Reddit: scrapers and the official API, compared

Route map

Each line is one way to get Reddit data; each stop is a field you probably need. Green lines are catalogue Actors, ranked by the published formula.

Which route for which job

The catalogue Actors for Reddit return different records. "Only this route" lists the published fields no other Actor in this table returns, which is usually what decides the choice. Cost is the published per-result rate; start events and platform usage are extra.

Field matrix: who returns what

Every tool with a published output schema, against the 7 fields most Reddit jobs need. A dot means the field name appears in the schema; rows can still leave it empty.

Field dictionary: the exact keys

The same core field has a different key in each Actor's output. Map these before you merge datasets; a dash means the published schema has no matching key. Need a field that is not listed here, such as email? Search every Reddit Actor by field.

Download this comparison: CSV · JSON (every tool with a published schema, matching keys per core field, price and score).

All 17 tools, scored

Catalogue Actors link to their detail pages; the score (0 to 100) is the published formula, identical for every tool. Other Store tools follow in their own table, for reference. Price is the published primary-result rate per 1,000 (the Free-plan rate where the price is tiered; higher Apify plans pay less); start events and platform usage are excluded.

Other Store tools, for reference

Scored with the same published formula and listed for comparison only; this site does not link or recommend them.

What to check before you choose

Reddit discussions help research teams trace recurring complaints, compare community interests and find the language people use around a topic. Keyword search suits discussion discovery, while subreddit collection gives community research a defined scope.

Thread extractors fit work that needs comment text and reply depth; profile tools address public account activity. For an approved integration, check the Reddit Data API migration requirements before choosing an access route, since public API access is being phased out.

Checklist

• Match collection scope to the question: keyword results, subreddit posts, comment threads and profiles cover different parts of Reddit.
• Check the published schema for text and context together. body or text can support comment analysis, while depth and is_op add context without necessarily establishing complete reply relationships.
• Review billing events before scheduling repeated collection. A primary result charge can exclude start events and platform plan differences, and restrictive comment filters may reduce useful output.

Where the data is incomplete

Post and comment schemas are not interchangeable.

Official API route

Terms and personal data

Keep collection to public community content, respect privacy and Reddit's terms, and check commercial data agreement requirements for API use. This is general information, not legal advice.

Read Reddit's terms. Keep to public data, do not bypass logins or access controls, and check whether personal data is involved before you collect it. The can-I-scrape checklist walks through it.

How to start

1. Start with the Reddit scraper Store listing and review its supported collection modes and published schema.
2. Configure a narrow collection using the documented inputs, such as a public subreddit or discussion if supported, and set a small result limit where available.
3. Run the collection and inspect the resulting dataset for usable text, authors, timestamps and discussion links before expanding the scope.

Call Reddit Comment Thread Scraper with Score & Keyword Filters from code

The example input uses the Actor's published defaults; set your own Reddit query before you run it. You need an Apify API token.

from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>")
run_input = {
    "postUrls": [
        "https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1vqukkf/"
    ],
    "maxComments": 30,
    "commentSort": "confidence",
    "includePost": False,
    "onlyOP": False,
    "excludeDeletedRemoved": False,
    "excludeCollapsed": False,
    "focusOnTargetComment": False,
    "commentContext": 3
}

run = client.actor("vexaloom-labs/reddit-comment-thread-scraper-with-score").call(run_input=run_input)
if run is None:
    raise RuntimeError("The Actor run was not found.")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

import { ApifyClient } from "apify-client";

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: "<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>" });
const input = {
    "postUrls": [
        "https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1vqukkf/"
    ],
    "maxComments": 30,
    "commentSort": "confidence",
    "includePost": false,
    "onlyOP": false,
    "excludeDeletedRemoved": false,
    "excludeCollapsed": false,
    "focusOnTargetComment": false,
    "commentContext": 3
};

const run = await client.actor("vexaloom-labs/reddit-comment-thread-scraper-with-score").call(input);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items);

curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/vexaloom-labs~reddit-comment-thread-scraper-with-score/run-sync-get-dataset-items"   -H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN"   -H "Content-Type: application/json"   -d '{"postUrls":["https://www.reddit.com/r/programming/comments/1vqukkf/"],"maxComments":30,"commentSort":"confidence","includePost":false,"onlyOP":false,"excludeDeletedRemoved":false,"excludeCollapsed":false,"focusOnTargetComment":false,"commentContext":3}'

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com?tools=vexaloom-labs/reddit-comment-thread-scraper-with-score",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer <YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Questions people ask

More on Reddit

• Ranked listBest Reddit scrapers for 2026-2027
• Official API pricingReddit API pricing and shutdown dates: what changes in 2026-2027
• Error fixReddit .json 403 Forbidden: what changed and what to use now
• Error fixReddit RSS shutdown: the November 13, 2026 deadline and your options
• AlternativesReddit API alternatives for public data after the 2026 shutdown
• Retired toolsnscrape after the X changes: what broke and what to use now
• Topic groupSocial media data: every website compared
• ToolWhich Reddit route fits your job?
• ToolReddit cost by Apify plan, rows and runs

Related websites

• X (Twitter)12 Actors
• Quora4 Actors
• YouTube17 Actors

Sources

• Reddit Comment Thread Scraper with Score & Keyword Filters on Apify Store
• Reddit Subreddit Profile, Rules & Post Filter Scraper on Apify Store
• Reddit Keyword Search with Advanced Filters on Apify Store
• Reddit Multi-Mode Scraper with Advanced Pro Filters on Apify Store
• Reddit Subreddit Post Filter & Moderation Scraper on Apify Store
• Reddit Subreddit Post & Comment Harvester on Apify Store
• Reddit Data API documentation
• Reddit Data API pricing
• Official source, checked 2026-11-09
• Official source, checked 2026-11-09
• Reddit terms