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Head-to-head · IP Address Intelligence Software

MaxMind GeoIP vs IP-API

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score MaxMind GeoIP #4 in IP Address Intelligence Software 8.8/10 Pricing on request ✓ 2 of 3 features Visit MaxMind
IP-API #6 in IP Address Intelligence Software 8.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit IP-API

MaxMind GeoIP leads on 0 checks, IP-API on 2, 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 scoreMaxMind GeoIP · 8.8/10
  • Free planonly IP-API
  • Most featuresIP-API · 3 of 3

MaxMind GeoIP scores higher on our rubric for ip address intelligence software: 8.8 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

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.

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

  • MaxMind GeoIP fits best

    Enterprises needing GeoIP databases and APIs

  • IP-API fits best

    Affordable general-purpose IP lookup

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 MaxMind GeoIP 8.8/10 Visit ↗ IP-API 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.8 8.4
Ranking #4 in IP Address Intelligence Software #6 in IP Address Intelligence Software
Best for Enterprises needing GeoIP databases and APIs Affordable general-purpose IP lookup
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request —
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Tickets, Docs Email · 24/7
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features MaxMind GeoIP 2/3 · IP-API 3/3
Threat detection — ✓ (best)
Proxy/VPN detection ✓ ✓
API access ✓ ✓
Specs
Geolocation data Coordinates Coordinates
Free lookups Not checked yet Not checked yet
Data refresh Periodic Real-time
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
Cons
  • No free plan
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Data refresh is periodic rather than real-time
  • 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
Our verdict

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 →

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 →
  1. MaxMind GeoIPIP Address Intelligence Software 8.8Pricing on request
  2. IP-APIIP Address Intelligence Software 8.4Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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-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 GeoIP8.8/10 · Pricing on request

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

    Visit MaxMindFull verdict →
  • IP-API8.4/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit IP-APIFull verdict →

More comparisons

All IP address intelligence software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update