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Ask HN: How to bill for an API?
I almost done coding an API that target mainly developers (Take arbitrary S3 files and stream it immediately as zip file.), I wonder what will be the best way to bill the customers. I think I want to provide a free access until a certain volume. I am thinking of 3 main paths:
A: Monthly subscriptions, a credit allowance that refresh every month.
B: Package of credits, you buy a bunch of credits then you can use the API
C: Amazon style billing, you use the API then you are billed according to your actual consumption.
Any advices/experiences?
- leesalminen 11y agoI'd go with a mix of A and B. Package of credits that expire after some period of time. C is more risky than all other options.
- creyes123 11y agoWith Amazon-style billing, you would not necessarily have to offer a free tier. That would be my recommendation.
- anthony_franco 11y agoIf you're targeting developers using S3, then they'd be most comfortable with Amazon style billing I would thing. It's probably best to align with that thinking.
- nwrk 11y agoHow about Mashape [https://www.mashape.com/ https://www.mashape.com/] for easy start ? You can test waters with consumption model and start in no time.