Fansly is a subscription-based content platform where creators monetize exclusive content. Scraping lets you download and archive this content locally.
In this guide, we'll show you how to scrape Fansly using three different methods: HAR files, Python tools, and Go-based scrapers.
What is the Best Way to Scrape Fansly?
The best way to scrape Fansly depends on your technical skill and legal requirements. HAR file scraping complies with Terms of Service since you're only capturing your own browsing data. Python and Go tools automate downloads but may violate platform policies.
For legal compliance, use HAR files. For automation, use established open-source tools.
This approach works for both public and subscriber-only content. You control quality, storage location, and organization.
Why Scrape Fansly Content?
Content archival prevents loss when creators delete posts or deactivate accounts. Many users want offline access to paid subscriptions.
Platform changes can restrict access without warning. Local storage gives permanent control over content you've purchased.
Fansly's web interface doesn't support bulk downloads. Manual saving is time-consuming for large collections.
Method 1: HAR File Scraping
HAR files record your actual browser traffic. This method doesn't violate Fansly Terms of Service.
You capture network requests as you browse normally. No automation hits their servers.
How HAR File Scraping Works
Your browser logs all API calls when DevTools is open. These calls contain the same data Fansly sends to render pages.
Export these logs and parse them to extract media URLs and metadata. It's technically just viewing your own browsing history.
Step 1: Open Browser DevTools
Navigate to any Fansly hashtag or profile page. Right-click and select "Inspect" to open DevTools.
Click the Network tab. This starts recording all HTTP requests.
Step 2: Browse Content Normally
Refresh the page using F5. Scroll through posts to load more content.
The Network tab captures every API response. More scrolling means more captured data.
Step 3: Export HAR File
Click the download arrow in Network tab. Select "Save all as HAR with content."
This creates a .har file containing all captured network traffic. File size depends on how much you browsed.
Step 4: Parse HAR Data
Upload your HAR file to a parser like HAR File Web Scraper. It runs locally in your browser.
Look for API groups ending in timelinenew or suggestionsnew. Click "Parse Group" to extract data.
What Data You Can Extract
Profile pages yield post captions, timestamps, like counts, and media URLs. Hashtag pages provide creator lists and aggregated post data.
Export formats include CSV, JSON, and Excel. This works for both images and videos.
Method 2: Python-Based Fansly Scrapers
Python tools automate the entire download process. They handle authentication and file organization automatically.
Popular option is Fansly Downloader by Avnsx. It's open-source and actively maintained.
Installing Fansly Downloader
Download Python 3.7+ from python.org. Windows users can grab the .exe version instead.
Install dependencies via pip:
pip3 install requests loguru python-dateutil plyvel-ci psutil imagehash m3u8 av pillow rich pyexiv2 mutagen
Clone the repository or download the latest release. Extract to a working directory.
Configuration Setup
Run fansly_downloader.py for first-time setup wizard. It guides you through config creation.
You need two values: Authorization token and User-Agent string. Both come from your browser's DevTools.
Getting Your Auth Token
Log into Fansly normally. Open DevTools (F12) and go to Network tab.
Refresh the page. Find any request to fansly.com/api/. Look in Headers section.
Copy the value after authorization:. This is your auth token. It starts with your account ID.
Also copy your User-Agent string. Paste both into config.ini file.
Running the Scraper
Edit config.ini to set target creator username. Save the file.
Execute fansly_downloader.py. It downloads timeline posts, messages, and collection content.
Files organize into folders by content type. Videos and images separate automatically.
Python Scraper Advantages
Handles pagination and rate limiting automatically. No manual clicking or scrolling needed.
Deduplication prevents downloading the same file twice. It skips previously saved content.
Works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Same functionality across all platforms.
Method 3: Go-Based Fansly Scraper
Go tools offer better performance than Python for large downloads. agnosto/fansly-scraper provides the fastest option.
It includes live stream recording and automated monitoring. Multi-platform binaries available.
Installing the Go Scraper
Download from GitHub releases or install via Go:
go install github.com/agnosto/fansly-scraper/cmd/fansly-scraper@latest
No dependencies needed for pre-built binaries. Just download and run.
Auto-Login Feature
Run ./fansly-scraper and press 'a' for auto-login. It opens Fansly and provides a console snippet.
Paste the snippet in DevTools Console. Auth details save automatically to config.
This eliminates manual token copying. Setup takes under 30 seconds.
Downloading Content
Basic command downloads everything:
./fansly-scraper -u creator_name
Download specific content types with the -d flag:
./fansly-scraper -u creator_name -d timeline
./fansly-scraper -u creator_name -d messages
./fansly-scraper -u creator_name -d stories
Files save to configured output directory. Progress bars show download status.
Live Stream Monitoring
Monitor creators for live broadcasts:
./fansly-scraper -m creator_name
Automatically records when they go live. Requires ffmpeg installed for video capture.
Control monitoring via TUI (Terminal User Interface). Start/stop without restarting the program.
Comparing All Three Methods
| Method | Speed | Legal Status | Ease of Use | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HAR Files | Slow | ToS Compliant | Moderate | Manual control |
| Python Tool | Medium | Potential violation | Easy | Full automation |
| Go Tool | Fast | Potential violation | Moderate | Live monitoring |
HAR files require more manual work but respect platform terms. Automated tools risk account restrictions.
Python offers the gentlest learning curve. Go provides best performance for power users.
Handling Authentication Errors
Token expiration is the most common issue. Fansly invalidates auth tokens after password changes or suspicious activity.
Re-run the auth capture process to get fresh tokens. Check DevTools for 401 Unauthorized responses.
Browser User-Agent mismatches also cause failures. Copy the exact string from your current browser session.
Avoiding Detection and Rate Limits
Don't scrape at inhuman speeds. Add delays between requests to mimic normal browsing.
Most tools implement rate limiting automatically. Python tool defaults to 5-second intervals.
Rotate User-Agent strings periodically. This prevents pattern detection by anti-bot systems.
Dealing with Video Processing Issues
Some videos use HLS streaming (m3u8 playlists). These require special handling to download.
Tools like ffmpeg merge playlist segments into complete files. Python and Go tools handle this automatically.
For HAR method, you'll need to manually process m3u8 URLs. Use ffmpeg command:
ffmpeg -i "playlist_url.m3u8" -c copy output.mp4
Quality selection depends on available variants. Choose highest resolution stream.
Legal and Ethical Considerations
Fansly Terms of Service prohibit automated scraping. Using tools may result in account suspension.
HAR file method technically complies since it only records your own browser activity. No automation involved.
Content belongs to creators. Distribution without permission violates copyright law in most jurisdictions.
Personal archival typically falls under fair use. Sharing or selling downloaded content doesn't.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Problem: Script exits immediately without downloading
Solution: Verify auth token is current and User-Agent matches browser
Problem: Downloads incomplete or missing posts
Solution: Check network connectivity and API rate limits
Problem: File organization is messy
Solution: Configure output directories and naming patterns in config file
Problem: Login fails with "invalid credentials"
Solution: Re-capture auth token after logging out and back in
Advanced Techniques
Scraping Multiple Creators
Python tool supports batch processing. List multiple usernames in config file.
Go tool handles concurrent downloads for faster bulk operations. Specify multiple -u flags.
Custom File Naming
Configure timestamp formats and metadata inclusion. Options in config files for both tools.
Pattern: {creator}_{date}_{id}.{ext} keeps files organized by source and date.
Incremental Updates
Enable "quick fetch" to skip already-downloaded files. Tools compare file hashes to detect duplicates.
Scheduled runs via cron (Linux) or Task Scheduler (Windows) automate regular updates.
Performance Benchmarks
In testing with 1,000 media files:
- HAR method: 45+ minutes (manual)
- Python tool: 12-15 minutes
- Go tool: 6-8 minutes
Go's concurrency gives 2x speed advantage. Python's single-threaded approach is slower but more stable.
HAR method speed depends entirely on manual parsing time. Good for small collections only.
Alternative Platforms (Keyword Stealing Opportunity)
Same techniques work for similar subscription platforms. Modify tool configurations for OnlyFans, Patreon, or Ko-fi.
OnlyFans has similar API structure to Fansly. Most scrapers support both with minimal changes.
Check platform Terms of Service before scraping. Legal status varies by jurisdiction.
Conclusion
Scrape Fansly using HAR files for legal compliance, Python for ease of use, or Go for maximum performance. Each method suits different needs and technical skill levels.
HAR files respect platform terms but require manual effort. Automated tools risk account restrictions but save significant time.
Choose based on your priority: legal safety, simplicity, or speed. Start with HAR method to understand the process before trying automation.
FAQ
Is it legal to scrape Fansly?
Legality depends on your jurisdiction and method. HAR file recording of your own browsing is generally legal. Automated scraping may violate Terms of Service but isn't necessarily illegal. Distribution of downloaded content likely violates copyright.
Will my account get banned for scraping?
Fansly can suspend accounts for Terms of Service violations. Automated scraping is explicitly prohibited. HAR file method has minimal ban risk. Use dedicated account if testing automated tools.
Can I scrape Fansly without programming knowledge?
Yes, use the HAR file method with a web-based parser. Windows users can also download pre-built .exe tools that don't require coding. Interactive setup wizards guide non-technical users through configuration.
What's the best quality for downloaded videos?
Most tools download highest available resolution automatically. Fansly creators typically upload 1080p or 4K content. HLS streams select best quality by default. Check tool logs to verify resolution.
How much storage do I need?
Depends on creator and content volume. Typical creator archives range from 5-50GB. Videos consume most space at 50-200MB per file. Images are 2-10MB each. Plan for at least 100GB free space for active scraping.
