IP Locator API vs IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API: What to Choose?

Ship Locator API and the IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API. Both APIs serve distinct purposes and offer unique features that cater to different use cases. By the end of this post, you will have a clearer understanding of which API is best suited for your specific requirements.

Overview of Both APIs

Ship Locator API

Ship Locator API provides users with real-time information about the location and course of vessels using their IMO (International Maritime Organization) number. This API is essential for logistics and shipping companies, allowing them to track vessels, optimize port operations, and enhance navigational safety. It offers detailed insights into vessel position, navigational status, current port, and port-specific weather conditions.

IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API

IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API allows developers to determine the geographical location of an IP address quickly. This API provides accurate geolocation information, including country, region, city, postal code, and more. It is particularly useful for applications requiring targeted advertising, fraud detection, and content personalization. The API integrates easily with various applications, making it accessible for developers of all skill levels.

Feature Comparison

Ship Locator API Features

Vessel Information

• IMO number
• Vessel Name
• Ship type
• Flag
• Gross Tonnage
• Summer Deadweight (t)
• Length Overall (m)
• Beam (m)
• Year of Built

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"IMO Code 9270622 is valid","data":{"imo_number":"9270622","vessel_name":"AQUAMAN","ship_type":"Offshore Tug/Supply Ship","flag":"Vanuatu","gross_tonnage":"2332","summer_deadweight_t":"2162","length_overall_m":"69","beam_m":"16","year_of_built":"2003"}}

Get Route

• Departure Port
• Departure ATD
• Callsign
• Flag
• Length / Beam
• IMO / MMSI
• Navigation Status
• Current Draught
• Course / Speed
• Arrival Port
• Arrival ETA

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"IMO Code 9649225 is valid","data":{"departure_port":"Trieste, Italy","departure_atd":"ATD: Dec 5, 05:35 UTC (10 days ago)","callsign":"2HER5","flag":"United Kingdom (UK)","length_beam":"257 / 43 m","imo_mmsi":"9649225 / 235103057","navigation_status":"Under way","current_draught":"9.0 m","course_speed":"","arrival_port":"Teesport, United Kingdom (UK)","arrival_atd":"ETA: Dec 21, 08:00","latest_port_calls":[{"port_name":"Trieste, Italy","arrival_utc":"2024-12-04T04:46:00.000000Z","departure_utc":"2024-12-05T05:35:00.000000Z","time_in_port":"1 days, 49 minutes"}]}}

Current Position

• Area
• Current Port
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Navigational Status
• Speed
• Course
• AIS Source

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"IMO Code 9439840 is valid","data":{"position_received":"3 h, 17 m ago","vessel_local_time":"-","area":"Inner Seas off the West Coast of Scotland","current_port":"FINNART","latitude_longitude":"--- / ---","navigational_status":"Under way using engine","speed_course":"0.1 Knots","ais_source":"-"}}

Get Position by MMSI

• Destination
• Reported ETA
• Speed
• Heading
• Draught
• Position Received
• Latitude / Longitude
• Navigational status

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"MMSI Code 577472000 is valid","data":{"destination":"FORCADOS TERMINAL","reported_eta":"ETA: Dec 8, 08:00","speed":"7.9 Knots","heading":null,"draught":"5.5 m","position_received":"2023-10-13 10:36","latitude_longitude":"--- / ---","navigational_status":"-"}}

Get Latest Ports by MMSI Code

• Position Received
• Area
• Current Port
• Coordinates
• Navigational status
• Last port calls
• Arrival
• Departure
• Time in port

{"status":200,"success":true,"message":"MMSI Code 205566190 is valid","data":{"position_received":"3 m ago","vessel_local_time":"-","area":"North Sea","current_port":"GENT","latitude_longitude":"--- / ---","navigational_status":"Moored","speed_course":"","ais_source":"-","last_port_calls":[{"port":"TERNEUZEN","arrival":"2024-12-07 12:05","departure":"2024-12-07 13:07","time_in_port":"1 h"}]}}

IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API Features

IP Address

• Country
• Country Code
• Region
• Region Name
• City
• Postal Code
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Timezone
• ISP
• Organization
• AS (Autonomous System)

{"status":"success","country":"United States","countryCode":"US","region":"CA","regionName":"California","city":"Daly City","zip":"94014","lat":37.6844,"lon":-122.438,"timezone":"America/Los_Angeles","isp":"Comcast Cable Communications, LLC","org":"Comcast Cable Communications, Inc.","as":"AS7922 Comcast Cable Communications, LLC","query":"98.207.254.136","areaCode":"","dmaCode":"807","inEU":0,"euVATrate":false,"continentCode":"NA","continentName":"North America","locationAccuracyRadius":"5","currencyCode":"USD","currencySymbol":"$","currencySymbol_UTF8":"$","currencyConverter":1,"flag":"","callingCode":"1","languageCode":null,"security":{"is_proxy":false,"proxy_type":null,"is_crawler":false,"crawler_name":null,"crawler_type":null,"is_tor":false,"threat_level":"low","threat_types":null},"connection":{"asn":7922,"isp":"Comcast"},"type":"ipv4"}

Performance and Scalability Analysis

Ship Locator API excels in real-time data retrieval, providing up-to-the-minute information on vessel movements, which is critical for logistics and maritime operations. On the other hand, the IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API is optimized for quick lookups, ensuring that applications can retrieve geolocation data efficiently without lag.

Pros and Cons of Each API

Ship Locator API

Pros

• Provides real-time vessel tracking and management.
• Offers detailed insights into vessel status and movements.
• Utilizes both terrestrial and satellite data for accuracy.

Cons

• Primarily focused on maritime applications, limiting its use cases.
• Requires knowledge of maritime identifiers (IMO, MMSI) for effective use.

IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API

Pros

• Easy to integrate with various applications.
• Provides extensive geolocation data for diverse use cases.
• Maintains data accuracy through multiple sources.

Cons

• May not provide as detailed information as specialized APIs for specific industries.
• Accuracy can vary based on the IP address and its location.

Final Recommendation

Ship Locator API and the IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API, consider your specific needs:

• If your focus is on maritime operations, vessel tracking, and logistics, the Ship Locator API is the best choice.
• If you require geolocation data for applications such as targeted advertising, fraud detection, or content personalization, the IP Address Lookup and Geolocation API will serve you better.

Read our technical guides for implementation tips.

View the integration guide for step-by-step instructions.