APIs and API documentation can be very frustrating at times, especially if you are a beginner and have no clue what APIs do or what those letters even stand for. However, that is why you are here at this guide! It will help you overcome your problems with APIs and show you exactly the difference between having a first-party API and a third-party API.

We encounter APIs more often than one might think because APIs (or application programming interfaces) are interfaces that connect applications to different software systems. They are like the mailmen or servers of the internet, delivering information from software to software, and 3rd party API integrations are everywhere you see a web connection.

Example Of An API

For example, let’s say you book a plane ticket on a website like Expedia or Trivago. You stay on the third-party website the whole time, but you also get to see data from other airport websites. That is only possible because an API bridges the gap between airplane websites and your third-party travel website.

 

APIs allow these websites to interact with one another and share data based on the users’ command, and it also allows for software companies to determine what data gets seen by the users. They also make life easier for businesses and consumers as well. Businesses don’t have to spend resources building their version of the API, and consumers get to stay on one website while getting the functionality of another.

 

So now that we know what an API is, what is the first-party API, and how is it different from a third-party API?

What Is A First Party API?

A First Party API is an API that was made in-house by the internal developers and isn’t requested by any third parties. First-party APIs are often used whenever the entire API lifecycle needs to be monitored and followed, and that allows for increased functionality. Additionally, if the API is unique or needs to be heavily security-based, then having it built by developers is safe.

 

However, building your API is time-consuming and expensive and can also require constant upkeep by the API developers whenever your code or project changes. While not a dealbreaker for most companies, most companies prefer to save time and money by working with a third-party API.

What Is A Third Party API?

The internal developers of the software do not develop a third-party API. They are made by a third party or an API incorporated into an existing project. For the most part, third-party API’s can serve a wide range of client needs. Most common APIs will save developers time and money.

 

For an example of this, think about Uber or Lyft. These ride-sharing services often use Google Maps to show you where your car will pick you up and where you will be dropped off. However, rather than building their map service to do all the things that Google Maps does, they simply choose to incorporate Google Maps into their design and save time and money while doing it.

 

Third-Party API’s can be a bit finicky, as they require some extra work to integrate with the host software fully, but this usually isn’t a large hurdle to overcome.

 

Additionally, developers can focus more on their projects instead of having to build and fiddle with their APIs, which can be crucial for smaller developers who need to manage their time.

The Purpose Of The API Matters

Whenever looking at which API is going to be the best, software developers need to consider what the API will do for their customers. For example, if an API is going to be very specific and will need to respond to a unique customer’s needs, then a first-party API will be better for a specific customer.

 

However, if the purpose of the API is more general, then developers could save time and money with a third-party API that will easily do its job. Even with the purpose figured out, there’s still all the time, resources, budget, and the project’s cost to consider whenever developers are deciding which API choice will be the best for their needs.

 

For the most part, if you are just a consumer, you will be connecting with a third-party API. But every time you buy a ticket, connect to a flight or visit a third-party website, you know what API you are using to make all that possible.