Python + Reddit automation: API or antidetect browser? Which setup works best?

[mabuey]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to build a Python application that interacts with Reddit (posting and upvoting). What is the best approach?
Would you recommend using an API, or is it better to automate with an antidetect browser instead? If antidetect browser, which one is the best for Reddit?

I hope its the correct section to post this

 

[paplolo]

I would prefer to simulate human interaction instead. You could write code (Java, C .net if you are familiar , pyhton works also) that introduces random latency and moves the mouse naturally. It could run on an independent server. You can take inspiration from the logic used by Comet or Atlas. I prefer this approach over using an API.

From an engineering perspective, browser automation also has practical drawbacks:

1. Higher CPU and memory usage.
2. More maintenance because website layouts change.
3. Requires handling CAPTCHAs

 

[mabuey]

I would prefer to simulate human interaction instead. You could write code (Java, C .net if you are familiar , pyhton works also) that introduces random latency and moves the mouse naturally. It could run on an independent server. You can take inspiration from the logic used by Comet or Atlas. I prefer this approach over using an API.

From an engineering perspective, browser automation also has practical drawbacks:

1. Higher CPU and memory usage.
2. More maintenance because website layouts change.
3. Requires handling CAPTCHAs

Do you recommend an unofficial API for python? If yes, which one?

 

[paplolo]

Do you recommend an unofficial API for python? If yes, which one?

its harder to scale with unofficial API, if its for fun or a side project, u can give it a try

 

[mabuey]

its harder to scale with unofficial API, if its for fun or a side project, u can give it a try

No its just not a sideproject. So antidetect browser it is? Which antidetect browser is the best for python? Selenium?

 

[paplolo]

Selenium isn't an antidetect browser, it's a browser automation framework. And Yes, browser automation frameworks like Selenium or Playwright can automate browser interactions, but they come with additional complexity and maintenance overhead.

I'd primarily recommend Puppeteer if you're using JS or TS but for Python, I'd recommend Playwright (most natural)

 

[AdsPowerTeam]

If the Reddit API supports the actions you need, it's usually the simpler and more reliable option. Browser automation makes more sense when the API can't do what you need. If you're managing multiple Reddit accounts, keeping each account in a separate, consistent browser environment is also worth considering.

 

[curdoc]

If you're starting from scratch, real phone automation is worth looking at. It behaves much closer to a normal user, which makes it a better long term option than browser automation.

 

[mabuey]

Ok I will check Reddit API. I hope that the results will be good.

 

[cyrex]

whatever you done just stay away headless mode which is not working anymore and mostly moden bot detection are recognized and restrict access immediatelly

 

[Houcinovic]

if you wanna use the api then you need to have a good browser impersonation solution

 

[iHany]

I will go with custom solution for reddit. They detect antidetect browser fast which is in market.