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Head-to-head · IP Address Intelligence Software

IP-API vs MaxMind GeoIP

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score IP-API #5 in IP Address Intelligence Software 7.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit IP-API
MaxMind GeoIP #7 in IP Address Intelligence Software 7.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit MaxMind

IP-API leads on 2 checks, MaxMind GeoIP on 0, and 2 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 · 7.5/10
  • Free planonly IP-API
  • Most featuresIP-API · 3 of 3

IP-API scores higher on our rubric for ip address intelligence software: 7.5 against 7.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #5 and #7.

IP-API offers free plan; MaxMind GeoIP doesn't. IP-API offers threat detection; MaxMind GeoIP doesn't. On data refresh, MaxMind GeoIP gives you Periodic where IP-API offers Real-time.

IP-API is the better fit for affordable general-purpose IP lookup. MaxMind GeoIP is the better fit for enterprises needing GeoIP databases and APIs.

  • IP-API fits best

    Affordable general-purpose IP lookup

  • MaxMind GeoIP fits best

    Enterprises needing GeoIP databases and APIs

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes our verdict. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature IP-API 7.5/10 Visit ↗ MaxMind GeoIP 7.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 7.5 7.4
Ranking #5 in IP Address Intelligence Software #7 in IP Address Intelligence Software
Best for Affordable general-purpose IP lookup Enterprises needing GeoIP databases and APIs
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Email · 24/7 Email, Tickets, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features IP-API 3/3 · MaxMind GeoIP 2/3
Threat detection ✓ (best) —
Proxy/VPN detection ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Geolocation data Coordinates Coordinates
Free lookups Not published Not published
Data refresh Real-time Periodic
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
  • Returns country, subdivision, city, latitude and longitude data
  • Adds ISP, organization, connection-type and domain attributes
  • Offers anonymous-IP detection and hosted or self-hosted access
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
  • No free plan
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Data refresh is periodic rather than real-time
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 →

MaxMind GeoIP provides IP intelligence for websites, applications, fraud prevention and analytics. It is aimed at teams that need to map IP addresses to locations and network attributes, with products available through hosted APIs or…

Read the review →
  1. IP-APIIP Address Intelligence Software 7.5Free plan
  2. MaxMind GeoIPIP Address Intelligence Software 7.4Pricing on request

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

  • MaxMind GeoIP — where it wins

    • Returns country, subdivision, city, latitude and longitude data
    • Adds ISP, organization, connection-type and domain attributes
    • Offers anonymous-IP detection and hosted or self-hosted access

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Data refresh is periodic rather than real-time
  • IP-API7.5/10 · Free plan

    Flexible IP and domain lookups with network details and proxy detection.

    Visit IP-APIFull verdict →
  • MaxMind GeoIP7.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A mature GeoIP toolkit for organizations that need location and network attributes from IPs.

    Visit MaxMindFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IP address intelligence software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update