If you've ever had to provision a /24 under a deadline, you know the drill. You need clean space, valid ROA, LOA in hand, and geolocation updated before your upstream starts routing. The platform you use to get there matters more than most people admit until something goes wrong.
IPXO is where a lot of teams start. It's automated, it's documented, and it handles the RPKI layer without you having to babysit it. But it's not the only option in 2026 - and depending on your stack and your operational model, it might not be the right one.
This is a practical breakdown of five IPv4 platforms: what they actually do, how their models differ, and when each one makes sense from an infrastructure perspective.
The technical split that matters most
Before comparing platforms, it's worth understanding the structural difference that separates them.
Managed pool model - the platform aggregates IP inventory from multiple owners into a centralized pool. You lease from the pool; the platform handles RPKI, abuse, and documentation. You don't know whose space you're using, and the owner doesn't know who's using their space. IPXO operates this way.
Direct marketplace model - IP owners list their own subnets with defined terms. You see what you're leasing, from whom, under what conditions. RPKI and ROA are still handled, but the relationship is direct. IPbnb operates this way.
The practical difference: in a managed pool, subnet history and ownership chain are opaque. In a direct marketplace, you can verify the listing, the owner's LIR status, and the subnet's reputation before committing. For environments where IP provenance matters - abuse-sensitive workloads, compliance-heavy infrastructure, or anything that's been burned by dirty space before - that transparency has real operational value.
Platform breakdown
IPXO
The established option. Large inventory, multi-RIR coverage (RIPE, ARIN, APNIC), automated RPKI/ROA setup, and abuse handling baked into the platform. The self-service dashboard is functional and the delivery pipeline is reliable.
Technical notes:
- ROA creation is automated on delivery
- LOA issued within the platform
- Abuse complaints routed through IPXO's own abuse desk
- 5% platform fee on transactions
- No buy/sell capability - leasing only
Where it shows its limits: if you're working exclusively in the RIPE NCC space and need subnet-level provenance, the managed pool model gives you less visibility than a direct marketplace. And if you need to monetize your own address space rather than just access inventory, IPXO isn't the right fit.
IPbnb
A direct marketplace built specifically for the RIPE region, covering leasing, buying, selling, and transfers. IP owners list their own subnets; you transact directly with them. The full compliance layer - RPKI/ROA, LOA, ASN registration, IP reputation checks - is handled within the platform.
Technical notes:
- ROA and RPKI configuration included on onboarding
- Subnet reputation check before listing approval
- LOA documentation provided per transaction
- Subnets from /24 upward
- Onboarding typically within 24 hours of verification
- Transparent, listed fee structure
The direct marketplace model means you can verify subnet history before committing. For teams that have dealt with the fallout of leasing space with a bad reputation history, that pre-transaction visibility is worth something concrete.
InterLIR
RIPE NCC-registered marketplace and broker, with ARIN, LACNIC, and APNIC coverage as well. Supports leasing, buying, and selling, with blocks from /24 to /16.
Technical notes:
- Incoming blocks scanned against 24+ blacklists at onboarding
- Ongoing abuse monitoring post-delivery
- ASN registration and sponsoring ORG services available
- Useful for operators without their own LIR membership
- Delivery typically within 24 hours
- Fee structure not publicly listed - requires direct inquiry
The blacklist scanning at onboarding is genuinely useful for teams where IP reputation is a hard requirement. The sponsoring ORG service is a practical option if you're operating without full LIR membership and need someone to handle the RIPE NCC relationship.
IPv4.Global
The original secondary market platform, operated by Hilco Streambank. Covers ARIN and RIPE primarily. Three transaction modes: online auction marketplace, privately negotiated brokered sales, and a leasing hub.
Technical notes:
- Auction-based pricing - final cost not known upfront
- Private brokered sales available for large blocks (/20 and above)
- Leasing hub operates alongside the buy/sell marketplace
- Handles transfer paperwork across ARIN and RIPE
- Longest track record in the market for completed transfers
The auction mechanism introduces pricing uncertainty that complicates procurement planning - not ideal if you're working against a fixed infrastructure budget. Where it shines is large-block transactions where competitive bidding can recover significantly more value than a fixed listing price.
Prefixx
Boutique broker operating since 2018, covering RIPE, ARIN, APNIC, and LACNIC. No-win-no-fee model, with escrow on all transactions.
Technical notes:
- White-Glove service includes geolocation updates, rDNS management, abuse complaint handling
- Long-term lease arrangements supported
- Not a self-service platform - broker-managed process
- Useful for complex transactions or operators without internal NOC capacity to handle the compliance layer
If your team doesn't have the bandwidth to manage geolocation updates, rDNS setup, and abuse handling in-house, having those included as standard in the lease package removes a real operational burden. The trade-off is that you're working through a broker rather than transacting directly.
LogicWeb
Direct IP leasing provider since 2004. Owns and manages its own inventory - over 500,000 addresses. Month-to-month, no contracts, no setup fees.
Technical notes:
- Same-day LOA delivery
- WHOIS and geolocation updates included
- RPKI/ROA setup on non-legacy subnets
- No marketplace - inventory is proprietary
- No buying or selling capability
- Client base includes major VPN providers
The no-contract monthly model is genuinely flexible for short-term provisioning needs or when you're not sure how long you'll need the space. The constraint is inventory ceiling - you're limited to what LogicWeb owns, and there's no path to acquisition if you need to permanently add to your address space.
Quick comparison
| Platform | Model | RIPE focus | Buy / Sell | ROA/RPKI | Fee model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPXO | Managed pool | Multi-RIR | No | Automated | 5% platform fee |
| IPbnb | Direct marketplace | Primary | Yes | Included | Transparent, listed |
| InterLIR | Marketplace + broker | Yes | Yes | Yes | Not public |
| IPv4.Global | Auction + broker + leasing | Yes | Yes | Yes | No hidden fees |
| Prefixx | Broker | Yes | Yes | Via White-Glove | No-win-no-fee |
| LogicWeb | Direct provider | No | No | On non-legacy | No setup fee |
Choosing based on your operational profile
You need clean space fast with a known reputation history - IPbnb or InterLIR. Both run reputation checks before subnets are listed or approved. Direct marketplace visibility lets you verify before committing.
You're provisioning month-to-month with no long-term plan - LogicWeb. No contracts, same-day LOA, flexible exit. Straightforward.
You have a large block to sell and want market pricing - IPv4.Global. The auction mechanism is the most efficient way to find market rate on a /16 or larger.
You need address space but don't have LIR membership - InterLIR. The sponsoring ORG service covers that gap without requiring you to set up your own LIR.
You want to offload compliance overhead entirely - Prefixx. rDNS, geolocation, abuse handling - all managed for you as part of the lease.
You're building on RIPE infrastructure and want full transaction capability - IPbnb. Leasing, buying, selling, and transfers on one platform, with the RPKI and ROA layer handled.
The IPv4 leasing market has matured considerably. The right platform depends less on brand recognition and more on which operational model fits how your infrastructure team actually works.
For a full breakdown including platform-by-platform analysis, pricing model comparison, and a detailed FAQ, read the original article on the IPbnb blog: https://ipbnb.com/blog/top-5-ipxo-alternatives
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