New pricing approach ditches rigid tiers in favor of flexible, usage-based billing — plus a $500 voucher for beta participants.
X Shifts API Strategy with New Pay-As-You-Go Model
X (formerly Twitter) is trialing a pay-per-use pricing model for its API in a closed beta, aiming to attract developers alienated by previous pricing overhauls.
- The new model allows developers to pay only for what they use, with variable pricing depending on the type of API request (e.g., posts, DMs, bookmarks).
- This contrasts with the previous tiered subscription model, which imposed flat monthly fees and usage caps.
A $500 Incentive to Build on X
To encourage participation, X is offering selected beta users a $500 API credit to build apps on the platform.
- Developers can apply to join the beta, which is open to both new developers and experienced users.
- X posted:
“We are expanding a closed beta to both new & power users who want to ship amazing apps on X.”
Why This Matters: Developer Frustration Hit a Breaking Point
In 2023, X ended free API access, abruptly cutting off third-party apps and hobbyist projects. What followed was a series of costly plans that frustrated developers:
- Basic tier: $100/month → now $200/month
- Pro tier: $5,000/month (1M tweets read, 300K tweets written)
- Enterprise tier: $42,000/month
Many developers found these prices prohibitive, especially for apps with inconsistent traffic or niche use cases.
What’s New: Pricing That Matches Usage
The pay-per-use model is more granular and allows developers to estimate costs upfront via a calculator tool on X’s API page.
- Unlike fixed tiers, there are no monthly caps.
- Pricing is based on action types, such as:
- Reading posts
- Creating posts or DMs
- Accessing trends or bookmarks
This system is similar to how cloud platforms like AWS or Google Cloud bill developers, offering scalability and cost-efficiency.
Does This Mean the End of Tiers?
X hasn’t officially said whether it plans to replace the tier-based system with the usage-based model in full.
- A comparison section on X’s site shows the differences between tiered and usage-based pricing.
- The coexistence of both models during the beta suggests ongoing experimentation.
Can This Win Back Developers?
X hopes this model will revive interest in building on the platform, especially for:
- Startups testing early integrations
- Data analytics apps with fluctuating volumes
- Chatbots, productivity tools, and media apps that struggled with fixed pricing
After pushing many developers away in 2023, this move could be a critical step in restoring goodwill within the developer community.
