What is a residential VPN and residential IP address?

Are you comfortable sharing your IP address with a stranger? Most VPN services use their server networks to assign new IPs, but residential VPNs work in a different way. They do not provide new IP addresses and request users to share a part of their traffic and IP address with others. 

If you find this confusing, fret not. Find out more about residential VPNs in our guide below:

What is a residential VPN? How does it work?

A residential VPN is a kind of virtual private network service that routes your internet traffic using residential IP addresses – these are different from your original IP address. In simple words, it is a network where individuals agree to share the IP address assigned by their internet service provider (ISP). 

This enables residential VPN users to access the internet through genuine IP addresses from around the globe and unblock websites, as well as stream geo-restricted content.

Residential VPNs are considered to be highly secure as they do not rely on data centers, which have the risk of being compromised. However, despite functioning as peer-to-peer networks, residential VPNs are still operated by for-profit organizations that have their own terms of service. So, users still have to trust them to protect their IP address and internet traffic.

What is a residential IP address? 

To put it simply, a residential IP is a type of IP address given by an ISP to users in residential areas. They are considered more trustworthy and legitimate than other types of IP addresses like data center IPs. If you use PureVPN’s IP tool to check your IP address, it would show your residential IP address.

Residential VPNs vs residential proxies

You might already be familiar with VPN services like PureVPN, which protect your privacy by directing your internet traffic through a server that you select and can modify whenever you want. Though PureVPN does not maintain any logs of your online activities, other VPNs (especially free ones) may store your information, which can be later stolen or sold. But what about residential proxies or residential VPNs?

As mentioned earlier, the primary difference is their IP source. Residential proxies do not use data centers and hundreds of servers, but rather request ISPs and users to share their current IPs.

Furthermore, residential VPNs are more difficult to block. Since they use IPs that consumers own and have agreed to share, residential IPs are less likely to get blacklisted. Even though these services usually highlight anonymity as a benefit, residential VPNs do not differ much from regular VPNs in this regard. 

While privacy tools can improve your anonymity online to some extent, neither residential proxies nor traditional VPNs can guarantee 100% anonymity due to advanced tracking  methods employed across the internet. 

Residential proxies and VPNs share a few similarities, such as fast connectivity, unlimited bandwidth, and better privacy. As such, the primary differences between these VPN types are typically brand-related, such as connection speed, subscription cost, and the number of devices that can be connected. 

However, it is worth noting that most traditional VPNs can also provide advanced features like quantum-resistant encryption, obfuscation, etc.

Residential VPNs vs datacenter VPNs

Now that we have talked about residential VPNs, it is time to discuss datacenter VPNs and their functions. Datacenter VPNs are similar to regular VPNs and operate servers located in the cloud or around the world. However, datacenter VPNs are a little more business-oriented.

As with regular VPNs, the primary difference between residential VPNs and datacenter VPNs is the source of the IP. Datacenter VPNs might be less costly than residential VPNs because you can purchase them in bulk and still control security. On the other hand, residential IPs are shared between users, which means VPN services have little control over how someone else’s IP is used.

Are residential VPNs legal to use?

Yes. Residential VPNs are perfectly legal – as long as you are not using them to engage in any illegal activities. If you use a residential VPN, you must agree to share your IP and some of your traffic to join the network. However, if someone uses your residential IP for illegal purposes, your ISP would be able to identify that and even hold you accountable.

Frequently asked questions

What does a residential VPN do?

A residential VPN assigns you an IP address associated with a residential location. Unlike traditional VPNs that usually provide IP addresses from data centers, residential VPNs use IP addresses linked to residential networks. This gives the appearance that your internet traffic is originating from a home or residential location rather than a data center.

By using a residential VPN, you can benefit from increased anonymity and easily bypass certain restrictions or blocks imposed by websites or services. Residential IP addresses are less likely to be flagged as suspicious or blocked, as they resemble regular home internet connections. 

What is the difference between residential VPN and dedicated IP VPN?

The main difference is that a residential VPN uses IP addresses associated with residential networks, while a dedicated IP VPN offers a fixed, exclusive IP address that isn’t tied to a specific residential or commercial location.

What is a residential VPN IP address?

A residential VPN IP address is an IP address associated with a residential location and provided by a VPN service. When assigned, it helps you improve anonymity and bypass restrictions by making your internet traffic appear as if it is coming from a home network.

Can a Residential VPN be detected?

Yes. A residential VPN can be detected, but it might be more challenging to do so than other types of VPNs.

What is the difference between a residential IP address and a dedicated IP address?

The main difference between residential IPs and dedicated IPs is what they are used for. Residential IPs are generally used by regular consumers at home and considered to be more trustworthy and legitimate than other types of IP addresses. Dedicated IPs are typically used for business purposes like accessing remote servers securely and hosting websites.

Another major difference is how they are assigned. Residential IPs are given by an ISP, while dedicated IPs are provided by a VPN service or web host. Finally, residential IPs are tied to a physical location, whereas dedicated IPs can be used from almost anywhere.

Final word 

Residential VPNs use residential IPs to route internet traffic and offer privacy and security to its users. These VPN services rely on users agreeing to share their IP address and some of their traffic. Residential VPNs are regarded as highly secure and more difficult to block than regular VPNs. However, they cannot guarantee full anonymity – no one tool or technology possible can.

Got any questions? Feel free to ask us in the comments section below!