A static IP address is a unique number assigned to a computer on a network that stays the same over time. In contrast, a dynamic IP address is assigned by the network when a device connects and can change over time. Static IP addresses are typically used by businesses that host their own websites and internet services, as well as for remote access solutions like VPNs. They can also be useful for employees and customers that need to connect to an organizations servers. On the other hand, dynamic IP addresses are usually fine for most consumers and are cheaper than static IP addresses. Most users do not need static IP addresses, and the vast majority of internet features work without them, including web browsing, email sending and receiving, video streaming, and voice over IP (VoIP) .