What is IPQualityScore best at in this comparison?
A network verdict for an IP address, with fraud indicators that can be added to an existing account-risk flow.
IPQualityScore VPN detection review.
The Proxy Detection API classifies VPN and proxy traffic and returns fraud indicators for an IP address. It fits teams with their own account and device logic that need to add a strong network verdict.
Overall score9.1 / 10
Free access1,000 free lookups
Entry priceCheck the current plan for paid pricing
DeliveryIP lookup API
What drives the score.
The 9.1 score rewards a focused, well-documented IP verdict and accessible API. The proxy product alone does not supply the persistent visitor history needed for account-level decisions. These six factors show the documented evidence and the questions behind the full 38-criterion rubric.
| Detection coverage 30 percent of rubric | The Proxy Detection API checks an IP address for VPN, proxy and related risk indicators and includes an IP fraud score. |
|---|---|
| False-positive discipline 18 percent of rubric | An IP fraud score adds context, but shared corporate and privacy exits still need account or device corroboration. |
| Integration 16 percent of rubric | IP lookup API |
| Freshness 14 percent of rubric | The vendor describes honeypot and other IP observation methods; ask how recent the response is for the traffic and regions you care about. |
| Verdict depth 12 percent of rubric | An IP-level classification and fraud indicators; this is separate from IPQualityScore’s device-fingerprinting product. |
| Pricing and access 8 percent of rubric | 1,000 free lookups; Check the current plan for paid pricing |
Key facts.
- Method: The Proxy Detection API checks an IP address for VPN, proxy and related risk indicators and includes an IP fraud score. Source ↗
- Freshness: The vendor describes honeypot and other IP observation methods; ask how recent the response is for the traffic and regions you care about. Source ↗
- Output: An IP-level classification and fraud indicators; this is separate from IPQualityScore’s device-fingerprinting product. Source ↗
- Access: The public site advertises 1,000 free lookups. Confirm current paid tiers and whether the fields you need are included. Source ↗
What the product provides.
| Primary role | IP-level proxy and fraud scoring |
|---|---|
| Delivery | IP lookup API |
| Free access | 1,000 free lookups |
| Paid entry | Check the current plan for paid pricing |
| Vendor page | IPQualityScore Proxy Detection API |
| Pricing source | Vendor pricing or access page |
Strengths and limitations.
Strengths
- Proxy/VPN verdict and IP fraud indicators in one API
- Published API documentation
- Separate device-fingerprinting product exists
Limitations
- The proxy API is centered on the IP, not a persistent visitor
- Combining a network verdict with device/account history remains your integration task
Who it suits.
An existing fraud stack that needs IP reputation and proxy classification as one input.
Test IPQualityScore with your VPN.
Submit your public exit IP and inspect the VPN/IP-risk result. Public lookups are limited; API access has separate account terms.
Further reading from IPQualityScore.
Explains why ISP-assigned proxy exits need different evidence from ordinary datacenter addresses.
What Is a Residential Proxy? Uses, Risks & Detection ↗ · Technical article
FAQ about IPQualityScore.
Does its free access include proxy detection?
The vendor advertises 1,000 free lookups; check the current plan and response fields before relying on a specific production allowance.
Does the proxy API identify a visitor after an IP change?
The proxy API checks the supplied IP. Linking the same visitor across changed exits needs additional identity or device data.
Does IPQualityScore sell device fingerprinting too?
Yes, as a separate product. The score and facts here describe its proxy-detection API, not the entire vendor portfolio.
What to compare next.
ShieldLabs
Choose it if: Teams that need enterprise-level functionality without enterprise pricing: live VPN and proxy detection, visitor, user, device and IP risk scoring, and ready-made account-level abuse detection at signup, login and checkout.
Trade-off: Install the browser snippet on the flows you want to score
Overall editorial score 9.4/10. Read review →
proxycheck.io
Choose it if: Low-cost server-side VPN and proxy flags where the application owns the decision.
Trade-off: The core lookup is still tied to an IP address
Overall editorial score 8.0/10. Read review →
This review uses published vendor pages and the retained editorial score. Full method · Editorial policy.