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Head-to-head · IP Address Intelligence Software

IP-API vs ipstack

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score IP-API #6 in IP Address Intelligence Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit IP-API
ipstack #7 in IP Address Intelligence Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit ipstack

IP-API leads on 0 checks, ipstack on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreIP-API · 8.4/10
  • Free planboth

IP-API scores higher on our rubric for ip address intelligence software: 8.4 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

On data refresh, ipstack gives you Daily where IP-API offers Real-time.

IP-API is the better fit for affordable general-purpose IP lookup. ipstack is the better fit for budget-conscious apps needing IP enrichment.

  • IP-API fits best

    Affordable general-purpose IP lookup

  • ipstack fits best

    Budget-conscious apps needing IP enrichment

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature IP-API 8.4/10 Visit ↗ ipstack 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.4 8.2
Ranking #6 in IP Address Intelligence Software #7 in IP Address Intelligence Software
Best for Affordable general-purpose IP lookup Budget-conscious apps needing IP enrichment
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $12.99/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email · 24/7 Email, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features IP-API 3/3 · ipstack 3/3
Threat detection ✓ ✓
Proxy/VPN detection ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Geolocation data Coordinates Coordinates
Free lookups Not checked yet 100 lookups/mo
Data refresh Real-time Daily
Our review
Pros
  • Looks up IPv4, IPv6, and domains with location and network details
  • Detects proxy, VPN, Tor, and hosting indicators
  • Supports batch queries and JSON, XML, CSV, newline, and PHP formats
  • Free tier with location data and SSL encryption
  • Geolocation, timezone, currency, ISP, ASN, and connection details
  • Professional+ adds bulk lookup plus proxy, VPN, and threat detection
Cons
  • Free plan is restricted to non-commercial use
  • Free lookups are limited to 45 requests per minute
  • HTTPS and unlimited requests require the Pro plan
  • Free plan is limited to 100 requests per month
  • Bulk lookup is available only on Professional+
  • Security module starts at the $99.99 monthly Professional+ plan
Our verdict

IP-API provides IP geolocation and network intelligence through an API and web interface. It is aimed at developers and teams that need to look up IPv4 or IPv6 addresses and domain names, from solo projects to mid-market use. Results can…

Read the review →

ipstack is a cloud-based IP intelligence service for developers and businesses that need to locate and identify website visitors. Its HTTP API accepts GET requests and returns structured JSON, with support for IPv4 and IPv6. Core location…

Read the review →
  1. IP-APIIP Address Intelligence Software 8.4Free plan
  2. ipstackIP Address Intelligence Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • IP-API — where it wins

    • Looks up IPv4, IPv6, and domains with location and network details
    • Detects proxy, VPN, Tor, and hosting indicators
    • Supports batch queries and JSON, XML, CSV, newline, and PHP formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is restricted to non-commercial use
    • Free lookups are limited to 45 requests per minute
    • HTTPS and unlimited requests require the Pro plan
  • ipstack — where it wins

    • Free tier with location data and SSL encryption
    • Geolocation, timezone, currency, ISP, ASN, and connection details
    • Professional+ adds bulk lookup plus proxy, VPN, and threat detection

    Where it doesn't

    • Free plan is limited to 100 requests per month
    • Bulk lookup is available only on Professional+
    • Security module starts at the $99.99 monthly Professional+ plan

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update