Quick answer
The IP API - The IP API wins for most builders because its free tier is much larger, stays perpetual, and keeps commercial use, while ipbase.com is the better pick only if you need a smaller monthly starter with a simple 1-key cap and no rate-limit-free paid plan entrypoint yet.
How the free tiers compare
These two free tiers solve the same job, but they shape up very differently. ipbase.com is a tightly capped starter plan: 150 requests total, 1 API key, and a 10 requests per minute limit. It is good for testing, small demos, or a single low-traffic integration, but you will run into the ceiling quickly. The IP API is more builder-friendly as a free tier because it gives 1,000 requests per day, allows commercial use, and includes ASN and company info plus daily updates. That makes it usable for real low-volume production work, not just evaluation. Once you pay, ipbase.com starts lower at $9.99/month, but The IP API’s $19/month plan buys far more volume. So the tradeoff is smaller entry price versus much more usable free capacity.
ipbase.com vs The IP API free tier, side by side
| ipbase.comFTV 47 | The IP APIFTV 58 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free requestsipbase.com uses a monthly cap; The IP API uses a daily cap. | 150 requests | 1,000 requests per day |
| API keysThe IP API input does not list an API key quota. | 1 API key | Not stated |
| Rate limitOnly ipbase.com explicitly publishes a per-minute limit. | 10 requests / min. | Not stated |
| Commercial useOnly The IP API free tier explicitly says commercial use is allowed. | Not stated | Included |
| Data includedThe IP API free tier lists more fields and daily data updates. | Location data | Geolocation data, ASN and company information |
After you outgrow the free tier
ipbase.com uses flat monthly pricing with a very low entry point, then steps up by request volume and API-key count. The IP API also uses flat monthly pricing, but its first paid tier starts higher and includes far more request capacity. For small paid use, ipbase.com is cheaper at the door. For anything that needs meaningful traffic, The IP API is the better value because its $19 plan covers 600,000 requests per month, while ipbase.com’s $9.99 plan only covers 65,000 requests.
Cost at real usage
| Usage | ipbase.com | The IP API |
|---|---|---|
| 65,000 requests/moThe IP API’s Beginner plan includes 600,000 requests/month, so 65,000 is within that tier. | $9.99/mo | At least $19/mo |
| 600,000 requests/moipbase.com does not publish an exact per-request overage, so this is a tier comparison only. | Would exceed Small; next known tier is $39.99/mo for 650,000 requests | $19/mo |
| 1,000 requests/dayThe IP API free tier allows 1,000 requests per day. | Free tier is exhausted after 150 total requests; paid plan needed | Free |
| 3,000,000 requests/moThe IP API Standard plan includes 3,000,000 requests/month. | Custom / contact sales or multiple higher tiers not enough from provided data | $49/mo |
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 are only validating an IP lookup feature in a prototype or internal tool and 150 total requests is enough.
- You want the lowest paid entry point, since ipbase.com starts at $9.99/month.
- You only need one API key and a simple monthly starter plan.
- Your usage is bursty but tiny, and a 10 requests per minute cap will not get in the way.
Pick The IP API when…
- You want a free tier that can support an actual low-volume production app, not just a demo.
- You need commercial use on the free plan.
- You need ASN and company data in addition to basic geolocation fields.
- You expect regular daily traffic and want 1,000 requests per day instead of a one-time monthly bucket.
- You want daily data updates and can live without email support on the free plan.
Bottom line
For the most common builder choice, The IP API is the better free tier because it gives you a lot more room to ship before paying and still allows commercial use. ipbase.com is attractive if you care more about the cheapest paid entry point than free capacity, but its free plan is so small that most real integrations will outgrow it fast. If you are testing or building a tiny internal tool, either can work. If you want the free tier to carry real traffic, pick The IP API.
Read the full listings: ipbase.com and The IP API. Scores use the FTV methodology at /ftv. Browse more head-to-heads on /compare, or see the top-ranked free tiers on /top.