Best Countries API in 2026 — Full Comparison
We compare CountryDataAPI, RestCountries, and GeoNames so you can choose the right tool for your project.
Quick verdict
CountryDataAPI
Best All-In-One
- ✓ Countries + States + Cities + Zip Codes
- ✓ Paid plans from €5/month
- ✓ TypeScript SDK & MCP server
RestCountries
Simple & Open Source
- ✓ Countries only
- ✓ No API key needed
- ✗ No states, cities, or zip codes
GeoNames
Largest Database
- ✓ Massive geographic dataset
- ⚠ Complex setup & parsing
- ⚠ Limited free tier
Feature Comparison
Side-by-side breakdown of what each API actually provides.
| Feature | CountryDataAPI | RestCountries | GeoNames |
|---|---|---|---|
| Countries data | ✓200+ | ✓250 | ✓250+ |
| States / Provinces | ✓Yes | ✗No | ⚠Complex |
| Cities database | ✓150,000+ | ✗No | ⚠Yes (large) |
| Zip Codes | ✓500,000+ | ✗No | ⚠Yes (complex) |
| Free tier | ✗Paid only | ✓Unlimited | ⚠Limited |
| No API key required | ✗Key required | ✓No key | ✗Key required |
| Commercial use | ✓Yes | ⚠Check license | ✓Yes |
| Multi-language | ✓6 languages | ✗Basic | ✗English only |
| SDK / MCP tools | ✓Yes | ✗No | ✗No |
| Response speed | ✓Fast CDN | ✓Fast | ⚠Variable |
| Support | ✓Email support | ✗Community only | ✗Community only |
Which API Should You Choose?
The right tool depends on what you are building and what your project requires.
Choose CountryDataAPI if...
Best for commercial projects
- ✓ You need states, cities, and zip codes — not just country names
- ✓ You are building a commercial or production application
- ✓ You want reliable email support and SLA guarantees
- ✓ You need a TypeScript SDK or AI integrations
Choose RestCountries if...
Best for simple open-source projects
- ✓ You only need country names, flags, or ISO codes
- ✓ You are building a free, open-source, non-commercial project
- ✓ You have no budget at all and need zero rate limits
Choose GeoNames if...
Best for raw data engineering
- ✓ You need raw, massive geographic data dumps
- ✓ You have engineering resources to parse and clean the data
- ✓ You are building a data pipeline, not a user-facing app
Comparison FAQ
Is CountryDataAPI really better than RestCountries?
For most commercial applications, yes. RestCountries provides basic country data only. CountryDataAPI adds states, cities, zip codes, multi-language support, and a TypeScript SDK — features RestCountries lacks entirely. If you only need country names and flags, RestCountries is a solid free option.
Is CountryDataAPI free like RestCountries?
No. CountryDataAPI is a paid service starting at €5/month. RestCountries now also requires an API key, and its free plan is capped at 1,000 requests a month. CountryDataAPI is the right choice when you also need states, cities, zip codes, reliable uptime, and support.
Can I migrate from RestCountries to CountryDataAPI?
Yes. The endpoint structure is similar. Replace your RestCountries URL with the CountryDataAPI base URL, add your key as the apikey query parameter, and you are set. Our docs include migration examples and a full endpoint reference.
Ready to go beyond country lists?
Get countries, states, cities, and zip codes in one API. See why developers choose CountryDataAPI over the alternatives.