IP Geolocation API vs The Guardian

Same instrument, two spec sheets — measured, not claimed.

Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d94.1%98.0%
Uptime · 30d90.0%98.3%
P50 · ms257742
P95 · ms6542726
AuthnoneapiKey
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearunclear
Data licenseUnverifiedUnverified
Free tierFree — limits not publishedFree developer key — registration required
Rate limitUnpublished5000 calls/day (developer tier)
In directory since2026-07-052026-07-05
operationalpartialdownno data

IP Geolocation API vs The Guardian: common questions

Which is more reliable, IP Geolocation API or The Guardian?

On our scheduled checks, The Guardian leads on measured uptime — IP Geolocation API at 94.1% versus The Guardian at 98.0% 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 Geolocation API or The Guardian?

IP Geolocation API has the lower median latency in our checks — IP Geolocation API responds in 257 ms versus The Guardian at 742 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 Geolocation API and The Guardian need an API key?

IP Geolocation API needs no key, while The Guardian requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for IP Geolocation API first.

Can I call IP Geolocation API and The Guardian from the browser?

Only The Guardian is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. IP Geolocation API needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are IP Geolocation API and The Guardian free for commercial use?

IP Geolocation API has unclear commercial terms, and The Guardian 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.