How much does it cost to post to X through the API?

X's pay-per-use API bills for every post created, and a post that contains a link costs about 13 times a plain one. Octopost passes that on as X units: a plain post is 1 unit, a post with a link is 13. Basic includes 500 units a month, Premium 1,500 and Business 4,000. Other networks are not metered.

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Why X posting is metered at all

Posting through the X API is no longer a flat developer plan for a tool like Octopost. X charges the app that makes the call for each post it creates, and links cost more. A scheduler or agent tool that posts for you is paying X per post, so an unlimited X plan at a flat price would not add up.

Octopost puts a monthly X allowance on each plan instead of charging you per post. You never set up an X developer account or a billing method with X: you connect your X account to Octopost and post through its app.

How the units add up

Each post sent to X is counted on its own, including each post in a thread.

Examples

One plain post                                   1 unit
One post with a link                             13 units
4-post thread, link only in the last reply       3 + 13 = 16 units
4-post thread, link in every post                4 x 13 = 52 units

Basic (500 units)    = 500 plain posts, or about 38 posts with links
Premium (1,500)      = 1,500 plain posts, or about 115 with links
Business (4,000)     = 4,000 plain posts, or about 307 with links
$1 trial (40 units)  = 40 plain posts, or 3 with links

Any text that looks like a URL counts as a link, including a bare domain such as example.com. If you post links often, keep them to one post per thread: the thread guide shows how to put the link in the last reply.

When an X post would go past your allowance, Octopost refuses it with a message that shows the units used and the limit, instead of posting it. Plans and limits are on the pricing page.

Limits worth knowing

  • Units reset at the start of each calendar month (UTC).
  • Only posts that publish are counted. A post X rejects does not use units.
  • Bluesky, LinkedIn and Mastodon (in testing) and Threads (after Meta approval) are not metered.
  • Unused units do not roll over to the next month.
  • Plans: Basic $29 a month (3 accounts), Premium $79 (10 accounts), Business $199 (unlimited accounts, webhooks). The first 7 days cost $1.

Questions

Does the X API charge per tweet?

Yes. X bills pay-per-use API access per post created, and a post that contains a link costs about 13 times a plain post. Octopost counts this as 1 unit for a plain post and 13 for a post with a link.

Do I need to pay X separately to post through Octopost?

No. Octopost posts through its own X app and covers X’s charges inside your plan’s monthly allowance. You do not need an X developer account.

Does a thread count as one post?

No. X bills each post in a thread, so each one uses units. A 4-post thread with one link uses 16 units.

What happens when I run out of X units?

X posts are refused with a message saying the monthly limit is reached until the next month or an upgrade. Posts to other networks keep working.

Why do links cost more?

X prices posts with links higher than plain posts on its pay-per-use API. Octopost’s 13-unit rate mirrors that ratio.

Start for $1

Every plan includes the MCP server and the REST API. Basic is $29 a month for 3 accounts, Premium $79 for 10, Business $199 for unlimited. The first 7 days cost $1, then the plan renews monthly unless you cancel.

Try it 7 days for $1

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