IP geolocation API services can do far more than serve website visitors in their local language and currency using IP lookup. They can also play a critical role in cybersecurity.
Geolocation data can source the IP address of DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attackers in real time.
You can then take that data to the relevant ISP (Internet Service Provider) and ask them to block those IP addresses to stop the attack.
Some cybercriminals will also try to bypass geolocation services to commit fraud. This can be done by using VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) to create a spoof legitimate location.
So, the capability to detect VPNs and other threats can prove critical, especially where customer data and money is involved.
So, here are six of the best IP geolocation APIs for cybersecurity.
What is IP Geolocation API?
An IP geolocation API is a service that provides geolocation data based on an IP address. It enables you to pinpoint the location of an IP address, which is helpful for many different services and applications.
IP geolocation APIs connect IP addresses to geographic information like country, city, area, latitude and longitude coordinates, time zone, Internet Service Provider (ISP), and other pertinent facts. Analyzing databases, network infrastructure data, and other sources yields this knowledge.
Where are the IP Geolocation APIs Used?
IP geolocation APIs are frequently employed in many different applications, such as:
- Targeted Advertising: IP geolocation allows advertisers to target consumers in their unique region or nation.
- Fraud Detection: IP geolocation, the practice of determining a device’s physical location using an IP address, can be used to spot fraudulent or otherwise suspect activity.
- Security: IP geolocation can aid in the detection and banning of potentially harmful or malicious IP addresses.
- Compliance with Regulatory Requirements: There are stringent regulatory regulations for some industries that vary by user location, such as online gaming, online pharmacy, and age-restricted content platforms.
- Content Licensing and Copyright Compliance: Content providers, such as streaming platforms, are subject to copyright laws and license agreements.
- Network and System Administration: Network administrators can benefit from using IP geolocation APIs to manage and monitor their networks. IP address geolocation, network traffic monitoring, and user behavior analysis are all within their capabilities.
Best IP Geolocation APIs Features:
| Best IP Geolocation APIs | Features |
|---|---|
| 1. Abstract | 1. Precise IP geolocation information. 2. Global coverage in its entirety. 3. Updating data in real-time. 4. API integration is simple. 5. Diverse possibilities for use. |
| 2. IP2Location.io | 1. Precise IP geolocation information. 2. Global coverage in its entirety. 3. Updating data in real time. 4. API integration is simple. 5. Diverse possibilities for use. |
| 3. Ipbase | 1. Accurate IP geolocation data. 2. Global coverage of IP addresses. 3. Real-time data updates. 4. Developer-friendly API integration. 5. Diverse geolocation applications are supported. |
| 4. ipgeolocation.io | 1. IP address coverage on a global scale. 2. Updating data in real time. 3. Applications for flexible geolocation are supported. 4. API integration designed for developers. |
| 5. DB-IP | 1. A wide range of IP addresses are covered. 2. Data updates are provided in real-time. 3. Included are more data points. 4. API integration designed for developers. |
| 6. ipdata | 1. A wide range of IP addresses are covered. 2. Data updates are provided in real-time. 3. Included are more data points. 4. API integration designed for developers. |
| 7. ipinfo | 1. Dependable IP geolocation data. 2. IP address coverage on a worldwide basis. 3. Updating data in real-time. 4. Support for API integration. 5. Diverse possibilities for use. |
7 Best IP Geolocation APIs in 2023
- Abstract
- IP2Location.io
- Ipbase
- ipgeolocation.io
- DB-IP
- ipdata
- ipinfo
Abstract’s powerful IP geolocation service covers over 1.75 million locations across 225,000 cities worldwide, supporting IPv4 and IPv6.
Abstract’s IP geolocation responses also provide information about the timezone, current time, GMT offset, etc.
Furthermore, their IP geolocation responses include country flags in various formats, such as SVG, PNG, emoji, and Unicode, providing visual representation and an enhanced user experience.
Designed to be simple yet powerful, Abstract’s modern REST API strikes the perfect balance between usability and functionality — built to provide a quick time-to-value and an excellent developer experience.
On the other hand, non-programmatic users can use a CSV upload tool that allows bulk queries in easy-to-use formats.
Most importantly, security is a top priority for Abstract, ensuring bank-level protection for all queries.
Any data transmitted to their IP Geolocation API is encrypted using 256-bit SSL encryption (HTTPS), guaranteeing the confidentiality and integrity of the information.
Features:
- It assists in locating a physical IP address’s location, such as its nation, region, or city.
- Although it strives for accuracy, there may be restrictions because of many aspects, including how IP addresses are assigned or whether a user utilizes a proxy server.
- It gives current details about the location connected to an IP address.
- Developers can include IP geolocation in their programs or websites using specialized tools (APIs).
- It can let you know whether the IP address belongs to a home user, a company, a mobile device, or a proxy server.
What is best for:
- Accurate location identification
- Real-time data updates
- Versatile usage options.
What could be better:
- Potential limitations in accuracy
- Dependence on available data
IP2Location.io provides a fast and accurate IP Geolocation API tool to determine a user’s geolocation information, such as country, region, city, latitude & longitude, ZIP code, time zone, ASN, ISP, domain, net speed, IDD code, area code, weather station data, MNC, MCC, mobile brand, elevation, usage type, address type, advertisement category, and proxy data.
It supports IPv4 and IPv6 lookup and can be easily integrated into any application. You can get free up to 30,000 IP Geolocation API credits/per month.
In addition, every plan comes with Domain WHOIS API credits – WHOIS API domain lookup that returns comprehensive WHOIS data, such as domain assigned owner contact information, registrar information, registrant information, location, and much more.
The Free package comes with 500 WHOIS API credits/per month.
The ip2location IP geolocation web service uses a granular, pay-as-you-go credit system.
This means it can source simple geographical location information such as city and latitude/longitude and scale up to elevation and weather station.
This API can detect threats, which could support many use cases. However, the full spectrum of threat detection is only available in its sister product, the ip2proxy web service.
Features:
- IP address accurate geolocation information, including time zone, ZIP/postal code, nation, region, and city.
- A vast database including IPv4 and IPv6 addresses from throughout the world.
- Updates in real-time to guarantee the most recent geolocation data.
- Simple API for smooth integration into systems, websites, or apps.
- Versatile use for analytics, cybersecurity, ad targeting, content modification, and geotargeting.
Advantages:
- Accurate geolocation data
- Comprehensive global coverage
- Versatile usage options
What could be better:
- Limited free usage tier
- Potential dependence on API integration.
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ipbase.com provides a powerful IP Geolocation API to gather all necessary information related to location – from country and region details to ZIP codes and time-zone data.
In delivering comprehensive coverage backed up with up-to-the-minute information sets for several applications involving content customization or targeting specific groups with ads.
ipbase.com provides extensive documentation and integration options, catering to developers from various programming languages.
Its infrastructure is structured to support IPv4 and IPv6 addresses while ensuring solid data security and user privacy.
Moreover, IPbase.com’s reliable performance delivers seamless integration into diverse applications and systems.
Features:
- IP address geolocation information that is precise.
- IP address coverage across the globe.
- Updates in real-time for current information.
- Data retrieval is made simple through API connectivity.
- Apps that can be used for analytics, fraud prevention, geotargeting, and content personalization.
What is best for:
- Global coverage
- Content customization, and more.
- Developer-friendly API for easy integration.
What could be better:
- Potential limitations in accuracy
- The pricing structure may not be suitable for all users.
- Only a few extra data points
This geolocation API can detect a user’s location, sourcing geolocation information including country flag and name, latitude/longitude, currency, and ASN (ISP).
Free IP geolocation is available with a plan that supports up to 30,000 API requests per month at up to 1,000 per day. This API is organized into various modules, all available at all tiers.
This includes the security module, which can detect TOR, proxies, and VPNs and use this data to assign a threat score.
Features:
- IP geolocation data to determine the exact location.
- IP lookup in bulk for handling several IP addresses.
- For organizational identification, map IP to the corporation.
- Identification of time zones for precise time-related data.
- API is designed for developers to make integration into apps simple.
What is best for:
- Accurate and reliable IP geolocation data.
- Additional data points are available, such as organization and time zone.
- Easy integration API.
What could be better:
- Pricing plans may not be suitable for all users.
- Some advanced features may require additional fees.
- Limitations in accuracy due to various factors.
This RESTful API can source country names, languages, currency, and calling codes.
There are three product tiers. Each tier is segmented three times to support more IP Geolocation API requests, and each tier offers free trials.
Only the top tier (Extended) features threat detection, and it can detect proxies and crawlers. It also checks IP addresses against a database of known malicious IP addresses.
Features:
- Accurate IP geolocation data to determine location.
- Worldwide coverage and a huge IP address database.
- Real-time updates for the most recent geolocation data.
- Versatile use for functions including fraud prevention, content personalization, and geotargeting.
- API is designed for developers to make integration into systems and applications simple.
What is best for:
- Precise IP geolocation information.
- Applications for flexible geolocation are supported.
- API integration designed for developers.
What could be better:
- Free use tier with a cap.
- API integration is required to retrieve geolocation data.
- Possible privacy issues associated with the gathering of IP addresses.
An update can detect a visitor’s location by sourcing data, including ZIP or postal code, flag code, calling code, and time zone.
The free API key is suitable for non-commercial use and is limited to 1,500 daily API requests.
Higher tiers mostly add more IP Geolocation API requests, though the top two also enable SLAs and other enterprise-level options.
Threat detection functionalities can detect TOR, proxies, and BOGON (unallocated IP addresses), and are available at all paid tiers.
Features:
- Precise IP geolocation information for precise location data.
- Comprehensive coverage and a sizable IP address database.
- Updates in real-time to guarantee the most recent geolocation data.
- ASN, currency, time zone, and other additional data pieces.
- API is designed for developers to integrate systems and applications easily.
What is best for:
- Real-time data updates are available.
- Additional data points are provided.
- Developer-friendly API integration.
What could be better:
- Limitations in accuracy due to various factors.
- API integration is required to retrieve geolocation data.
- IP address information collecting and processing raises privacy issues.
Info can see visitor location data such as latitude/longitude, postal code, time zone, and ASN data, including ISP abuse contact details. There’s a free demo option as well as four paid plans.
Threat detection only becomes available in the top two tiers but includes the capability to detect VPNs, proxy, TOR, hosting, and relay attempts.
While this may satisfy many use cases, a fuller suite of functionality has been split into a separate product.
Features:
- Accurate IP geolocation information for location information.
- Comprehensive coverage and a sizable IP address database.
- Updates in real-time to deliver the most recent geolocation data.
- Additional information, including the company, time zone, and postal code.
- API is designed for developers to make integration into systems and applications simple.
What is best for:
- Comprehensive IP address coverage.
- Updates in real-time for current information.
- There are more data points, like organization and timezone.
What could be better:
- Pricing options are not satisfied.
- Additional costs for advanced functionality.
- Several things bring on limitations in accuracy.
Final words
If you have customers, process transactions, or hold customer data, you must treat the potential for cybersecurity threats with the utmost seriousness.
This isn’t just about fraud. It’s also about data protection regulations like the EU’s GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation).
This regulation can acceptable data breaches to 4% of global revenue or €25 million – whichever is higher. There’s also brand damage to consider, as brand value is far easier to lose than gain.
So, it’s essential that you also fully consider the level of cybersecurity functionality that you need from your IP geolocation API.
Remember that while many products have threat detection capabilities, they may not expose them at all product tiers. Also, some products split their best functionality into separate products.
Consider exploring what opportunities there are to test each product so that you can identify whether it’s capable of meeting your business needs.