For anyone who has been a part of the mobile app development world, might be aware of the term API. An Application Programming Interface or app APIs are set of rules that you can include in your mobile app to communicate or link with other third-party applications. And probably because of such powerful functionalities of best APIs, they are sometimes referred to as ‘fossil fuels of the next generation.’
However, many times it is seen that developers often get confused over which particular API to be integrated in a mobile app to make it more powerful and successful in the global market. That’s why, in today’s article, we will be covering the top ten best APIs that should be incorporated in every mobile app. So, let’s get started!
1. Appcelerator
Appcelerator is a highly popular and powerful back-end- API suitable for both iOs, and Android mobile applications. It is a cross-platform app development API that offers the developers to seamlessly design and develop an application on third-party private, or virtually private servers.
Additionally, Appcelerator also offers in-depth analytics and insights to all its users over developing an effective mobile app. You can easily keep a track of all the app updates, retention and engagement ratios, and traffic on the app with this powerful app API.
2. Kinvey
Undoubtedly the most user-friendly app API, Kinvey was initially framed for businesses and large organizations. However, its effective user services and large range of features made it popular amongst the developers.
Right from app analytics, and data storage, to file transfer and push notifications, this particular app API even has a custom code compatibility for the developers. Besides easy mobile app development, the users need not to worry about connecting their devices to cloud platforms, Kinvey can manage it all. The app API comes in four different models viz. Individual (free), Startup, Business, and Enterprise.
3. Google Maps
Now, who doesn’t know about the search giant Google. When it comes to providing excellent customer experience, Google never backs-off. That’s why we have included Google Maps in our app API list that offers accurate information of a particular place.
Whether you want a satellite image of any place, the traffic conditions, or the shortest way to reach any place, Google Maps is the correct platform for that. It is again a cross-platform app API that is equally beneficial for the web application too! For the iOS version, we have Google Maps SDK, for the android we have Google Maps API, and for the web part we have JS API v3.
4. Google Analytics
Yet again, another powerful app API from Google is Google Analytics. With this robust app API from Google, it is possible to customize the data or fields for the analytics of your web or mobile application. You can even use google Analytics API to set different campaigns for your mobile applications as per the demographics and target keywords.
You can get detailed insights over how each of your campaigns are performing and what thing is getting most liked by your audience. Collecting, analyzing and customizing the data are some of the vital tasks of Google Analytics API. It is also a cross-platform app API that is equally suitable for web applications.
5. Weather App API
Weather is the most crucial aspect for the people engaged in supply chain, agriculture, energy and utility, and even the transportation sector. They need to have accurate weather information and updates about any climatic chaos. That’ why you need to be very particular about these weather updates from a reliable source.
With a trusted weather API, it is possible to get resourceful data on weather and climatic conditions over regular intervals of time. You can even get updates of two or more than two locations at the same time while using the weather API. Some weather APIs even provide data in multiple formats including HTML, XML, and JSON format.
Also Read: How to Create Weather Forecast Apps?
6. Firebase
Firebase is a relatively new app API in the global market. It was launched in the year 2012, and since then this app API witnessed huge growth in its user-base. Why? Well, according to some experts of the mobile app development market, the possible reason could be due to its real-time synchronization functionality.
Firebase offers real-time data syncing which is very beneficial for the businesses that want zero latency in data capturing and analyzing. Also, Firebase provides built-in support for third-party apps, that means, developers could seamlessly use REST APIs on Firebase.
7. Gmail API
Gmail is the most popular and most used email app API for over several decades now. It is a cross-platform, restful API that can be used to send/receive mails from any third-person over your mobile or web apps.
Apart from exchanging emails, Gmail app API even enables you to send offers, chat with your friends, and save important emails with just a tap. The users can even send Google Doc links, sheets, presentations, and even images and videos through Gmail app API.
8. Foursquare API
Foursquare is yet again a powerful and effective app API that offers local search and discovery services. It enables you to check-in various local places, and its real-time data API provides you access to various businesses’ data.
Apart from real-time data API, Foursquare also offers many other app APIs like Core API, Merchant Platform, Venues Platform, etc. Foursquare’s APIs are restful and support XML, JSON and JSONP.
9. Amazon AWS
Seamlessly deployment and scalability are the two most beneficial aspects of Amazon AWS API. from data storage, to user analytics, to content delivery, and even authentication tools, Amazon AWS is a complete back-end app solutions for the developers.
This amazing BaaS resource is highly flexible and allows the users to pay for only those services which they are leveraging. That not only saves a huge amount of economic resources, but also frees the developers from managing a plethora of other services which are not needed in the mobile application.
10. Appery.io
Last but not least, we have our very own, widely used, cross-platform app API called Appery.io. This amazing app API is used to create both the android and iOS applications with its built-in ‘App Builder’ tool. Appery comes with an amazing set of lug-ins and cloud-based tools that eliminates the major concern of app maintenance.
Besides that, Appery even offers a browser-supported web development model with complementary visual support, and enterprise middle-ware models. Appery.io is available in different models viz. Basic, Standard, Pro, Team, and Enterprise.
Mobile App APIs – Build or Buy?
So, those were some of the amazing yet essential app APIs that you must include while developing a mobile app either for your users, or for your enterprise. Now, a major question that might be in your mind is, whether to build APIs or to purchase them from the vendor. Well, here’s the answer to it!
Let’s start with building an API! If you want to develop an app API then you will have the freedom to incorporate any custom functionalities as per your choice. That will eventually save your time and cost, and at the same time will bring effectiveness in your mobile apps.
On the other hand, if you want to quickly develop any mobile application, then of course buying the pre-built APIs could be the best solution. It will eliminate the complexity of building an API from scratch and will also save time for your developers.
All in all, we can say that there are tons of mobile app APIs that are present on the global platform. You only need to identify the scope of your mobile app and should then choose the right kind of API that perfectly suits your business needs.
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