> **For coding agents and LLMs:** This is one Social Fetch marketing page (markdown export). For API orientation start with [`/llms.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms.txt); for auth and crawl rules use [`/agents.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/agents.txt); for every operation use [`/llms-endpoints.txt`](https://www.socialfetch.dev/llms-endpoints.txt). ## This page - **On-site (HTML):** - **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** --- # Reddit API alternative: Social Fetch vs the Reddit Data API Reddit's Data API is free for approved non-commercial use at 100 queries a minute. Anything commercial needs Reddit's written permission and a contract, and Reddit doesn't publish a rate card. Social Fetch returns public subreddit feeds, posts, comment trees and search results as JSON for one credit per request, with no OAuth app and no access review. What it can't give you is Reddit's permission, so this page covers both sides. ## At a glance | | Social Fetch | the Reddit Data API | | --- | --- | --- | | Getting access | Sign up, get 100 free credits (no card), call with one key | Request access and wait for explicit approval, then register an OAuth app | | Commercial use | Self-serve credit packs; no Reddit contract involved | Needs Reddit's written permission and a contract; fees at Reddit's discretion | | Price | 1 credit per completed request: about $0.00165 on the Scale pack | Free for approved non-commercial use; no public commercial rate card | | Rate limits | No published per-minute cap on paid routes; up to 200 requests in flight per workspace | 100 queries per minute per OAuth client ID, averaged over 10 minutes | | Writes and moderation | None: read-only public data | Post, comment, vote, moderate, and build Devvit apps | | Data obligations | Not a Reddit licence: your use still has to respect Reddit's terms | Delete content removed from Reddit (48 hours recommended); no AI training without consent | ## Pricing (last verified 2026-09-23) **What does Reddit data cost on each?** Reddit's price depends on who you are more than how much you call. Approved non-commercial apps pay nothing within 100 queries a minute. Commercial use needs a contract, and Reddit doesn't publish what that costs. Social Fetch bills 1 credit per completed request on every Reddit route, and each page of results is a separate request. | | Social Fetch | the Reddit Data API | Note | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Single subreddit feed page | ~$0.00165 | Free if approved for non-commercial use; commercial price set by contract | | | Hobby or non-commercial project | 100 free credits, then $14 for 1,000 | Free within 100 queries a minute, after approval | | | 75k requests a month, commercial product | ~$124 at the Scale pack rate | Contract required, no public rate card. At the $0.24 per 1,000 quoted to Apollo in 2023, about $18 | Reddit's 2023 quote is a data point, not a current price list. The real cost of the official route is getting approved. | | Throughput | No published per-minute cap on paid routes; up to 200 requests in flight per workspace | 100 QPM per OAuth client ID on free access; unidentified traffic is blocked | | | Before your first request | Sign up and copy an API key | Request access, get explicit approval, register an OAuth app, set a descriptive User-Agent | | | Subscription required? | No. PAYG packs never expire; optional plans from $29/month for 18,000 credits | No subscription; commercial terms by contract | | Reddit terms from the [Reddit Data API Wiki](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/16160319875092-Reddit-Data-API-Wiki), [Developer Platform & Accessing Reddit Data](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/14945211791892-Developer-Platform-Accessing-Reddit-Data), the [Responsible Builder Policy](https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/42728983564564-Responsible-Builder-Policy), the [Data API Terms](https://www.redditinc.com/policies/data-api-terms) (effective June 19, 2023) and the [User Agreement](https://redditinc.com/policies/user-agreement), all checked September 2026. Reddit publishes no commercial rate card; the $12,000 per 50 million requests ($0.24 per 1,000) figure is what Reddit quoted Apollo's developer in May 2023, as reported by [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2023/05/31/popular-reddit-app-apollo-may-go-out-of-business-over-reddits-new-unaffordable-api-pricing/); Apollo's June 30, 2023 shutdown also from [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2023/06/08/popular-third-party-reddit-app-apollo-is-shutting-down-as-a-result-of-reddits-new-api-pricing/). Social Fetch figures use the Scale pack rate ($379 for 230,000 credits, about $1.64 per 1,000; September 2026) unless noted; Starter is $14 for 1,000. Every Social Fetch Reddit route costs 1 credit per completed request per the [API reference](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api/v1/reddit); `lookup_failed` and `503 temporarily_unavailable` are not billed. ## Feature matrix | Feature | Social Fetch | the Reddit Data API | | --- | --- | --- | | Public subreddit feeds, posts and comment trees | Yes | Yes | | Keyword search across Reddit and within a subreddit | Yes | Yes | | Post, comment, vote and moderate | No | Yes | | Act for Reddit users via OAuth | No | Yes | | Build apps that run inside Reddit (Devvit) | No | Yes | | Commercial data rights from Reddit (by contract) | No | Yes | | Published price for business use | Yes | No | | No OAuth app or access review | Yes | No | | Transcripts of Reddit video posts | Yes | No | | Webhook when a subreddit gets new posts | Yes | Partial | | Same key and schema for X, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube | Yes | No | ## What changed in 2023, and what is still true Reddit's API was free for years. In 2023 that ended: new Data API Terms took effect on June 19, 2023, and in May Reddit had told the developer of Apollo, a popular third-party client, that 50 million requests would cost $12,000 (about $0.24 per 1,000). Apollo put that at roughly $20 million a year for its traffic and shut down on June 30, 2023. The structure from that period is still in place. Reddit offers free and paid access; approved non-commercial use is free within rate limits, and developers who need broader access "may be charged fees" set by Reddit. There is still no public commercial price list. The $0.24 figure is the best public data point, not a quote you can count on. For the pricing detail and cost models, see [Reddit API pricing in 2026](https://www.socialfetch.dev/blog/reddit-api-pricing). This page is about choosing between the two routes. ## Approval, OAuth and rate limits Reddit's Responsible Builder Policy says you must request access and get explicit approval before accessing any Reddit data through the API, and you may not register multiple accounts or submit multiple requests for the same use case. Once approved, clients must authenticate with a registered OAuth token; unidentified traffic is throttled or blocked, and requests from hosting-provider IP ranges need OAuth or a login. The free tier is capped at 100 queries per minute per OAuth client ID, averaged over a 10-minute window so short bursts are fine. Reddit also asks for a unique, descriptive User-Agent (platform, app ID, version and your Reddit username) and heavily limits generic ones like `Python/urllib`. If you need the practical steps, our guide on [how to get a Reddit API key](https://www.socialfetch.dev/guides/how-to-get-a-reddit-api-key) walks through them. ## Commercial use means a contract with Reddit Reddit defines commercial use broadly: any use by or on behalf of a business, or as part of a monetized product. Its examples include apps with ads or paywalls, paid data access, subscription services, and free features used to upsell. For any of these you need Reddit's permission, and Reddit says it will require a contract. The Data API Terms add that Reddit may charge fees at its sole discretion. A few rules apply however you access the data. You can't show Reddit content alongside ads. You can't use Reddit content to train AI models without Reddit's explicit consent. You must delete posts, comments and user details that have been deleted on Reddit; Reddit recommends doing so within 48 hours. And Reddit says the only authorized route for academic research is its Reddit for Researchers program. ## What only the official Reddit API does Anything that writes needs Reddit's API: posting, commenting, voting, moderation tools, and apps built on Reddit's Developer Platform (Devvit). So does anything done on behalf of a logged-in Redditor. Social Fetch is read-only. The official route also gives you what a third party can't: Reddit's permission, in writing. If you sell Reddit data, train models on it, or need a data licence for procurement, talk to Reddit. And if you can get a contract, Reddit's per-call price may well beat credit pricing at high volume. The 2023 quote of $0.24 per 1,000 is below the Scale pack rate of about $1.64 per 1,000. ## Terms, data rights and what Social Fetch can't do Reddit's User Agreement prohibits collecting data from Reddit by automated means except as its terms allow or under a separate agreement with Reddit. Social Fetch returns publicly visible Reddit data; it is not a Reddit partner product and cannot pass you Reddit's permission. The deletion and AI-training rules above describe what Reddit expects of anyone using its data. Whether a public-data service fits your use depends on your jurisdiction, what you collect and what you do with it. This is not legal advice; read Reddit's terms and talk to counsel before you build a commercial product on Reddit data. ## What Social Fetch covers on Reddit Subreddit feeds (`GET /v1/reddit/subreddits/{subreddit}/posts` with `sort` and `timeframe`), subreddit metadata (`/v1/reddit/subreddits`), site-wide search (`/v1/reddit/search`), search within a subreddit (`/v1/reddit/subreddits/search`), single posts (`/v1/reddit/posts`), comment trees (`/v1/reddit/posts/comments`), and transcripts of video posts (`/v1/reddit/posts/transcript`). Each route costs 1 credit per completed request, and each page is a separate request. Read `meta.creditsCharged` on every response. For "tell me when this subreddit gets a new post", [Monitors](https://www.socialfetch.dev/monitoring) poll the feed on your schedule and send a signed webhook, billed at the route's normal price. The same key covers X, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and the rest of the 25 platforms. Full route list: [Reddit platform hub](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/reddit). Search patterns: [Reddit search API guide](https://www.socialfetch.dev/guides/reddit-search-api). Schemas: [API reference](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api/v1/reddit). ## When the Reddit Data API is the better choice - You post, comment, vote, moderate, or build an app on Reddit's Developer Platform - You need Reddit's written permission, for example to sell Reddit data or train models on it - You're doing academic research: Reddit only authorizes its Reddit for Researchers program - A non-commercial project that fits in 100 queries a minute: the free tier costs nothing - You can negotiate a contract at high volume, where per-call rates may beat credit pricing ## When Social Fetch is the better choice - Read-only jobs: subreddit feeds, keyword search and comment trees for monitoring or research - You want to test and ship against a self-serve API instead of waiting on an access review - Reddit is one source among several on the same key and schema - You want a signed webhook for new subreddit posts instead of running your own poller - You need transcripts of Reddit video posts ## Verdict: Writes and Reddit's permission: the Data API. Self-serve public reads: Social Fetch. The Reddit Data API is the right choice for anything that writes, for non-commercial projects that fit in the free tier, and for any use that needs Reddit's written permission. Commercial access is contract-only with no public price. Social Fetch is the self-serve option for reading public subreddits, posts, comments and search at 1 credit per request across many platforms, but it can't grant you Reddit's rights, so check Reddit's terms against your use before you build on either. ## FAQ ### Is the Reddit API free? For approved non-commercial use, yes, within 100 queries per minute per OAuth client ID. Commercial use needs Reddit's permission and a contract, and Reddit may charge fees at its discretion. Social Fetch gives new accounts 100 free credits with no card; after that, packs start at $14 for 1,000 credits. ### How much does the Reddit API cost for commercial use? Reddit doesn't publish a commercial rate card. The best public data point is from May 2023, when Reddit quoted Apollo's developer $12,000 per 50 million requests, about $0.24 per 1,000. Treat that as history, not a quote. More detail: [Reddit API pricing in 2026](https://www.socialfetch.dev/blog/reddit-api-pricing). ### Do I need approval to use the Reddit API in 2026? Yes. Under Reddit's Responsible Builder Policy you must request access and get explicit approval before accessing Reddit data through the API, then authenticate with a registered OAuth token. Commercial use needs separate written approval. ### What are the Reddit API rate limits? Free access is limited to 100 queries per minute per OAuth client ID, averaged over a 10-minute window. Traffic without OAuth is blocked, and generic User-Agents are heavily limited. Social Fetch paid routes have no published per-minute cap; your credit balance is the limit. ### Can Social Fetch post to Reddit or moderate a subreddit? No. Social Fetch only reads public data: subreddit feeds, posts, comments, search and video transcripts. Posting, voting, moderation and Devvit apps need Reddit's own API. ### Does Social Fetch need a Reddit account or OAuth app? No. Call `GET /v1/reddit/subreddits/{subreddit}/posts` (or any Reddit route) with your Social Fetch `x-api-key` header. There is no Reddit client ID, OAuth token or User-Agent setup. ### Can I use Reddit data to train an AI model? Reddit says no, not without its explicit consent, and commercial use of a model trained on Reddit data needs its explicit approval. Getting the data through a third party doesn't change Reddit's position. If model training is your use case, talk to Reddit. ### Is using a Reddit API alternative allowed? Reddit's User Agreement prohibits collecting data by automated means except as its terms allow or under a separate agreement, and Social Fetch cannot give you Reddit's permission. Whether a public-data service fits your use depends on your jurisdiction, the data and how you use it. If you need Reddit's rights, go to Reddit. This is not legal advice.