* Gadgets * AI * News # Strava blames zero-code AI apps and scrapers as it tightens API access Developers will now have to pay a $11.99 / month subscription to build apps using Strava’s data. Developers will now have to pay a $11.99 / month subscription to build apps using Strava’s data. by Emma Roth Jun 1, 2026, 2:06 PM UTC Image: Cath Virginia / The Verge [](/authors/emma-roth) Emma Roth is a news writer who covers the streaming wars, consumer tech, crypto, social media, and much more. Previously, she was a writer and editor at MUO. The popular fitness-tracking platform, Strava, is [restricting access to its API](https://communityhub.strava.com/insider-journal-9/an-update-to-our-developer-program-13428) as part of efforts to clamp down on AI scraping, as [reported earlier by _TechCrunch_](https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/01/strava-declares-war-on-scrapers-ahead-of-ipo/). Developers who want to build an app using Strava’s data now need to pay for a flat $11.99 / month subscription. In an update [on its developer hub](https://communityhub.strava.com/insider-journal-9/an-update-to-our-developer-program-13428), Strava blames the change on “zero-code AI tools” that allow users to quickly create apps that “hammer” APIs. “We have felt this firsthand — developer applications to our program are up 448% year-to-date, API intermediaries have violated policy terms, and scraping attempts have degraded platform performance for everyone,” the company writes. Reddit similarly began charging [developers to access its API in 2023](/2023/6/9/23755640/reddit-api-changes-apps-apollo-shut-down-ama-spez-steve-huffman). Before this change, developers could apply to use Strava’s API for free, with the ability to expand their access as they added more users, _TechCrunch_ reports. This isn’t the first step Strava has taken to tighten access to its platform, as the company began [restricting the data third-party apps can show in 2024](/2024/11/22/24303124/strava-fitness-data-wearables). It also sued [longtime partner Garmin](/news/790922/strava-garmin-patent-infringement-lawsuit) for allegedly infringing on its patents, but [later dropped the case](https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2025/10/strava-drops-voluntarily-lawsuit-against.html). Strava filed for an initial public offering [in February](https://press.strava.com/articles/strava-confidential-submission-of-draft-registration-statement-for-IPO). Additionally, Strava users can now use a new tool [that allows them to link](https://press.strava.com/articles/strava-launches-mcp-connector) their fitness data — including pace, per-second heart rate, GPS data, and more — to Claude. The company says the new API restriction won’t impact wearable and device integrations or users’ ability to download their data for free. **Follow topics and authors** from this story to see more like this in your personalized homepage feed and to receive email updates. * Emma Roth * AI * Apps * Gadgets * News * Tech * Wearable