Quick answer
IPLocate.io - IPLocate.io wins for most builders because its free tier keeps the same endpoints and data quality as paid plans while leaving room for more varied paid paths once you outgrow the quota.
How the free tiers compare
Both products give you a usable free IP intelligence API with no credit card required and a daily cap of 1,000 requests. The main difference is what you get around that cap. ipapi.is is simpler: the free tier is a small test runway, then you move into clear flat monthly plans with published request-day quotas. IPLocate.io is more flexible: the free tier also has full feature parity, but the paid side is built around usage-based and sales-led quota options, plus credits and annual billing. That makes IPLocate.io better if you want to start free and later choose a path that fits uneven or growing usage. ipapi.is is easier to budget because its next step is a straightforward $20/month plan.
ipapi.is vs IPLocate.io free tier, side by side
| ipapi.isFTV 50 | IPLocate.ioFTV 77 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requestsBoth free tiers are capped at the same daily request limit. | 1,000 requests/day | 1,000 requests/day |
| API/data parity on free tierBoth keep feature parity on the free tier. | Same API data quality as paid plans | Same API endpoints and data accuracy as paid plans |
| Geolocation fields in free tierIPLocate.io lists more specific geolocation fields in the free tier description. | Geolocation included | Country, city, region, postal code, latitude/longitude, time zone, currency code, calling code |
| Threat/privacy detection in free tierBoth include threat/privacy signals, but IPLocate.io lists more categories. | VPN, proxy, Tor, abuse intelligence | Abuser/spammer reports, proxy, VPN, Tor, relay, hosting detection |
| Company/network data in free tierIPLocate.io provides a fuller list of company and network fields. | Company and ASN data included | Company, domain, company type, service/network type, ASN, organization, registry, abuse contact, RIR/RWHOIS |
| First flat paid quotaipapi.is publishes a starting price; IPLocate.io does not publish a dollar amount for the first quota plan. | $20/month for 20,000 requests/day | 300,000 requests/month on a monthly quota plan, price not listed |
After you outgrow the free tier
ipapi.is uses flat monthly pricing with published dollar amounts, starting at $20/month and scaling by daily request caps. IPLocate.io uses a usage-based and sales-led model: the entry paid path is pay-as-you-go, while fixed monthly quota plans and credits are also available, but pricing is not published. That means ipapi.is is easier to forecast, while IPLocate.io is more flexible if your volume is lumpy or you want to negotiate a quota. For typical small-team usage, ipapi.is is the more transparent budget pick; IPLocate.io is the better fit if you want to stay on non-flat pricing.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | ipapi.is | IPLocate.io |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 requests/dayBoth free tiers allow this daily volume. | Free (within tier) | Free (within tier) |
| 20,000 requests/dayipapi.is lists 20,000 requests/day on Basic; IPLocate.io does not publish a comparable daily quota price. | $20/mo | Contact sales / varies by usage |
| 100,000 requests/monthIPLocate.io says pay-as-you-go starts from 100,000 requests/month, but no dollar rate is provided. | $20/mo | Contact sales / varies by usage |
| 300,000 requests/monthipapi.is would likely require at least Medium if usage is sustained, but the quota is published as requests/day, not monthly. IPLocate.io lists a 300,000/month quota plan without a published price. | $50/mo or higher, depending on daily burst needs | Contact sales / varies by usage |
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 next step after free with a published monthly price.
- You prefer flat-rate plans and want to know exactly what $20, $50, or $100 gets you.
- Your project is small and you only need to test an IP API before committing.
- You want a database download add-on with clear monthly pricing.
- You value request/day quotas more than flexible usage billing.
Pick IPLocate.io when…
- You want the same API endpoints and data quality free and paid, with no feature gap.
- You expect usage to grow unevenly and want a usage-based path instead of a fixed monthly plan.
- You may need bulk credits or annual billing options later.
- You want threat, privacy, company, and network data in the same API from the start.
- You want a free tier that is more than just a demo and can support a small production workload.
Bottom line
For most builders, IPLocate.io is the better free-tier choice because it gives you full endpoint and data parity, more detailed threat and network fields, and a more flexible path after free. If you want the cleanest pricing story and a published first paid tier, ipapi.is is easier to plan around. The deciding factor is whether you prefer transparent flat monthly pricing now, or a free tier that can carry more of the product before you have to think about the bill.
Read the full listings: ipapi.is and IPLocate.io. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.