Shortlist Of The 12 Best API Tools
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 22 tools reviewed.
With so many API tools on the market, choosing the best one for your needs can be challenging. You understand the need to simplify API integration and management, but finding an API tool that meets your requirements is tough.
Fear not—I'm here to help! In this post, I will make your decision-making process easier and share my insights from using dozens of API tools across projects. I'll highlight my top picks for the best API management tools, making your choice simple.
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Compare Software Specs Side-by-Side
Best API Tools Summary
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Stoplight | From $39/3 users/month | Website |
| Azure API Management | From $48.04/month | Website |
| Readme | From $99/project/month | Website |
| apiDoc | Free to use | Website |
| IBM API Connect | From $83/month | Website |
| Apigee | From $1.025 per Apigee gateway node per hour | Website |
| Celigo | From $600/month | Website |
| MuleSoft Anypoint Platform | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Theneo | From $120/month | Website |
| OpenAPI Generator | Free to use | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose API Tool Software
With so many API tool options on the market, choosing the one that matches your requirements can take time and effort.
As you shortlist, test, and select your API tools, keep the following in mind:
What problem are you trying to solve - Start by identifying the specific gap or challenge you're trying to address with the API tool. Clarifying the features and functionality needed to fill this gap will help you choose the right API tool.
Who will need to use it - To evaluate cost and requirements, consider who'll use the API tool and how many licenses you'll need. When that's clear, decide whether your priority lies in ease of use for all users or in speed for API tool power users.
What other tools it needs to work with -Identify the systems your API tool needs to work with, such as databases or payment gateways. Seamless integration ensures efficient data exchange and workflow automation.
What outcomes are important - Define the key outcomes the API tool needs to achieve. These include improving data access, enhancing system interoperability, and optimizing performance. You ensure your API tool addresses your needs when you align with these goals.
How it would work within your organization - Test how the API tool will fit into your organization's workflows and processes. Consider factors such as ease of use, user adoption, and scalability. Check current strategies and find what needs improvement. Remember, every business is different, so don't assume that because a tool is popular, it'll work in your organization.
Overview Of The 12 Best API Tools
Let’s dive deeper to explore the unique features, benefits, and pricing models of the 12 best API tools you can use right now.
Stoplight is an API tool designed to help you design, document, and build APIs quickly and easily. The service places a strong emphasis on team collaboration, project visibility, and governance.
Why I chose Stoplight
I chose Stoplight for its intuitive interface and full API lifecycle support. The visual and collaborative editor is clean, easy to use, and provides clear instructions on how to perform different tasks and functions. I also appreciated Stoplight’s detailed resource center, with instructional guides in written, audio, and video format.
Stoplight Standout Features
Spotlight’s standout features include the Stoplight Studio, which has an easy-to-use interface that is accessible to both technical and non-technical staff. This helps you design APIs in mere minutes and then use virtual mock servers to test your designs and receive feedback from stakeholders.
Stoplight can also help you incorporate governance by letting you use predefined or custom guidelines as a reference.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Open-source API tools for mocking, lifting, and documentation
- Useful and easy-to-follow learning materials in written, audio, and video formats
- Complete API lifecycle management, from design to documentation to compliance
Cons:
- UI can be hard to navigate as projects become more complex
- Expensive premium plans
Microsoft Azure API Management is an API management tool intended to help deploy and manage APIs on the Microsoft Azure platform, along with other clouds and on-premises environments. You can use Azure API Management to control data access, transform legacy web services into RESTful APIs, and incorporate security and compliance.
Why I Chose Azure API Management
The first thing that stood out to me was the pay-as-you-go pricing model, which lets you pay only for the time that you spend on the service. I also appreciated the robust security and customization features. You can control how your data appears to different users (i.e., employees, visitors, customers), implement strict authorization and authentication standards, and customize the developer portal with your own branding to help boost API discoverability.
Azure API Management Standout Features
Azure API Management lets you deploy self-hosted gateways, meaning gateways are placed in the same environments that the APIs are hosted in. As a result, you can more easily streamline the flow of traffic, which helps reduce latency and lower data transfer costs.
You can also use the custom developer portal to personalize the branding of your API. And while that feature isn’t unique to Azure, the Microsoft branding adds an extra level of authenticity to your API.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Manages assets across multiple environments, including in the cloud and on-premises
- Comprehensive security measures control users’ data access
- Custom developer portal to promote products to internal teams and external partners
Cons:
- Integrating with apps outside of the Azure platform can be difficult
- Flexible pricing can make it hard for businesses to manage fluctuating costs
ReadMe is an API documentation platform that has the unique ability to convert standard API documentation into interactive hubs. It has a wealth of advanced features to help you create secure, up-to-date, and beautiful documentation, as well as improve the user experience for consumer developers.
Why I Chose ReadMe
Most API documentation platforms restrict you to formats like HTML and PDF. But ReadMe stood out to me because it allows you to transform your standard API documentation into a format that is more interactive, user-friendly, and flexible than any other. This helps you quickly create and launch APIs, as well as respond to feedback, troubleshoot issues, and implement API requests.
ReadMe Standout Features
One of the ReadMe features I most appreciated was the “Try It” playground, a place where consumer developers can test APIs in a secure, virtual environment in real-time. This makes it easy for people to see how your API works and how well it integrates with their system before they commit to the continuous integration process.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Custom discussion forums facilitate communication between your team and developers
- "Try It" playground lets developers try your API before integration
- Create real-time, interactive API documentation hubs
Cons:
- The content editing experience feels limited compared to Markdown
- Pricing model is a bit unclear on exactly what each plan offers
apiDoc is an API documentation tool that you add documentation straight to your source code through annotations. This eliminates the need to use a separate tool or third-party library to generate and manage your documentation.
Why I chose apiDoc
I appreciated apiDoc because of how it eases the documentation process, and can help both internal developers and users better understand your product. The workflow feels streamlined because you manage everything in your source code without the need for a separate tool, making it easier to keep your internal and external documentation in sync.
apiDoc Standout Features
apiDoc is an all-in-one package, meaning you simply download the apiDoc files, place them in a directory, and install them from your source code. You then link your code to apiDoc, and – tada! – it will generate documentation. Also, you can attach version numbers to your projects, making it easy to track changes and compare versions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to track API changes and compare versions
- Compatible with most major programming languages
- Easily manage API documentation within your source code
Cons:
- Relatively small user base and community support
- Only compatible with RESTful web APIs
IBM API Connect is an API creation and management tool that is designed with security and multi-cloud API lifecycle management in mind. It provides an intuitive, easy-to-use experience for API providers and consumer developers, with a developer portal that lets you create, secure, socialize, and monetize your APIs.
Why I Chose IBM API Connect
If you’re looking for a full-service API lifecycle management tool, I found that IBM API Connect has everything you’d typically need, including API creation, API testing tools, and analytics. The analytics feature is particularly useful as it helps you better understand who is downloading your APIs, how they are using them, and what can be done to improve the user experience.
IBM API Connect Standout Features
IBM API Connect is notable for its commitment to enhancing the lifecycle management experience. On the creation side, you get auto-generated API models, visual API creation, and support for REST APIs, SOAP web services, MySQL, MongoDB, and more connectors. While on the managing side, you get several instances of API managers, developer portals, and a policy assembly UX for easy compliance.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Self-service developer tools help API deployment strategies for the whole API lifecycle
- Unique emphasis on socialization to help boost API visibility and user engagement
- Huge range of API lifecycle management features
Cons:
- Short free trial period
- Steep learning curve
Apigee is an API tool for developing and managing REST- and HTTP-based APIs. The Apigee platform is unique for its use of API proxies, where consumer developers make HTTP requests to API proxies instead of interacting directly with your services. This arrangement shields developers from your backend, preventing backend code changes.
Why I Chose Apigee
I chose Apigee because it helps API providers make backend changes to their APIs while maintaining a consistent frontend. This means you can make changes to your services without worrying about negatively impacting the user experience. In addition, Apigee is owned and operated by Google, so consumer developers can connect any Google-based applications to Apigee with ease.
Apigee Standout Features
In Apigee you’ll find a feature-rich dashboard that gives you a bird’s eye view of your API environments. You can control and monitor API traffic, investigate traffic spikes, optimize API performance, and identify potential areas of improvement. You can also customize the analytics data that you collect as it relates to your API, developers, and products.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated API security scans with machine learning abuse detection.
- Simple and straightforward setup and deployment process
- Native Google Cloud integration
Cons:
- Can be demanding on infrastructure, resulting in lag and other performance issues.
- More expensive than Azure API Management.
Celigo is an Integration-Platform-as-a-Service (IPaaS) that helps you connect and manage APIs, automate business processes, and sync data across multiple cloud and on-premise environments.
Why I Chose Celigo
Despite how feature-rich Celigo is, I was surprised by how easy it was to learn. The instructor-led training sessions let you engage with a professional one-on-one, where they cover a range of topics – i.e., establishing connections, resolving errors during flows – and let you ask questions.
Celigo also makes it easy for you to automate business processes using pre-built automations that follow industry best practices.
Celigo Standout Features
I appreciated that Celigo has features to assist with virtually every aspect of the API management process, from development to integration and email and Excel integration. For technical users, you can develop your own integrations with custom code.
You can also browse 100+ APIs from official vendors like Microsoft and Salesforce and use universal connectors for over 100,000 apps.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong documentation and customer support
- Huge range of pre-built apps and business logic flows
- Easy to learn and use
Cons:
- Over-reliance on universal connectors can lead to issues with third-party APIs
- Custom pricing can make it hard to predict ongoing costs
MuleSoft is an API development, management, and integration platform. It helps you to quickly build APIs from scratch with pre-built assets, as well as to discover and connect to APIs made by third parties.
Why I Chose MuleSoft
I recommended MuleSoft because of its powerful API development tools, seamless integration capabilities, and ease of use. I was particularly impressed by how flexible the integration tools are, which let you connect to both newer and legacy systems at the same time. MuleSoft is also owned by Salesforce, so you can incorporate the Salesforce products into your workflow.
MuleSoft Standout Features
One feature that sets MuleSoft apart is the Anypoint Flex Gateway. Designed with speed and performance in mind, the Gateway lets you manage and secure APIs running from anywhere, including the most demanding applications across multiple cloud environments. MulesSoft also has an intuitive user interface featuring drag-and-drop tools and pre-built connectors to streamline the development and integration process.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Can be run virtually in any architecture or environment.
- Seamless integration with Salesforce and Workforce portfolio of products.
- Powerful API development tools that are easy to use.
Cons:
- More features than what most API providers and consumer developers need.
- Lack of documentation and steep learning curve.
Theneo is an API documentation tool that reviews your API collection and provides AI-generated descriptions and summaries. Theneo also has a built-in editor called Ease, which can help you create beautiful and easy-to-read documentation.
Why I Picked Theneo
Theneo stood out to me because it helps API providers solve a unique problem that many other API tools do not address as well: documentation. Theneo reduces manual documentation by providing AI-generated descriptions and summaries, which you can use to generate content and improve your existing content.
Theneo Standout Features
The best aspect of Theneo is the built-in AI, which allows you to generate new content to use as a documentation baseline, and can also increase the quality of your final documentation via AI-powered suggestions to improve flow, grammar, punctuation, and consistency. Theneo is also compatible with Github, Swagger, and Postman.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Custom API branding capabilities
- Supports OpenAPI, Postman, SOAP API, GraphQL, and AsyncAPI
- Powerful AI tools for content generation and editing suggestions
Cons:
- Can only be updated a set number of times per day
- Limited compatibility with major programming languages
OpenAPI Generator is an API management tool that allows you to generate clients, servers, and documentation from OpenAPI documents. OpenAPI Generator has more than 50 client generators, which you can use to generate and implement code into your API.
Why I Chose OpenAPI Generator
I selected OpenAPI as a recommendation for anyone who needs powerful API generation tools. Whether you’re building a MySQL database or server stub, OpenAPI Generator helps reduce manual coding errors by automatically generating code that meets your specifications. You can also customize the code you generate based on the functionalities you need, such as generating documentation in Cwiki and HTML formats.
OpenAPI Generator Standout Features
OpenAPI Generator has more than 50 client generators for Android, Dart, Ruby, Rust, and many more. It is also very customizable, letting you transform templates with additional static documentation and custom tooling scripts. OpenAPI Generator also supports listing generators, “Meta” generators, and validation of Open API - both 2.0 and 3.0 versions.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Active Slack community for troubleshooting
- More than 50 client generators and more than 40 different languages and technologies for server stubs
- Automatic code generator helps reduce manual coding errors
Cons:
- Limited security features
- Automatically generated code still needs reviewing to ensure it works
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Selection Criteria for API Tools
When I'm in the market for API tool software, I lean heavily on my own experiences and a deep dive into each tool's capabilities. It's not just about ticking off feature boxes; it's about how these features play out in real-world scenarios.
Core API Tool Functionality: - 25% of total weighting score
Standard features for API tool software usually span user-friendly interfaces, detailed analytics, robust security measures, scalability, and diverse API type support. Other features include integrated testing tools, rate limiting, customization options, a supportive developer community, and integration capabilities.
For a tool to even get on my radar, it needs to meet these basics. It's all about how well it lets you:
- Craft and oversee your APIs
- Keep tabs on how your APIs are performing
- Lock down your APIs against any security threats
- Scale your API usage as your demands grow
- Spot and fix any issues in your APIs early on
Additional Standout Features - 25% of total weighting score
I'm always hunting for what sets a tool apart. This could be anything from:
- Innovative security enhancements not found elsewhere
- Unique analytical insights or visualization tools
- Exceptional flexibility in how you manage and tweak your APIs
- Cutting-edge support for emerging API types or standards
- A vibrant community ecosystem offering unparalleled resources and support
Usability - 10% of total weighting score
The tool must be mighty yet manageable. I weigh up:
- The intuitiveness of the UI
- Clarity and usefulness of the documentation
- Availability of quick-start guides, templates, or shortcuts
Onboarding - 10% of total weighting score
Jumping into a new tool should be smooth sailing. I look out for:
- A straightforward setup experience
- Handy tutorial content like videos or interactive demos
- Supportive communities or forums where I can get tips or advice
Customer Support - 10% of total weighting score
Solid support can be a deal-breaker. I assess:
- The responsiveness and helpfulness of the customer service team
- The range of support channels available (chat, email, phone)
- Self-serve resources like a knowledge base or FAQs
Value For Money - 10% of total weighting score
I'm after bang for my buck, so I compare:
- What each pricing tier offers versus the cost
- How the tool's pricing stacks up against similar offerings
Customer Reviews - 10% of total weighting score
Honest user feedback is gold. I dig into:
- User satisfaction and testimonials
- How the tool has solved specific problems or addressed pain points
- Any recurring issues or gripes users might have
This method helps me pick out API tool software that's not just good on paper but delivers in the trenches, matching perfectly with what you need.
Trends in API Tools in 2024
In 2024, API tools continue to evolve. This reflects the growing sophistication of business needs and technological capabilities. After looking at product updates and industry news, I've spotted some key trends shaping this field. These trends can improve how you use APIs and even push the boundaries of what APIs can do.
Emerging Features and Functionality
- Automation in API Testing: The push for automation in API testing is stronger than ever, with tools adding AI to streamline testing. This automation allows for real-time error detection and correction. In turn, it reduces development cycles and improves reliability.
- Advanced Security Protocols: As cyber threats evolve, so do the security measures within API tools. API software now uses better encryption and compliance standards.
- Real-time Analytics: Tools now offer detailed analytics. They let businesses track API performance and usage in real time. This function is critical. It optimizes API endpoints and shows how users interact, providing insights.
- Enhanced Integration Capabilities: With the rise of microservices architectures, API tools are enhancing integration capabilities. This trend addresses the growing demand for interoperability within diverse IT environments.
Diminishing Importance
- Legacy Protocol Support: Support for older API protocols decreases as newer, more secure ones replace them.
I think the trends generally point toward more automation, better security, and deeper integration in API tools. These match the needs of modern businesses: to be agile, secure, and data-driven.
What is an API Tool?
An Application Programming Interface (API) is a software interface that lets two or more applications communicate with each other. APIs improve application functionality without forcing developers to build new features from scratch. They make it possible for one application to leverage the capabilities of another in a safe, secure, and efficient manner.
An API tool is an application designed to help you make the most of your APIs. It helps with design and development, automated and manual testing, and publishing. You can also use API tools to browse other people's APIs. You can then integrate these APIs into your own system, such as your multi-cloud or on-premise environment.
Features of API Tool Software
Through my extensive experience with API tools, I've discovered that choosing the right API tool software is crucial to harnessing its full capabilities.
The ideal software should make integration easy, have strong security, and be simple to manage. Here are the top features to look for:
Through my extensive experience with API tools, I've discovered that choosing the right API tool software is crucial for harnessing its full capabilities.
The ideal software should make integration easy, ensure strong security, and be simple to manage. Here are the top features to look for:
- User-Friendly Interface - A good interface makes creating and managing APIs easy, even for those with little technical background.
- Analytics and Reporting - Detailed data and reports show how your APIs are used and where you can improve.
- Security Features - Strong security features protect your data from unauthorized access and threats.
- Scalability - Your software should be able to grow with your business, handling more API calls as needed.
- Support for Various API Types - Working with different API types, like REST and GraphQL, gives you more flexibility in developing APIs.
- API Testing Tools -Integrated testing tools help you find and fix errors early.
- Rate Limiting Rate limiting helps prevent too many API calls from overloading your system.
- Customization - This feature lets you adjust the software to meet your business's needs.
- Developer Community and Support - A good developer community and support resources help you solve problems.
- Integration with Other Tools - Combining with other tools and systems makes your workflow more efficient.
Choosing API tool software with these traits eases integration. It also boosts security, improves management, and helps you achieve your business goals. This approach also drives innovation and enhances communication across platforms.
Benefits of API Tool Software
As a software developer, I understand the crucial role of API tool software. It's more than a tool; it's essential for driving change. This software enhances productivity and streamlines processes in remarkable ways.
Here's my take on the top five benefits of using API tool software:
1. Enhanced Efficiency: I've found that API tool software speeds up tasks like API creation, management, and testing. It saves countless hours and much effort throughout the development process.
2. Improved Collaboration: It provides a shared platform for me and my colleagues to work on API projects together. This fosters improved communication and teamwork among developers, testers, and other involved parties.
3. Boosted Scalability: In my experience, API tool software helps scale up our API network to support more users and larger projects. It ensures everything runs even when demand spikes.
4. Improved Security: One standout feature of API tool software is its strong security protocols. It uses encryption and strict access controls to protect critical data. They keep out uninvited guests, vital in today's digital world.
5. Quicker Innovation: API tool software has allowed us to develop, test, and refine new services. This is essential to keep up with rapid technological changes and stay ahead of the competition.
Adopting API tool software is a game-changer for developing and handling software. It makes my work more efficient and opens up new possibilities for innovation. I believe this technology is a must-have because it can streamline projects, protect data, and enhance teamwork.
Cost & Pricing for API Tool Software
Picking the right API Tool Software is super important for businesses that want to connect different systems and make things run automatically. This is especially true if it's your first time looking into it. There are many options, so it's essential to understand the different plans and how much they cost. This ensures you get what you need without spending too much or too little, especially as your business grows and changes.
Here's what to keep in mind:
- Free plans are a great way to start your API tool project without spending money. Remember that they might not have everything you need or much help if you get stuck.
- Basic plans are affordable and give you the essential tools you need. This is great if you're working on a smaller project or if it's just you.
- Pro plans serve as a flexible middle ground. They're not too pricey, and they offer more features and support. This is awesome for teams that are starting to grow or businesses that need a bit more from their software.
- Enterprise plans are the top tier with all the bells and whistles. They're great for big companies with complex projects, as you get the most customization and help.
Below, I outline the plan options and pricing structures offered by app development software providers. I provide insight into the value of each plan.
Plan Comparison Table for API Tool Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | What You Get |
| Free | $0 | Basic API access, some limits on how much you can use it each day, help from the online community |
| Basic | $10 - $50/month | More APIs to use, you can use it more each day, some help when you need it, some basic info on how you're using the APIs |
| Professional | $50 - $200/month | Even more APIs, even higher use limits, you get help faster, you get better info on your usage, and more ways to make it work with what you need |
| Enterprise | Variable | Everything’s available, you can use it as much as you need, help any time of the day, and really detailed info on your usage |
When looking at plans, I also consider how much I need to use the API and what kind of help I might need. It's also wise to think about the future because upgrading to a better plan can give me more options and support as my business grows.
People Also Ask
Below is a quick breakdown of the most common questions people ask when searching for API tools.
How do you run an API tool?
What types of API tools are out there?
Other Recommended API Tools
Here’s a list of the API tools that didn’t quite make my top 12 list. If you are after a specific feature or function that you couldn’t find in the main list, one of these API tools could be up your alley.
- Tyk
Best open-source API
- Cleo
Best for EDI and API automation
- Boomi
Best API management for enterprises
- Rest Assured
Best for validating REST services
- SoapUI
Best API testing tool
- AsyncAPI
Best for building and maintaining event-driven architecture
- Flowgear
Best for creating workflows
- Swagger
Best for supporting OpenAPIs at scale
- FastAPI
Best for building APIs with Python
- Software AG
Best for seamless data integration
API Tool Selection Made Easy
When looking at plans, I also consider how much I need to use the API and what kind of help I might need. It's also wise to consider the future because upgrading to a better plan can give me more options and support as my business grows.
Whether you are a developer or a customer, choosing the best API tools for your project is very important. Each tool has unique features, strengths, weaknesses, and pricing models. These factors influence what each tool can do and how much value it can add to your project.
Hopefully, this article will help you better understand the differences between each vendor so you can make an informed choice for your business.
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