Quick answer
IPGeolocation.io - IPGeolocation.io wins for most builders who expect to grow, because its free plan is perpetual with a daily credit allowance and a clear upgrade ladder; Free IP API is better if you need simple high-frequency lookups with no card and a very generous per-minute cap.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve the same core problem, but they shape usage differently. Free IP API is built around request rate: 60 requests per minute, with bulk lookup support and commercial use allowed on the free tier. That makes it attractive for apps that want steady lookup traffic and need the basics without a card. IPGeolocation.io is built around credits: 1,000 API credits per day for life, no overages on Free, and a broader paid ladder that adds more data fields and higher-volume plans. It also includes downloadable databases in the product scope, which Free IP API does not emphasize here. The practical difference is growth path. Free IP API is simpler and cheaper to jump to a flat unlimited plan. IPGeolocation.io is better documented for scaling and cost control once you move beyond a small project.
Free IP API vs IPGeolocation.io free tier, side by side
| Free IP APIFTV 54 | IPGeolocation.ioFTV 51 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free usage limitDifferent quota systems, so they are not directly interchangeable. | 60 requests per minute | 1,000 API credits per day |
| Credit card required on free tierBased on the provided ftv_no_cc_required field. | No | No |
| Bulk lookup on free tierOnly A explicitly states bulk lookups in the free tier items. | Included, up to 50 IPs per request | Not stated |
| Free tier geographyA’s free tier is geographically constrained; B’s free tier geography is not provided. | Servers in Europe only | Not stated |
| Paid top-end capacityA’s Enterprise pricing is custom; B’s Enterprise is contact sales. | Unlimited requests per minute on Unlimited | Unlimited API credits per month on Enterprise |
After you outgrow the free tier
Free IP API has a simple flat-price ladder after free: Unlimited at €9.90/month, or €99/year billed yearly at a lower effective monthly rate, with Enterprise priced by custom sales. IPGeolocation.io starts at $19/month for 150,000 credits and then steps through flat tiers with included monthly credits and overage pricing, so costs rise with usage and feature needs. For small teams, Free IP API is cheaper to unlock unlimited request rate. For teams that need more credits, richer data fields, and a clearer scale-up path, IPGeolocation.io offers more granular paid options, but you will hit a higher monthly bill sooner.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | Free IP API | IPGeolocation.io |
|---|---|---|
| Around 60 requests/min sustainedB does not price by request rate in the provided data, so this compares the first paid tier only. | €9.90/mo | $19/mo |
| 150,000 API credits/moB’s Starter includes 150,000 credits/month. A’s unlimited tier has no credit quota in the provided data. | €9.90/mo | $19/mo |
| 500,000 API credits/moB’s Plus tier includes 500,000 credits/month. | €9.90/mo | $49/mo |
| 1,000,000 API credits/moB’s Pro tier includes 1,000,000 credits/month. | €9.90/mo | $79/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 want a no-card free tier with commercial use and a steady 60 requests per minute limit.
- You need bulk IP lookup support on the free plan, up to 50 IPs per request.
- You prefer a flat-price unlimited upgrade instead of credit-based billing.
- Your app mostly needs geolocation, country data, timezone, proxy detection, and language data from a lightweight API.
- You are okay with servers being in Europe only on the free tier.
Pick IPGeolocation.io when…
- You want a perpetual free plan with 1,000 API credits per day instead of a rate limit.
- You expect to grow into paid plans with clear credit buckets and overage pricing.
- You want access to richer IP intelligence fields on paid tiers, such as hostname, network, company, abuse contact, security, and user-agent data.
- You are evaluating a product that also offers downloadable IP intelligence databases.
- You want a documented path from small project to higher-volume use, including an Enterprise option with unlimited credits.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, IPGeolocation.io is the safer long-term pick because its free plan is perpetual, card-free, and has a clearer path into higher-volume paid usage. Free IP API is the better bargain if you mainly need fast, simple lookups and want an inexpensive flat upgrade to unlimited requests per minute. If you are deciding purely on the free tier, Free IP API feels more generous on rate. If you are deciding on the whole lifecycle, IPGeolocation.io is easier to grow with.
Read the full listings: Free IP API and IPGeolocation.io. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.