Quick answer
Free IP API - Free IP API wins for most builders because it allows commercial use, includes API keys and bulk lookups, and gives you a much more usable path from free to paid without changing how you integrate.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve similar technical problems, but they are aimed at very different users. Free IP API is the more builder-friendly option if you want to ship something commercially, since the free tier already permits commercial use, includes API keys, supports bulk lookups up to 50 IPs per request, and keeps the same basic integration shape when you upgrade. Its main constraint is throughput: 60 requests per minute and Europe-only servers on free. IP-API.com is simpler to start with because it needs no API key or registration, but the free tier is for non-commercial use only and is capped at 45 requests per minute per IP. That makes it better for hobby use, testing, or internal tooling, and much weaker for a public product. Once you outgrow free, Free IP API has a transparent low-cost flat plan; IP-API.com’s paid path is less explicit here.
Free IP API vs IP-API.com free tier, side by side
| Free IP APIFTV 54 | IP-API.comFTV 49 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free request rateA is faster on the free tier and less tied to a single source IP. | 60 requests per minute | 45 requests per minute per IP |
| Commercial use on free tierThis is the biggest practical divide for builders. | Allowed | Not allowed |
| API key / registrationB is easier to try immediately; A is easier to operate as a managed integration. | API keys included | No API key or registration required |
| Bulk lookupsA supports batch use cases on free; B’s provided free tier data does not mention it. | Included, up to 50 IPs per request | Not specified |
| Free tier infrastructureA’s free infrastructure is geographically limited. | Servers in Europe only | Not specified |
| Format supportB exposes more response formats. | JSON and XML endpoints | JSON, XML, CSV, newline-separated, and PHP |
| Abuse handlingB’s free tier is stricter about rate-limit violations. | Not specified | Temporary blocking and possible 1 hour ban after repeated violations |
After you outgrow the free tier
Free IP API has a straightforward flat paid ladder: €9.90/month for Unlimited, or €99/year on the yearly plan, with Enterprise as contact sales. That makes costs easy to forecast once you outgrow 60 requests per minute. IP-API.com’s paid path is less clear in the supplied data: the Pro subscription exists, but no monthly price is provided, so it should be treated as contact sales or varies by usage. For most small teams, Free IP API is the clearer and cheaper upgrade path because the price is explicit.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Free IP API | IP-API.com |
|---|---|---|
| Small commercial app, under free rate limitsB’s free tier is non-commercial only. | Free | Not allowed on free tier |
| ~60 requests per minute sustainedA has the higher free ceiling. | Free (within tier) | Free (within tier) if non-commercial, but capped at 45 rpm per IP |
| Need unlimited requests per minuteA’s Unlimited plan price is explicit; B’s paid price is not provided. | €9.90/mo | Contact sales / varies by usage |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick Free IP API when…
- You are shipping a commercial app and need a free tier you can legally keep using while you build.
- You want API keys, whitelisting, and bulk IP lookup support from day one.
- You expect to upgrade to a simple flat monthly plan rather than negotiate access.
- You need IPv4 and IPv6 support plus extra geolocation-related fields in the free offering.
- Your usage is modest but steady and 60 requests per minute is enough.
Pick IP-API.com when…
- You are just testing an IP geolocation lookup in a personal project or internal script.
- You want to avoid registration and start calling the API immediately.
- You only need non-commercial access and can live with 45 requests per minute per IP.
- You prefer a very minimal free endpoint and do not need bulk lookup or API keys.
- You are okay with a free tier that can be temporarily blocked if you repeatedly exceed limits.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, Free IP API is the better pick because it lets you build something commercial on the free tier and then upgrade to a cheap, predictable flat plan. IP-API.com is fine for non-commercial experiments and quick tests, especially if you want no registration, but its free tier is too constrained for most real products. If you are choosing a free IP geolocation API for something you may ship, Free IP API is the safer starting point.
Read the full listings: Free IP API and IP-API.com. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.