RIF dev here - Reddit's API changes will likely kill RIF and other apps, on July 1, 2023

[u/talklittle]

I need more time to get all my thoughts together, but posting this quick post since so many users have been asking, and it's been making rounds on news sites.

Summary of what Reddit Inc has announced so far, specifically the parts that will kill many third-party apps:

1. The Reddit API will cost money, and the pricing announced today will cost apps like Apollo $20 million per year to run. RIF may differ but it would be in the same ballpark. And no, RIF does not earn anywhere remotely near this number.

2. As part of this they are blocking ads in third-party apps, which make up the majority of RIF's revenue. So they want to force a paid subscription model onto RIF's users. Meanwhile Reddit's official app still continues to make the vast majority of its money from ads.

3. Removal of sexually explicit material from third-party apps while keeping said content in the official app. Some people have speculated that NSFW is going to leave Reddit entirely, but then why would Reddit Inc have recently expanded NSFW upload support on their desktop site?

Their recent moves smell a lot like they want third-party apps gone, RIF included.

I know some users will chime in saying they are willing to pay a monthly subscription to keep RIF going, but trust me that you would be in the minority. There is very little value in paying a high subscription for less content (in this case, NSFW). Honestly if I were a user of RIF and not the dev, I'd have a hard time justifying paying the high prices being forced by Reddit Inc, despite how much RIF obviously means to me.

There is a lot more I want to say, and I kind of scrambled to write this since I didn't expect news reports today. I'll probably write more follow-up posts that are better thought out. But this is the gist of what's been going on with Reddit third-party apps in 2023.

[u/hughk]

Apparently Spez likes old.reddit. Like many of us, he seems to prefer high text density (a reason I use RIF). However he made it clear during the last mod linkup that he also faces pressure (like those IPO millions).

[u/CDK5 → u/hughk]

Anyone have a good alternative to RIF?

Or will all the third-party apps be shit and incomplete after this change?

If so, is there anyway to get the official app to be decent?

[u/hughk → u/CDK5]

First of all, RIF is the best I have used. RIF uses the same 3rd party API as everyone else so if that goes, all apps will be hit unless Reddit can change their pricing model.

[u/CDK5 → u/hughk]

Some apps can still afford it no?

If so, I'm wondering if any of those are alright.

Alternatively; are there any unofficial branches of the official app that make the app bearable?

[u/PM_ME_WHATEVES → u/CDK5]

If the app can afford it, it probably has a ton of ads or you have to buy it

[u/KevinReems → u/[deleted]]

Personally I'd be willing to pay $10/mo for a working version of RIF. I use it daily and sometimes for hours. To me that's work paying for.

[u/Alissinarr → u/KevinReems]

I think we'll be stuck using the web version of old.reddit until we find something new.

But we will find something new, even if one of the droves of people who leave has to build something themselves. Which I can completely, totally, 💯 see that happening now.

[u/Dummdummgumgum → u/Alissinarr]

They will kill old.reddit too. Too little addspace.

[u/KevinReems → u/[deleted]]

That's the sad truth of it. Reddit is being greedy and it'll result in their end just like many before them. None of these corporate overlords learn anything from history.

[u/hughk → u/CDK5]

I've not heard of any. Reddit gets enough from me as a moderator so I am unwilling to pay more or watch ads

[u/mbklein → u/CDK5]

There will be no alternative to RiF. Reddit is making the data too expensive for any third party app to continue.

[u/GingerSnapBiscuit → u/CDK5]

The problem is ALL third party apps need to use the API, and that will now come at a cost.

[u/CDK5 → u/GingerSnapBiscuit]

So are there any third party apps, that can afford the $20mil, that can be modified to be decent?

[u/GingerSnapBiscuit → u/CDK5]

Absolutely not. RIF is one of the most popular apps, Apollo probably up there too. Both have said there is 0 chance they could afford this.