> **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):** <https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/does-reddit-have-an-api>
- **Markdown (.mdx) URL:** <https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/does-reddit-have-an-api.mdx>

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# Does Reddit have an API?

Yes — but two different products. Reddit's Data API is OAuth-gated with a free non-commercial tier and separate paid commercial path. Public-data APIs like Social Fetch return subreddits, posts, comments, and search as JSON under one API key, no Reddit OAuth app.

## Reddit's official Data API

Right choice for Reddit-native clients, bots that post/vote, mod tooling, or user-scoped actions. Register an app, get client id/secret, implement OAuth.

Free non-commercial tier (~100 QPM per client commonly cited) vs commercial approval and pricing for customer-facing products. Registration has tightened — don't assume personal script approval covers a commercial product.

## Public-data Reddit APIs

Social Fetch includes Reddit in the 25-platform catalog (264 ops): subreddit metadata, posts, comment trees, search — one sfk_… key.

Same { data, meta } envelope and data.lookupStatus on HTTP 200 as other platforms.

## What a pull actually looks like

Tracking product mentions: official path = OAuth app, ~100 QPM, commercial terms if shipping to customers. Public-data path = GET with x-api-key, page and check meta.creditsCharged — no token refresh.

Both return subreddit names, post bodies, comment trees, counts — difference is access model and who runs the pipeline.

## Official API vs public-data API

Official: posting, voting, inbox, compliant Reddit client. Public-data: structured public content alongside other platforms without a Reddit developer app.

Reddit: QPM-bounded free tier, contract-priced commercially. Social Fetch: no published RPS cap; credits per completed lookup.

## Common mistakes

Using free non-commercial tier for a paid monitoring product — compliance risk.

Underestimating comment-tree depth — set job limits; reconcile meta.creditsCharged.

Treating 200 as success — lookupStatus not_found is billed, not a transport error.

## What Social Fetch does not do

Public content only — private/quarantined subreddits, inbox, voting, posting need Reddit OAuth.

Try /tools/reddit-research; production routes at /platforms/reddit. Official keys: /guides/how-to-get-a-reddit-api-key. Pricing comparison: /blog/reddit-api-pricing.

## FAQ

### Does Reddit have a free API?

Yes for approved non-commercial use (~100 QPM commonly cited) — not a commercial entitlement.

### What are Reddit's official API rate limits?

~100 QPM per OAuth client commonly cited; listings often ~100 items/page. Check current Reddit developer terms.

### Is Social Fetch the same as Reddit's official API?

No. Social Fetch is third-party public-data over public content with your sfk_… key.

### Can I get private subreddit content through a public-data API?

No. Restricted targets return lookupStatus; gated content needs Reddit OAuth.

### Do Reddit lookups cost credits on Social Fetch?

Yes on metered routes, including not_found. Lists/comments add up — watch meta.creditsCharged.

### Is web scraping Reddit data legal?

Depends on jurisdiction and use case — not legal advice. A maintained API changes who runs the pipeline, not your compliance obligations.

### Where do I try Reddit data without writing code?

/tools/reddit-research, then /platforms/reddit and /docs/api.

### Which one should I use — official Reddit API or a public-data API?

Official for Reddit client/bot/user-scoped actions. Public-data for public subreddits/posts/search across platforms without OAuth app setup.

## Related

- [Reddit platform API](https://www.socialfetch.dev/platforms/reddit)
- [How to get a Reddit API key](https://www.socialfetch.dev/guides/how-to-get-a-reddit-api-key)
- [Reddit search API guide](https://www.socialfetch.dev/guides/reddit-search-api)
- [Reddit API pricing](https://www.socialfetch.dev/blog/reddit-api-pricing)
- [Best Reddit Data APIs](https://www.socialfetch.dev/blog/best-reddit-data-apis-2026)
- [Reddit research tool](https://www.socialfetch.dev/tools/reddit-research)
- [Reddit research recipe](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/recipes/reddit-research)
- [Ask](https://www.socialfetch.dev/ask)
- [API docs](https://www.socialfetch.dev/docs/api)
- [Does Twitter have an API?](https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/does-twitter-have-an-api)
- [Rate limits](https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/rate-limits)
- [Public social data](https://www.socialfetch.dev/glossary/public-social-data)