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Pricing and limits

#Cost

You pay only for solved tasks. Unsolved tasks cost nothing.

The exact cost of each task is returned in the cost field of the getTaskResult response.

When you create a task (createTask), its cost is charged to your balance immediately — it is reserved.
If the task is solved (status: ready), the money stays charged.
If the task is not solved or the wait time runs out (ERROR_CAPTCHA_UNSOLVABLE, ERROR_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE), the amount is automatically refunded to your balance.

Important

you pay for the issued token. If Steam does not accept the token, the money is not refunded: whether Steam accepts a token does not depend on us.

While a task is in progress, its cost is already deducted from your balance, so getBalance shows the balance minus tasks in progress.

The balance is stored and returned in dollars.
To create a task, your balance must be at least the cost of the task, otherwise ERROR_ZERO_BALANCE is returned.
Top up in the bot: Top up, choose an amount, pay using the payment details and press "I have paid". After the payment is verified, the amount is credited to your balance and the bot sends you a notification.

parameter	meaning
tasks in progress at the same time	600 per key
solving time	usually 15–60 seconds
task retention period	5 minutes from creation
token lifetime	60 seconds after solving
result polling interval	2–3 seconds
supported sites	`store.steampowered.com`, `steamcommunity.com`, `help.steampowered.com`

event	money
task solved	charged
`ERROR_CAPTCHA_UNSOLVABLE`	refunded
`ERROR_SERVICE_UNAVAILABLE`	refunded
request validation errors (invalid key, parameters, site, limits)	the task is not created, nothing is charged
`getTaskResult`, `getBalance`	free
token issued but rejected by Steam	charged