Quick answer
ipbase.com - ipbase.com wins for most builders because its free tier has a clearer upgrade path into low-cost commercial use, while IP-API.com is only free for non-commercial use and is better as a stopgap or internal tool.
How the free tiers compare
These two APIs look similar on the surface because both do IP geolocation and both have a free tier with no card required, but the practical difference is how soon you hit a wall. IP-API.com gives you a very usable zero-key endpoint with a generous per-minute ceiling, but the free tier is explicitly non-commercial and can be blocked if you push it. That makes it useful for prototypes, personal projects, and internal scripts, but not for most production apps with business intent. ipbase.com is much smaller on the free tier in raw request count, but it is positioned as a starter plan that can move into predictable paid usage. For builders, that commercial path matters more than the raw free quota, so ipbase.com is the safer default if you expect to ship.
IP-API.com vs ipbase.com free tier, side by side
| IP-API.comFTV 49 | ipbase.comFTV 47 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requestsA is a rate cap, B is a monthly request cap. | 45 requests per minute per IP address | 150 requests |
| API keyA free endpoint works without registration; B free tier includes one key. | No API key | 1 API key |
| Commercial useA free tier is explicitly non-commercial only. | Not allowed | Not stated in provided free-tier data |
| HTTPSB lists HTTPS encryption on the free plan. | Not stated in provided free-tier data | Included |
| Rate limitingB states a separate per-minute limit in addition to 150 total requests. | 45 requests per minute per IP address | 10 requests per minute |
After you outgrow the free tier
IP-API.com’s paid side is opaque in the provided data: the Pro plan is a contact-sales subscription with unlimited queries, commercial use, SSL access, usage statistics, and support. ipbase.com uses flat monthly tiers with fixed request bundles, so its cost is easy to predict: $9.99 for Small, $39.99 for Medium, $89.99 for Large, then custom pricing. For most small teams, ipbase.com is the cheaper and clearer commercial option. I cannot give usage-based cost scenarios for IP-API.com because no rates were provided.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | IP-API.com | ipbase.com |
|---|---|---|
| ~10,000 requests/moB’s Small plan covers 65,000 requests. | contact sales / varies by usage | $9.99/mo |
| ~100,000 requests/moB’s Small plan is too small; Medium covers 650,000 requests. | contact sales / varies by usage | $39.99/mo |
| ~1,000,000 requests/moB’s Large plan covers up to 2,500,000 requests. | contact sales / varies by usage | $89.99/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 need IP geolocation for a personal project or non-commercial internal tool.
- You want to test an integration quickly with no API key or registration.
- You only need a bursty, low-volume endpoint and can stay under 45 requests per minute.
- You prefer a free service that discards request data after each response.
Pick ipbase.com when…
- You are building something that may become commercial later and want a cleaner upgrade path.
- You need a low-cost paid plan with fixed monthly pricing once you outgrow free.
- You want multiple paid tiers as usage grows, from Small to Medium to Large.
- You need extras on paid plans like currency data, timezone data, or sandbox API keys.
- You want HTTPS included on the free plan with a documented monthly request cap.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, ipbase.com is the better choice because it gives you a straightforward path from free testing to paid commercial use at a known monthly price. IP-API.com is attractive if you only need a free, no-key endpoint for non-commercial work, but its free tier is not a real launch pad for a business app. If you expect to ship, charge users, or grow usage, ipbase.com is the safer default.
Read the full listings: IP-API.com and ipbase.com. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.