Quick answer
ipapi.is - ipapi.is wins for most builders who need a straightforward free API to test and grow, while Free IP API is better if you want higher per-minute burst capacity and a free tier that already includes commercial use and bulk lookups.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers are aimed at different usage patterns. Free IP API gives you a smaller but more permissive-feeling starter plan: 60 requests per minute, commercial use allowed, bulk lookups up to 50 IPs per request, API keys, and email support, with the main tradeoff being Europe-only servers and a hard per-minute cap. ipapi.is is more generous on raw free volume for low-speed usage, with 1,000 requests per day and the same data quality as paid plans, plus no credit card required. The bigger practical difference is growth path. Free IP API jumps to an inexpensive unlimited flat plan, so it suits apps that need steady request volume without thinking about daily quotas. ipapi.is starts at $20/month and scales through clearly separated flat tiers, making it better for teams that want a predictable upgrade ladder and richer data types or database products.
Free IP API vs ipapi.is free tier, side by side
| Free IP APIFTV 54 | ipapi.isFTV 50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requestsFree IP API is rate-based; ipapi.is is daily-volume based. | 60 requests per minute | 1,000 requests per day |
| Bulk lookupOnly Free IP API gives a clear free-tier bulk cap in the input. | Up to 50 IPs per request | Available, but no free-tier limit stated |
| Commercial use on free tierDo not assume it is allowed for ipapi.is from the provided data. | Allowed | Not stated |
| Servers / hostingFree IP API explicitly limits server region on free. | Europe only | Not stated on the free tier |
| Credit card required to startBoth inputs explicitly say no credit card required. | No | No |
After you outgrow the free tier
Free IP API is the cheaper step-up path if you just need more API calls, because its first paid tier is a flat unlimited plan at €9.90/month, or €99/year for a lower effective monthly rate. ipapi.is uses a clearer tiered ladder, starting at $20/month for 20,000 requests/day and moving to larger flat tiers at $50, $100, and $200/month. That makes ipapi.is easier to budget for teams, but it is materially more expensive than Free IP API for basic request-volume growth. If you need database products, ipapi.is also sells them separately at $59 and $89/month.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Free IP API | ipapi.is |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 requests/dayipapi.is free tier covers 1,000/day; Free IP API has a per-minute limit instead of a daily quota. | €9.90/mo | Free (within tier) |
| 20,000 requests/dayipapi.is Basic tier matches this volume; Free IP API paid plan is still just the unlimited flat tier. | €9.90/mo | $20/mo |
| 100,000 requests/dayipapi.is Medium tier is the first plan that covers 100,000/day. | €9.90/mo | $50/mo |
| 500,000 requests/dayipapi.is Large tier covers this volume; Free IP API remains on unlimited flat pricing. | €9.90/mo | $100/mo |
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 a free IP API for a tool that makes bursts of requests in short windows, up to 60 per minute.
- You want commercial use on the free tier without moving up immediately.
- You need bulk lookups for a small workflow, up to 50 IPs per request.
- You prefer a very low-cost jump to unlimited request rate once the free tier is not enough.
Pick ipapi.is when…
- You are testing an integration and want 1,000 requests per day on the free tier.
- You want the same API data quality on free and paid access.
- You expect to grow into a simple flat paid ladder starting at $20/month.
- You may later want separate database products for geolocation or hosting data.
- You want a free API access path with no credit card required to start.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, ipapi.is is the safer free-tier choice if you are evaluating an API and want a simple daily quota plus a clear upgrade path. Free IP API is better when your usage comes in bursts, you care about bulk lookups on day one, or you want the cheapest move to unlimited request rate. If you expect to outgrow the free tier quickly on raw request volume, Free IP API is easier on the budget. If you want a more traditional tier ladder and broader data products, ipapi.is is the better fit.
Read the full listings: Free IP API and ipapi.is. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.