ip-api.com vs PurgoMalum
Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.
ip-api.com vs PurgoMalum: common questions
Which is more reliable, ip-api.com or PurgoMalum?
On our scheduled checks, ip-api.com leads on measured uptime — ip-api.com at 99.02% versus PurgoMalum at 86.3% over 90 days. These are our own probe results, not provider claims; the uptime bars above show the day-by-day record for both.
Which is faster, ip-api.com or PurgoMalum?
ip-api.com has the lower median latency in our checks — ip-api.com responds in 33 ms versus PurgoMalum at 423 ms (P50). Tail latency (P95) is in the table above; for most workloads the median is the number that shapes how the API feels.
Do ip-api.com and PurgoMalum need an API key?
Neither needs a paid key — ip-api.com is callable with no signup, and PurgoMalum is callable with no signup. Both are quick to prototype with; rate limits still apply.
Can I call ip-api.com and PurgoMalum from the browser?
Only PurgoMalum is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. ip-api.com needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.
Are ip-api.com and PurgoMalum free for commercial use?
ip-api.com has unclear commercial terms, and PurgoMalum has unclear commercial terms. We track service terms and the data license as separate fields — see the Commercial use and Data license rows above, and confirm both before shipping either in a paid product.