Addressr

Addressr is an Australian address search and validation service built around G-NAF, with API, web and self-hosted access. It is best suited to developers and teams whose products need Australian address lookup, rather than international coverage.

The choice of hosted API or self-hosting is useful, but running it yourself means owning the infrastructure and recurring data updates.

Overview

Addressr focuses on Australian addresses, localities, postcodes, and states or territories. Its maker describes G-NAF as Australia’s authoritative address database, containing more than 15 million addresses. The service is a focused option for building Australian address search into a product; it is not a fit for teams seeking broad international coverage.

Teams can use the hosted API through RapidAPI or operate their own deployment. The hosted route avoids running the address infrastructure, while self-hosting gives the team more control over the index and its updates in exchange for operational responsibility.

Key features

Search and structured address records. The API searches addresses as well as localities, postcodes, and states or territories. Search results include a stable address identifier, and a separate detail endpoint returns structured fields and available geocoding. This makes the service useful when an application needs to move from an autocomplete suggestion to a consistent address record.

Optional geocoding. Self-hosted deployments can return latitude and longitude, but enabling this option requires more memory and increases indexing time. Teams that need coordinates should budget for a heavier setup; those that only need address lookup can avoid that added cost.

MCP package. Addressr documents an MCP package for Claude, Cursor, VS Code Copilot, and other compatible AI assistants. It may suit teams adding address lookup to those workflows, though the core service remains focused on Australian address data.

Hosted API and self-hosting. RapidAPI handles hosted signup, API keys, billing, and plan changes. The self-hosted quick start requires Node.js 22 or newer and OpenSearch, and a first full data download and index takes about an hour depending on the machine and options. That is a meaningful setup commitment for teams without existing infrastructure experience.

G-NAF is released every three months, and the maker recommends scheduling the loader to keep a self-hosted index current. The self-hosted default does not enforce proxy authentication; teams can configure gateway authentication with a header and shared secret. Hosted API keys should remain on the server, not in public browser code or source control. These requirements make deployment security and update routines part of the team's ongoing work.

Pricing

Self-hosted open-source software — free. This plan has no hosted request limit and uses an Apache-2.0 licence. It is suited to teams able to provide infrastructure, hosting, monitoring, and data updates. The absence of a hosted request cap does not remove those operating responsibilities.

Commercial support — custom pricing. Contact Mountain Pass for a quote for implementation or operational support on self-hosted deployments. This is the option for teams that want help with running or implementing their own deployment.

For the hosted API, RapidAPI handles billing and plan changes; its prices and request limits can change, so teams should check the applicable plan before choosing hosted usage. Addressr also offers community support through Gitter.

Platforms

Addressr supports API, web, and self-hosted use. The documented MCP package supports Claude, Cursor, VS Code Copilot, and other MCP-compatible AI assistants.

Who it's for

Addressr is a sensible choice for developers building Australian address forms, search, or location-aware services who need address-level results and may benefit from optional coordinates. Choose the hosted API if the priority is avoiding G-NAF infrastructure. Choose self-hosting if control over infrastructure and data updates matters enough to justify setup, security, monitoring, and quarterly refreshes.

It is a weaker fit for teams that need international address coverage or cannot maintain a self-hosted index and do not want to rely on a hosted API.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Australian-focused search spans addresses, localities, postcodes, and states or territories, with stable identifiers and structured detail results.
• Pros: Self-hosted software has no hosted request limit and an Apache-2.0 licence, giving capable teams control over their deployment.
• Pros: Optional geocoding and a documented MCP package add useful paths for teams that need coordinates or AI-assistant workflows.
• Cons: Self-hosting requires Node.js 22 or newer, OpenSearch, an initial indexing run, and recurring data updates.
• Cons: The self-hosted default lacks proxy authentication, so teams must configure gateway authentication where needed.
• Cons: Coverage is local to Australia, limiting its usefulness for international address workflows.

Alternatives

For a broader shortlist, see Address Verification Software.

Addresser is worth considering for teams that want Android or iOS alongside API and web access; its free eCommerce plan includes 1,000 lookups per 30 days and autocomplete.

Melissa Global Address Verification may suit teams needing global coverage across API, Linux, self-hosted, web, or Windows deployments; its free plan includes 250 records per month.

Addrex Address Validation API is an alternative for teams wanting a free beta allowance of 10,000 lookups per month, spreadsheet upload, map coordinates, a usage dashboard, and CSV export.

PostalUp offers a free, non-expiring allowance of 1,000 requests, with a limit of 10 requests per minute, address standardization, basic validation, and email support.

AddressZen is another option for teams seeking verified addresses, with a free-for-one-year plan covering 1,400 verified addresses.

Lob Address Verification may fit US-focused mailing workflows: its Developer plan includes up to 6,000 mailings and one user, with additional US address verifications priced at $0.05 each and international verifications at $0.07 each.

PostNL Address Validation API may suit Benelux parcel businesses: its free address-check plan requires a PostNL parcel contract.

Addressify is an alternative with a 30-day free trial that includes 1,000 daily allowable API calls and street-level validation.

Verdict

Choose Addressr if your product needs Australian address lookup and you value a choice between a hosted API and an open-source self-hosted deployment. The self-hosted plan avoids hosted request limits, but only makes sense if your team can manage its infrastructure, security, and data updates. If you need international coverage or want to avoid those operational duties, look elsewhere.