Elon Musk's X imposes new API fees on developers, in addition to the monthly payment of $42,000.

Elon Musk has implemented new fees that will impact third-party app developers using the X API. Following the acquisition of Twitter, Musk made significant changes to the platform, starting with a monthly cost of $42,000 to access the API, a service that was previously free for most developers. This drastic measure forced many companies, including giants like Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo, to remove their integration with X in their applications, while others were compelled to pay the fee to continue operating.

Now, companies that are already spending thousands of dollars each month are being asked to pay an additional $1 monthly charge for each account connected to the X API through their applications. This means that, in addition to the base cost of $42,000, they could face additional charges that quickly add up, creating a substantial impact on their finances.

Publer, a social media management application, was one of the first to point out this new policy. Its CEO, Ervin Kalemi, communicated that the cost of using the features of the X API has made it impossible for them to offer their service for free anymore. According to their reports, Publer generates between $125,000 and $140,000 a month, which means that over a third of their revenue goes toward paying X.

For example, if Publer charges its users $10 a month, and all its clients decide to connect just one X account, this could add an extra $14,000 per month, totaling $168,000 a year in additional fees. All of this adds up to the $504,000 annually that they already invest in accessing the API, representing a considerable expense compared to other platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok, which do not charge for their API services.

The once vibrant ecosystem of X applications has severely suffered under this new fee structure. Previously, both independent developers and larger companies were creating applications that enriched users' experiences. However, since Musk's arrival, many of these developments have vanished, and the developer communities that once thrived are now nearly extinct. The economic pressure that developers still operating on the platform face raises questions about the future viability of their presence in the X ecosystem.