# HikerAPI

> Unofficial Instagram REST API. Access user profiles, posts, stories, reels, comments, followers, hashtags, and locations. 100+ endpoints, no blocks. From $0.0006 per request.

## Docs

- [API Reference](https://api.hikerapi.com/docs): Interactive Swagger UI with all 100+ endpoints
- [ReDoc](https://api.hikerapi.com/redoc): Alternative API documentation
- [Documentation](https://hiker-doc.readthedocs.io/): Getting started guides and examples
- [Python Package](https://pypi.org/project/hikerapi/): Official Python SDK on PyPI
- [JavaScript Package](https://www.npmjs.com/package/hikerapi): Official JavaScript SDK on npm
- [MCP Server](https://www.npmjs.com/package/hikerapi-mcp): Use HikerAPI from Claude, Cursor, and other AI assistants — `npx -y hikerapi-mcp`

## Features

- Get public data of user profiles, posts, stories, highlights, followers and following users
- Get public email and phone number from business profiles
- Get public data of post, story, album, reels with the ability to download content
- Get public data of hashtag and location, as well as a list of posts for them
- Get all comments on a post and a list of users who liked it
- Download and upload a photo, video, reels, albums and stories

## API Categories

### /v1/user (16 endpoints)
User profiles, followers, following, media. Includes:
- Get user profile by username or ID
- Get user followers and following lists (chunked, up to 100 per request)
- Get user media feed, reels, tagged posts
- Get user stories and highlights
- Get business contact info (email, phone)

### /v1/media (11 endpoints)
Posts, reels, comments, likers. Includes:
- Get media info by shortcode or ID
- Get media comments and likers
- Get media download URLs
- Upload photos, videos, reels, albums

### /gql (12 endpoints)
GraphQL-based data access. Includes:
- /gql/user/followers/chunk - 50 records per request, works with verified users
- /gql/user/following/chunk - 50 records per request
- Alternative interface for profile and media data

### /v1/hashtag (3 endpoints)
Hashtag search and posts. Includes:
- Search hashtags
- Get top and recent posts by hashtag
- Get hashtag metadata and post counts

### /v1/location (7 endpoints)
Location search and posts. Includes:
- Search locations by name
- Get top and recent posts by location
- Get location metadata

### /v1/story (5 endpoints)
Stories and highlights. Includes:
- Get user stories
- Get user highlights
- Get story/highlight details and media

### /v1/search (3 endpoints)
User and content search. Includes:
- Search users by username or name
- Search places and hashtags
- Facebook search integration

## Pricing

Pay-as-you-go from $0.0006 per request. 100 free requests on signup.

- We charge for any successful response (200, 403, 404)
- For 50x server errors we do not charge
- Funds never expire - if you stop making requests, your balance remains unchanged
- No subscription - pure prepaid balance, no monthly/annual fees, no recurring charges
- Your per-request rate is permanent - unlock a cheaper rate once by reaching its balance, and it stays for life even if your balance later drops
- You choose your rate yourself; adding funds never changes it automatically
- Volume discounts available - contact support for 1M+ request plans

## Quick Start Examples

All requests authenticate with `x-access-key: <YOUR_KEY>` header. Get a key (and 100 free requests) at https://hikerapi.com/?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=quick-start.

### Get user profile by username (Python SDK)

```python
# pip install hikerapi
from hikerapi import Client

cl = Client(token="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY")
user = cl.user_by_username_v2("instagram")
print(user["pk"], user["full_name"], user["follower_count"])
```

### Get user profile by username (cURL)

```bash
curl "https://api.hikerapi.com/v2/user/by/username?username=instagram" \
  -H "x-access-key: YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"
```

### Get user profile by username (Node.js)

```javascript
// npm install axios
import axios from "axios";

const { data } = await axios.get(
  "https://api.hikerapi.com/v2/user/by/username",
  { params: { username: "instagram" }, headers: { "x-access-key": "YOUR_ACCESS_KEY" } }
);
console.log(data.pk, data.full_name, data.follower_count);
```

### Paginate followers (Python SDK auto-pagination)

The SDK exposes a high-level `user_followers` that auto-paginates internally. Use `count=` to cap the number of results, or omit it to get everything.

```python
# pip install hikerapi
from hikerapi import Client

cl = Client(token="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY")
followers = cl.user_followers(user_id="25025320", count=500)  # instagram, first 500
for u in followers:
    print(u["pk"], u["username"])
```

Async variant:

```python
import asyncio
from hikerapi import AsyncClient

async def main():
    cl = AsyncClient(token="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY")
    followers = await cl.user_followers(user_id="25025320", count=500)
    for u in followers:
        print(u["username"])

asyncio.run(main())
```

Manual pagination (if you need to checkpoint between chunks): each chunk endpoint returns `next_page_id` (or `end_cursor` for `gql`). Pass it back as `page_id` / `end_cursor` on the next call.

```python
cl = Client(token="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY")
chunk = cl.user_followers_chunk_gql(user_id="25025320")
# chunk["users"], chunk["next_page_id"] — pass next_page_id back as end_cursor
next_chunk = cl.user_followers_chunk_gql(
    user_id="25025320", end_cursor=chunk["next_page_id"]
)
```

### Get post / reel by URL (cURL)

```bash
curl "https://api.hikerapi.com/v2/media/info/by/url?url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CxYz123ABC/" \
  -H "x-access-key: YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"
```

### Get top posts for a hashtag (Python)

```python
from hikerapi import Client

cl = Client(token="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY")
medias = cl.hashtag_medias_top_v2("travel")
for m in medias:
    print(m["code"], m["like_count"], m["caption_text"][:80])
```

### Download user stories (Python)

```python
from hikerapi import Client

cl = Client(token="YOUR_ACCESS_KEY")
stories = cl.user_stories_v2(user_id="25025320")
for s in stories:
    media_url = s["video_url"] or s["thumbnail_url"]
    print(s["pk"], media_url)
```

### Search hashtags / users / places (cURL)

```bash
curl "https://api.hikerapi.com/v2/fbsearch/topsearch?query=travel photographer" \
  -H "x-access-key: YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"
```

### Get media comments with pagination (cURL)

```bash
# First page (15 comments)
curl "https://api.hikerapi.com/v2/media/comments?code=CxYz123ABC" \
  -H "x-access-key: YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"

# Next page — pass end_cursor from previous response
curl "https://api.hikerapi.com/v2/media/comments?code=CxYz123ABC&end_cursor=ENCODED_CURSOR" \
  -H "x-access-key: YOUR_ACCESS_KEY"
```

### Pricing-conscious endpoint choice

Same data, different cost / completeness tradeoffs:
- `/v2/user/by/username` — full profile, business contacts, latest media
- `/v1/user/by/username` — minimal profile (cheapest)
- `/gql/user/web_profile_info` — web profile shape (matches instagram.com)

For followers/following:
- `/v1/user/followers/chunk` and `/v1/user/following/chunk` — 25-100 per request
- `/v2/user/followers` and `/v2/user/following` — 25-100 per request
- `/gql/user/followers/chunk` and `/gql/user/following/chunk` — **50 per request, works for verified accounts** (private/public bypass cases)

## FAQ

### Do you have a plan to make over a million requests?
Yes, you can write to us by email (support@hikerapi.com) or Telegram (https://telegram.me/HikerAPISupportBot).

### Will my funds expire at the end of the month?
No, we only charge for successful requests. If you stop making requests your balance will remain unchanged.

### What requests do you charge for?
We charge for any successful response (such as 200, 403, 404). For 50x errors we do not charge.

### Do you have a referral program?
Yes, we have a referral program. See https://hikerapi.com/help/affiliate?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery for details.

### What are the differences between API versions?
- **Version v1:** Validated data ensuring compliance with standards. You receive necessary and verified fields, simplifying integration and reducing errors.
- **Version v2:** Raw data as originally provided. In rare cases, some fields may be modified or added.
- **Version gql:** GraphQL API - select and query specific data, retrieve only relevant information without unnecessary data.

### What is the best endpoint to use to get followers/followings?
- v1: /v1/user/following/chunk and /v1/user/followers/chunk - 25 to 100 records per request
- v2: /v2/user/following and /v2/user/followers - 25 to 100 records per request
- gql: /gql/user/followers/chunk and /gql/user/following/chunk - 50 records per request, allows collecting data on verified users

## Solutions

### Instagram API
Complete Instagram REST API with 100+ endpoints for accessing user profiles, posts, stories, reels, comments, followers, hashtags, and locations. No blocks. From $0.0006 per request.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram Private API
Unofficial Mobile API — no authentication required, no session management, automatic recovery from blocks. Access private-level Instagram data without Graph API limitations.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-private-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram Followers API
Get full follower and following lists via /v1/user/followers/chunk and /gql/user/followers/chunk. Paginated responses, up to 100 records per request. Bulk export support.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-followers-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram Scraper API
Managed Instagram scraping at scale — no proxies, no blocks, no infrastructure management. Get structured JSON data instead of raw HTML.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-scraper-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram Reels API
Download and analyze Instagram Reels. Get video URLs, view counts, like counts, comments, and metadata. Fetch user reels feed with pagination.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-reels-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Threads API
Access public Threads data with a structured API. Retrieve user profiles, threads, replies, followers, following, and engagement signals without maintaining your own scraping stack.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/threads-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### RocketAPI Alternative
Alternative to RocketAPI for teams that need stronger pricing transparency, broader Instagram endpoint coverage, top-level SEO pages, and a richer public documentation footprint.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/rocketapi-alternative?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs RocketAPI
Direct product comparison covering API coverage, pricing model, documentation depth, integration effort, and best-fit use cases for SaaS, analytics, and monitoring products.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/hikerapi-vs-rocketapi?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### instagrapi Alternative
Managed REST API that wraps the same Instagram private endpoints as the instagrapi open-source Python library, without account bans, proxies, or captchas on the caller's side. Targets teams moving from instagrapi to a supported production stack.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagrapi-alternative?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

## Comparisons & Alternatives

### Best Instagram API for Developers 2026
Six Instagram APIs compared for 2026: Instagram Graph API, HikerAPI, Apify, Bright Data, ScrapingBee, EnsembleData. Free tiers, real pricing, rate limits, Python and Node.js code.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/best-instagram-api-for-developers-2026?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Best Instagram Scraping API
Eight Instagram scraping APIs ranked: pricing at three volumes, data coverage matrix, decision tree. Includes HikerAPI, RocketAPI, EnsembleData, Apify, Bright Data, PhantomBuster, ScrapingBee, Scrape Creators.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/best-instagram-scraping-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram Private API Alternatives
Five alternatives to the instagram-private-api OSS library for Python developers: managed APIs vs self-hosted libraries, ban risk, and maintenance cost.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/instagram-private-api-alternatives?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Apify Instagram Scraper Alternatives
Seven alternatives to Apify's Instagram Scraper actor: HikerAPI, Bright Data, EnsembleData, Scrape Creators, RocketAPI, Data365, Oxylabs. Cost per 1K profiles, sync vs async, coverage.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/apify-instagram-scraper-alternatives?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Bright Data Alternatives for Instagram
Six Bright Data alternatives for Instagram data: HikerAPI, Apify, EnsembleData, Data365, Scrape Creators, Oxylabs. Entry costs, per-1K pricing, and where Bright Data still wins.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/bright-data-alternatives-instagram?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs Instagram Graph API
Official Graph API requires app review and reaches only owned accounts; HikerAPI opens public Instagram data with an API key. Scope, limits, and code compared.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/hikerapi-vs-instagram-graph-api?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs Apify Instagram Scraper
Synchronous JSON API at $0.60 per 1K requests vs browser-actor runs billed in compute units. Speed, cost, and follower/liker coverage compared.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-apify-instagram-scraper?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs Bright Data
Dedicated Instagram API vs enterprise data-collection platform: 10x-100x cost difference on Instagram workloads, KYC and minimums, datasets vs live queries.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-bright-data?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs Oxylabs
Structured Instagram JSON vs raw HTML fetches from a generic Web Scraper API: parser maintenance, follower-list reachability, and cost per 1K compared.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-oxylabs?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs Data365
Self-serve pay-per-request Instagram API vs sales-led multi-platform contracts from €300/month. Credit math per profile, trial terms, endpoint depth.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-data365?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs EnsembleData
Instagram-focused depth (100+ endpoints) vs 8-platform unit-based bundle. Daily caps, pricing tiers, and when multi-platform coverage wins.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-ensembledata?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs PhantomBuster
Account-free data API vs no-code browser automation running on your session cookie. Safety, time-based vs per-request pricing, developer fit.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-phantombuster?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs ScrapingBee
Dedicated Instagram endpoints vs general-purpose scraping credits returning raw HTML. Cost per profile and parser maintenance compared.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-scrapingbee?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs ScrapingDog
151 dedicated Instagram endpoints vs general-purpose scraper subscription. Pricing, coverage, and code examples.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-scrapingdog?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs MediaCrawlers
Pay-per-request with no daily caps vs subscription tiers with request ceilings. Endpoint depth and billing on failures compared.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-mediacrawlers?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### HikerAPI vs Scrape Creators
Instagram-dedicated API at $0.60 per 1K vs TikTok-first credit packs at $0.99-$1.88 per 1K. Coverage and pricing compared.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/help/hikerapi-vs-scrape-creators?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

## Language Guides

### Instagram API for Python
Official hikerapi PyPI package. Installation: `pip install hikerapi`. Supports async/await, type hints, pagination helpers.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-api-python?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram API for Node.js
Use with fetch or axios. Installation: `npm install axios`. Supports async/await, TypeScript, ES modules.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-api-nodejs?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram API for PHP
Use with cURL or file_get_contents. Composer integration, Laravel/Symfony compatible.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-api-php?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram API for Go
Use with net/http. Struct-based response parsing, concurrent request patterns with goroutines.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-api-go?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

### Instagram API for Java
Use with java.net.http.HttpClient. Maven dependency, Spring Boot integration, Jackson JSON parsing.
- Page: https://hikerapi.com/instagram-api-java?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

## AI Assistants / MCP

### HikerAPI MCP Server
HikerAPI is available as a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, so any MCP-compatible AI assistant — Claude Code, Claude Desktop, Cursor, OpenAI Codex, Zed, Windsurf — can call HikerAPI endpoints directly.

The server is published on npm as `hikerapi-mcp`. It runs locally as a stdio process (Node.js >= 20). On startup it fetches the live HikerAPI OpenAPI spec from `https://api.hikerapi.com/openapi.json` and auto-generates one MCP tool per non-deprecated GET endpoint — about 105 tools across User Profile (36), Post Details (20), Search (13), Hashtags (7), Stories (7), Locations (7), Audio, Highlights, Share, Comments. As HikerAPI grows, new endpoints become tools automatically without releasing a new version of `hikerapi-mcp`.

- npm: https://www.npmjs.com/package/hikerapi-mcp
- GitHub: https://github.com/subzeroid/hikerapi-mcp
- License: MIT

#### Install for Claude Code
```bash
claude mcp add hikerapi -e HIKERAPI_KEY=your-api-key -- npx -y hikerapi-mcp
```

#### Install for Claude Desktop / Cursor / Windsurf
```json
{
  "mcpServers": {
    "hikerapi": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "hikerapi-mcp"],
      "env": { "HIKERAPI_KEY": "your-api-key" }
    }
  }
}
```

#### Install for OpenAI Codex (append to `~/.codex/config.toml`)
```toml
[mcp_servers.hikerapi]
command = "npx"
args = ["-y", "hikerapi-mcp"]

[mcp_servers.hikerapi.env]
HIKERAPI_KEY = "your-api-key"
```

#### Install for Zed (`~/.config/zed/settings.json`)
```json
{
  "context_servers": {
    "hikerapi": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "hikerapi-mcp"],
      "env": { "HIKERAPI_KEY": "your-api-key" }
    }
  }
}
```

#### Configuration
- `HIKERAPI_KEY` (required) — your HikerAPI access key, sent as `x-access-key` header
- `HIKERAPI_TAGS` (optional) — comma-separated whitelist of tags (e.g. `User Profile,Post Details,Search`) to limit which tools are exposed
- `HIKERAPI_EXCLUDE_TAGS` (optional) — additional tags to exclude (defaults already exclude `Legacy` and `System`)
- `HIKERAPI_TIMEOUT_MS` (optional) — per-request timeout, default 30000

#### Pricing
The MCP server is free (MIT). HikerAPI usage is charged the same as direct API calls — pay-as-you-go from $0.0006 per request, 100 free requests on signup. No subscription required.

## Support

- Email: support@hikerapi.com
- Telegram: https://telegram.me/HikerAPISupportBot
- Status page: https://hikerapi.com/status?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery

## Legal

- [Terms of Service](https://hikerapi.com/help/terms-of-service?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery)
- [Privacy Policy](https://hikerapi.com/help/privacy-policy?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery)
- [Refund Policy](https://hikerapi.com/help/refund-policy?utm_source=llmstxt&utm_medium=ai&utm_campaign=llms-discovery)