Quick answer
IP Geolocation API - IP Geolocation API wins for most builders because its free tier is more generous on monthly volume and includes a broader set of enrichment fields, while Free IP API only pulls ahead if you need a simple unlimited-per-minute ceiling.
How the free tiers compare
These are both IP lookup APIs, but they are optimized for different limits. Free IP API gives you a very usable free tier with 60 requests per minute, commercial use, bulk lookups up to 50 IPs per request, and no credit card. Its main appeal is simplicity and a clear path to unlimited throughput at a low flat price. IP Geolocation API from Abstract API is more feature-dense on the free tier, with 1,000 requests per month and fields like ASN, currency, company, security, and domain data. Its paid plans are more structured and much pricier, but the free tier already includes a lot of enrichment detail. If you need bursty traffic and bulk lookups, Free IP API is easier to live with. If you need richer lookup payloads and can stay under 1,000 monthly requests, Abstract is the better free starting point.
Free IP API vs IP Geolocation API free tier, side by side
| Free IP API FTV 54 | IP Geolocation API FTV 61 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free request cap A is rate-based, B is monthly-volume-based. | 60 requests per minute | 1,000 requests per month |
| IPv4 and IPv6 support | Yes | Not explicitly stated in the free-tier items provided |
| Bulk lookup A is better for batched lookups. | Up to 50 IPs per request | Not listed |
| Free-tier data fields B exposes a broader enrichment set. | IP geolocation, country, phone codes, timezone, distance, proxy detection, bulk lookup, language data | ASN, location, timezone, country flag, currency, company information, security data, domain data |
| Commercial use | Allowed | Not explicitly stated in the provided free-tier items |
| Server location A’s free tier is geographically limited. | Europe only | Not specified |
After you outgrow the free tier
Free IP API uses flat pricing after free: Unlimited is €9.90/month, with a cheaper yearly option at €99/year, and Enterprise is custom. That makes the jump from free to paid straightforward and relatively cheap if you need higher throughput. IP Geolocation API uses tiered pricing: Starter is $17/month, then Standard is $37/month, Professional is $39/month, and Enterprise is custom. The main cost divergence is that A is a low flat upgrade for unlimited requests per minute, while B asks for a much higher monthly commitment even though the core quota stays around 60,000 requests/year across paid tiers.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Free IP API | IP Geolocation API |
|---|---|---|
| 800 requests/month | Free (within tier) | Free (within tier) |
| 5,000 requests/month B’s free tier is capped at 1,000 requests/month. | Free if you stay under 60 requests/minute; otherwise Unlimited at €9.90/mo | Over free tier; Starter at $17/mo |
| 100 requests/minute sustained B’s tiered quotas make it less useful for sustained high-rate traffic. | €9.90/mo | Starter at $17/mo does not remove the 1 request/second limit shown on the paid tier, so it may still not fit sustained 100 rpm 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 need more than 1,000 lookups in a month and want to stay on free longer.
- You want bulk IP lookup support, including up to 50 IPs per request.
- You need a simple per-minute cap instead of a monthly request cap.
- You are okay with servers in Europe only on the free tier.
- You want a low-cost flat upgrade path to unlimited requests per minute.
Pick IP Geolocation API when…
- You need ASN, timezone, currency, company, security, or domain data in the free tier.
- Your app does low-volume geolocation lookups, under 1,000 requests per month.
- You want a free tier with more fields rather than bulk lookup features.
- You are building fraud, compliance, or personalization workflows that benefit from richer enrichment data.
- You want no-credit-card access with a broader data payload before paying.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, IP Geolocation API is the better free-tier pick if you want richer lookup data and only need light monthly usage. Free IP API is the better choice when your main concern is request rate, batching, or a cheap path to unlimited throughput. In other words, B wins for data depth, A wins for operational headroom. If you expect to outgrow the free tier quickly, A’s paid jump is easier to swallow.
Read the full listings: Free IP API and IP Geolocation API. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.