Strava, the fitness tracking app, is about to start charging developers for access to its API. The move comes as the company gears up for an IPO that could value it north of $2.2 billion.
The new flat monthly fee for API access represents the latest step in a broader strategy to lock down third-party data usage. Strava updated its API agreement back in November 2024 with stricter guidelines, and this pricing layer adds financial friction to what was previously a free gateway into one of the largest fitness datasets on the planet.
What changed and why it matters
The November 2024 update already restricted how developers could display data, limiting it to individual users only. It also explicitly banned the use of Strava data for AI or machine learning applications. Third-party apps were told they need to align with Strava’s own design and functionality standards.
Now the company is going further by attaching a price tag. The current rate limits, 200 requests per 15 minutes and 2,000 requests per day, remain unchanged. But free access is being replaced with a paid tier.
