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IP2Location vs Nominatim (OSM)

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

APIIP2LocationREACHABLE100Nominatim (OSM)HEALTHY96
Uptime · 30d
Uptime · 90d100%100%
Uptime · 30d100%100%
P50 · ms131332
P95 · ms677990
AuthapiKeyuserAgent
CORSnoyes
HTTPSyesyes
Card requirednono
Commercial useunclearno
Data licenseUnverifiedODbL (OpenStreetMap)
Free tierFree tier — API key required1 req/sec, identified UA required
Rate limitUnpublished1/sec hard — per application
In directory since2026-07-052026-05-02
operationalpartialdownno data

IP2Location vs Nominatim (OSM): common questions

Which is more reliable, IP2Location or Nominatim (OSM)?

Both are neck-and-neck — IP2Location and Nominatim (OSM) each measure 100% uptime over 90 days on our probe schedule. Reliability here is verified from our own scheduled checks; use the 30-day bars above to see which has been steadier lately.

Which is faster, IP2Location or Nominatim (OSM)?

IP2Location has the lower median latency in our checks — IP2Location responds in 131 ms versus Nominatim (OSM) at 332 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 IP2Location and Nominatim (OSM) need an API key?

Nominatim (OSM) needs no key, while IP2Location requires a free API key. If you want to start calling without signup, reach for Nominatim (OSM) first.

Can I call IP2Location and Nominatim (OSM) from the browser?

Only Nominatim (OSM) is browser-friendly — it returns CORS headers over HTTPS. IP2Location needs a server-side call or proxy, so factor that into which one fits a front-end project.

Are IP2Location and Nominatim (OSM) free for commercial use?

IP2Location has unclear commercial terms, and Nominatim (OSM) is personal/non-commercial only. 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.