Meta's Instagram Graph API is the official API for Instagram accounts you manage. Instadata is an independent API for publicly available Instagram data, with a hosted MCP for agents. Instadata is not affiliated with Meta or Instagram. They solve different problems, so the real question is which problem you have.
Meta account, permission and access-level details checked on 6 Nov 2026 IST against Meta's Instagram Platform overview. Requirements vary by API setup and feature; confirm the permissions your app needs.
| Meta Instagram Graph API | Instadata | |
|---|---|---|
| What it's for | Official API for professional (Business/Creator) accounts you manage | Public Instagram data as JSON. Read/data only: no publishing, replies, or DMs |
| Setup | Meta app and required permissions. Standard Access can serve accounts you own or manage; Advanced Access for external app users requires App Review and Business Verification | Instadata key or MCP sign-in. No Meta OAuth, no Facebook/Instagram app, no App Review |
| Publishing, DMs, private insights | Yes, for assets you own | No. Instadata does not replace Graph for these |
| Public data on other accounts | Limited | Profiles, posts, reels, comments, hashtags, places, Meta Ad Library ads, collaborations, reel transcripts |
| Cost | See Meta's terms | Free/monthly top-ups: $5 per 1k credits; 25 signup credits, no card. Errors/timeouts/upstream failures free; empty results free for 25/day/account, then 1 credit |
Instadata does not replace the Graph API for any of these.
Instadata is an independent public-data API.
Instadata returns publicly available Instagram data only. Use it in line with Instagram's Terms of Service and applicable law. It is not for accessing private accounts or for any unauthorized access.
Use the Graph API for first-party actions on your own accounts and Instadata for public research data when your workflow needs both.