Quick answer
IPGeolocation.io - IPGeolocation.io wins for most builders because its free plan is perpetual, has no overages, and its paid ladder gives you clearer scaling from MVP to high traffic usage.
How the free tiers compare
These are close on the free tier: both give 1,000 daily calls or credits, both require no credit card, and both are aimed at testing and small projects. The difference shows up once you move past the free cap. ipapi.is is simpler and more request-shaped, with flat daily-request plans and a top self-host/business tier, plus separate database downloads if you want data files. IPGeolocation.io is more usage-oriented, with monthly credit bundles, explicit overage pricing, and a longer ladder that runs from $19 all the way to custom enterprise. That makes it easier to forecast growth if you expect bursts or want a path beyond a small API integration. ipapi.is is cleaner if you just want an IP API with straightforward daily limits and one of the lowest entry paid prices.
ipapi.is vs IPGeolocation.io free tier, side by side
| ipapi.isFTV 50 | IPGeolocation.ioFTV 51 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free tierBoth free plans require no credit card and are aimed at testing or small projects. | 1,000 API requests/day | 1,000 API credits/day |
| Cheapest paid tieripapi.is uses request/day limits; IPGeolocation.io uses monthly credits. | Basic - $20/month | Starter - $19/month billed monthly |
| Entry paid quotaThese quotas are not directly comparable across day vs month billing, but both are the first paid step. | 20,000 requests/day | 150,000 API credits/month |
| Highest listed self-serve tieripapi.is also lists separate database products; IPGeolocation.io includes an Enterprise contact-sales tier above Premium. | Business - $200/month | Premium - $249/month billed monthly |
| OveragesIPGeolocation.io explicitly publishes overage pricing on paid plans. | Not stated | $5 per 25K to 85K credits depending on plan |
After you outgrow the free tier
ipapi.is stays flat-priced across its API plans, with a simple ladder from $20/month to $200/month and separate database downloads priced independently. IPGeolocation.io is also mostly flat-priced on base plans, but it adds explicit overage billing on each paid tier and a contact-sales Enterprise option. For small teams, ipapi.is is a little cheaper at the bottom end, while IPGeolocation.io becomes easier to budget as usage grows because the monthly credit bundles and overage rates are spelled out.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | ipapi.is | IPGeolocation.io |
|---|---|---|
| Small project near free limitNo overages on IPGeolocation.io free plan. | Free (within 1,000 requests/day cap) | Free (within 1,000 credits/day cap) |
| Around 150k monthly API lookupsThe daily cap for ipapi.is may still be enough depending on traffic shape. | $20/mo if it fits within 20,000 requests/day | $19/mo Starter |
| Around 500k monthly API lookupsBoth vendors offer a mid-tier close in price. | $50/mo Medium if you need that capacity | $49/mo Plus |
| Around 1M monthly API lookupsIPGeolocation.io is cheaper at this tier based on listed prices. | $100/mo Large or higher depending on daily bursts | $79/mo Pro |
| Around 2M monthly API lookupsIPGeolocation.io remains cheaper on the listed self-serve tier. | $200/mo Business | $129/mo Business |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick ipapi.is when…
- You want a simple IP API with flat daily request caps instead of credits and overages.
- You expect modest volume and want the cheapest paid step at $20/month for 20,000 requests/day.
- You care about self-hosting access and bundled databases at the higher end of the vendor's lineup.
- You want separate downloadable geolocation or hosting databases rather than only API credits.
Pick IPGeolocation.io when…
- You want a free plan that is perpetual and explicitly has no overages.
- You need a clear paid path for a product that may grow from MVP to high traffic.
- You want monthly credit bundles and documented overage pricing instead of only hard caps.
- You expect to use the API across multiple apps or a platform and may eventually need enterprise terms.
Bottom line
For the most common builder use case, IPGeolocation.io is the better default choice because the free tier is perpetual, there are no overages on free, and the paid ladder is easier to scale into as traffic grows. Choose ipapi.is if you prefer a simpler daily-request model, want the lowest-priced paid starting point in its own format, or expect to move into self-hosting or separate database products later. For most API integrations, IPGeolocation.io is the safer long-term bet.
Read the full listings: ipapi.is 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.