Currently we support 3 different GeoIP lookup methods. Each method is described below, each method has different pros and cons and requirements.
- Native – Uses the PHP GeoIP extension. Requires that you have the extension installed and fully configured
- MaxMind – Uses the PHP Maxmind API. Nothing is required, but we recommend you keep the GeoIP.dat database up-to-date
- GeoPlugin – Uses the GeoPlugin.net remote service. Requires that you have the PHP CURL extension and is limited to 120 lookups per minute
We recommend using the MaxMind method as it requires no PHP extensions or configuration. However you will need to keep the GeoIP.dat database in the addon’s data directory up-to-date. They usually update once a month around the beginning of each month. The MaxMind method is slightly more resource intensive in than the other 2 methods in our tests, but we find it easier as it requires nothing configured or installed with PHP. The GeoPlugin.net service would be our next recommendation, however it does “slightly” slow the final checkout as it uses a remote service to do the GeoIP lookup. The native method would be our last recommendation as it requires the GeoIP extension which in our research is not commonly installed.
