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It’s no secret that Reddit’s recent decision to start charging exorbitant fees for its API access has sparked widespread outrage, resulting in whole communities abandoning the platform. However, despite the protests, it appears that Reddit has finally pulled the plug on API access, as multiple third-party apps have started showing error messages.
Christian Selig, the developer behind the popular Apollo Reddit client, expressed his frustration with Reddit’s demand for an astonishing $20 million per year for API access, equating to $12,000 for every 50 million API requests. Additionally, he also criticized the company’s lack of empathy and willingness to listen, suggesting that Reddit could have made an effort to find a solution that worked for everyone.
However, Reddit CEO Steve Huffman has repeatedly defended the company’s proposed changes, stating that the platform was not originally designed to support third-party apps and that they would not reconsider their position. As a result, well-known Reddit apps such as BaconReader and Sync have ceased operations, displaying only an error message stating “Request failed: client error (429).”
Subscription model, the way to go
While the recent API changes have caused the demise of many popular Reddit clients, some apps like Relay are considering adopting a subscription-based model to remain operational. Developer DBrady announced plans to transition to a subscription model in the coming weeks, emphasizing the importance of keeping the subscription price as affordable as possible. However, it is important to note that Relay’s pro version will remain free until they implement the subscription model.
Furthermore, Narwhal, another popular Reddit app, will also adopt a similar subscription-based model, with developer Rick Harrison assuring users that the subscription will cost $4 and $7 and will be ad-free. Additionally, Nara for Reddit is exploring a subscription-based model, but the specific details regarding pricing and implementation are still unclear.
Accessibility apps exempt
Although regular Reddit apps will have to pay for API access, the company has exempted accessibility-focused apps. This means that apps dedicated to assisting users with accessibility needs, such as Reddit for Blind, Luna for Reddit, and Dystopia, will continue to operate for free, ensuring continued accessibility to Reddit content.
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