Top 7 APIs for Multi-Country Plate Decoding

Maxwell

Maxwell

@carsxe_api

Top 7 APIs for Multi-Country Plate Decoding

Top 7 APIs for Multi-Country Plate Decoding

Managing license plate decoding across multiple countries can be challenging due to varying formats, fonts, and designs. This article highlights seven APIs that simplify this process, offering features like real-time recognition, broad country coverage, and integration options. These tools are invaluable for industries like logistics, law enforcement, car rentals, and more, enabling accurate vehicle identification and tracking. Here's a quick overview:

Each API offers unique strengths, from extensive global coverage to specialized features like VIN decoding or mobile SDKs. Choose based on your geographic needs, input types, and budget.

What to Look for in Multi-Country Plate Decoding APIs

Choosing the right multi-country plate decoding API means evaluating several factors that directly impact its performance and dependability. Understanding these key aspects will help you select an API that aligns with your business needs and technical requirements.

Country Coverage and Regional Adaptability are at the core of any successful multi-country API. License plate formats can vary widely from one country to another, so the API must be equipped to handle these differences effectively. When assessing an API, check which countries and regions it supports, and ask for sample data or performance metrics. Research shows that license plates typically follow single-line or double-line patterns. A reliable API should accurately identify these formats and support various character sets, including alphanumeric combinations and country-specific symbols. Keep in mind that the scarcity of public multi-country license plate datasets can make thorough validation more difficult.

Data Accuracy and Real-Time Performance are critical for most applications. Modern systems have achieved impressive benchmarks - detection accuracy of up to 98.4% and recognition accuracy of up to 98.9%. For instance, Sondkar et al. (2025) demonstrated a system with 99.3% character accuracy, 97.8% plate accuracy, the ability to process 28 vehicles per minute, and a latency of just 480 milliseconds.

"For an access system to truly work, it has to be reliable, like, really reliable, no matter what the real world throws at it, and traditional fine-tuning doesn't always guarantee that rock-solid, license-plate-specific performance." – Sondkar et al. (2025)

When evaluating APIs, focus on those that include advanced preprocessing pipelines to manage low-resolution or blurry images. APIs that incorporate custom detectors and machine learning enhancements can significantly boost OCR performance.

Input Format Support and Technical Flexibility are equally important for seamless integration. Beyond accuracy, the API should handle a wide range of image formats and quality levels, as vehicles are often captured under varying conditions. Additionally, verify whether the API includes format compliance checks to address common OCR errors, which can further enhance accuracy.

Privacy Compliance and Data Protection have become non-negotiable as data privacy regulations grow stricter. License plate recognition systems must adhere to local privacy laws and international standards for data handling. Look for API providers that implement robust security measures, such as encryption, secure storage, and data anonymization, to protect captured data. Ethical guidelines are also crucial to prevent misuse. Most ALPR systems are designed to focus exclusively on license plates, avoiding the capture of vehicle occupants, which helps address privacy concerns.

Developer Support and Documentation play a vital role in ensuring a smooth integration process. Comprehensive API documentation, sample code, and responsive support can make all the difference when implementing a solution.

1. CarsXE

CarsXE handles a staggering 2,000,000 API calls every day, offering multi-country license plate decoding with tools that work for both image and text-based recognition. Let’s break down what makes CarsXE stand out in terms of supported plate formats, real-time decoding capabilities, and integration options.

Country Coverage and Supported Plate Formats

CarsXE’s Vehicle Plate Recognition API spans over 100 countries, while its Vehicle Plate Decoder API supports more than 50. The system is trained on license plates from over 100 countries and states, ensuring it can handle a wide range of formats and character sets. Here's a snapshot of its global reach:

  • North America: Covers all 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C., Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Canada, Mexico, and Costa Rica.
  • Europe: Includes major nations like Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, and Nordic countries such as Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland.
  • Asia: Recognizes plates from countries like China, India, Malaysia, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Kazakhstan, and Cyprus.
  • Africa: Supports Nigeria, South Africa, and Tunisia.
  • Oceania: Covers Australia and New Zealand.
  • South America: Includes Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.

CarsXE frequently updates its coverage - almost weekly - ensuring support for new plate formats and regional variations.

Real-time Recognition and Decoding Capabilities

CarsXE provides two powerful APIs. One extracts plate numbers directly from images, while the other decodes these plate numbers into detailed vehicle information. This dual approach gives users the flexibility to work with different types of data inputs.

Integration Options

CarsXE offers a RESTful API suite designed with user convenience in mind. It features a dedicated dashboard for testing, tracking usage, and managing billing. The documentation is thorough, covering everything from authentication to error handling. Beyond license plate decoding, the API suite includes endpoints for:

Pricing starts at $99 per month on a pay-as-you-go plan, and there’s a 7-day free trial for new users.

2. Eocortex

Eocortex delivers a robust license plate recognition system with global reach, capable of decoding plates from multiple countries. Using AI-driven technology, it supports both live and recorded video analysis, making it a reliable choice for surveillance and traffic monitoring. Let’s dive into its country coverage, recognition methods, and key features.

Country Coverage and Supported Plate Formats

Eocortex's License Plate Recognition module supports an impressive range of 196 countries. Unlike systems restricted to specific templates, Eocortex adapts automatically to various plate formats, providing unmatched flexibility. It offers two distinct modules:

  • Complete Module: Allows users to select specific countries and templates for tailored recognition.
  • Light Module: Handles unmarked formats automatically, reducing computing demands.

This flexibility ensures accurate recognition across a vast array of plate designs.

Real-time Recognition and Decoding Capabilities

One of Eocortex's standout features is its ability to process license plates in real time, whether from live video streams or recorded footage. Its advanced AI algorithms deliver accurate results even under challenging conditions, such as high-speed traffic. The system can:

  • Detect and recognize plates on vehicles traveling up to 93 mph (150 kph).
  • Process up to 10 license plates simultaneously within a single frame.

With an estimated accuracy rate of 90%, Eocortex ensures dependable recognition for vehicles in motion, making it a practical solution for cross-border surveillance.

Integration Options

Eocortex provides a suite of integration tools designed to simplify development and enhance compatibility with third-party systems. These include:

  • Eocortex API: Facilitates interaction between Eocortex and external software using HTTP, RTSP, XML, and JSON protocols.
  • Eocortex SDK: Offers core classes, interfaces, and C# code samples for creating custom plugins and modules.
  • Eocortex REST API: Allows deeper system configuration and interaction, accessible via Swagger for browser-based exploration.

Developers can find comprehensive documentation at doc.eocortex.com, with SDK samples and additional resources available on the main Eocortex website.

Support for Image and Video Input

Eocortex seamlessly processes both image and video inputs, making it versatile for use in surveillance and traffic monitoring scenarios. This adaptability ensures it meets the demands of diverse operational environments.

3. Plate Recognizer

Plate Recognizer provides a license plate recognition solution that works across the globe and adapts to various deployment needs. With support for over 90 countries, its engine is designed to handle a wide range of plate formats, including multi-row layouts and region-specific characters. This makes it a reliable choice for decoding license plates from multiple countries.

Country Coverage and Plate Format Support

The system is built to handle a variety of license plate formats across its supported regions. It offers specialized sub-regional support for key areas like the USA, Australia, Brazil, Egypt, Germany/Austria, Japan, Korea, Peru, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. This customization allows the engine to differentiate between easily confused characters, such as the number zero and the letter O or the number one and the letter I. Impressively, it can decode up to five license plates in a single image. For regions not directly supported, partnerships can help extend its capabilities. This robust regional adaptability is paired with quick and efficient recognition performance.

Real-time Recognition and Decoding

Plate Recognizer includes two main products tailored to different use cases. The 'Snapshot' product processes static images with inference speeds of 50–100 milliseconds, while the 'Stream' product is designed for live video feeds, supporting RTSP or FFmpeg protocols. It can handle input from 5–10 cameras simultaneously and performs well even under tough conditions, such as blurry or low-resolution images, angled plates, or poor lighting.

Flexible Integration Options

Integration is straightforward with a REST API, offering sample code in more than eight programming languages. For on-premise setups, the platform provides an SDK compatible with Windows, Linux, and Mac, all within a Docker container. Cloud API users also benefit from webhooks and an online dashboard for managing operations.

Image and Video Input Support

Plate Recognizer supports both static image inputs - whether from cameras, video management systems (VMS), or FTP uploads - and live video feeds via standard protocols like RTSP. This flexibility makes it suitable for both one-time image analysis and continuous monitoring applications.

4. Vehicle Databases

Vehicle Databases is a robust platform designed for license plate decoding, offering specialized APIs for identifying vehicles across multiple countries. It focuses on delivering fast and reliable vehicle information using license plate recognition technology tailored for various regions.

Country Coverage and Supported Plate Formats

Vehicle Databases uses Milestone XProtect® LPR technology to provide coverage for license plates from over 200 countries. This extensive reach ensures that users can access vehicle data no matter where they are.

The platform organizes license plate styles by geographic regions, making it easier for users to find specific information about supported countries and plate formats. This regional approach helps manage the unique styles and formats of license plates across the globe. Since the XProtect 2022 R2 release, users can visually confirm supported plate styles for different regions through the Smart Client interface.

Beyond its wide coverage, Vehicle Databases also offers seamless integration options that simplify access to vehicle data.

Integration Options

The platform provides a REST API capable of delivering responses in seconds, making it ideal for real-time applications. Beyond license plate decoding, Vehicle Databases offers additional automotive APIs for tasks such as VIN decoding, retrieving vehicle history, and accessing market value information.

The License Plate API can be easily integrated into apps and websites, enabling instant access to vehicle data for a variety of use cases. For developers, a free trial is available to test the API’s accuracy and performance before committing to its use. This trial allows developers to explore whether the API aligns with their specific needs.

Real-World Applications

Vehicle Databases' integration options have found practical uses in the automotive industry. For example, its VIN decoder and vehicle history app utilizes the License Plate API to provide detailed reports for vehicle shoppers, sellers, and dealerships working with U.S. license plates.

In international markets, the Smart Car Check App applies the same API technology to serve users in the UK, offering similar functionality tailored to regional requirements. These examples highlight how the platform effectively adapts to different markets while maintaining consistent accuracy and performance, making it a valuable tool for global users in diverse industries.

5. OpenALPR

OpenALPR is an open-source Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) library that uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to decode license plates. Designed for both businesses and developers, it provides reliable, multi-country plate recognition. Below, we'll explore OpenALPR's global reach, real-time processing capabilities, integration options, and its ability to handle various input sources.

Country Coverage and Supported Plate Formats

OpenALPR supports license plate recognition in over 70 countries. Its system is built to handle a wide range of plate formats, including those from North America, the Middle East, and beyond, not just standardized European plates. This broad coverage is especially useful in situations where accuracy is crucial, achieving up to 99% accuracy in reading license plates.

Real-Time Recognition and Decoding Capabilities

The platform can process both images and video streams to identify license plates and convert them into text. A simple command-line utility allows users to decode images instantly by running "alpr [image file path]". For more advanced needs, tools like Rekor Scout provide accurate license plate and vehicle recognition for IP, traffic, or security cameras. Similarly, Rekor CarCheck specializes in analyzing still images, delivering detailed vehicle and plate information.

Integration Options

OpenALPR offers flexibility with bindings for C#, Java, Node.js, Go, and Python, along with a REST API that processes vehicle images from local machines, servers, or web-based URLs, returning the results in JSON format [46,47]. It also features a user-friendly dashboard, accessible from any browser, where businesses can monitor their account data.

One notable application is its partnership with Carma and Toyota to address the Takata airbag recall. Using Rekor Finder's technology, they efficiently scanned large areas and linked vehicle recognition data to their systems.

"OpenALPR helps simplify the process with its Agent for Axis cameras. Installation time in the field is greatly reduced.... My Law Enforcement customers are changing some of their operational procedures because of the new capabilities OpenALPR brings."
– John Murphy, Owner, Protec Video LLC

Lt. Brian Hess of the Westchester County PD shared, "OpenALPR has become the new standard in LPR technology for Westchester, NY. It offers the best results and greatest value."

Support for Image and Video Input

OpenALPR is designed to handle a variety of input sources, making it adaptable to different use cases. NVIDIA, for example, has developed DeepStream applications that create pipelines for processing multiple video streams. These applications use cascading models to detect vehicles, identify license plates, and recognize characters. For residential use, OpenALPR integrates with Home Assistant, allowing users to process license plates from cameras to trigger home automation systems. This versatility makes the platform suitable for both commercial and personal applications.

sbb-itb-9525efd

6. Sighthound Cloud API

Sighthound Cloud API stands out in the realm of multi-country license plate decoding solutions, offering cutting-edge real-time capabilities and seamless integration features. Built on deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs), this platform excels in vehicle detection and license plate recognition, processing over a billion images annually. It’s tailored for both enterprise-level and developer-focused applications, ensuring wide usability.

Country Coverage and Supported Plate Formats

Sighthound’s recognition models are designed to identify alphanumeric plates worldwide. But it doesn’t stop at extracting text - this API pinpoints the license plate region and provides detailed classifications for areas such as US states, Canadian provinces and territories, and European Union countries. Key regions covered include Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK, offering precise recognition tailored to these markets.

While the license plate recognition feature works across various countries and formats, the vehicle recognition models are primarily optimized for cars sold in North America and Europe, making it particularly effective for these regions.

Real-Time Recognition and Decoding Capabilities

The Sighthound ALPR+ API delivers impressive performance, achieving speeds of up to 160 FPS on GPUs and real-time processing on CPUs. Its deep CNNs are designed to handle challenges like varying poses, lighting conditions, and occlusions .

The recognition process is highly detailed. Each license plate character is segmented, identified individually, and then combined for final output. This meticulous approach results in accuracy rates of 99.09% for the USA and 99.64% for Europe, with overall recognition accuracies of 93.44% and 94.55%, respectively. A dedicated character detection network further enhances performance by filtering out irrelevant symbols and focusing solely on actual license plate characters.

Integration Options

Sighthound’s API is designed with simplicity in mind, offering a developer-friendly RESTful architecture. Requests are made through POST calls to the https://preview.sighthoundapi.com/v11/images:annotate endpoint, with authentication handled via an API key in the request header. The system supports both JPG and PNG image formats, ensuring compatibility with common file types.

Developers benefit from extensive resources, including detailed documentation, quickstart guides, and sample code in multiple programming languages like C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, Ruby, and Swift. This broad language support ensures that developers across various tech stacks can easily integrate the API into their applications. These tools make it a natural fit for global vehicle tracking and monitoring systems.

Support for Image and Video Input

The API is versatile when it comes to input sources. It can process local files, server-stored data, and web URLs. For real-time analytics, it supports RTSP streams, making it ideal for applications like security camera monitoring and live surveillance.

Sighthound’s platform is adaptable for deployment on local servers, edge devices, and cloud environments. It’s capable of recognizing all vehicles and their associated license plates within a single image, making it efficient for analyzing complex scenes with multiple vehicles . This flexibility ensures it can meet the demands of a variety of use cases, from traffic management to security systems.

7. Anyline

Anyline wraps up our list with a mobile-first solution for license plate recognition, designed to work seamlessly across four key regions. Known for its near-instant processing and versatile deployment options, it’s particularly well-suited for mobile and on-device scanning applications.

Country Coverage and Supported Plate Formats

Anyline's License Plate plugin offers broad geographic support, covering license plates from Europe, the United States, Canada, and Africa. It features customizable scan modes tailored to specific regions: auto for European plates, unitedstates for U.S. states and territories, canada for Canadian provinces, and africa for African countries.

In Europe, the plugin can extract license plate numbers and, when a blue euroband is present, identify the issuing country or territory. However, this feature excludes certain regions like Switzerland, Iceland, the U.K., and Ukraine. Supported characters include numbers (0–9), letters (A–Z), special characters like Ö and Ü, as well as hyphens and spaces.

For North America, the plugin covers all 50 U.S. states, including territories such as Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa. It also supports eight Canadian provinces and territories, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Alberta. However, regional detection is unavailable for certain areas like Newfoundland and Labrador.

In Africa, Anyline focuses on extracting license plate numbers using a character set similar to Europe’s. However, it does not provide country or region identification for African plates. These tailored scan modes ensure reliable and efficient recognition across diverse regions.

Real-Time Recognition and Decoding Capabilities

Anyline’s mobile scanning technology processes license plates in real time, decoding them from live video streams within milliseconds. By analyzing multiple frames from a continuous video feed, the system improves accuracy, as it gathers data from multiple points rather than relying on a single image.

Integration Options

The platform provides three main integration pathways: Mobile SDKs, Web SDKs, and a Cloud API. The Mobile SDK supports iOS, Android, and UWP platforms, and it’s compatible with popular cross-platform frameworks such as Xamarin, Cordova, React Native, Flutter, and .NET MAUI. Additionally, Anyline includes a Scan Data Dashboard to monitor and manage scanning activities.

Support for Image and Video Input

Anyline’s strength lies in its ability to process live video streams, eliminating the need for users to manually capture and upload individual images. This video-based approach enables smooth, real-time scanning, allowing for natural user interactions. By analyzing continuous frames, it enhances accuracy, making it ideal for fast-paced, on-the-go scanning scenarios.

API Comparison Table

When choosing an API, consider factors like country coverage, real-time performance, and unique features. Here's a side-by-side comparison to help you decide:

API Country Coverage Real-Time Decoding Input Types Key Additional Features Pricing Model CarsXE 50+ countries (constantly expanding) Yes Images VIN decoding, vehicle specs, market value, history, recalls, images $99/month + API call fees, 7-day free trial, volume discounts Eocortex 196 countries Yes Live video streams, images Video analytics, security integration Custom enterprise pricing Plate Recognizer 90+ countries with regional optimization Yes (Stream & Snapshot) Live RTSP video, images in any format Vehicle make/model/color, direction, dwell time, ParkPow platform Subscription-based plans Vehicle Databases 200+ countries Limited Images Basic vehicle data lookup Pay-per-query OpenALPR 70+ countries Yes Images, video Vehicle make/model/color identification Open source with commercial licensing Sighthound Cloud API North America and Europe focus Yes Images, video streams Advanced analytics, cloud processing API request-based pricing Anyline Europe, US, Canada, Africa Yes Live video streams (mobile-first) Mobile SDKs, cross-platform support, scan dashboard Tiered pricing based on scans

This table outlines the essential features of each API, making it easier to identify which one aligns with your specific needs.

Geographic Reach
APIs vary significantly in their country coverage. For instance, CarsXE offers broad coverage in 50+ countries and is actively expanding, while Vehicle Databases boasts theoretical support for over 200 countries. Meanwhile, Plate Recognizer provides regional optimization for 90+ countries, which can enhance accuracy in localized markets.

Performance and Input Types
For real-time processing, Plate Recognizer offers two solutions: Stream for live camera feeds and Snapshot for static images. Anyline stands out in mobile-first applications, analyzing continuous video streams for precise results. CarsXE and OpenALPR also deliver reliable real-time decoding for images and videos.

Additional Features
CarsXE leads in comprehensive vehicle data, offering tools like VIN decoding, market value estimation, vehicle history, and recall information. Plate Recognizer enriches its data with vehicle make, model, color, and even direction of travel. OpenALPR specializes in identifying vehicle attributes like make, model, and color, while Anyline focuses on mobile SDKs and cross-platform support for scanning.

Budget Considerations
Pricing models range widely. CarsXE offers a subscription starting at $99/month, with a free trial and volume discounts. Plate Recognizer uses subscription-based plans, while Vehicle Databases follows a pay-per-query model. For enterprise-level needs, APIs like Eocortex provide custom pricing options.

Ultimately, your choice should depend on your geographic requirements, the type of data you need, and your budget. For global applications, APIs like CarsXE or Vehicle Databases are strong contenders. If you need region-specific optimization or mobile-first solutions, Plate Recognizer or Anyline might be better suited to your project.

Conclusion

When it comes to choosing the right multi-country license plate decoding API, the decision you make will directly impact your application's performance and the experience it delivers to users. It’s crucial to weigh your project’s specific needs and long-term goals before settling on a solution.

Country coverage should be a top priority. Since license plate designs differ significantly across regions, an API with broad geographic support is essential if you’re targeting a global user base.

Performance reliability is another key consideration. While testing in controlled environments might yield accuracy rates close to 99%, real-world conditions - like poor lighting or tricky angles - often bring that down to 90%-98%. The API you choose should be able to handle these challenges consistently and effectively.

Developer experience plays a huge role in seamless integration. With 98% of enterprise leaders emphasizing the importance of API integration, look for solutions that provide interactive documentation, straightforward authentication processes, and responsive technical support. These features, paired with scalable pricing options, can make the integration process much smoother.

Finally, match your budget to your usage needs and growth expectations. Whether you prefer pay-as-you-go pricing starting at $0.10 per query or subscription plans beginning at $99 per month, ensure the pricing model aligns with your projected usage and scales with your application's growth.

FAQs

How can I choose the best multi-country license plate decoding API for my region?

To pick the right multi-country license plate decoding API for your needs, start by looking at its geographic coverage. Does it support the countries or regions you’re targeting? For instance, APIs like CarsXE can decode plates from over 50 countries, including the United States, making them a solid choice for projects with global or diverse requirements.

You’ll also want to assess the accuracy and reliability of the API, especially for the regions you’re focusing on. Some APIs are fine-tuned for specific areas like North America or Europe, so double-check to ensure it aligns with your goals. Paying attention to these details will help you find an API that works seamlessly for your application.

What should I keep in mind about data privacy and compliance when using a license plate recognition API?

When working with a license plate recognition API, data privacy and compliance should be at the forefront of your strategy. Establish clear guidelines for how data is collected, stored, used, and deleted. Keeping data retention periods as short as possible and thoroughly documenting these practices are key to safeguarding user privacy.

It's also crucial to align with applicable laws and regulations related to privacy rights and data security. To achieve this, consider measures like implementing role-based access controls, providing your team with training on ethical data management, and being transparent about how data is handled. Taking these precautions not only helps prevent misuse but also protects individual rights and ensures you remain on the right side of the law.

How do environmental conditions impact the real-time performance of license plate decoding APIs?

How Environmental Conditions Affect License Plate Decoding APIs

The performance of license plate decoding APIs can take a hit when environmental conditions are less than perfect. Rain, fog, snow, or poor lighting are some of the most common culprits that lower detection accuracy, especially during harsh weather. On top of that, high-speed vehicles or license plates that are dirty or partially covered add another layer of difficulty for these systems.

Some advanced APIs are built to handle these challenges more effectively. They incorporate features designed to maintain accuracy even when conditions aren't ideal. That said, the level of performance still depends on how severe the environmental hurdles are and the specific technology powering the API.

Related Blog Posts

Ready to rev up your automotive business? Embrace CarsXE’s APIs today and Explore how vehicle APIs can propel your organization forward.
Katso kaikki viestit