Skip to content

ChatterAPI vs the official Reddit API

The official Reddit Data API is Reddit's own. It uses OAuth, has a free limit of 100 queries per minute and allows writes, but you need explicit approval, and Reddit says remaining public access ends in March 2027. ChatterAPI is an independent read-only API for Reddit and X: one key, no Reddit app, and a fixed number of credits per call. If you need to post, moderate or act as a Reddit user, you need Reddit's own platform.

What the official Reddit API is

  • Free access is limited to 100 queries per minute per OAuth client id, averaged over a 10 minute window. source
  • Every client must authenticate with a registered OAuth token and send a unique User-Agent. Reddit blocks traffic without OAuth. source
  • The Responsible Builder Policy says you must request access and get explicit approval before you use Reddit data through the API. source
  • Commercial use, and research above the rate limits, need a separate agreement with Reddit. Reddit reserves the right to charge fees later. source
  • Reddit says it offers free and paid access, and that bulk export is significantly limited by default. source
  • Reddit's changelog of Oct 8, 2026 says new requests for public API access stop on Oct 31, 2026, RSS support ends on Nov 13, 2026, and remaining public API access ends in March 2027, with apps moving to the Developer Platform. source
  • When content is deleted on Reddit, you must delete it from your copy too. Reddit recommends deleting stored user data within 48 hours. source

Choose the official Reddit API when

  • You need to write to Reddit: post, comment, vote, send chat messages or run moderation tools.
  • You are building an app or bot that runs on Reddit itself, which Reddit is moving to its Developer Platform.
  • You already have an approved app or a commercial agreement with Reddit.
  • You need data only Reddit can give you, such as a logged-in user's own account data.

Choose ChatterAPI when

  • You only need to read public Reddit data: search, threads, subreddits and user history.
  • You don't want to register an app, wait for approval or manage OAuth tokens.
  • You want Reddit and X in one API, with one key and one response shape.
  • You want an AI agent to call Reddit through a hosted MCP server.

Feature by feature

  • What it is
    the official Reddit API
    Reddit's own API for approved developers, with read and write access (source)
    ChatterAPI
    A hosted API for Reddit and X data, plus free browser tools
  • Platforms
    the official Reddit API
    Reddit (source)
    ChatterAPI
    Reddit and X
  • How you call it
    the official Reddit API
    REST with OAuth2. Public access is being wound down in favour of the Developer Platform (source)
    ChatterAPI
    REST at api.chatterapi.com/v1, or the hosted MCP server
  • Authentication
    the official Reddit API
    A registered OAuth app and token, plus a unique User-Agent (source)
    ChatterAPI
    One Bearer API key for both platforms
  • MCP server for agents
    the official Reddit API
    Not stated publicly
    ChatterAPI
    Yes, hosted, on the same key and credit balance
  • Write actions
    the official Reddit API
    Yes, within what the account and app are allowed to do (source)
    ChatterAPI
    Reddit is read-only. On X: DMs, follows, likes and posts from accounts you connect in the dashboard
  • Rate limits
    the official Reddit API
    100 queries per minute per OAuth client id on free access (source)
    ChatterAPI
    10, 25 or 50 requests per second, depending on the plan
  • Pricing model
    the official Reddit API
    Free within the rate limits. Commercial use needs a contract, and Reddit may charge fees (source)
    ChatterAPI
    Credits per call, from $19 a month for 25,000 credits. 100 free credits on signup
  • Setup needed
    the official Reddit API
    A Reddit account, a registered app and explicit approval. New requests close Oct 31, 2026 (source)
    ChatterAPI
    Sign in with Google and create a key. No Reddit or X developer account
  • Who it suits
    the official Reddit API
    Apps that act on Reddit, mod tools and approved commercial partners
    ChatterAPI
    Developers and AI agents that read Reddit and X data

Last checked . Sources: Reddit Data API Wiki, Reddit Responsible Builder Policy, Reddit Data API Terms (revised Jul 20, 2026), Reddit: accessing Reddit data, Reddit changelog, Oct 8, 2026.

The same search on ChatterAPI

A keyword search across Reddit, with no OAuth app and no token refresh. The response below is from a real recorded call.

curl "https://api.chatterapi.com/v1/reddit/search?q=best+crm+for+small+business&time=year" \
  -H "Authorization: Bearer $CHATTERAPI_KEY"
response, first 2 rows
{
  "data": [
    {
      "id": "1wdihhj",
      "fullname": "t3_1wdihhj",
      "title": "What CRM should a small business use?",
      "body": "We’re a small B2B business with 6 people and sales is still pretty founder led, but revenue has grown enough that keeping leads, follow ups and customer conversations spread across spreadsheets and inboxes is starting to…",
      "author": "NotedWhisky",
      "subreddit": "CRM",
      "permalink": "/r/CRM/comments/1wdihhj/what_crm_should_a_small_business_use/",
      "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/CRM/comments/1wdihhj/what_crm_should_a_small_business_use/",
      "externalUrl": null,
      "score": 51,
      "numComments": 186,
      "upvoteRatio": null,
      "createdAt": "2026-09-11T14:52:16.000Z",
      "nsfw": false,
      "locked": null,
      "media": null
    },
    {
      "id": "1vmy4xb",
      "fullname": "t3_1vmy4xb",
      "title": "If You Had to Pick the Best CRM for Small Business Today, What Would It Be?",
      "body": "I've spent the last few days reading reviews and watching videos, and somehow I'm even more undecided than when I started.\n\nEvery CRM looks amazing on its website, but that doesn't tell you what it's like after you've be…",
      "author": "Living_Dependent242",
      "subreddit": "CRMSoftware",
      "permalink": "/r/CRMSoftware/comments/1vmy4xb/if_you_had_to_pick_the_best_crm_for_small/",
      "url": "https://www.reddit.com/r/CRMSoftware/comments/1vmy4xb/if_you_had_to_pick_the_best_crm_for_small/",
      "externalUrl": null,
      "score": 10,
      "numComments": 56,
      "upvoteRatio": null,
      "createdAt": "2026-08-13T02:25:31.000Z",
      "nsfw": false,
      "locked": null,
      "media": null
    }
  ],
  "page": {
    "nextCursor": "AX-v…",
    "hasMore": true
  }
}

Recorded from a live call on . Long text is shortened and the cursor is cut. A live key is charged 2 credits for this call. A test key returns this same sample for 0 credits.

Questions

Is the Reddit API still free?
Reddit's wiki lists free access at 100 queries per minute per OAuth client id, for approved, non-commercial use. Commercial use needs a separate agreement, and Reddit's terms say it may charge fees.
When does Reddit's public API close?
Reddit's changelog of Oct 8, 2026 says new requests for public API access stop on Oct 31, 2026 and remaining public API access ends in March 2027. Check the changelog for updates.
Is ChatterAPI part of Reddit?
No. ChatterAPI is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Reddit, Inc.
Can ChatterAPI post or comment on Reddit?
No. Reddit support is read-only. Posting, voting and moderation need Reddit's own platform.
Does ChatterAPI return deleted Reddit content?
No. It reads live Reddit, so it doesn't return content deleted by its author or removed by moderators.

Other comparisons

Try ChatterAPI with one key

Sign up and get 100 free credits. No card required.

Get API keyRead the docs