TweetStream vs Twitter API
Why traders choose TweetStream over building on the Twitter API for real-time crypto alerts
The Challenge with Twitter API
Twitter's official API gives you raw tweets, not trading-ready alerts. To achieve sub-second latency you need to build your own streaming pipeline, handle reconnects and backfill, and add enrichment (token detection, OCR, pricing).
For sustained low-latency, high-volume ingestion, you'll likely need Pro or Enterprise tier access - plus ongoing engineering costs to keep it reliable.
Pricing Comparison
| Service | Price | Delivery | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| X API Basic | $200/mo | Polling only (60 req/15min) | 15+ seconds |
| X API Pro | $5,000/mo | Filtered stream | "within seconds" |
| TweetStream Basic | $199/mo | WebSocket + Discord | ~300ms avg |
| TweetStream Elite | $499/mo | WebSocket + Discord + History | ~300ms avg |
X API Basic is limited to 60 search requests per 15 minutes. Pro tier delivers posts "within seconds" per X docs. Sources: Rate Limits, PowerTrack API
Feature Comparison
Twitter API (Direct)
- Full access to raw tweet data
- Maximum flexibility for custom implementations
- Basic tier limited to polling (60 req/15min = 15+ sec delays)
- Real-time filtered stream requires Pro ($5,000/mo)
- Raw data requires parsing and enrichment
- No built-in OCR or token detection
TweetStream
- ~300ms average latency
- Single API key, connect in minutes
- Token detection with live prices
- OCR extracts text from images
- Polymarket/Kalshi detection
- No infrastructure to manage
Which One is Right for You?
Choose Twitter API if: You need raw data for a custom application, have engineering resources to build and maintain the pipeline, and don't need crypto-specific enrichment.
Choose TweetStream if: You want trading-ready alerts with tokens, prices, and OCR already extracted, without building infrastructure.
Perfect For
Crypto trading desks, algorithmic traders, research teams, and anyone who needs fast, enriched Twitter alerts without building infrastructure from scratch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: December 2025