Compare / LookupLab vs ipapi
LookupLab vs ipapi
IP geolocation API with a generous free tier, aimed at developers who need country and city for an IP. Here is how it lines up against LookupLab on coverage, price and billing.
Disclosure: LookupLab is our product. ipapi pricing from their public page as of 2026-09; confirm before you buy.
| LookupLab | ipapi | |
|---|---|---|
| Phone validation with live carrier data | Yes | No |
| Email verification | Yes | No |
| IP geolocation and anonymity flags | Yes | Yes |
| DNS checks (MX, SPF, DMARC, DKIM) | Yes | No |
| Starting price | $99/mo, 20,000 credits ($0.005 each) | Free up to 1,000 requests a day, paid plans from about $12 a month |
| Free option | 1,000 credits, 7-day trial | 1,000 requests a day |
| Billing model | Per successful lookup; failures are free | See vendor pricing |
| One credit pool across data types | Yes | Not applicable |
| MCP server for AI agents | Yes | No |
| Contract | None, cancel any time | See vendor terms |
Where ipapi wins
- Big free tier
- No key needed for basic use
- Fast
Where LookupLab wins
- Phone validation with carrier, line type and porting data, which ipapi does not offer.
- Email verification under the same key.
- Success-only billing. Invalid inputs cost nothing.
- An MCP server so agents can call the same tools.
Where ipapi falls short
- Geolocation only, with limited proxy and VPN detection
- No phone or email
- Rate limited hard on the free tier
Test LookupLab against ipapi
Run a sample of your real data through both. 1,000 free credits, no card required.
Start free Read the docsQuestions
Is LookupLab cheaper than ipapi?
LookupLab starts at $0.005 per lookup on the smallest plan and $0.002 at volume, and only charges for lookups that return an answer. ipapi starts at Free up to 1,000 requests a day, paid plans from about $12 a month. Run your own numbers against both; a trial is free.
Can LookupLab replace ipapi completely?
For ip validation, yes, and it adds the other data types under the same key. ipapi's strength is big free tier.
How do I migrate from ipapi?
Swap the endpoint and map the fields. Our responses use plain names (valid, line_type, carrier, has_mx, disposable, hosting, proxy). Most migrations are under an hour.