Twitter's API is now accessible, but for a new price.
The company behind the microblogging platform recently announced it is officially launching its new Twitter API access tiers, allowing third-party app developers, businesses, and even students to access its API.
However, people might not like the price they have to pay to access Twitter's API.
Twitter API Access Tiers
Twitter mentioned in its official Twitter Dev account that its new Twitter API access tiers consist of three tiers: Free, Basic, and Enterprise. Each of the three offers different features for interested users to utilize.
For instance, Twitter's Free access tier offers people free access to the platform's API, though it only allows write-only use cases and those testing it with a monthly tweet limit of 1,500 tweets at the app level, media upload endpoints, and log-in with Twitter. Though this tier would be a great fit for a bot, it would only have limited functionality, with it only making 50 tweets a day with this tier.
Meanwhile, its Basic access tier, specially designed for hobbyists, offers a 10,000 read-limit rate cap and 50,000 tweets per month at the app level, two app IDs, and log-in with Twitter for a monthly fee of $100, per Engadget.
Lastly, the Twitter Enterprise access tier allows businesses or those who have any scaled commercial projects to access managed services, complete streams, and access that meets their specific needs. Although Twitter didn't mention a baseline price for what its Enterprise access tier offers, but Tweetbot co-creator Paul Haddad said the Enterprise plan could go up to $42,000 a month.
Read More: iPhones to Receive Arc Browser as a 'Companion App,' Not Yet a Safari Replacement
Students and academics who wish to access Twitter's API may want to wait for their own tier, as the company is still looking for wars to continue serving them. For now, students and academics can access Twitter's API through the access tiers previously mentioned.
The launch of these API access tiers has been a long time coming. Twitter delayed the launch of its new API platform on Valentine's Day to give third-party developers a "better and optimal experience" with its API.
However, many people thought the delay was in bad taste, with many giving negative comments about it, though it is unclear if they are third-party developers for Twitter. According to Twitter user @PERIPOX, the word enthusiasm is the last word they'd expect from Twitter's updates about its API; Alejandra Caraballo said that nobody was enthused about losing access to Twitter's API and/or being "extorted at exorbitant prices" for basic access to it.
Twitter's Legacy API Access
With Twitter releasing its new API access tiers, it also means it would deprecate the access of those using its old API access tiers, such as Standard (v1.1), Essential (v2), Elevated (v2), and Premium, over the next 30 days.
The company recommends that those still using the old API access tiers migrate to the new ones as soon as possible for a safe transition.
Unfortunately, not everyone is happy with the price tags Twitter put on its API access tiers. Tech Crunch called the company's new offering "like a money grab," due to how little each other tiers offer for the price their asking price.
This sentiment rings true with Carabello's thoughts on Twitter's API access tiers.
