Quick answer
ipapi.is - ipapi.is wins for most builders because its free tier is usable for testing and small projects, with the same data quality as paid plans and a much higher request ceiling, while IP-API.com is mainly attractive if you only need non-commercial use and can stay under its tight rate limit.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve the same basic problem, but they are aimed at different stages of use. IP-API.com is the simpler no-signup option: no API key, no registration, and no credit card required, but it is restricted to non-commercial use and capped at 45 requests per minute per IP. That makes it fine for lightweight scripts, demos, or hobby tools, but not for a product you plan to ship. ipapi.is is more builder-friendly because the free tier allows 1,000 requests per day, keeps the same data quality as paid plans, and also does not require a credit card. The tradeoff is that once you outgrow it, pricing is straightforward and scales by flat tiers, while IP-API.com moves to a commercial Pro subscription with no public monthly price listed here.
IP-API.com vs ipapi.is free tier, side by side
| IP-API.comFTV 49 | ipapi.isFTV 50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free request limitIP-API.com limits by minute and IP; ipapi.is limits by day. | 45 requests per minute per IP | 1,000 requests per day |
| API key / registrationBoth free tiers start without account friction. | Not required | Not required |
| Credit card requiredIP-API.com says no API key or registration, but the input does not state card policy; ipapi.is explicitly says no credit card required. | Yes, unknown | No |
| Commercial useIP-API.com free access is non-commercial only. | Not allowed on the free tier | Allowed to test the API; paid plans cover commercial use |
| Data quality parity on free tierOnly ipapi.is explicitly states parity. | Partial, based on the limited free endpoint | Same API data quality as paid plans |
After you outgrow the free tier
IP-API.com moves from free non-commercial access to a Pro subscription, but the input does not give a public monthly price, so the cost after free is effectively contact-sales or varies by arrangement. ipapi.is uses flat monthly tiers, starting at $20/month for 20,000 requests/day and scaling up to $200/month for 2,000,000 requests/day. That makes ipapi.is easier to budget for as usage grows. For small teams, ipapi.is is the clearer paid path; for IP-API.com, the paid cost cannot be compared numerically from the provided data.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | IP-API.com | ipapi.is |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 requests/dayipapi.is free tier covers this exactly; IP-API.com is also free if use is non-commercial and under the rate limit. | Free (within limit) | Free (within tier) |
| 20,000 requests/dayipapi.is Basic includes 20,000 requests/day. | Not available on free tier; pricing not provided | $20/mo |
| 100,000 requests/dayipapi.is Medium includes 100,000 requests/day. | Not available on free tier; pricing not provided | $50/mo |
| 500,000 requests/dayipapi.is Large includes 500,000 requests/day. | Not available on free tier; pricing not provided | $100/mo |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick IP-API.com when…
- You are building a non-commercial internal tool, prototype, or personal script and want the easiest possible start without registration.
- You only need a small number of lookups and can stay under 45 requests per minute per IP.
- You prefer a free endpoint with no API key and are okay with the non-commercial restriction.
- You care more about quick one-off access than about a clear upgrade path or commercial use rights.
Pick ipapi.is when…
- You are testing a real product and want a free tier that can be used as part of a commercial workflow later.
- You need more breathing room than 45 requests per minute and want a daily quota instead.
- You want the same data quality on free and paid plans so your test environment mirrors production better.
- You expect to upgrade to a simple flat monthly plan once you exceed free limits.
- You may want bulk lookups or database products alongside the hosted API.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, ipapi.is is the better pick because it gives you a genuinely usable free tier, no credit card requirement, and a clean upgrade path with flat monthly pricing. IP-API.com is only the better choice if your use is non-commercial and very light, or if you specifically want a no-key endpoint for a small script. If you expect to ship, test at scale, or compare production behavior to your free environment, ipapi.is is the safer default.
Read the full listings: IP-API.com 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.