PyTrends is one of the go-to tools for pulling Google Trends data via API, but it’s not a stable solution.

Just check the GitHub issues page—it’s full of developers reporting broken endpoints, zero search results, or strange time series glitches.

If you’re building something serious—like a dashboard, app, or large-scale workflow—you'll need something more stable.

Below, we cover the best alternatives to PyTrends, ranked by accuracy, reliability, and usability.

The Best Alternatives to PyTrends

1. Glimpse API

The Glimpse API is the best way to access Google Trends data reliably using Python (or any other language).

Glimpse is an enterprise-grade tool used by over a third of the Fortune 50—so it’s built for scale and accuracy. Here's the difference between data from the Glimpse API and other APIs:

google trends api accuracy comparison

Key features:

  • Accurate – No malformed data or massive fluctuations, just accurate Google Trends data

  • Absolute volume – Enrich Google Trends' 0-100 relative interest with accurate absolute search volume

  • Stable – No sudden crashes or breakages when Google changes something

  • Growth rates – Quickly see how fast a topic is growing with YoY, QoQ, and MoM growth metrics

  • Forecast – Pull the forecasted trajectory over the next 12 months with 95% accuracy

Glimpse is a paid tool, but for anyone relying on this data for real work, it’s worth it.

Check out the Glimpse API docs or contact for pricing.

2. gtrendsR — Best for R Users

If you’re working in R, gtrendsR is your equivalent to PyTrends. It’s an open-source package that lets you query Google Trends data and format it into R-friendly outputs.

Like PyTrends, it scrapes the frontend—so it’s prone to the same issues:

  • Breaks often when Google updates

  • Can return missing or empty data

  • Not suitable for high-scale or automated workflows

But if you’re just exploring trends in R or doing lightweight academic analysis, it’s a decent tool—as long as you’re okay with occasional bugs.

3. google-trends-api (Node.js) — Good for Prototyping in JS

This unofficial JavaScript library was once a popular tool for automating Google Trends queries in Node. It works similarly to PyTrends: it scrapes the site using requests and parses the responses.

But here’s the problem—it hasn’t been updated in years.

  • Last update: ~2020

  • Issues frequently go unresolved

  • Breaks often and silently fails

If you’re just prototyping in JS and don’t need accuracy or stability, it might still work. But for anything serious, it’s probably not worth the risk.

4. Language-Specific Tools (PHP, Java, etc.) — Rarely Maintained

There are a few lesser-known community-built options in other languages, like:

These tools were helpful when first released, but most haven’t been actively maintained in years. They still rely on scraping, so they’re fragile—and unlikely to work without heavy modifications.

If you’re building in PHP or Java, your best bet is to use an actual API (like Glimpse) via HTTP requests rather than relying on these outdated packages.

Conclusion

PyTrends is a clever workaround for getting Google Trends data in Python—but it’s not built for scale, reliability, or production use. It breaks often, returns incomplete data, and stops working every time Google changes their backend (which is often).

If you’re just poking around with trend data for a weekend project, PyTrends might be good enough.

But if you’re doing anything serious—like automating reports, building dashboards, or making business decisions—you need something more stable.

The Glimpse API is the best alternative to Pytrends. It gives you clean, accurate Google Trends data with real search volume, growth rates, and trend forecasts—with native support for Python.

FAQ

Is there a reliable Python API for Google Trends?

Yes—Glimpse provides an API that supports Python and includes accurate, real-time Google Trends data with search volume, growth, and forecast features.

Is PyTrends still working?

Sometimes. But it breaks frequently due to changes in Google’s backend. It’s not reliable for long-term or production use. Check out Glimpse instead if you want stable access to Google Trends data via API.

Can I use Glimpse with Python?

Yes. The Glimpse API can be used directly with Python via requests or any HTTP client. For the full details and example scripts, check the documentation.

What’s the best alternative to PyTrends?

Glimpse is the best alternative to PyTrends due to its accurate and stable Google Trends data.