3 Major Types of API – Public APIs, Private APIs & Partner APIs

API stands for application programming interface and refers to the various means one company has of communicating with another company’s software internally. Public APIs are those that are open to the public, private APIs are meant for use by the company that created them and partner APIs are shared between two companies. Each type of API serves a different purpose and has different benefits and drawbacks.

Public, Private & Partner APIs: What’s the Difference?

API stands for application programming interface. An API provides a way for developers to access the functionality of an operating system, program or other service. Public APIs are open to anyone and can be used without restrictions. Private APIs are only accessible by authorized users and may be subject to usage restrictions. Partner APIs are available to authorized partners of the API provider and may have special terms and conditions associated with their use.

The difference between a free API and a public API is that a free API is provided at no cost, while a public API is open to anyone. Public APIs are often used by companies to make their products and services available to the general public. Private APIs are typically used by companies to provide access to their internal data and systems for authorized employees and partners. Public APIs are usually open to anyone, but a company can also provide a public API that is only available to the general public in some countries or regions of the world, while keeping it under a paid-only restriction in others. Public APIs can make an application’s functionality available to multiple users across the Internet with ease. Public APIs are often used in the development of mobile apps. Public APIs allow easier access to a company’s services by third-party developers, who can use them to build applications that connect with the services provided by the API provider company. Public APIs typically have clearly defined terms of usage so third-party programs know how they can be used. Public APIs are not typically used for load balancing, fault tolerance or other concerns that are typical of systems that require high availability. Public APIs are typically governed by a Terms of Use or license agreement between the developer and the API provider. Public APIs can be hosted on any server capable of handling the demand placed upon them, so long as the terms of use are met.

The difference between Free API & Public API

A free API is one that does not require a paid subscription in order to use it. Public APIs, on the other hand, are open to anyone and can be used without restrictions. Public APIs are often used by companies to make their products and services available to the general public. Private APIs are typically used by companies to provide access to their internal data and systems for authorized employees and partners.

Public APIs are usually open to anyone, but a company can also provide a public API that is only available to the general public in some countries or regions of the world, while keeping it under a paid-only restriction in others. Public APIs can make an application’s functionality available to multiple users across the Internet with ease. Public APIs are often used in the development of mobile apps. Public APIs allow easier access to a company’s services by third-party developers, who can use them to build applications that connect with the services provided by the API provider company. Public APIs typically have clearly defined terms of usage so third-party programs know how they can be used. Public APIs are not typically used for load balancing, fault tolerance or other concerns that are typical of systems that require high availability. Public APIs are typically governed by a Terms of Use or license agreement between the developer and the API provider. Public APIs can be hosted on any server capable of handling the demand placed upon them, so long as the terms of use are met.

The different between Private & Partner API

Partner APIs are private APIs that are made available to authorized partners of the API provider. Partner APIs may have special terms and conditions associated with their use. Private APIs are typically used by companies to provide access to their internal data and systems for authorized employees and partners. Partner APIs are not typically open to the general public. Public APIs are typically open to anyone, but a company can also provide a public API that is only available to the general public in some countries or regions of the world, while keeping it under a paid-only restriction in others.

Should You Be Scared of Public APIs?

Public APIs are APIs that are open to the general public. Anyone can use them without restrictions. Public APIs are often used by companies to make their products and services available to the general public. While Public APIs offer a host of benefits, they also come with some risks. Public APIs can be easily abused and can put a lot of strain on the server they’re hosted on. They can also be used to steal data or access company systems without authorization. Public APIs should only be used by developers who understand the risks involved and take the necessary precautions to protect their data and systems. Public APIs are not typically used for load balancing, fault tolerance or other concerns that are typical of systems that require high availability. Public APIs are typically governed by a Terms of Use or license agreement between the developer and the API provider. Public APIs can be hosted on any server capable of handling the demand placed upon them, so long as the terms of use are met. Public APIs can make an application’s functionality available to multiple users across the Internet with ease. Public APIs are often used in the development of mobile apps. Public APIs allow easier access to a company’s services by third-party developers, who can use them to build applications that connect with the services provided by the API provider company.