Instagram Graph API vs IGramAPI
The official API and IGramAPI solve different problems. This page shows what each one can do, so you can pick the right tool or use both.
At a glance
| Capability | Instagram Graph API | IGramAPI |
|---|---|---|
| Read any public profile by username | Only Business and Creator accounts, via Business Discovery | Yes, any public account |
| Needs the account owner to connect your app | Yes, for most data. Your own professional account is required to query others | No |
| App review before production | Required for most permissions and for public content access | Not needed |
| Comments on someone else's public post | No, only on media you own | Yes |
| Stories of other accounts | No | Yes, active stories (paid plans) |
| Hashtag search | 30 unique hashtags per account per rolling 7 days, after app review | No cap on unique hashtags (paid plans) |
| Video download links and qualities | No | Yes, plus a Downloader API |
| Publish posts, reels or stories | Yes | No |
| Audience insights and demographics | Yes, for accounts you manage | No |
| Direct messages and comment moderation | Yes, for accounts you manage | No |
| Official and sanctioned by Meta | Yes | No. Independent service |
Graph API details are summarized from Meta's public developer documentation for Business Discovery and Hashtag Search and can change. Check Meta's documentation for the current rules.
Use the Graph API when
- you build a tool for people to manage their own Instagram accounts: publishing, scheduling, moderation and messaging;
- you need insights such as reach, impressions and audience demographics, which only the owner can see;
- your customers are happy to connect their accounts, and you want an officially sanctioned integration.
Use IGramAPI when
- you need public information about accounts that have not connected to you: creator discovery, competitor research, audience-size checks;
- you read comments, hashtags or stories of other accounts;
- you want media links in several qualities, or a download endpoint;
- you want to start immediately, without app review, and pay in rupees by usage.
Using both
A common setup is the Graph API for the accounts your customers connect, and IGramAPI for everyone else: prospects, competitors and trend research. For a deeper look at the official API's limits, read Instagram Graph API limitations.
Questions
Can IGramAPI replace the Instagram Graph API?
Only for reading public data. If you need to publish content, read insights, moderate comments or handle messages for accounts you manage, you need the Graph API. Many teams use both.
Why not use the Graph API for creator discovery?
Business Discovery only returns data about Business and Creator accounts, needs your own professional account and app review, and has rate limits. It cannot return personal accounts, stories or the comments of other accounts' posts.
Is IGramAPI an official partner of Instagram?
No. It is an independent service and is not affiliated with Instagram or Meta.
Do I need an Instagram account to use IGramAPI?
No. You need an IGramAPI key only.
Related: Profile API · Comments API · Hashtag API · How to choose an Instagram data API
Get your free API key
100 credits every month, no credit card. Make your first request in about two minutes.