Quick answer
IPGeolocation.io - IPGeolocation.io wins for most builders because its free tier is perpetual, much larger in daily allowance, and it gives a clearer path from testing to production without hitting a tiny monthly cap.
How the free tiers compare
These are both IP geolocation APIs, but the free tiers behave very differently. ipbase.com is a small monthly starter: 150 requests, one API key, and a 10 requests per minute cap. It is simple and card-free, but it runs out fast, which makes it better as a demo or a very low-volume utility. IPGeolocation.io is also card-free, but its free tier is perpetual and allows 1,000 API credits per day, so it is much more forgiving for ongoing testing and small live projects. The paid paths also diverge. ipbase.com stays flat-priced with clear request bundles and no rate limit on paid plans. IPGeolocation.io uses flat monthly plans too, but with overage pricing layered on top, so it can scale more gradually as usage grows.
ipbase.com vs IPGeolocation.io free tier, side by side
| ipbase.comFTV 47 | IPGeolocation.ioFTV 51 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requests / creditsipbase.com is monthly; IPGeolocation.io is daily and perpetual. | 150 requests | 1,000 API credits per day |
| API keysDo not assume free-tier key limits for IPGeolocation.io from the provided data. | 1 API key | Not specified in the free-tier input |
| Rate limitThe products describe limits differently, so this is not a direct like-for-like rate comparison. | 10 requests / min. | No overages on the free plan |
| HTTPS encryption | Included | Not specified in the provided data |
| Location dataBoth free tiers include core geolocation lookup data. | Included | Included |
| Time zone dataIPGeolocation.io explicitly includes coupled time zone data on free. | Not listed on free plan | Included |
After you outgrow the free tier
Both products use flat monthly paid plans, but ipbase.com is more barebones and request-bundled, while IPGeolocation.io adds overage pricing on top of each tier. ipbase.com starts cheaper at $9.99/month, so it is the lower-cost step if your usage is tiny and predictable. IPGeolocation.io starts at $19/month, but it gives far more included volume and a smoother scaling path for growing apps. Once traffic becomes uncertain or bursty, IPGeolocation.io’s overages make costs easier to extend without an immediate tier jump.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | ipbase.com | IPGeolocation.io |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly volume near first paid thresholdThese are plan starting points, not usage-based estimates. | $9.99/mo for 65,000 requests | $19/mo for 150,000 API credits, plus overages if needed |
| Very small live app trafficIPGeolocation.io’s free allowance is much larger if traffic is spread across days. | Free within 150 requests/month | Free within 1,000 credits/day |
| Burst above included volumeipbase.com does not list overage pricing in the provided data. | $9.99/mo or higher, depending on the next plan | $19/mo plus $5 per 25K credits on Starter |
Estimates, not quotes. Usage-based rates change - verify with the vendor's pricing page before committing.
When to pick each one
Pick ipbase.com when…
- You only need a tiny monthly quota for a proof of concept or internal demo.
- You want the simplest paid structure after the free tier, with no overage math.
- You only need one API key and basic location data.
- You prefer a very low-cost first paid step at $9.99/month if your traffic is small.
Pick IPGeolocation.io when…
- You need a free tier that lasts indefinitely instead of resetting by month only.
- You are testing a product that makes regular lookups every day.
- You want more room before upgrading, especially for MVPs and small live apps.
- You expect to use extra fields like hostname, network, company, abuse contact, security, or user-agent on paid plans.
- You want a broader paid ladder with overages when usage crosses a plan boundary.
Bottom line
For the most common builder case, IPGeolocation.io is the better free-tier choice because it is perpetual, has a much larger allowance, and offers a clearer upgrade path when you grow. ipbase.com only wins if you want the cheapest possible first paid step and your usage is tiny enough that 150 monthly requests is enough. If you are building something that will be checked every day, IPGeolocation.io is the safer starting point.
Read the full listings: ipbase.com 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.