hexdb.io

What It Is

hexdb.io is a Mode-S Hex API for aviation enthusiasts and developers building ADS-B radar applications. It lets users look up aircraft, routes, and airport information by 24-bit ICAO/Mode-S hex code or flight callsign, and can also return aircraft images. The site shows more than 1.1 million daily requests, includes a database update timestamp, and claims 99.95% uptime.

Core Features and API

At its core, hexdb.io provides RESTful endpoints. The Aircraft endpoint returns the ICAO aircraft type code, manufacturer, ModeS, operator, registration, and aircraft type by hex code. The Route endpoint returns route information by ICAO or IATA callsign. The Airport endpoint returns airport name, country code, latitude and longitude, region, and other details by ICAO or IATA code. In addition to the newer API, it still maintains Legacy endpoints, supporting lookups such as hex to registration, aircraft type, and airline; registration to hex; callsign to departure/arrival airports; and IATA/ICAO airport code conversion. Its image feature is also practical, allowing aircraft photos or thumbnails to be retrieved by hex code.

Language Support, Ecosystem, and Documentation

The service is delivered as an HTTP REST API and shows JSON responses, so it is not tied to any specific language or framework. It can be used from JavaScript, Python, Go, or virtually any backend or frontend project. The page states that its data comes from sources such as PlaneBase/PlanePlotter, Jim Mason, Steve Hibberd, ip2location, and Airport-Data, but it does not clarify the boundaries of data licensing. The documentation provides endpoints, example URLs, and 404 examples, making it easy to get started. However, it lacks details on authentication, rate-limit rules, error code conventions, SLA, version migration, and SDKs.

Pricing and Limits

The main page does not disclose pricing, free quotas, commercial usage policies, or payment methods; it only provides a “Support Project” entry point. The page clearly states that, due to increased database scraping, rate limits have been enabled and abusive IPs may be banned. If an IP is blocked, users can contact the listed email address for resolution. As a result, hexdb.io is suitable for lightweight or reasonably paced integrations, but not for large-scale bulk scraping without prior communication.

Pros, Cons, and Who It’s For

Its strengths are a simple API, coverage of common ADS-B lookup scenarios, and quick integration into self-hosted radar pages or aviation information widgets. Its weaknesses are limited information on commercial terms and service guarantees, and no visible open-source, self-hosting, or SDK options. It is best suited to aviation enthusiasts, personal projects, and low- to medium-scale radar display applications. The page does not provide information about access from China, so actual network connectivity, payment options, and alternative services should be tested independently. Comparable options include OpenSky Network, ADS-B Exchange, Aviationstack, and FlightAware AeroAPI.