAPTCHAs, securing remote access, or just looking for a smoother online experience, those seven new locations (and the 13 existing ones) give you plenty of options to tailor your VPN to your lifestyle. Throw in the anonymous mode and Surfshark’s track record for privacy, and you’ve got a feature that’s as secure as it is convenient.

If you’re already a Surfshark user, it’s worth checking out the Dedicated IP add-on, especially if you’ve run into issues with shared IPs. And if you’re shopping for a VPN, Surfshark’s latest move is yet another reason to put it on your shortlist. With 20 locations and counting, your perfect IP address might just be a click away.