LocationAPI vs Locus

LocationAPI is a geolocation API that estimates connected-device locations from visible cellular towers and WiFi networks without GPS. Its calculations use cellular and WiFi data, datasets, and algorithms, and it describes coverage for IoT, M2M, and other connected devices worldwide. Requests use JSON POST to a regional endpoint. The documentation includes cURL, PHP, Python, and JavaScript examples, plus an interactive sandbox. Each request can include up to 7 cells and 15 WiFi objects. WiFi positioning is enabled only for eligible deployments based on region and intended use. Accuracy varies by source and location: the FAQ gives cell-based estimates around 450 metres in urban areas and 1500 metres in rural areas, and WiFi estimates around 25–50 metres in urban areas and 50–150 metres in rural areas. The Developer plan is free, has daily and monthly request limits, and is marked for no commercial use. Business offers flexible usage, with pricing priced on request and as low as $0.10 per device. The documentation recommends scoped access tokens, kept server-side and rotated regularly.

Locus brings demographic, competition, access, demand and commercial-premises information onto a map to help assess business locations. It presents population and foot-traffic patterns, nearby competition and an AI assessment of local opportunity. Reports can lay out local context, trade-offs and evidence behind a location decision. Locus Pulse follows reviews, competitor movement, reputation and market rank as indicators of neighbourhood change. Ask Locus can navigate the map, adjust catchments, inspect evidence, find commercial premises and help organize options into comparisons, shortlists or projects. The product describes workflows for commercial real estate advisers, franchise and multi-site retail teams, business owners and marketing teams. Demographic coverage is deepest in the United Kingdom and United States; other markets may use global population and age estimates through WorldPop and supported regional sources. Free map access is available, alongside a $15, paid once location report and subscriptions from $49 a month. Locus says its recommendations support decisions, not valuations or planning opinions, and do not guarantee business performance.