Cost and validity of Gmail API for .NET projects

Other Questions Gmail
1

Hey everyone,

I’m working on a .NET project that uses the Gmail API. I’ve set it up with a client_secret.json file, but I’m not sure about a few things:

  1. Is there any charge for using the Gmail API in this way? Or is it completely free?

  2. Does the client_secret.json file have an expiration date? How often do I need to update it?

I’m new to working with Google APIs, so any info would be super helpful. Thanks in advance for your answers!

// Example of using Gmail API in .NET
var service = new GmailService(new BaseClientService.Initializer()
{
    HttpClientInitializer = credential,
    ApplicationName = "MyApp",
});

var request = service.Users.Messages.List("me");
var result = request.Execute();

Has anyone else used the Gmail API in their projects? What was your experience with pricing and authentication?

2

hey mate, i’ve used gmail api in .net before. it’s free unless u go crazy with usage. client_secret.json doesn’t expire but keep it safe. watch out for access token expiration tho, they only last bout an hour. make sure ur app can refresh tokens automatically. overall, api’s pretty solid for .net stuff. just keep an eye on those quotas!

3

I’ve used the Gmail API in a couple of .NET projects, and I can confirm it’s free for standard usage. You won’t incur charges unless you’re doing something exceptionally intensive or need enterprise-level features.

Regarding the client_secret.json, it doesn’t expire on its own. You only need to update it if you regenerate your credentials in the Google Cloud Console or if Google prompts you for security reasons.

One crucial point to remember is handling access token expiration. These typically last about an hour, so implement a mechanism to refresh them automatically.

In my experience, the API has been reliable, but watch out for quota limits, especially when sending emails. If you’re using sensitive scopes, be prepared for a potential security review, which can be time-consuming and potentially costly.

Overall, it’s a powerful tool for .NET projects, just ensure you’re familiar with Google’s usage policies and quotas.

4

Hey there, I’ve been using the Gmail API in my .NET projects for a while now, and I can shed some light on your questions.

Regarding costs, the good news is that the Gmail API is free for standard usage. You won’t incur any charges unless you’re doing something really intensive. Just keep an eye on your quota usage to avoid hitting limits.

As for the client_secret.json, it doesn’t have a set expiration date. You don’t need to update it regularly, but you should regenerate it if you suspect it’s been compromised or if Google prompts you to do so for security reasons.

One thing to watch out for is access token expiration. These typically last about an hour, so make sure your app can handle refreshing them automatically.

In my experience, the Gmail API has been pretty reliable and straightforward to use in .NET projects. Just be mindful of quota limits if you’re doing a lot of operations, especially sending emails. And if you’re planning to use sensitive scopes, be prepared for a potential security review process.

Hope this helps with your project!