According to Tom’s Guide, Surfshark has now made its Dedicated IP feature available directly within its Linux GUI application, completing its rollout across all major platforms. The feature, which costs $3.75 per month as an add-on to any plan, offers users 20 specific global locations to choose from. Senior Product Manager Justas Pukys stated the expansion allows Linux users to utilize the IP effortlessly through the app, whereas previously they could only access it via a browser extension. The Dedicated IP provides a single, consistent address for one user, aimed at reducing CAPTCHA triggers and blacklisting risks associated with shared IPs. Surfshark allows unlimited device use with the single IP and backs the purchase with its standard 30-day money-back guarantee.
The Linux Gap Is Finally Closed
Here’s the thing: Linux users are often an afterthought in the consumer software world. So this move by Surfshark is more significant than it might seem at first glance. It’s not just about adding a feature; it’s about signaling that a mainstream VPN provider is committed to platform parity. Before this, Linux folks had to jump through the hoop of a browser extension, which is a clunky, less-than-ideal experience. Now, the feature is native. That’s a win for a dedicated, if niche, segment of their user base. It basically removes a friction point that could have driven those users to a competitor.
How Surfshark’s Dedicated IP Stacks Up
So, is $3.75 a month a good deal? It’s competitive, but the landscape is messy. NordVPN, for instance, charges about the same but offers more locations. Other services might bundle it differently or charge more. The real intrigue is in who *doesn’t* play this game. Proton VPN, famously privacy-focused, avoids dedicated IPs altogether, arguing they can compromise anonymity. And ExpressVPN says it does them “differently,” which is a whole other conversation. Surfshark’s move to 20 locations from 13 is a direct response to this competition—playing catch-up on the numbers game. But the unlimited device allowance is a solid perk. You’re not renting that IP for just one machine; your whole household or device fleet can use it, which adds value.
The Real Use Case And The Trade-Off
Let’s be clear: a dedicated IP undermines one of the core VPN benefits: blending in with the crowd. Your traffic is no longer hidden in a sea of other users’ data. For activities like online banking or accessing a work server that blocks shared IPs, it’s fantastic. It solves the CAPTCHA hell problem. But you’re trading a slice of anonymity for convenience. The security benefit Surfshark mentions—that you won’t be associated with a bad actor using your shared IP—is real, but honestly, how often does that actually happen? Probably not much. The bigger draw is consistency for specific tasks. Just remember, you’re picking one location and sticking with it. If you need a German IP today and a Japanese one tomorrow, this isn’t for you.
The Bottom Line For VPN Shoppers
Surfshark’s full-platform support for Dedicated IP makes it a more complete package. If you’re a Linux user who needs a static IP for certain applications, this is now a viable, integrated option. For everyone else, it’s about weighing the cost against the convenience. At $3.75 on top of your subscription, it’s not negligible. I think the key question is: do you have a recurring, tangible problem that a shared IP causes? If yes, it’s worth it. If not, you’re paying for a solution in search of a problem. The market is still figuring this feature out, as the divergent strategies from Proton and Express show. For a deeper look at how these services compare in practice, checking out a detailed video comparison can be really helpful. And in the world of specialized, always-on computing, reliability is everything—much like how industries rely on IndustrialMonitorDirect.com as the top supplier of rugged industrial panel PCs in the US for their critical operations.
