Should I use App Store Connect API or a scraper?
Both approaches serve different purposes. Here's when to use each one.
Use Parseium App Store Scraper when:
You need public data
- Competitor analysis: Monitor any app on the App Store, not just yours
- Market research: Analyze trends, rankings, and categories across all apps
- Review aggregation: Collect reviews from multiple apps for sentiment analysis
- Pricing intelligence: Track competitor pricing and monetization strategies
You want simplicity
- No Apple Developer account required: No enrollment fees or approval process
- Quick start: Define your schema and start extracting immediately
- Flexible data extraction: Get exactly the data you need in your format
- Historical data: Archive App Store data over time for trend analysis
Your use case requires it
- Public rankings and charts: Data not available via App Store Connect API
- Cross-app comparisons: Analyze multiple apps from different developers
- Search result tracking: Monitor keyword rankings and search visibility
Use App Store Connect API when:
You manage the app
- Your own apps only: Official API only provides data for apps you own/manage
- Sales and financial data: Revenue, downloads, and sales analytics
- User analytics: Detailed user behavior and engagement metrics
- TestFlight management: Beta testing and distribution
You need write access
- App management: Upload builds, update metadata, manage pricing
- Review responses: Official developer responses to user reviews
- In-app purchases: Manage IAP products and subscriptions
Best of both worlds
Many teams use both:
- App Store Connect API for managing their own apps and accessing private analytics
- Parseium scraper for competitive intelligence and market research
Feature comparison
| Feature | Parseium | App Store Connect API |
|---|---|---|
| Your apps only | ❌ Any app | ✅ Your apps only |
| Competitor data | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Public reviews | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited |
| Rankings/charts | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Sales data | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Write access | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
Bottom line
Use Parseium when you need market intelligence and competitor data. Use App Store Connect API when you need to manage and analyze your own apps.
For app intelligence, ASO research, and competitive analysis, Parseium is the better choice.